About the use of "Geronimo": If a group of Americans are offended by it,

I say let's stop using it, apologize for its previous use (while acknowledging that it has had an important use in the past) and move on.

Sometimes, in our ignorance we make dreadful mistakes. As a parent, I've learned that sometimes I just have to realize I've unintentionally screwed up, apologize, and get back down to being the adult.

someone says, "that offends me." And not just in this situation. It's not hard to say, "Tell me more. Why?" when someone says they're annoyed and disappointed. Why that's suddenly branded disparagingly as "PC" is totally beyond me.

Like I said, we should be the grownups--and how someone chooses to identify themselves is not for me to question.

Etiquette is sadly dead, I'm afraid.

How silly they are offended over our great and super patriotic glorious action of taking down the number one world terrorist!


Political correctness and sensitivity? Doesn't apply when its our military that is doing it!

:patriot:

:sarcasm:

Can you figure out why?

some Americans are offended by it's use as a military word?

rush to outrage? Look in a mirror.

EDIT: I am quite aware that it wasn't used to identify ObL but there still objection to its use for completion of the mission as well as it's use in the military period.

rather than admit the mistake, they just claim that any use of the word pisses them off.

and other Native Americans too stupid to distinguish?

somreone probably would have been offended.

Can't win for losin' sometimes.

so what is the harm in doing so?

While I see no downside to making a simple apology over this, I really think the uproar is a bit ridiculous. The word "Geronimo" has come to have a connotation in the English language above and beyond referring to only the Indian legend.

Indeed in today's world, almost any action taken has someone offended.

... to rely on historical figures anymore.....

sure as I kid I yelled 'Geronimo' as I jump from a high bank into the lake... but had forgotten about the phrase for years now....

C'mon 'Death Star' would fit OBL much more than Geronimo anyway... SORRY our folks just dont have the where-with-all to think through things.

Ugh.

Geronimo indicated a successful mission.

It was not Bin Laden's code name.

But that's what happens when you're in too much of a rush to be outraged.

Are you okay with "But they use it themselves"!" for a specific group of Americans?

Does this insult you?

I'm offended by racist jokes and speak up when I hear them

I don't see a whole lot of difference in this case.

the Geronimo name at all in any association with the operation.

but they're still pissed for some reason.

that sounds like insanity.

Are you offended by the word "cheerleader"? I am a strong supporter of the President, have been called that many times and I let it run off like water.

Do you object to a paratrooper crying Geronimo when they jump?

It's not for me to say. If they don't like it, it's not hard for other people to listen and try to understand.

...the code name should have been "Cyclops", as it turns out.

US Military to describe successful missions an
even Paratroopers yell Geronimo as they jump,
I believe the coverage in the Media created confusion.
I heard some TV Anchors give the impression that
Geronimo was code name for Bin Laden. They did
correct this but it was out there.

Jackpot was the code for Bin Ladin.

Geronimo was the code for the Seals Mission.

Perhaps the Media(TV) should make an effort to
straighten this out once and for all.

Since the Military has used Geronimo(really as an honor)for over fifty years
I think they will be shocked to learn they are now being insensitive.

I can certainly appreciate what you are saying, but
I am not sure an apology is due. Asking the Military
to apologize in a circumstance like this is confusing.
Unless the Tribe, has resented the Use of Geronimo all
these years and never said anything, of course.

The President has nada, nothing to do with what the
Military calls their missions. It would be inappropriate
for him to apologize.



I

But it's difficult.

hope I do. OKAY!!!

Please post your evidence, if you have any, to back up your claim that "Geronimo" was not the code name for Osama in the military operation.

I know that's a popular political spin, but simply making that claim does not make it a fact.

The White House and Pentagon have not denied using the codename "Geronimo" for Osama bin Laden but maybe you have better sources.

get on with things.

Unreal.

flying the Rebel flag is defended in similar ways....

Recommended, with a vote for the proposal.

that would make no sense since i have never heard it used in a negative. when little and jumping yelling Geronimo it was used for courage.

so as long as it is understand that was use in a very positive way.... then respectfully because native americans do not like it

dont EVER use again

as part of the human race or we aren't.

This is also true of sweat lodges and artistic styles.

Native Americans absolutely own the sole right to label their creations as being made by Native Americans.

When it comes to historical figures- they belong to everyone.

The exception to that rule would be if a living relative of Geronimo objected. Sort of like how Martin Luther King's family guard the use of his name.

Did you even read my entire post?

Why the defensiveness?

Are you serious??

So, what does your post have anything to do with the OP's point about being politically insensitive to the objecting Native Americans? They should just take it?

she is serious.

in the 1980s, when I was working on what became the federal Native American Burial Protection & Repatriation Act. I'm sure my credentials on these issues don't match up to your own, but please bear with me.

We were in a meeting with a group of experts from various universities and museums. One professor said to us, "Well, you can't say for sure who's remains they are. They don't belong to you. They belong to history."

Onondaga Chief Oren Lyons responded, "It's true that I cannot say for sure who these individuals were. But what I can say for sure is that they do not belong to you."

There are very different ways of looking at issues. In this case, one way is right, and another wrong. Saying that Geronimo -- who was NEVER a US citizen -- belongs to you is something akin to Prescott Bush thinking he was entitled to Geronimo's skull. Of course, Prescott may have loved history.

not by the way we disregard each other. That's what makes the human race different from other creatures that do no make stories and cannot pass their memories down to the generations.

Why the resistance?

and how many of those "Rogers" are historical figures identified by a single name?

Funny is great--but that's a false equivalency and not really applicable here.

Rather, Americans whose land we stole so that the rest of us could even be Americans.

After years of telling them how to think, dress, speak, act and feel, saying "BUT YOU SHOULD FEEL HONORED THAT HIS NAME IS ASSOCIATED WITH A SUCCESSFUL MISSION!!1!!" rings a little hollow.

I had a great deal to learn about the meanings of words and symbols like this.

I think the proposal is dead-on.

to define their movement? Should we stop using it, appologize and move on?

An excerpt from an article, dated May 3, at the Indian Country website:

"As news of bin Laden’s death spread relief across America and the world, revelations that the assigned code name of Enemy Number One was “Geronimo,” a legendary Apache leader, caused shock waves in Indian communities across the country."

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/ict_sbc/bin-laden-code-name-%E2%80%9Cgeronimo%E2%80%9D-is-a-bomb-in-indian-country/

And from what I've been able to gather from reading articles via searching on Google, those who say they are upset by this appear to be in the minority.

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Wont change the name of the mission.

Besides, his real name was Goyaałé from the Chiricahua language meaning "one who yawns";
Geronimo-Spanish for Jerome-was the name the Mexicans gave him.

I do so appreciate your very modest proposal and hope you are still tracking this thread. The operative word is co-option.

If you have not seen this, please do watch it, as I hope others will too.

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/6/native_american_activist_author_winona_laduke

The other operative word is empathy. :pals:

Tante K.