PCM

Bannana Slugs?

No surprise there at all. Looks like Vern got my e-mail.

I haven't heard anything new about Carle. All I know is that he, not Skinner, was considered DU's top flight risk.

Denver's Brett Skinner is expected to sign with the Vancouver Canucks today, according to this story in The Brandon Sun. If DU loses Carle and Skinner, UND won't be the only team with an inexperienced D-corps.

Right-wing Christians?

Shhhh! You're blowing his cover!

Come now. Nobody's that old! To show how politically far apart we are, as editor of my high school newspaper in Pierre, SD, I wrote an editorial blasting McGovern after he came to our school to speak. I'm sure it was my poisoned pen that cost him South Dakota in the 1972 election.

I didn't see that, but in the process of looking for information about it, I stumbled in this transcript of Kupchella's appearance on Hugh Hewitt's radio show. (Scroll down to "President Charles Kupchella' Open Letter to the NCAA.") This comment by Hewitt is interesting:

In that case, I guess I don't understand his point. All I know is that on an issue such as this, the more allies you have in your corner, the better off you are. I'll take bipartisan support over partisan bickering any day.

Not all Democrats are "left wing extremists." Neither are all liberals. This is a political issue. In politics, you don't reject help from potential allies just because you don't see eye-to-eye with them on all issues.

I think pressuring or even encouraging the Spirit Lake tribe to pass a resolution supporting UND would be a mistake at this point.

Uh, no, Jerry, if you'd keep up with events, you'd know that the tribal council of the Oklahoma Seminoles voted 18-2 to support Florida State's use of the Seminole name. Apparently you have firsthand experience with this ignorance thing. I wonder how Jerry will feel when the NCAA lets Florida State and Illinois off the hook?

John Leo has a good column in U.S. News and World Report called "Attack of the Nannies." He takes the NCAA to task for its nannyism on the Indian nickname issue. Some highlights:

I noticed that. I'd vote for your avatar as being the best on SiouxSports.com.

From the Marin Independent Journal: NCAA should butt out of school nicknames From the Idaho State Journal: Mascots aren't biggest problem for NCAA From the San Antonio Express-News" Editorial: NCAA goes astray in mascot assault From the Seattle Post Intelligencer: You wouldn't call a team 'the Blackfaces' From Paul Jacob at TownHall.com: Playing politics and Indians

Lot of good that did you.

How bad is it that they don't know where the U of M is?

From Island Packet Online: 'Gamecocks' inhumane name

From the Miami Herald 8/20/2005: NCAA waffles; FSU might get to remain the Seminoles Note the use of the word "waffles" in response to the NCAA's latest action. As expected, FSU is looking out for its own interests and nobody else's. The good news? FSU has opened the door to exemptions. UND needs to emphasize its number of American Indian students, the programs for them and the results they produce. A new resolution from the Spirit Lake Sioux strongly endorsing UND's use of the Fighting Sioux name wouldn't hurt, either.

I don't know about anyone else, but I need to hear or see Bunning's words myself from a source other than the Forum.

Vaht?

From the Washington Times: A need to pass the peace pipe

Regardless, this issue isn't about hockey alone. Federov's right. These threads belong in the Sioux Name forum.

Let's not turn this into a Democrat vs. Republican or liberal vs. conservative issue. One of the great strengths we have is the very diverse group of people supporting the Fighting Sioux name. We shouldn't screw that up because we all need each other.

You got it. You're on for the thumb wrestling match of the century. Truth be told, the high-protein, high-carb stuff I've been drinking has yet to have any effect on my thumbs, other than develop a firmer grip on the bottle.