PETA suggests changing the name of Ham Lake, Minnesota to 'Yam Lake'

Sometimes we come across potential stories so "out there" that we discuss whether there is any point in drawing attention to them. This is one of those occasions.

But at the same time, we figured a lot of you would read about it, so this time we have opted to cynically chase those clicks in a despicable attempt to boost our revenue (but at least we admit it).

The story in question involves PETA, the animal rights organization that has written to the mayor of Ham Lake, Minnesota, asking that the city's name be changed to "Yam Lake," which it argues is more "pig positive."

The city in Anoka County was so named because the local lake looks like a ham joint (it was originally called Glen Carey, only for Scandinavian settlers to struggle with the Scottish name), but PETA suggests the lake could also resemble a tuber.

"Pigs are smart, sensitive, wonderful individuals, so if we have a heart, we’ll leave their legs alone and choose yams over hams," says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. "PETA envisions a new 'Yam Lake' that promotes kindness and healthy eating."

"We would be happy to contribute to the cost of new signage and will send delicious candied yams for the whole town to enjoy if you agree," she wrote in the letter to Ham Lake Mayor Mike Van Kirk. "Everyone at PETA is rooting for you!"

As many will know from the case of Bde Maka Ska, changing the name of an established place or landmark in Minnesota can be an onerous process – though we don't think it would infringe on our objectivity when we suggest that Ham Lakians aren't due to become Yam Lakians any time soon.

Just as a point of interest, PETA is based out of the Virginian city of Norfolk, which is also the name of a popular farmed turkey breed.

Sen. Michelle Benson, whose district includes Ham Lake, has another suggestion for renaming the city.