[Fists] Let's Face It!!

[Stanley]

We can keep "Flapping Our Jaws" all day, every day, about the code 
requirements, etc., but we are all missing the point of where
the real problem lies. We have sat on our rear ends, igonoring the real 
problem, and whining about the code requirements. The
underlying problem is that becoming a Ham is like going to Walmart and 
buying a license off the shelf. The questions and answers
for all the tests are available to anyone just to memorize and take the 
test. There is no requirement to have ANY knowledge at
all, just a good memory. There are NO Schematics to draw, no antennas to 
design by remembering the formulas, there is nothing
that requires you to REALLY know what in the hell you are doing, just a 
good memory and a note from your mother. I saw an
article in an e mail (Think it was the ARRL newsletter) that a seven or 
eight year old just became the youngest extra class ever.
WOW!!! That is exciting!! I wonder how many schematics and designs that 
little feller can do?? Would be interesting to know.
I'm sure Daddy bought him a nice computer to play with. But, how much 
"REA:L" knowledge does that person have if they
are to build their own radio and have enough "Savvy" to fix it? To sum 
it up and bore you all the death, WE HAVE BECOME A
DUMB SOCIETY where Big Brother watches over us to protect us and tell us 
what to do. To be Politically Correct, we have
to make tests easier less we offend some minority who the BIG BROTHER 
designates. Our schools don't even teach us how
to spell anymore nor do they teach us geography or history. There are 
grown up people that can't even tell you what state
is east of Texas, or Arizona, etc. So, what do we expect from our hobby? 
The big radio manufacturers have lobbied the FCC
to ease the requiremenets so they can sell more radios because as Ham 
Tests were harder, less radios were sold. Makes sense
to me. So, in conclusion, I am saying that the trend is set and we are 
shovelling **** against the tide.
73's de Stan W5ZF #6183
QRP ARCI #5582
DXCC Honor Roll 350/350 all with less than 100 watts and wire antennas