Blackburn87

You have never answered the questions I have posed to you several times in several ways. Why are you on this message board? Why do you care? What are your motives? You pick fights with people on this board you can't possibly win. You feign intelligence, but I have yet to see it. Does the Sioux logo really hurt your feelings that much? (and again... I'm wasting my time and energy...)

Again, your arguments make my head hurt. I probably shouldn't waste my time and energy on your constant barrage of idiocy, but here goes... 1. You state that this issue is an "emotional" one and discount any other points of view. Why don't you admit this is emotional for you as well or you wouldn't be on this board at all? And what's wrong if it is emotional? Why do you care if we care so much? A little passion on this issue goes a long way. I drove 19 hours to attend the Sioux-Gopher game at the REA this October and you know what? It was totally worth it. Get it? 2. Emotional argument or not, this is also a logical argument Sioux Fans make as well. The majority of Sioux Tribal Members at Spirit Lake support the name. Standing Rock wants time to weigh in on this issue. The NCAA and UND had an adequate deadline set in place to do just that. The logo is not offensive. The SBoHE needs to allow this to play out. The most vocal opponents are not from the Sioux Tribe, or are a very small number of Sioux members, or white college professors and Oh, I guess, and you. Skippy, are you beginning to see the logic yet? 3. UND is a great school. The logo has much more unifying effect than a negative one between all sorts of people (Again, junior, follow the logic...) Ergo, the Sioux Logo does not harm the educational mission of UND unless idiots and cry babies say it does.

I agree that it should have been a UND adminstrative issue but I fear the current leadership in UND is hostile to the Fighting Sioux name. They won't say it publicly, but their actions indicate a very laissez-faire approach. Their public face protrays a helplessness as the SBHE has their way, and they're not serious about fighting this. I think part of the problem is the inherent disconnect when you have out-of-state people running this institution. These people don't love the name, the culture, or quite frankly, the University, to act as anything but a bunch of politicians. I hope I'm wrong and someone with some authority at UND will stand up and say that the SBHE needs to back off this imposed deadline and give the tribes a chance to work on this. Now THAT act would show the respect for the Native people that all these people claim they have.

That's a stupid argument and you know it is. UND cannot choose to leave the NCAA and compete in any collegiate sports at any serious level, particularly in hockey. The NCAA knows this and demands capitulatution. Don't play their politically correct BS games, and the NCAA will take your ball and go home. Their attitude and arrogance indicates that they are not interested in any serious discourse on this issue. It's easier just not to fight and they want everyone to weary of it. I am not one of those people. Most North Dakotans are not either. You may be hostile to the Sioux name, but why do you care? You're not a Sioux fan.... unless... the Fighting Sioux logo hurts your feelings and makes you cry?

The fact is North Dakotans don't like being told what to do and don't give up without a fight. I hope that if we lose the battle over the Sioux name we go down swinging. I still can't believe that the NCAA can impose its ridiculous will on an entire state that doesn't want it.

The tone of most of the articles of outside North Dakota sound shocked that Native Americans are fighting to keep the logo. Many of the "offended" groups are people from outside North Dakota with no ties and no sense of history, and I would say that applies equally to the many non-Native American cry babies. I hope the Judge does find standing of the Spirit Lake plaintiffs and orders the SBHE to keep the original negotiated deadline. It may get overturned on appeal, but finally, some legitimate voices will be heard. I just hope the SBHE and the UND powers that be are listening rather than assuming to know what the tribes think or feel.

What a great article. I also agree that if there had been any blatant disrespect of the Sioux or the Sioux culture, I would expect the University to address the problem or risk losing the privilege of using the logo. I live in Kentucky now and I am always homesick for North Dakota. I wear my Sioux clothing with pride any chance I get. The Sioux logo shows a shared heritage in the great state of North Dakota between Native American and non-Native Americans. I have attended a few hockey games over the years and the words "the home of the SIOUX" rings in my ears long after the American Anthem is over. It is a moving statement and a gesture of strength. I think many would feel that way given the opportunity to witness it for themselves.