Posted on 08/09/2005 6:12:09 PM PDT by Crackingham
Gov. Jeb Bush criticized NCAA officials on Tuesday for their decision to penalize Florida State for using an American Indian nickname and symbols, saying they instead insulted the university and a proud Seminole Tribe of Florida. The NCAA's finding that the school's Seminoles nickname is "hostile and offensive," instead of honoring American Indians has the opposite effect, the governor said, because the tribe supports the school's use of its name.
"I think it's offensive to native Americans ... the Seminole Indian tribe who support the traditions of FSU," Bush said on his way into a Cabinet meeting. "I think they insult those people by telling them, 'No, no, you're not smart enough to understand this. You should be feeling really horrible about this.' It's ridiculous."
Meanwhile, attorney Barry Richard, who successfully led the legal challenge on behalf of Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential recount in Florida, has agreed to represent the school in its case against the NCAA, Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said Wednesday.
"We recognize this is an emotional issue in Florida, and in other parts of the country there are people who feel just as strongly being opposed," NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said Tuesday. "We believe this decision was made on sound ground legally though as I said before there is an appeal process in place."
The school's board of trustees are scheduled to meet Wednesday in emergency session to discuss elements of its formal response to the NCAA.
The university has until Feb. 1 to make a formal appeal to the NCAA executive committee.
Florida State, Illinois and Utah are among 18 schools with an American Indian nickname or logo that will be prohibited by the NCAA from displaying them in postseason events, starting in February.
If I remember my history correctly, some of them fought their way across the country and down into mexico. Can anyone here back this up?
"march of tears"
Is that anything like "cinco de mayo"?
FloRIDians
It's more in line that when Pres. Jackson started the Mass Movements of the Cherokee from the East to OK and such, groups splintered off into Texas, Mexico and some of the other SW states. There is a large population of Cherokee in Mexico.
I'm a Florida Gator, but even I have to defend FSU on this one (I can't believe I just said that). The PC stuff is completely out of control.
The Orange Blossoms? Mockingbirds? Palm Trees? Pine Trees? Water Oaks? Fiddle, not a single warrior-inspiring name there!
How about Neanderthals?
My point is that the North American tribes as they were 100 to 150 years ago are unique historical American icons, like pioneers, 49ers or the Patriots of 1776. Those people from those days lived in the areas now represented by sports teams. The Jayhawks as they were in the 1860's no longer exist, just their modern ancestors. The Sooners no longer exist, just their modern ancestors. The Volunteers don't exist either, just their modern ancestors. At one time these were all people who were identified by those "tribe" names.
The Seminoles are the Seminoles. The NCAA has just declared that the name of a tribe is offensive to people.
Is it too much to ask that they ever realize the stupidity of their actions? Liberals, that is.
I hope that this gets a lot of play. I doubt it, but I can hope.
Someone questioned in the AJC today if the NCAA would refuse to take sponsorship money from GM since they have the "Pontiac" name , an Indian chief.
Were they doing something in regards to Seminoles that was deemed offensive? I mean like the Atlanta Braves' tomahawk chop that so many seem to dislike for some reason. Or did they have some simple minded looking mascot that was dressed like a Seminole and ran around like a buffoon? Because I just can't figure out how the name by itself is offensive.
And then there are those damn ticket "scalpers."
extreme sarcasm/off
I may be way off here, but as I remember it, after the Civil War, Grant decided to move the Seminole (I think - the Lombardies and a few others) to Arizona, New Mexico or someplace. Many of the Seminoles when along, many did not. The ones that did not hid in the Everglades. Grant literaly walked them from Florida to where ever it was out west and they died by the hundreds, maybe thousands on the way. If I am not mistaken, the route is marked by roadside markers along the way. In Florida, there is great respect for the Seminoles who did not give in to the federal government.
We became the FUGAWIs and would sing "Running Bear!"
"Memories like the FUGAWIs of the mind....."
This transcends rivalries. I'm the biggest defender of the use of the Washington Redskin's mascots even though I'm a (gulp) lifelong Cowboys fan.
I may hate the Redskins, but I don't want them to go anywhere and certainly don't want them to change their name.
No. Its something celebrating Patsy Schroeder.
Next they'll ban the "Scalpers" from all NCAA sports venues!!
"The Seminoles are the Seminoles. The NCAA has just declared that the name of a tribe is offensive to people.
Well said. It deserves repeating with minor tweak:
"The NCAA has just declared that the name of [any Indian] tribe is offensive to people. "
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