Well, for what it is worth, I mostly agree with Tom.  However, the
tipping point in this particular controversy is, as indicated in the
prior emails, the disapproval by the tribes themselves.  That was news
to me.  I was under the impression that the tribes supported the use of
the name and logo.  


Cathy Spreeman
UNH 72
Go 'Cats! (safe name, as long as we don't drag the stuffed wildcat out
of storage and parade it around...offending PETA et al.)
 

 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: - Hockey-L - The College Hockey Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rowe, Thomas
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 10:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: UND

OK - I guess I will make a horse's rear of myself.
 
I find the "controversy" stupid.  I could understand why Chief Wahoo of
the Cleveland Indians would be offensive, but I really don't understand
what is so wrong with the "Fighting Sioux."  What is different from the
"Fighting Irish?"  The little banty-rooster caricature that Notre Dame
uses is more offensive than the logo of North Dakota.  In my opinion,
you can't go after one if you don't go after the other or all of them.
I misdoubt there is a logo anywhere that doesn't offend someone.
Picking an Indian logo in a State with a significant Indian population -
what's the problem?  They didn't name themselves the "Cowardly Sioux"
did they?  Fighting applied to a sports team, to me at least, is a
compliment, not a slur. 
 
Yes, I understand I am on the politically wrong side of this issue.  But
I think having schools change logos, especially long standing ones (over
70 years in this case) to be politically correct and to use coercive
tactics to do it is both dumb and wrong.  It is also hypocritical given
the only target of this initiative is Indian nicknames.  
 
That's my opinion.  I don't expect it to be popular.
 
Tom Rowe
Former Mizzou Tiger, Western Illinois U. Leatherneck, and U. of South
Dakota Coyote.