The American Spectator

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The Fighting Irish Canucks

11.24.09 @ 6:01AM

ALL ABOUT POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
Re: Mark Hyman's So Sioux Me:

The nickname "Fighting Irish" for Notre Dame was originally intended as an insult. Apparently, a Chicago newspaper in the early 1900s complained that the team "fought like a bunch of Irish." So Notre Dame adopted the name, which is the way to defuse an insult.

What about the "Ragin' Cajuns" of SW Louisiana? And the Boston Celtics or the Gaels of Iona? Or the Montreal Canadiens or the Vancouver Canucks? Or the "Flying Dutchmen" of Hofstra? Does anyone remember the Atlanta Crackers of the AA Southern League?

There is an interesting history behind the University of Massachusetts nickname. Originally it was the "Redmen," but this was dropped as an insulting to Native Americans. UMass came up with a better nickname, the "Minutemen." The same group protested that this was glorifying white men. It's all about political correctness.
-- Mike Lion
P.S. When Stanford dropped its original name "Indians'" there was a student poll for a replacement. The winning entry was the "Robber Barons," but the authorities disallowed it.

"... the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced a complete ban on hosting post-season competition by 18 colleges that were using Indian mascots, logos or nicknames."

Somebody tell Notre Dame that this ban applies only to Indian mascots, logos and nicknames. The Fighting Irish of NDU could establish their bowl-eligibility on the field. Let's toss Charlie into the St. Joe River and hope that he's a freshwater tuna. (The Maccabees of Yeshiva can also relax.)

But as I carefully re-read the edict, I see that the ban would only forbid schools from hosting post-season competitions. Banning these teams from post-season competition would mean lost revenue to the NCAA. Can't have that.

As for the Fighting Sioux of UND, they could follow the Dartmouth PMS 349 Green. How about the PMS Suzies, or PMS Sues, or simpler yet, the PMS Sue. Johnny Cash did the fight song. Colloquialisms like "Bitch'n Sue" or "Fighting Sue" might develop. Spartans, Trojans, Raiders and Mountaineers would all be intimidated, but fur would fly when the Fighting Sue met the Cougars or the Beavers.
-- Dan Martin
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A GOOD DAY'S WORK
Re: F. Vincent Vernuccio & Bruce McElvein's The UAW's Shell Game:

There are many things that are not being addressed in this "new deal" for autoworkers. One, the union Stewards and Committeemen are still being paid 12 or more hours a day, 7 days a week to sit in the union office while the workers barely get their 40 hours per week pay and the company whines about not having the money to fix the existing equipment or have enough people to do the jobs safely and correctly.

It seems that if we ALL must take a hit, then even the union officials should cut their hours back a bit too! We are limited to 40 or less as workers. We still have the "union elite" and the "management elite" sucking up all the money! Sad, but maybe the Big 3 are doomed to fail and that is the ballgame!

The middle class was built in America on manufacturing and now that is almost totally gone. And the saddest thing of all...so is that feeling of satisfaction that comes from a "good day's work." This country was built on "an honest days work for an honest days pay," and contrary to popular belief, I don't know ANYONE that doesn't WANT to work and MAKE SOMETHING. People like to go home tired and with a feeling of accomplishment. I go home every day knowing that I worked hard and BUILT something RIGHT!

How did we lose sight of the fact that jobs are so important to our country, our families and our own self worth? I am so sick of hearing people (mainly politicians and corporate guys) say that Americans do not want to do manufacturing work anymore. That is such B.S.!! For many, it is the best, most fulfilling, keep you out of the system work there is! Not everyone can be doctors or lawyers, we need EVERYONE to make our world work.

Sorry to rant and ramble, but I don't see a happy ending for this country if we continue down this path to a country of total idleness or underpaid workers...
-- Susan Perry
32 year Chrysler worker who still enjoys "earning my pay"!

NEGATIVE POSITIVES
Re: Larry Thornberry's No More Mr. Nice Charlie:

Letter to the Editor