Federal Judge Forbids Redskins’ Name from Being Used in His Court Docs

Mediaite ^ | 07/17/2014 | by Josh Feldman

[SeekAndFind]

The Redskins. Just the mere mention of the name is enough to bother some people. Well, one federal judge ruling on a case about the team had forbade any references to the name in court or in court documents, and aside from a footnote, “Redskins” is never mentioned once in his ruling.

U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte wrote in that footnote, “Pro Football’s team is popularly known as the Washington ‘Redskins,’ but the Court will refrain from using the team name unless reference is made to a direct quote where the name appears.” And so, when he referenced the team in the ruling, he only called them “the Washington team.”

Early on in the case, Messitte ordered that the team name not be used in his courtroom, putting him in good company with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which recently revoked the team’s trademark because of the supposed offensiveness of the name.

[Above My Pay Grade]

He should be impeached.

[SpinnerWebb]

“Voldemort!”

[IamConservative]

Certainly sound like an objective, unbiased court....or reason for appeal.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Can this judge be removed from this case? How can he be impartial at all, when he clearly is taking sides on whether the name Redskins is appropriate?

sounds like an issue for lawyers to raise.

[doug from upland]

When will he order the confiscation of these?

[rjsimmon]

It is the team’s legal name. Is this ‘judge’ proposing that people use whatever name they chose at the moment?

[just me]

This is what happens when you dumb down America... Just plain stupid...

[montag813]

Obama has spoken, and the entire judiciary falls into line. This reminds me of Hitler's kangaroo judges, who carried out judgments according to his diktats and racial laws.

Above: Roland Freisler (center), president of the Volk Court (People's Court)

[cripplecreek]

Seems like cause for a mistrial. It cripples the owner’s case.

[Hurricane]

Time to term limit federal judges.

[US Navy Vet]

Appointed by Clinton, a POS Dem(both the “judge” and “Slick”).

[Teacher317]

I wonder if anyone has asked this court what other words have been redacted from their briefs and filings and other court papers... If they've ever previously removed or redacted f***, c***, n*****, motherf*****, kike, spic, redneck, chink, wetback, gook, or bitch, then MAYBE they have a chance at claiming no actual prejudice (in its most literal sense). Otherwise... no.

And how wonderful of our media to not investigate this question yet!

[Red Badger]

Sounds a bit prejudicial to me........................

[Teacher317]

Just the mere mention of the name is enough to bother some people.

I also fail to recall where our courts are charged with the responsibility to never allow anyone in their courtrooms to be "bothered".

[TomGuy]

That would seem to be immediate grounds for appeal, as this Judge already seems to be prejudiced and likely to decide against that Washington team:

The Washington Redskins.

[silverkor]

How did this moron become a judge? But then I repeat myself.

[Lockbox]

Thanks Judge, if sued I will ask the Judge to remove my name from the suit because the mere mention of my name is enough to bother some people. Want proof Judge? Well they sued me!

Of course with my name removed from the case, well good luck collecting any judgement!

[Scrambler Bob]

The Washington Team —

Is that bo and vj?

[I want the USA back]

The outrage over a name is sick. There is less outrage over violent crime.