Posted on 05/22/2014 7:40:04 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
May 22, 2014, 09:39 am 50 senators call for Redskins name change
By Mario Trujillo
Fifty Democratic senators are pushing the NFL to change the name of the Washington Redskins.
In a letter sent Thursday to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday, the group urged him to follow the lead of the NBA in punishing Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for making racially insensitive remarks.
"The despicable comments made by Mr. Sterling have opened up a national conversation about race relations," said the letter spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). "We believe this conversation is an opportunity for the NFL to take action to remove the racial slur from the name of one of its marquee franchises."
Reid and other Democratic leaders have long called for a name change, but the letter signals the largest collective call in Congress.
The senators pointed to a number of federal laws that protect Native Americans. And they lamented the "racial slur" that Native Americans are made to watch on Sundays.
"Every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C. football team mocks their culture," the senators said.
"The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur. We urge the NFL to formally support and push for a name change for the Washington football team," they added.
Only five Democratic senators did not sign the letter, including both Virginia senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), a centrist lawmaker who is locked in a tough reelection fight, also did not sign the letter, along with Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
This story was updated at 9:52 a.m.
That was my school’s football team name! The “Cherokee Injuns” & our mascot/logo was one step down toward more cartoonish - but basically the same warrior head profile. Man, I loved that team!
Subject: FW: NFL TEAM NAME
> CHANGE Here is an email sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after an article he published concerning a name change for the Washington Redskins.
> Dear Mr. Page... I always love your articles. and I generally agree> with them. I would suggest, as in an email I received, they change the name to the “Foreskins” to better represent their community,> paying tribute to the dick heads in Congress.
> Here are some other politically> correctness to consider:
I agree with our Native American population.
> I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay,> nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward.
> Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns.
> The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the 60’s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to us white folk. The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy, No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that costthis country so many young men’s lives. I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names.
Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.
Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits.Wrong message to our children. The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children. The Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates . Wrong message to our children.The Milwaukee Brewers-—well that goes without saying . . . Wrong message to our children. So, there you go. We> need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing congress loves . . ..
> As a die hard Oregon State fan my wife and I, with all of this in mind, it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the Beavers.”
I suggest they name it...Tomahawk Stadium!
They wanted that headline; “50 senators”
I’m thinking, ‘really?...Ted Cruz would waste his precious time with this crap?’
Of course not.
What next? Government oversight committees for kids sandlot ball games? Quota teams? Drag Queen Coaches? Each sandlot team would be required to have minimal number of whatever?
What name can we give the amoral, power-hungry political Elitists in DC?
PPPPPPfffffffffffffffttttttttttttttttttt!!!!
I have observed that most men will take up a challenge that is at their ability level. Men of little abilities take on tasks of little importance, and so forth.
Secondly, maybe they should consider renaming something that is offensive to the entire free world.
The once great United States of America government should be renamed the pitiful, corrupt, mismanaged, and disorganized states of America government.
Tell them its none of their business
Is there Indian land near enough to DC? Will this deny a whole bunch of taxes to the fools?
My 6 times Great Grandfather was a Cherokee Chief (Chief Raincrow) and I will be pissed if they DO change the name. These Indians who bitch about names need to have their arse kicked, because the whole point of naming a sports team after Indians is a point of honor. (Notice I used the term “Indian.” My half Cherokee Great-grandfather thought the term “Native American” was offensive. I guess it was his “evil” White half. LOL.)
I was looking for a John Semmes, or Onion byline. Beyond belief that FIFTY (50) U.S. Senators have nothing better to do than stick their noses into someone else’s business.
How long have these senators been in DC, without noticing (before it became politically incorrect) the name of cultural “slur” of the town’s football team? And to connect it to Sterling is a massive leap in logic.
Make a deal: Rename the Redskins if the Senators renames themselves ‘Jackasses’. I think it’s fair and could inspire more people to watch C-Span. Imagine the dialog: “The Jackass from NY rises in favor of this bill”... “Will the Jackass from CA please yield the floor?” “Jackass Reid, will you bring the bill to the floor to allow the other Jackasses to vote on this?”.
On the other hand, it is clearly a slur to refer to any one, of any race, creed or what have you, as a "Harry Reid Democrat." Being a Harry Reid Democrat does not identify you by genes, but rather by idiotic statements, lack of coherent principles & pure demagoguery.
William Flax
Like I said, I don't follow this bullshit too much.
FMCDH(BITS)
I’d rather demolish the place utterly. To pay for the equipment and labor, offer tickets to people to make so many runs with a dozer or under supervision swings with a wrecking ball. It might even turn a profit. Then move on to the next bloated gov co palace and repeat.
It would create jobs!
I’m for it 100%!
After the work is done, we should also salt the earth in that area.
Finally, something substantial that these politically correct AIRHEADS in the Senate can wrap their minds around. /s
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