According to a current story about the country's most prosperous state, 
residents of two years ago who were emotionally tied to "honoring" the 
Sioux name may be in the minority before long and alternative names that 
could give historic recognition to more recent losers of battles might 
include "Fighting Farmers" or "Fighting Housewives".

Fear grows in N.D. Oil Patch
http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/154230/group/Opinion/

In part ...
"Reporters for western North Dakota newspapers broke a story this week 
that is yet another indication of the fraying of the social fabric of 
the west's farming and ranching communities because of the boom in the 
Oil Patch. Ashley Martin of The Dickinson Press and Lauren Donovan of 
the Bismarck Tribune wrote of sharp increases in sales of self-defense 
weapons, primarily purchased by women.
"In addition, women in unprecedented numbers are signing up for 
self-defense courses and/or even hosting home parties to learn how to 
use self-defense devices. More than 200 women attended a recent hands-on 
self-defense class in Watford City, the Tribune reported."

Hope the Sioux don't get caught in the crossfire.

Bob Griebel

------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Edwards wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 8:54 AM, Joe Makowiec <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>   
>> "The University of North Dakota will resume using its contentious Fighting
>> Sioux nickname despite threats from the NCAA, the school's president said
>> Wednesday, marking the latest twist in a protracted fight about a name that
>> critics consider offensive."
>>
>>     
>
> The North Dakota State Legislature, no doubt as part of a campaign to win
> the award for "Legislature with way too much time on its hands" award,
> passed a law in April 2011 to require UND to use the Fighting Sioux
> nickname. After essentially being told to get stuffed by the NCAA, that law
> was repealed in November (cementing their hold on the award, so good for
> them).
>
> Enough signatures were collected to send November's law (the repeal) to a
> referendum. Those petitions were filed on Tuesday, which apparently
> suspends the law in question - an amusing fact since they don't even know
> yet if there are actually enough valid signatures to put it on the
> ballot. Assuming enough are legal, the issue goes to a statewide vote in
> June. (Your tax dollars at work!) It's an open question as to how many
> signatures came from NDSU fans who just want to be able to yell "Sioux
> Suck" whenever they feel like it, whether they are actually playing UND or
> not.
>
> Meanwhile, the State Board of Higher Education is now considering trying to
> have the April 2011 law overturned on constitutional grounds - something
> that might have been worth doing back in - oh, I don't know, maybe - April
> 2011. If that happens, the June vote would be moot, since it would be a
> vote to overturn a law that repeals a non-existent law. It would be the
> Seinfeld of referenda.
>
> If they lose here, the Too Much Time on Their Hands brigade will probably
> try to use an initiative to enshrine the nickname in the State
> Constitution, ensuring forever that the right of all Free Citizens to yell
> 'Sioux' at the end of the National Anthem shall not be abridged....
>
> Must be nice to not have any problems in a state, so you can spend your
> time worrying about a college team's nickname.
>
> John
>
>