US patent office cancels Redskins trademark registration

[j_y19]

Directly from the article...................... "with 2 million Indians enrolled in 566 federally recognized tribes, plus another 3.2 million who tell the Census they are Indian — it’s difficult to tell how many are opposed to the name.."

...............And this...............

"90 percent of respondents did not consider the term offensive, although many question the cultural credentials of the respondents."

Stymiee, you know what those quotes tell us? Nothing. Its not difficult to tell how many oppose the name. 10% do as outlined in the poll. As for the question about the cultural credentials, please. "Many" question these credentials.........how many are "many" and who are they? Why doesn't the reporter tell us who "they" are? This is typical reporting in today's times. Its babble talk. It says nothing and you apparently fell for it.

 

[j_y19]

Here's my question: Why is it that those opposed to the name cannot point to one Native American poll that shows a majority find the name disparaging? Every poll taken, and there have been numerous ones over the years, show the exact opposite. The NA community does not find the name objectionable. In fact, many of their own schools use the Redskins as their own mascot. Can someone please explain that?

 

[Stymietee]

Listen to the Trademark attorneys, they are saying this effects the Redskins in no way at all. Not to mention that it will be in the courts for years. The media is making a big deal out of this, Harry "I have nothing better to do" Reid is making a big deal out of this. Dan Snyder just needs to stay the course and then the name won't change.

I really don't blame Mr. Snyder for defending this, however, it is not a wise thing to do economically and publicly. The best estimates say that it is going to take roughly 5 million dollars to make the necessary changes and get new patents. Compare this to the growing snowball effect against him because he nor his reps can STFU. and indicators that it is never going away, the cost to litigate times untold number of years (in perpetuity) and the eventual loss in court costs and that 5 million dollars seems relatively paltry.

The wisest thing to do would be to change the name now, fight it in court to restore the name and enjoy the benefits of a two for one infusion of cash. The first being untold millions of dollars gained from merchandise sells and renaming rights related to the new moniker. The current litigation goes away.The second being (if he wins the case) the PR and marketing opportunities involved with "The Return of the Washington R******$. " would be an enormous undertaking!!!

An offshoot of his efforts would be a complete turn-a-round of current perceptions of him. Namely his penchant to make glaring mistakes related to his team. The unaffected fans would love him, and probably vote to immediately place him in the ring of honor.

 

[Sharkinva]

For the same reason that you've heard the word Thug used more often as a racial slur or taunt than you've heard the N word used.... because its far less blatantly pejorative and disparaging.

Show me one instance in the last 200 years where some one has used the word Redskin as a slur?? And IM sorry but those that feel the ned to try and belittle black people rarely hesitate to use the N word. Ask Riley Cooper.

 

[Stymietee]

Stymiee, you know what those quotes tell us? Nothing. Its not difficult to tell how many oppose the name. 10% do as outlined in the poll. As for the question about the cultural credentials, please. "Many" question these credentials.........how many are "many" and who are they? Why doesn't the reporter tell us who "they" are? This is typical reporting in today's times. Its babble talk. It says nothing and you apparently fell for it.

Of course I know what these quotes tell us..........that there was posted a link to an article that purported to tell us something factual, but in truth gave enough information to render the article meaningless. Because some desire it to be so......doesn't make it so. The problem is the disinformation campaign that is alive and well must be immediately called out for what it is. Just in case you are not aware of this it goes something like this. A man is publicly accused of beating his wife and raping the dog........it's everywhere, however when there is sufficient evidence to prove the man's innocence the retraction is hardly mentioned. The SportsHoopla.com politics forum is a great place to study this phenomenon.

 

[Stymietee]

Show me one instance in the last 200 years where some one has used the word Redskin as a slur?? And IM sorry but those that feel the ned to try and belittle black people rarely hesitate to use the N word. Ask Riley Cooper.

Shark, you know better than this, Riley Cooper was caught (recorded) making his pronouncements. Generally, in conversation people are more guarded in choosing their words. This however, does not mean that it does not happen especially in the NFL during the season. I know that your thing is context so let's play in your playground for a few moments. Since context is meaningful, I ask this question.....To Washington fans the use of the term could indeed be used as a term of endearment, pride and camaraderie. However, what of fans of opposing teams who place colorful adjectives in front of the name? I've heard them, you've heard them as have most of us. They are being posted on other forums here as topics allow. F**kin'g, dirty, no-account, sorry assed, are a few that come to mind. How's that for context?


BTW: I suspect that you'll say that it can be said of every team during the NFL season, buit tell me which has the historical baggage that our team name does?

