The Sicatoka

And that's why throught all of this conversation I've maintained that the key isn't what the individual institutions do, but what the NCAA does in 2004. NDSU has upped the ante and started the "DI probation clock." Their choice. SDSU has noted a need for a conference affiliation before a move. Their choice. UND has decided to stand pat. Their choice. Who knows what's in store when the NCAA relooks at the divisions and how it will affect these positions. Scenarios? Who knows. Remove the "play up in a non-FB or BB sport" rule? UND would move up to protect hockey. Create a full IAA (all sports) level? That's anyone's guess. Change the minimums and maximum levels for participation in a division? Again, who knows. Heck, allow scholarships in DIII? That'd change the landscape also. We're all in a tizzy over this and by the end of 2004 the NCAA could have all the decision factors changed.

PCM: Didn't you know that every research grant granting organization checks your level in the National Collegiate Athletic Association before granting academic research dollars.

One group says, "Go Sioux!" The other group says, "Sioux (self-censored)!" instead of "Go Bison!" As a matter of fact, they can't say "Here we go Bison, here we go!" without adding a "Sioux (self-censored)" in there as a part of a standard crowd cheer. And they use that rally cry even when The University of North Dakota is not the opponent. Last winter it was threats and destruction of property relating to the "10 Percent" society on the NDSU campus. Then it was allegations made by the players and coaching staff of MSU-Mankato relating to crowd conduct at a recent FB game at NDSU's home field. Could NDSU finally realize that cheering for themselves is better than cheering against everyone else?

Again, who is defining the disrespect? 81% of American Indians say the name should not change. Wouldn't it be more disrespectful to change, thus ignoring them and their wishes? You continue to avoid the opportunity to refute my 'tatanka'/religious symbol assertion.

dagies: McMahon did a lot of the late defensive zone face-offs Friday. Lundbohm did the key late ones Saturday. Each was the "hot hand" at the time. Coach Blais was also tending to send Parise's line out when the puck was already in the Wisconsin zone for the face-off. Doesn't everybody notice those things?

JBB: I have posed a very plausible scenario. It is no more contrived than the Freethinkers versus Fargo City Hall Ten Commandments, especially so considering that Betty Ann Gross (a prime mover in the anti-logo debate in SD) had a problem with the Watertown (HS) Arrows logo because it had sacred eagle feathers included (drawn) in it. (She's OK with the name Arrows in of itself.) It's far from contrived scenario in today's "easily offended" world and you've attempted to dismiss it by attempting to discredit me. My question is this: Will American Indians oppose inappropriate use of a religious symbol/icon, or, will offended Christians oppose promoting a religion at a public institution? Or will both call for the change?

JBB: You don't counter the argument. You claim I'm living in denial. Who's in denial?

All I know is that (effectively) the same report was given by Carr to SDSU. They apparently (based on the Oien quote above) took the words to heart.

JBB: You missed it completely. If I'm right, a small minority of "the possibly offended" people can claim that they are offended. How many have to be offended before you take action? 1%? 19 plus or minus 4%? What about the majority of the "possibly offended" who aren't? There's the rub. There's the parallel. You don't understand the situation until it hits home. Next, in one case you are talking about people. In another case you are talking about established religions. Saying things, pro or con, about people is Constitutionally protected. Government entities establishing religions (or using religious icons) is quite another. Re-read Amendment 1: Before it says free speech, it says shall not establish a religion. No I'm not using the "you do it too" defense. I'm just getting you ready for the next debate from the American Indian peoples and those of other faiths. Again, laugh. Who would have believe the Freethinkers would ever dare do what they are doing in Fargo. Who's next?

Psssst .... It's at PrideOnIce.com

An analytic approach?

Isn't this what some of us suggested in the beginning, namely, that NDSU hoped that their move without a conference would cause the de facto formation of a new "D-IAA" NCC? Look at who's been suggested to be there in this "new" conference: Northern Colorado North Dakota State South Dakota State

JBB: No. I'm a Christian and I am offended. If the atheists can be offended by, and demand removal of, the Ten Commandments at Fargo City Hall (and any other public locale), I as a Christian can be offended by my government, or its entities, promoting, as I perceive it, another religion. It could be perceived as promoting an organized religion, namely that of the American Indians, by the promotion of their sacred symbol. That promotion, by a government body, would violate separation. It'd be a fun case for the ACLU attorneys. Now, you're sitting there saying, "Rediculous! What a baffoon!" but who would have believed 30 years ago that anyone would howl about Fargo's Ten Commandments monument. PS - I've never seen "Dances with Wolves." I can't stand Costner unless he's in a baseball film.

JBB: Please respond to the following assertion: As the cross is a sacred symbol in Christianity, as the Star of David is the sacred symbol of the Jewish faith, "tatanka" is the sacred symbol of "Wakatanka" (The Great Spirit) to the American Indians of the Plains. "Tatanka" is sacred in American Indian religion. A public school is using "tatanka" as a mascot. Some may construe it to be a public institution endorsing a particular religion and government shall not establish a religion. Others could construe it to be an insensitive insult, a horrible misuse, of their sacred symbol. Tatanka? You know it in English as Bison.

Another week, another article. Apparently it's Sports Illustrated's turn. Thread at USCHO

Surgeon?

Either you need to go to Stupid, I mean STUDENT Health, or you need to stop going on Al Pearson's bus trips. I believe the statement by 'forecheck' just might be the definition of "way too much information."

But Duluth wouldn't be a bad game at all. They are a playoff team this year. Hey, why didn't Duluth and NDSU play this year? I had heard the deal was set. What caused the back-out (by Duluth)?

You folks missed the Fargo Forum Editorial Board's take on the situation: Forum editorial: Keep NDSU out of UND logo debate The Forum - 11/20/2002

IF (big if) the games were on DirectTV, they'd be on Channel 642. UND at Minnesota (Jan 10-11, 2003) should be on Fox Sports (North) or DirectTV 641. PS - All home UND hockey games should be on those big dish coordinates.

mksioux, YaneA: You may want to familiarize yourselves with The Fire. You'll be shocked and saddened with the things going on on American campuses.

jim: As the cross is a sacred symbol in Christianity, "tatanka" is the sacred symbol of "Wakatanka" (The Great Spirit) to the American Indians of the Plains. "Tatanka" is sacred in American Indian religion. A public school is using "tatanka" as a mascot. This should not be because some may construe it to be a public institution endorsing a particular religion. Tatanka? You know it in English as Bison.

Hey folks, if you weren't aware of it, the Fighting Sioux Sports Network is up and running. You can watch Sioux hockey (and select BB and FB games) on cable systems across North and South Dakota and parts of northwest Minnesota. Let Midcontinent Cable know that you appreciate it. Send them an email at: mccomm@midco.net and tell them thanks. And if your system doesn't offer it, get on the slackers!

Regarding Gopher fans who are upset with the Herb Brooks statement, as Colonel Jessup would say, "You can't handle the truth!" Come on, you know someone had to say it.

Yes, congratulations on a great 2 and 8 season. The smartest thing I've heard Scott Miller say in a long time was Saturday night in the Bison FB postgame. (I turned that on to find a final score.) What'd Miller say (paraphrased)? "Hopefully, NDSU's starting QB next year is playing at a JUCO somewhere right now."