PCM

I know he didn't say it. I said it.

It's called a marketing slogan, and it's been discussed here before.

So it's Brian Lee's fault that the U.S. team couldn't score more than two goals against Germany to avoid OT?

I received a Mike Commodore bobblehead.

Now here's an issue in which the NCAA feels compelled to become involved. Group wants men out of women's practices Allowing male players to scrimmage violates spirit of Title IX legislation, NCAA panel says

I take every opportunity I can to remind the NCAA of its hypocricy.

I was surprised to read this article. Usually when a university president does something like that related to the Fighting Sioux nickname, it makes national headlines. But I honestly don't remember when it happened. Perhaps ex-President Miller decided to get on her high horse after SDSU went DI and didn't have to worry about playing UND any more. As an SDSU alum, had I heard about this, I would have let Miller (no relation) know how I felt about it.

Since when did NDSU become interested in avoiding duplication?

I'm not advocating that the bird be recalled. Just don't oversell it. That's all.

What? You didn't like my joke? I'm hurt.

From Indian Country Today: Harjo: 2006 Mantle of Shame Awards

From the Valley News Dispatch: Crimson Hawks choice for new IUP nickname

From Indian Country Today: Anti-mascot movement made headway in 2006

And once you've allowed the NCAA to estbalish the precedent of rule by executive committee decree, what comes next?

Good post, 82SiouxGuy.

I've lived in Grand Forks for 15 years and worked for UND almost the entire time. I am proud of UND. I am proud of my community. And I am sickened that the NCAA Executive Committee, without even setting foot on campus, can slap the label of racism on my employer and the town in which my children were raised. The idea that all of us who live here and work day in and day out to make UND what it is and Grand Forks what it is are "hostile and abusive" to American Indians is patently absurd. It's wrong. It's not just a lie, it's damn hateful, dispicable lie. I apologize profusely for not being willing to bend over and take it in the rear so some of you can bask in glory of losing to Minnesota in football and basketball. And I'm terribly sorry that you're inconvenieced when I don't work myself into the same tizzy that you do by worrying about whether NDSU has played a freaking game against some DI school that UND hasn't played. Apparently my values are warped. Apparently I'm the one who lacks perspective and doesn't know what's important. I mean, what the hell is more important than a game? What the hell is more important than being entertained on a Saturday afternoon for a few hours? Just go ahead and cave into the hypersenstive, literal-minded, race-baiting, forever-offended people of the world because, after all, when this is over and UND is playing pretend DI football, they'll be the ones you can count on to support your next leap to athletic glory. You will be their heroes.

It was hilarious. You should be on Comedy Central. That was a joke, too.

We can't have any of that without Division I athletics? Sorry. I didn't buy that argument when NDSU made it and I'm not buying it when UND makes it.

Do you think that Gopher fans getting involved really helped?

Why? Does the University of Minnesota have a policy against Gopher players touching pucks shot by Fighting Sioux players?

I'm aware of all that. But it's a fact that UND and Minnesota have a longstanding, heated rivalry in DI hockey. There is nothing remotely similar between Minnesota and NDSU. That's not to say that such a rivalry couldn't develop, but it's not going to happen any time soon.

I just want to remind everyone that last week Tim Hennessy said there would be no coaches' show until after Christmas. So if anyone's expecting a summary, don't hold your breath.

This might be one factor to consider: Which school do you think Gopher fans would rather play in football and basketball? UND or NDSU? I know it's not an "either/or" question. However, I can't help but wonder how many Gopher boosters might be telling the AD that he's nuts for not finding a way to schedule the Sioux, especially when he's not bound by the advisory committee's decision. We have a traditional and heated rivalry with Minnesota. NDSU doesn't. Which games are likely to put more butts in the seats? I agree. I hope that UND is working toward some type of goal with that end in mind, either with the tribes in North Dakota or with the NCAA attorneys.

The Crusaders are not who we thought they were.

There are legal minds out there who tell me that ultimately it is a First Amendment issue. It's not simply my opinion. For me, however, the proof is the fact that the NCAA purposely moved American Indian nicknames, mascots and imagery out of the realm of "offensive" and into the realm of "hostile and abusive." They did that because the courts say that "offensive" speech can't be censored, but "hostile and abusive" speech can. Does the NCAA have the right to ban UND's legally registered trademark from display at public events? Can the NCAA arbitrarily declare UND's name and logo "hostile and abusive"? Does UND have no legal recourse to challenge a ruling that it believes is arbitrary and capricious, a ruling that clearly infringes on the right of free expression? It seems to me that those are legal issues that could yet be decided in court. And by sticking our heads in the sand and pretending that we are powerless to do anything, that outcome is assured. You choose to accept it. I don't. It bothers me to no end that universities that were once the bastions of free expression, groundbreaking ideas and diverse opinion are now dominated by people who think nothing of trampling the rights of anyone who disagrees with them. This is where we differ greatly. While you can't sue the University of Minnesota or any other school for not playing UND, you can put the issue in the court of public opinion to expose the hypocrisy and demagoguery of those behind it. Ultimately, it's the taxpayers and voters who hold public institutions accountable. If we fail to exercise that authrority for whatever reason, we get what we deserve.