This stuff is really going too far. We can't call an Indian and Indian - we have to call them Native Americans. And now, we can't even use their names or likeness in a respectful manner without someone whining…
A while back, some American Indian activists filed a case against the Washington Redskins. They were upset that the team used the name and it offended them.
The federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has already ruled against the team's trademark protections, finding that the name "may disparage Native Americans and may bring them into contempt or disrepute." And now, they might get stripped of their trademark name.
What a load of politically correct manure. No one in their right mind would find that the name "Redskins" is offensive. If anything, it is an homage to the Indians and their past. Anyone who is offended by it must be looking for something to be offended by.
Anyhow, the same group of activists is hoping to get the rest of professional sports to get rid of their names if they have any sort of reference to American Indians. If they get their way, the Chicago Black hawks, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians will have to change their names - all because some twits with nothing better to do find it offensive.
It amazes me that any court could side with these people. After all, this is America - Home of the free.
Now, if they win in court and the Redskins lose their trademark, will this leave the door open for PETA to sue the Bears, the Dolphins, the Rams and the Marlins because their names may disparage animals and may bring them into contempt or disrepute?
Will a trademark loss mean that clothing manufacturers can sue the Red Socks and the White Socks for having a name that may disparage footwear and may bring them into contempt or disrepute?
And what about the Pirates, Buccaneers and the Raider? Will they be sued by real pirates who find their use of the names offensive?
At the rate that things are going, we won't be able to utter a word or name a car or a sports team or a ranch or anything without someone being offended and suing us for the name.
I'll bet
Ira Hayes is rolling in his grave