Media Stories on the Sioux Name

[MafiaMan]

About time. My thanks to all those who kept the pressure on.

Of course, Conrad can't resist getting some political mileage out of the issue.

I noticed that the Congressional delegation of one of those "other states" that got its appeal approved first jumped on the NCAA almost immediately. What took you so long, Kent? Maybe you, Earl and Byron should have said something before UND filed its appeal, not after it was denied.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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

[CoteauRinkRat]

Was this story in the print version of the Herald? I just skimmed it this morning and don't remember seeing it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it is in the print version.

[PCM]

I seem to recall one of the congressmen from Florida immediately calling for congressional hearings on the NCAA and its monopoly status.  Perhaps that's an empty threat, but at least the rabblerousing would be comforting.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Regardless of whether North Dakota's congressional delegation can actually accomplish anything in Congress to help UND in this fight, simply expressing their displeasure with the NCAA carries a lot of weight. Even if the NCAA doesn't lobby Congress (and it's hard to imagine that it doesn't), some of its most influential members certainly do.

[MafiaMan]

[PCM]

I was roasted for voicing an opinion on this the last time it was discussed, but all I'm saying is the ND congressional delegation is much closer to Ted Kennedy than it is to Bob Dole.  I would venture to say that some very liberal groups are not at all happy with Dorgan, Conrad, and Pomeroy right now, including some pro-name change forces.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was probably among those who roasted you.

It would have been nice if Conrad, Dorgan and Pomeroy would have immediately shown solidarity with UND on this issue, but I didn't think it was necessary at the time. However, the longer they went without saying anything, the more it helped the NCAA and hurt UND. That's why I think it's disingenuous for Conrad to criticize state government when Hoeven did far more to help UND before the appeal was filed than any of the three members of the congressional delegation.

[ScottM]

[MafiaMan]

[MafiaMan]

US Senator Mel Martinez, R

Democrats...Bueller...Bueller...anyone?

[MafiaMan]

It would have been nice if Conrad, Dorgan and Pomeroy would have immediately shown solidarity with UND on this issue, but I didn't think it was necessary at the time. However, the longer they went without saying anything, the more it helped the NCAA and hurt UND. That's why I think it's disingenuous for Conrad to criticize state government when Hoeven did far more to help UND before the appeal was filed than any of the three members of the congressional delegation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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.

[petey23]

You don't understand politics? Conrad is running for re election, so he probably had to have his office do some polling first to see where he should come down on this issue. Dorgan doesn't really care about what is going on in ND right now cuz he is not up fro re election for a few more years and Pomeroy has to wait until Conrad and/or Dorgan's office call him to tell him what he thinks. It is a very involved process for Team ND.

[MafiaMan]

You don't understand politics?  Conrad is running for re election, so he probably had to have his office do some polling first to see where he should come down on this issue.  Dorgan doesn't really care about what is going on in ND right now cuz he is not up fro re election for a few more years and Pomeroy has to wait until Conrad and/or Dorgan's office call him to tell him what he thinks.  It is a very involved process for Team ND.

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[ScottM]

Ardent and outspoken supporters of the nickname from the moment the NCAA's "hostile and abusive" announcement was made:

State Senator Jim King, R- Jacksonville

State Governor Jeb Bush, R

State Representative Trey Traviesa, R, Brandon

State Attorney General Charlie Crist, R

What Democrats in Florida were vocal about the issue again?

[MafiaMan]

[CoteauRinkRat]

Simmer down, cowboy, we're on the same team, remember?  I just get a kick out of people wondering what's taken the trio so long to respond in FAVOR of the nickname.  Have you considered the possibility and probability that they aren't exactly in favor of riling up some core constituents by coming out overwhelmingly in favor of the words "Fighting Sioux"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you MafiaMan, but you also have to realize that there are a lot of people in this state who have voted for Conrad/Dorgan/Pomeroy who also support the name.

[MafiaMan]

[PCM]

From The Temple News:

Mascot policy further muddles stereotype issue

Racism is a social evil that needs to be dealt with. But this policy lands far from healing society's wounds. Instead of putting its foot down, the NCAA has placed it in a familiar spot: its mouth.

The writer has some of the facts wrong, but still reaches the correct conclusion.

