Theatre of the absurd – or how Political Correctness is killing Common Sense.

 Political Correctness run amok - The Redskins

  

 

U.S. Patent Office: Redskins Trademark Is Disparaging to Native Americans

     On Wednesday the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office stripped the pro football team of six name and image registrations, which supposedly expose Native Americans to "contempt, ridicule and disrepute." The Boston Braves were made over as the Redskins in 1933 to honor a head coach who belonged to the Sioux tribe, but an administrative panel concluded the name never should have been protected in 1967 and took it back. 

     The US Paratroopers (82nd Airborne) adopted yelling “Geronimo” as a battle cry in World War Two. I presume this respectful tradition must immediately cease as well, right?  
    The US Army patch for the 2nd InfantryDivision- yup, must go as well!!

     Should the U.S. Army rename their premier helicopter and lose their Blackhawks? Will Detroit have to rename the Red Wings because they didn't honor birds with wings of other colors? Why are there no White (or Red or Yellow or Purple) Police Officers/Firefighters/Teachers Associations? A WASP College Fund? 
     When will this idiocy and nonsense stop? "Political correctness" is not bringing everyone closer together to celebrate our unique differences and explore our similarities; it instead is completely polarizing this country.

           Pretty amazing to me, I mean, I always took the Redskins meaning to be one reflecting strength, courage and pride. So, here we are. Harry Read and Obama say the name must go!! So, to be PC, 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 senate and congress loves.Bloviate. Sidetrack from the real issues.
     By no means should Snyder be forced to change the name of an organization he owns; the continued outcry over such a ridiculous issue (an issue of pure semantics) displays our current PC oriented culture. In truth, we as a nation appear to be obsessed with being politically correct. I would like somebody to point out to me just how this name is harming Native Americans? I'm sure somebody will make a rant concerning negative stereotypes, but before this topic became a target for those obsessed with being PC in all things, I never once  associated a negative stereotype towards Natives American Indians as a result of the Redskins. Never. Frankly, those so focused upon forcing this name change should probably spend their time doing something that has a chance to make a real, positive difference for Natives; maybe, oh I don't know, maybe fight the rampant use of alcohol on reservation lands? 
     How about we all just toughen up a bit buttercup? Remember, sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me?

    Perhaps, just perhaps, do not whine about how someone or something "hurts your feelings" and is "offensive" when what really bothers you is that someone disagrees with your point of view or agenda.

     The quickest way for a society to implode is not from financial crisis or outside invasion. It’s when its moral fabric disintegrates, and when rights are lost, not by force, but through voluntary surrender. We arebeing beat down, made to feel guilty over nothing. We should  no longer being using terms, slogans that someone "might" be offended by??

     Clearly this is a major threat to our country and must be addressed immediately. To not do so is inviting a cataclysmic disruption in the space-time continuum upon which the deaths of millions would be to blame.

     The more I think about it, it's not "Redskins" that is disparaging. It is having "Washington", as in DC, placed in front of any name.

I have no idea if this is legit or not, but this is the text of an email that a friend forwarded to me today -  this is very funny:

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-correct thoughts 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 cost this 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.

As a die-hard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in mind, believe it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women's athletic teams to something other than "the Beavers."

Political correctness is one of the engines of nannyism. Allowing and even encouraging 'offensive' ideas is vital for the intellectually health of a free society. ~David Harsanyi