 

[j_y19]

Shark, you know better than this, Riley Cooper was caught (recorded) making his pronouncements. Generally, in conversation people are more guarded in choosing their words. This however, does not mean that it does not happen especially in the NFL during the season. I know that your thing is context so let's play in your playground for a few moments. Since context is meaningful, I ask this question.....To Washington fans the use of the term could indeed be used as a term of endearment, pride and camaraderie. However, what of fans of opposing teams who place colorful adjectives in front of the name? I've heard them, you've heard them as have most of us. They are being posted on other forums here as topics allow. F**kin'g, dirty, no-account, sorry assed, are a few that come to mind. How's that for context?

I've heard the same adjectives applied to the Cowboys.......should that name also be banned?

 

[j_y19]

Where does it stop? I have a bit of Irish in me. I take offense to the moniker "the fighting irish" since it paints my heritage as a bunch of drunk fighting bastards. And I know a guy that is a Satanist. He finds the Saints very offensive. All those poor Satanists out there probably go ape shit every sunday when the scores are announced. We have to defend them also, right? And I won't even go into the Packers and the offense brought with that name.....

 

[Stymietee]

I've heard the same adjectives applied to the Cowboys.......should that name also be banned?

Since you want to be silly..................Of course it should be applied to the Cowboys, that is if their name referenced bounties for scalps. Now, now, before you go all high blood pressure on me, try these.

Setting the Record Straight: Who Invented Scalping?

www.native-languages.org/iaq12.htm


“Redskins” Is a Racial Slur Dating Back to 1755 - First ...

firstpeoples.org/.../controversy-heats-up-over-washington-redskins-racial...

 

[Stymietee]

Where does it stop? I have a bit of Irish in me. I take offense to the moniker "the fighting irish" since it paints my heritage as a bunch of drunk fighting bastards. And I know a guy that is a Satanist. He finds the Saints very offensive. All those poor Satanists out there probably go ape shit every sunday when the scores are announced. We have to defend them also, right? And I won't even go into the Packers and the offense brought with that name.....

If you are indeed offended by it then either do something to change it or not ...your choice. Just as you have that choice, so do we!! Tell your friend(s) the same thing.

 

[j_y19]

Since you want to be silly..................Of course it should be applied to the Cowboys, that is if their name referenced bounties for scalps. Now, now, before you go all high blood pressure on me, try these.

Setting the Record Straight: Who Invented Scalping?

www.native-languages.org/iaq12.htm


“Redskins” Is a Racial Slur Dating Back to 1755 - First ...

firstpeoples.org/.../controversy-heats-up-over-washington-redskins-racial...

Stymie, heres the bottom line. You are searching for justification that the moniker is racist to a certain group of people who the vast majority themselves don't find it racist. Just because a name or term is descriptive does not make it racist. Its honorable that you want to take up the fight for them. Great, but apparently most of them would rather you fight for better education for them or better health care, or something that really matters because this issue does not resonate with them. Again, many of their own high schools use the Redskins as a mascot. There have been numerous polls supporting the name, just as the one referenced in the article. Now, you honed in on the vague statements as a justification that the poll is flawed because otherwise the poll, and the others just like it, don't fit your narrative that there is some nefarious meaning behind the moniker Redskins.

Having said this, if the NA community showed more than just an inkling of concern over the name, I would support a change. But they support the name by an overwhelming majority. This is all a money play and now a press play for ingenious politicians. Unfortunately, its probably going to work. Another freedom dies in America.

 

[j_y19]

If you are indeed offended by it then either do something to change it or not ...your choice. Just as you have that choice, so do we!! Tell your friend(s) the same thing.

Why don't you take up the fight? Or is it just certain groups of people that are worth your time.......certainly you don't have blinders on when it comes to injustice, do you?

 

[Stymietee]

Why don't you take up the fight? Or is it just certain groups of people that are worth your time.......certainly you don't have blinders on when it comes to injustice, do you?

I will join your group in less than a heartbeat, and be active in their efforts. Which do you belong to?

 

[Sharkinva]

Shark, you know better than this, Riley Cooper was caught (recorded) making his pronouncements. Generally, in conversation people are more guarded in choosing their words. This however, does not mean that it does not happen especially in the NFL during the season. I know that your thing is context so let's play in your playground for a few moments. Since context is meaningful, I ask this question.....To Washington fans the use of the term could indeed be used as a term of endearment, pride and camaraderie. However, what of fans of opposing teams who place colorful adjectives in front of the name? I've heard them, you've heard them as have most of us. They are being posted on other forums here as topics allow. F**kin'g, dirty, no-account, sorry assed, are a few that come to mind. How's that for context?


