Thursday, January 22, 2015


A thought

The federal government, which has " Tomahawk" cruise missiles and "Apache," "Blackhawk," "Kiowa" and "Lakota" helicopters - and used the code name "Geronimo" in the attack that killed Osama bin Laden, officially objects to the name of the "Washington Redskins."

Really?


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is not reasonable to expect consistency among bureaucrats.

Anonymous said...

Irony: Despite the fact that the U.S. beat the hell out of all those tribes almost every time they went up against any one of them we remember them as great warriors and name competitive things (like teams) and war equipment after them.

Anonymous said...

I am against the idea of the Feds sticking their noses in this controversy, but I think most people can see a difference between a tribal name and a name with lots / some / little / none disparaging connections to it. (Your choice as to how you feel on the depth of the "insult.")

As I remember, Jon is originally from Australia. Instead of calling him an "Australian," or "Aussie," why not call him a "Shackle Dragger," a "Skippy Poofter," a "Roof*****," a "Dingof*****," a Drongo, a "Convict," or my favorite, an "ABC" which is short for "Aboriginal Bum Cleaner?"

(Source:http://www.rsdb.org/race/australians)

I think the Perth ABC's or the Melbourne Shackle Draggers for team names would make lots of people in those cities happy and proud. (Or, maybe not.)

The point is that some words and names come with associated honor. Some come with associated hatred or offense. It seems short sited to say that the honor names and what may be "offensive" names are equivalent.

In the long ruin, the market and the owners of a team should sort out what they want the team to be called. If the name offends enough people, they won't attend games or buy merchandise. This is not an issue for the Federal government.

stinky said...

JJR,

The double standard is part of the narcissistic thrill, an integral part. It shows that they're better than those who are not above the rules.

Anon 2:47,

No irony. Americans were well aware of their own advantages and of just how much courage the natives had to fight as well as they did under the circumstances. Usually, enemies are disparaged, but these were known as "braves." I know of no higher compliment in the history of warfare.

Bird of Paradise said...

Oh yes the hypocracy is most deafening

Anonymous said...

6:02 Your argument is not relevant. The names you cite are not tribal or ethnic.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:02,

Thank you for not only misunderstanding the argument, but also thinking that Aborigines and whites are not tribes or races.

Anonymous said...

If actual Indians gave a damn about this sort of thing, wouldn't they demand we rename Oklahoma?