Is there any possibility that a firmware or a hack could make the zune to play AM radio stations? Or should I just abandon my hope of being able to hear politics and boring but adictive programs on my zune L?

Probably not much hope for an AM tuner; however, with the new Zune software supporting podcasts, you can download all sorts of cool stuff now (there are all sorts of news programs on there now, as well as NPR).

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Just my $0.02.

AM's probably a lost cause, but I'd love to see them drop in HD radio.  A man can dream...