In article et, "Dwight
Stewart" writes:

"Bert Craig" wrote:

(snip) The fact is that Morse code IS
the second most popular mode in use
in the ARS today. IMHO, that in itself
is sufficient justification. (snip)

And, in my humble opinion, it is not sufficient justification - no more
than the fact that vacuum tubes or circular analog tuning dials were once
popular justifies a requirement that they continue to be used. Clearly,
unless there is a valid reason otherwise, anyone should be free to use those
if he or she wants, but there should be no government regulation mandating
that. The same with Morse code.

Irrelevant, Dwight. The amateur community has specifed the criteria
and goals of amateurism.

First and foremost is morsemanship. This is necessary to show the
requisite dedication and commitment of all amateurs to the community,
that they posess the needed self-discipline to learn the most vital and
important mode in radio today, on-off keying by morse code.

Remember, we're talking about the 5-wpm
test, NOT 13 0r 20.

If a person has no interest in code, the speed certainly isn't going to
change that.

Obviously such individuals are unworthy of amateurism, lacking the
necessary dedication and commitment to morsemanship and
possessing absolutely no self-discpline.

(snip) Yes, I would very much "like to
continue mandating a skill test for a mode
that is all but gone from the world of
radio communications EXCEPT WITHIN
AMATEUR USE." Thats because it's a
skill test for upgrading within, not entry
into, the ARS (snip)

The Amateur Radio Service does not exist in a vacuum, Bert. The FCC
recently said "the emphasis on Morse code proficiency as a licensing
requirement does not comport with the basis and purpose of the service."
They came to that conclusion after looking at modern communications systems
outside Amateur Radio and the changes that have occurred in communications
over the last fifty years. They noted that "no communication system has been
designed in many years that depends on hand-keyed telegraphy or the ability
to receive messages in Morse code by ear." And they said reducing the
emphasis on telegraphy proficiency as a licensing requirement would "allow
the amateur service to, as it has in the past, attract technically inclined
persons, particularly the youth of our country, and encourage them to learn
and to prepare themselves in the areas where the United States needs
expertise."

Irrelevant. The amateur community sets standards. FCC, ITU, IARU
has no bearing on standards and practices.

Morsemanship is vital and important to save the world should aliens
arrive from outer space, trying for conquest of the earth.

Morsemanship is vital and important to home security, protecting us
from terrorism.

Morsemanship is vital and important during disasters and
emergencies when all the communications infrastructure fails.

You mean the second most popular mode
in use today doesn't rate as a valid test
requirement determinator. (snip)

If you're going to argue that to justify a test requirement for the second
most popular mode, why not argue the same for the third, forth, or even
fifth, most popular modes?

Irrelevant. Morsemanship stands on its own. It does not need
polls or popularity opinions.

Morsemanship is the most important aspect of amateur radio today.

It demonstrates self-discipline, dedication, and commitment to the
amateur community. That is vital and necessary.

By the way, where did you get the idea that CW was the second most popular
mode? I agree that SSB is probably the most popular. But, given the sheer
numbers of Technicians today and the fact that not all others use CW on a
regular basis, certainly far more people use FM than CW today.

Irrelevant for reasons shown above.

Morsemanship is vital and necessary, stands on its own. It is LAW.

LHA