PCM

So the Vikings should be paying me royalties because my great grandparents were Swedish? The Fighting Irish owe me some money, too.

So what? If the tribal governments are happy with the arragement, do you think they'll give the anti-nickname crowd the time of day?

Then they need to stand up, be counted and make their voices heard. We can't do that for them.

Attempting an end-run around the elected tribal government will only make matters worse. Mark my words.

I understand your point. If large groups of voters on the reservations are upset and the tribal council members believe there will be negative political reprecussions for opposing the Fighting Sioux nickname, then they will likely do what's needed to satisfy the voters or risk losing power. But if most voters are either apathetic about the issue or agree with the tribal leaders' opposition to the nickname, then there's nothing we can do to change that.

I've thought of that, too, but it seems to me that the only way it could work is if both tribes signed legally binding contracts for a period of years (I'd say 10, minimum). That way, it wouldn't be something that the next change in tribal government could yank away at a whim without being dragged into court and forced to pay damages for breach of contract. With any luck, one of the legal experts will weigh in and let us know if anything like this is wise or even possible.

As far as I know, if any of the tribes that gave the schools their support withdraw that support, then any school that loses that support goes back on the NCAA's "hostile and abusive" list. I don't know how that makes UND more of a "hostage" than any other school that's received an exemption. UND would actually get a year to transition to a new name if it lost tribal support while other schools would have to do it immediately. In that respect, we're better off than they are.

I actually like this idea. Plus, scouts of various races served in North Dakota (Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry and scouts from different tribes that served the U.S. military). Of course, the tribes had their own scouts. It could be argued that "scouts" includes a very diverse group of people.

I don't see that as being our business or our problem.

Good thing you didn't propose to use a certain Teletubby.

I agree. That's one thing that bothers me whenever the possibility of having a dialogue with the tribes comes up. It's almost always pursued with the idea that there's something we can give or offer the tribes that will enable UND to bestow the intended honor. I've been fortuate in my life to have several honors bestowed on me. It's never occurred to ask, "That's nice, but what else is in it for me?" The mere fact that someone thought I was worthy of being recognized was enough. I didn't negotiate for the honor, and the mindset that some form of additional payoff is necessary before an honor can be accepted is totally baffling. The tribes, of course, have every right to reject the honor if they so choose, but they shouldn't expect anyone to grovel and plead to bestow it. Nor should accepting the honor come with conditions and strings attached. Either accept it or don't. I propose that Gov. Hoeven and other appropriate state and UND officials go to the two Sioux reservations, meet with the tribal councils, explain UND's intention in offering the honor and then say that if the governor doesn't receive an answer within a year, UND will begin the process of changing the name. That will be the end of it. The tribal councils don't have to lift a finger unless they want to, and nobody associated with the state or UND will do any lobbying or negotiating. EDIT: I also think the delegation that goes to visit the tribal councils needs to be very clear that UND neither condones nor tolerates racism. They could also discuss the plans to make certain that the nickname and logo are used in a dignified and respectful manner.

Let's hope this guy is available to be our mascot.

Actually, he stops pucks better in the fog.

I told my wife not to put our Christmas card picture on the Internet.

Yes, the worst of both worlds.

He's being robbed!!!

That was awsome! It's hard to decide which sucks the most: her horn playing, her dancing, her acting or her costume.

The North Dakota Peaceniks?

More importantly, Ralph Engelstad didn't give Williston State a boatload of money.

Who cares? His wife is hot!

We should stick with our roots. The Snakes. The Rattlers The Vipers Logo's already done.

That's about it.

Tell me about it. I was disgusted when I saw the Pontiac ads and the company's arrowhead logo on the Ralph's big screen. The trend with the NCAA has been toward hosting the hockey regionals at neutral sites. Therefore, it's not likely that we'll be seeing another regional tournament at REA any time soon.

How do you know what all of us have in our brains?

I haven't seen any of the legal geniuses here describe how UND would get around the NCAA changing its bylaws.