BTW: I suspect that you'll say that it can be said of every team during the NFL season, buit tell me which has the historical baggage that our team name does?

YOu just proved my point. Almost any word CAN be used as a perjorative. But even when fans of other teams use it that way its NOT being directed at the American Indians so much as at the football team, its players and fans. I have even heard that some suspect the term Redskins originated with the American Indians to discribe their OWN braves when they were prepared for war. Wouldnt that be a real hoot if that turned out to be the case

 

[Stymietee]

YOu just proved my point. Almost any word CAN be used as a perjorative. But even when fans of other teams use it that way its NOT being directed at the American Indians so much as at the football team, its players and fans.

A distinction without a difference (so much as)

 

[Stymietee]

YOu just proved my point. Almost any word CAN be used as a perjorative. But even when fans of other teams use it that way its NOT being directed at the American Indians so much as at the football team, its players and fans. I have even heard that some suspect the term Redskins originated with the American Indians to discribe their OWN braves when they were prepared for war. Wouldnt that be a real hoot if that turned out to be the case

Incidentally, YOU just proved my point....when you instinctively wrote "its NOT being directed at the American Indians so much as at the football team, its players and fans." As if to say, we too can not be counted as fans. There are many of us who are fans of this team that also have Native American heritage and do not desire the common name, but suffer the double whammy of the aforementioned insults that you may or may not be able to empathize with. Just to be clear, where you might take it as spirited banter between rival fans, so do we. You, however, do not have the same historical reference where those same pejorative terms were used to justify great harm and death.

 

[Sharkinva]

Again Sty I will say... if you had to be told to be offended. And the offense in question needed to be explained. Was it really offensive to begin with. IM not saying you personally. Maybe it was always offensive to you. But in most cases I would be willing to bet, no one considered it a slur until they were told it was a slur.

Think of a three year old running around saying f*** you because he heard some one else saying it. He knows no better until YOU the adult tell him its a bad word. Same basic principle as I see it.

 

[Stymietee]

Again Sty I will say... if you had to be told to be offended. And the offense in question needed to be explained. Was it really offensive to begin with. IM not saying you personally. Maybe it was always offensive to you. But in most cases I would be willing to bet, no one considered it a slur until they were told it was a slur.

Think of a three year old running around saying f*** you because he heard some one else saying it. He knows no better until YOU the adult tell him its a bad word. Same basic principle as I see it.

This is universally true of every person living today, we all learn what's proper and what is not from some source just as the child in your scenario learns, so do the children of Native Americans and just like the child in your scenario ultimately grows into adulthood with these same instructions so do we all.

If you are referring to persons who have joined the cause then I do appreciate your effort, however, we, even as adults learn and grow in our wisdom. Good example, no one knows how to please the boss in word or deed until he is employed.

 

[Sharkinva]

This is universally true of every person living today, we all learn what's proper and what is not from some source just as the child in your scenario learns, so do the children of Native Americans and just like the child in your scenario ultimately grows into adulthood with these same instructions so do we all.

If you are referring to persons who have joined the cause then I do appreciate your effort, however, we, even as adults learn and grow in our wisdom. Good example, no one knows how to please the boss in word or deed until he is employed.

Sty... the problem here is two sided. First off no one is telling you or any one else that they dont have a right to be offended by the word Redskin. Its not my place to tell you to simply get over it. But by the same token, if my use of the word had no intent of harming you, then you also have no right to try and impose your sense of morality upon me or the team. Right and wrong is subjective. We in the good old USA felt it was right and proper to tell women it was ok to vote, have children out of wedlock and basically do what ever the hell they wanted. We feel SO strongly about this that we have started to impress our beliefs on other countries. And at the end of the day thats what this is, another case of live and let live..... provided you agree with how I live and see the world. Bottom line is some one TOLD you it was a bad word, you accepted it and have run with it as such every since. Until recently I was never told it was a bad word. I have never used it in a bad word context. And I dont FEEL I should be subjected to accepting some one elses meaning of the word simply because they CHOOSE to take it at that meaning and are hell bent on making every one else feel guilty because of how they ultimately feel towards it.

 

[j_y19]

I will join your group in less than a heartbeat, and be active in their efforts. Which do you belong to?

I belong to the group that believes an owner can call his team what ever the hell he wants without government interference. And if it is objectionable then let the court of public opinion punish him by not supporting his product.