[PCM]

I would bet the farm that Sioux tribes in the state of ND have given a ton of money to the campaigns of the afore-mentioned trio in past elections (check South Dakota and Tom Daschle for a similar example).  Now, do you suppose Conrad/Dorgan/Pomeroy have a reason to keep a low profile on the issue?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also don't forget that all three probably get some generous campaign contributions from organizations outside of North Dakota that would prefer to see UND dump the Sioux name.

I'm glad that Conrad, Dorgan and Pomeroy are now all publicly on record as supporting UND on the name issue. While I would have prefered it sooner rather than later, their support can still do some good. The only thing I didn't like was Conrad's partisan swipe at Hoeven.

[MafiaMan]

Pretty good article, PCM. You know one positive that might wind up coming out of the decision to put the screws to UND is that maybe some people will finally see the light and think that this is political correctness run amok.

What's interesting is the obvious "huh?" when you look at two schools with similar issues and the NCAA reaches completely opposite conclusions:

UND + large population of American Indian students + Fighting Sioux nickname = hostile and abusive

UNC-Pembroke + large population of American Indian Students + Braves nickname = exemption

[PCM]

UNC-Pembroke + large population of American Indian Students + Braves nickname = exemption

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but UNC-Pembroke's case, the NCAA took into account the fact that it was founded as an American Indian school. Never mind that it no longer is and that blacks now outnumber Native Americans at UNC-P. I wonder what will happen if the African Americans say that they're offended by the current name?

[PCM]

Here's a column by Richard Baehr from The American Thinker published back in March before the NCAA came out with its policy on American Indian names and mascots. It was inspired when Illionois' mascot Cheif Illiniwek wasn't allowed to appear at the NCAA Final Four.

Of course, the Indians have had a pretty bum deal throughout American history. I do not need Howard Zinn or Ward Churchill to tell me that. And the casinos do not mean we are all even on settling scores. But anybody who tells you that it was all kumbayah amongst the peace-loving tribes, back before Columbus made his voyages, or before the white man began to settle the interior, is romanticizing history. Braves (Alcorn State), Red Raiders (Texas Tech), Warriors (Keuka College), Redmen, Fighting Sioux (University of North Dakota) speak to a history of warfare on the continent. And it was not all one-way.  There was some serious scalping done in the Illinois territory well before anybody tried it outside the stadiums and arenas in Champaign or Chicago. 

But the anti-Indian nickname forces have been winning in many places and to use a popular term of the left - silencing the Indian war cries.  They are practicing ethnic tribalism. In their worldview, we are each members of ethnic, or racial, or religious groups, and nothing more, so don't dare offend my group or my neighbor's group. No offense is the first rule of life for them. But on the margin, something always offends.

[redwing77]

Here's a column by Richard Baehr from The American Thinker published back in March before the NCAA came out with its policy on American Indian names and mascots. It was inspired when Illionois' mascot Cheif Illiniwek wasn't allowed to appear at the NCAA Final Four.

[nodakvindy]

I'm glad that Conrad, Dorgan and Pomeroy are now all publicly on record as supporting UND on the name issue. While I would have prefered it sooner rather than later, their support can still do some good. The only thing I didn't like was Conrad's partisan swipe at Hoeven.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps Conrad was referring to the total backpedaling of the Higher Ed Board. It was their edict that took the name change decision out the University's hands. In that case, I think Conrad's comments are warranted.

[Goon]

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.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is an election year and Kent Conrad doesn't want to offend his leftist/elietist base. The leftists/left wing of North Dakota, hence the liberal college professors from the pro name change croud love Conrad. Also the American Indians against the name are big part of his base as well. Conrad is tap dancing. Dorgan doesn't have to he has 4 years left before re-election.

[Goon]

Here's a column by Richard Baehr from The American Thinker published back in March before the NCAA came out with its policy on American Indian names and mascots. It was inspired when Illionois' mascot Cheif Illiniwek wasn't allowed to appear at the NCAA Final Four.

[PCM]

Perhaps Conrad was referring to the total backpedaling of the Higher Ed Board.  It was their edict that took the name change decision out the University's hands.  In that case, I think Conrad's comments are warranted.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Huh?

According to what Chanellor Potts said on WDAZ last week, all members of the current board stand by the decision made in 2001 requiring UND to use the Sioux name and logo. Until Kupchella asks them to revisit the issue, there will be no change.

I'm not sure how you interpret that as "total backpedaling."