Che Hamstera Addresses the Multitudes! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On August 5, 2000, Che Hamstera was present at the dedication of a memorial to our fallen comrades in the recent battles against the infamous POOR (People for the Oppression Of Rodents). While the actual location of the memorial is being kept a secret from the world at large right now, your local HLF chapter should soon have information on where you can gather to support those who gave their lives so that others may live. In the meantime, however, we have transcribed Che's speech from the formal gathering and present it here for your review and inspiration. Thanks go to Damond X for making his personal recording equipment available for the event so that Che's words are recorded for eternity. And now, Che speaks: "We stand within this forest that has meant so much to our struggle, and we finally stand upon it in victory. I wish I could welcome you all here, but others have given their all and made the ultimate sacrifice to allow us this moment... and while we will surely celebrate our victory in the days to come, now is the time for mournful remembrances. "There are tales to be told of our Brothers and Sisters--tales of heroism, tales of great deeds in the face of overwhelming deperation--too many tales to recount at this time, although they will all be collected for inclusion in the official memorials. "Tonight, however, I want to tell you about one particular brave soul: Bobo. A white rat from the plains of Kansas, Bobo spent the formative months of her life in a secret government laboratory where we can only guess the tortures she endured day after day. One night, however, after lights-out, she heard a couple of rodents in some other cages discussing the Underground Railway (conducted by sympathetic moles) and she was so inspired that she made her plans that night for her escape. Come morning, she waited for the moment when the government lackey "scientists" came for her... and she made her break for it. "She never talked much about the troubles she had trying to work her way outside of the facility and to the nearest UR outpost, but suffice it to say it scarred her for life. By the time she made it to HLF HQ, she was more than ready to heap retribution upon those who would oppress rodents. "Bobo worked her way up the ranks of the HLF and found herself in charge on the front lines of our recent battles against POOR. Early one morning, she found herself on patrol with a few of her comrades when they were ambushed by POOR agents. Outgunned and rapidly being overwhelmed, she held off the enemy singlehandedly and allowed her comrades to make a successful retreat. While she has been credited with eliminating 17 enemy agents as her comrades made their way back to base camp for reinforcements, she was unfortunately gunned down and, later, eviscerated. "It is for Bobo and all of the others who gave their lives in similar manners for the Rodential Cause that we consecrate this memorial. May it stand for all time as a reminder to the sacrifices they made and to the necessity for our continued vigilance." Thank you, Che, for your inspirational words. May we live up to Bobo's example.