MafiaMan

Thank you for recognizing that. Funny that Conrad wouldn't criticize the NCAA or the pro-name change forces, but instead direct his first shot at a Republican governor.

US Senator Mel Martinez, R Democrats...Bueller...Bueller...anyone?

I must admit, I am stunned they are actually taking a position on this issue.

June 23, 1998: arena ground-breaking for Xcel Energy Center in St Paul. September 1999: arena enclosed. September 2000: arena completed. October 2000: opening night for Minnesota Wild. October 5, 2001: Opening night for UND in the new REA. Do the math.

There's some real logic being displayed on this thread, so naturally, GK has disappeared and moved on.

You're forgetting, mikejm, that not all Sioux people have been "educated" on this issue, so people like GK do in fact speak for all of them. The only Indians who would support the nickname fall into one of several categories: #1) They're not really Sioux so their voice doesn't count. #2) They're not Sioux enough in terms of blood so their voice doesn't count. #3) They're hang around the fort Indians so their voice doesn't count. #4) They've never left the reservation and haven't experienced racism so their voice doesn't count. #5) They have their own opinion and support the Sioux nickname so their voice doesn't count.

Oh here we go with the conspiracy theory. I bet George W. Bush himself is behind this!

You know what's funny, GK, is how you resent having to defend your culture everytime something bad happens, yet you have no problem throwing out the actions of a few and lumping their whole "culture" (if you will) as being entirely responsible. I was a fraternity member at UND from 1990-1992 and am apalled at the actions of a certain few. However, your absolute hatred and loating for all things that are Greek on campus and anyone wearing fraternity letters is disturbing. This doesn't diminish what happened to you in any way, shape or form. However, would you hate all people from Manitoba if the perpetrators of this incident were wearing Winnipeg Blue Bombers sweatshirts? Of course not! If I observed a drunk Indian in a bar on a Saturday night, I do NOT make the leap to the conclusion that all Indians must be alcoholics. If I see one white southern man burning a cross, I do not assume that all southern men are rednecks. If I see a man dressed in a suit making sexually suggestive comments to his attractive administrative assitant, I do not conclude that all business men in suits are evil. Similarly, I'd ask that the actions of a few idiots wearing Greek letters should not represent Greek life across the entire campus.

The first sentence I agree with. The second sentence shouldn't be allowed to happen, regardless of the nickname decision. It's hardly worthy of the keep-the-name cause to play playground bully. "Give me your lunch Billy and no one gets hurt." "Don't change the nickname or else we'll go after Indians." That's just plain wrong. Violence against American Indians on campus AFTER a nickname change would only prove the other side's point.

How about the obvious conflict of interest there? Is it in St Paul's best interest that drawing 10,000+ for a regional tournament (probably 14,000+ if not closer to 17,000+ with the Goophers in town) be held in St Paul? Of course it is!

I love this part in particular... "It doesn't matter if a logo and nickname are offensive to one tribal member or 1 million. The fact is they're offensive and they're wrong." Applying that same standard, it doesn't matter if a painting of a guy peeing on a crucifix is offensive to one person or 1 million. The fact is it's offensive and it's wrong. Now, propose those two scenarios to the ACLU and see which one they'll completely ignore because they don't agree with it and which one they'll rally around the cause to promote as freedom of expression. The FACT is it's offensive and wrong? Who decided that for me?

Assuming we're still allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving, Sioux-cia. Rumor has it that GK is lobbying the state legislature to ban the holiday in North Dakota.

Wow! Now that's a cocky statement. Funny, but I don't think the rest of the NCAA hockey programs are crying over what UND got and what they didn't.

Nah. According to GK and friends, unless a leprauchan objects to the nickname, then apparently Fighting Irish is ok. Still trying to figure out how a leprauchan represents the Irish people, but who cares? I'm white and we all know white people are born wearing gold diapers, right?

Sioux-cia, Having personally met you on our trip to Columbus, I can say I believe you to be a good person and a good mother. It was a real pleasure meeting you and chatting with you and your son the night of the DU/UND game. You shouldn't have had to come here and justify anything about your life. GK is who he is and he certainly seems to relish the role that he plays. I'm glad the central focus of his life is changing a school nickname. People like you and me realize we have far bigger missions.

I don't think you represent the entire Indian population any more than I represent the entire Italian-American population, GK. On one hand, you claim to speak for every person of Sioux descent in North Dakota and that they rally behind your cause. Then on the other, you express anger at feeling that you have to represent the entire Indian population. Which one is it, GK?