ScottM

The speed with which the NC$$ rolled over is astounding. FSU is/was the big target of the original rule, especially with the their use of a mascot, chants, etc. Permission or no, FSU was a prize the NC$$ could not afford to lose. Once they let them off the hook without so much as a fight, the NC$$ really diminished their veracity on the issue. I can't wait for the whining editorialists to beat Brand & Co. up for caving to FSU. I *almost* feel sorry for the poor schmuck. Almost.

"Negro"? The Bellecourt brothers, and Russell Means, are really nothing more than carpet-bagging opportunists who whore themselves out to the media on demand. They get trotted out by their white, liberal "friends" whenever the name issue comes up, or there is a perception that people are not sufficiently "respectful" of Indians, and they need "true representatives" of "Native Americans". I think the only thing missing is a bra to hold some dollar bills.

And some of those very same English profs got upset at me when I used the term "f***" in certain essays or in class ...

I agree. I think the President of the Spirit Lake Band quoted in other articles doesn't see the "hub-bub" about the name/logo, so it probably doesn't create too much of an issue at this point.

What's the deal with all of the pics of the white folks carrying signs? Are some of the fatter ones out for some needed exercise?

Perhaps Izenberg needs to be enlightened on the $1M settlement SCCC reached with certain victims of systemic racism and anti-semitism on his buddy's Saigo's watch, as well as the *real* federal investigation, not some pansy-ass, do nothing commission like was on UND's campus. Do you think these whiny, left-wing losers send each other their columns so they can cut 'n paste the same recycled crap? It's like a circuit of post-60s bilge that even Al Franken wouldn't touch. Nicky Coleman should sue Nicky Izenberg for copyright infringement and unlawful recycling of old news.

Interesting that UND got a mention in FSU's hometown paper. I wonder if a few of the schools on "The List" are not starting to coordinate their responses at some level.

Even though Comcast owns OLN, it seems to intent on leveraging the network beyond its own cable systems. I found it here on a non-Comcast system, but I think I have to upgrade to another digital tier so I can get Channel 458 or whatever. Before I do that, I want to see if they'll actually show more than a game a week. Besides, I think it's good for the NHL to get away from ESPN, as they did nothing to support/promote the sport.

Lotta good it did SoDak, Ellsworth ended up on the BRAC closure list anyway after Thune ran on that promise. As far as the NoDak delegation, perhaps a call from the UND Alumni Foundation might wake them up. Besides by DC standards (read: Ted Kennedy, Hillary "I'm not a man, dammit" Clinton and Howard Dean), NoDak's congressional delegation is pretty moderate. Might be a pretty interesting campaign issue: "Overreaching, PC NC$$ picks on poor NoDak, and Senator ___ did nothing".

Toughen up, kid, because "life" is a going to toss you some more curve balls down the road.

That great objective "in his own mind" journalist Nick Coleman came out with all guns blazing today: Nick Coleman: Ralphie still runs the show at UND It is his second column within a week on the Sioux: Nick Coleman: Mascots get more ink than museums When you have antagonist like this guy, that says a lot about our character. I'm actually encouraged by this, as Coleman must have a sense of the public reaction to the NCAA ruling, and he doing everything in his power to turn the tide. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I suggest a showdown of sorts. All the supporters of the name/logo on one side, the losers on the other. Both sides armed with hockey sticks, axe handles, baseball bats and hatchets. Last person left standing gets to make the decision. Sweet, simple and great PPV possibilities.

It's a federal office whose main purpose is to whine and complain about perceived "injustices", and waste our tax dollars. It has no enforcement authority whatsoever.

Wow. I must say I was impressed by the "open" letter. I wonder how "edgy" the "private" letter to Brand et al. will be. It sounds like Kupchella may mimic FSU's moves. Bravo, Doctor!

Maybe Sens. Dorgan and Conrad, as well as Pomeroy can get off their asses and do the same. More insight from USAToady. USAToady

I think Iowa, actually named after a tribe, and pointed to as a shining beacon of spineless enlightenment by the NC$$, should change its name from the "Hawkeyes", which is a ripoff from The Last of the Mohicans written by that white profiteering author James Fenimore Cooper about a tribe of Indians that never existed. Although the movie was pretty good, and Russell Means wasn't even beating his wife in it.

I thought it was perfectly offensive, insensitive and "politically incorrect". In other words, pretty damn funny.

The facts between FSU and the other schools are a bit different in that the Florida Seminoles have given their express permission. FSU by virtue of the fact they've already hired lawyers will probably attack the entire policy, especially because I doubt they will may any substantive changes to the way they use their logo, Chief Osceola, etc. UND could probably use this "permission" to a certain point, but it would have to stand on its own merits. I submit that any appealy by UND would probably rely heavily on the Indian-specific programs on campus, as well as the fact it doesn't use a "mascot" like Florida, Illinois, etc. , as well as making an effort to encourage respectful uses for its name/logo. On a somewhat related note, what idiot thought it was a good idea to use the Sioux name to sell products with the name tied to them at REA? It doesn't really support the respectful use aspects UND is trying to espouse.

I think it's rather amusing that some of the biggest critics of the name/logo at UND continue to attend school (thus paying money to the school, usually), teach there (helping to maintain its academic standing) and work there (usually staff pogues who don't have the stones to work elsewhere). By lending their money and expertise to the school, they help perpetuate the "bad" stereotypes of which they complain. Hypocrisy thy name is ...

Myles Brand "speaks". USAToady Brand's comments are amusing, and somewhat pathetic especially when he talks about "freedom of expression" versus "doing the right thing".

Just tell 'em you're a left-handed, black lesbian with a foot fetish. That should cover a few bases. Hell, they may actually give you a full professorship, and accept your PhD from some online mill.

There's an old adage that suggests the "first to the courhouse wins". In this instance, I think FSU, even through its hot winded response, is probably right to move quickly in their own backyard to secure their rights, and put the NC$$ into a box. FSU's case is somewhat different based on the use a "mascot" and the fact that they have the support of the Seminoles in Florida. UND does not have those facts in its favor. Moreover, it appears that FSU will probably use the NC$$'s own wishy-washy rule against it, and attack the rule as being arbitrary and capricious, e.g., what constitutes "abusive" or "hostile". Apparently, nobody at the NC$$ knows either. This tack makes sense for UND too. The fact that the NC$$ is a voluntary association does not put it above laws that also govern race-based criteria, e.g., the NC-Pembroke exception. The fact that all/most of the universities affected receive federal and state aid, and may be governed by their states may also trigger a host of issues that the NC$$ was too stupid to consider. As JK noted, patience is key. However, I would hope the powers-that-be at UND are serious about defending the school's use of the name in the face of this rule and are really considering avenues of attack.

Considering "sioux" will generate around 6M hits on Google and over 20M on Yahoo, and given the wide ranging uses of the name online, from various American Indian groups to tools to cities to steam cleaners to energy companies and pottery, it can safely be said that nobody really "owns" the name. If somebody claims ownership, they had better get off their lazy asses and start enforcing their "rights" to the name under "the white man's law".