And the Seminole opinion is the only one that counts.

Agreed. But you must have missed this:

In this case it appears that Chief Osceola has made a legitimate bid as the mascot for FSU. But how deep is the backing for the FSU mascot? FSU mascot supporters do indeed include the chair of the Seminole tribe of Florida, James E. Billie, who has stated repeatedly that “”neither he nor the tribe has any objection to the use of the FSU name, logo, or mascot” (Team Spirits, King, 144). While this may be true, it is also true that Billie does not represent all of the Seminole Nation. “”Of further importance is the fact than none of the four Seminole tribes of Oklahoma nor any other well-known Seminole members have endorsed the FSU situation. In fact, Seminole Michael Haney is prominent among a national group of Native Americans who have protested the Indian mascot for many schools and franchises, including FSU” (Team Spirits, King, 146).

And as if the matter wasn�t complicated enough already, Billie�s approval only appears to be a token statement of his own opinion. In fact the Seminole Tribe of Florida has actually signed a statement of the National Congress of American Indians condemning the use of Native American Mascots (www.ncai.org).

Further, I personally find the term “”Native American” offensive, so what are you going to do about it?

I shall continue to allow you to be offended. Otherwise, I could care less what you find offensive.

Marty,

You think you have a problem? I’m really in a pickle. I’m half Scots and half Irish.

I love to drink, but I hate to pay for it.

Regards…

Rah Rah Rah!
Sis Boom Bah!

Go Androgynous Automatons!

Gimme an N
Gimme an O
Gimme a T
Gimme a H
Gimme an I
Gimme an N
Gimme a G

Whats that spell? NOTHING WOOO!

Where’s Ward Churchill when you need him?

Reagards…

Why Vikings are predominately associated with Scandanavia is because that’s where they eventually settled and assimilated into the native culture(s).

Yeah, well Native Americans supposedly walked across the Bering Straight (or was it called the Bering Ithmus back then?) to get here, so they aren’t even “native” americans either.

People who are offended by the stereotypes that are associated with them have no sense of humor. If you are incapable of laughing at yourself, then you deserve to be offended. Get over it whitey.

Marty should actually be offended by his own ignorance. But I guess ignorance is truly bliss.

The term ‘Viking’ is not specifically tied to an ethnic group. Instead, the term originates in a profession–meaning seafarer or pirate. The term is also used to refer to an age (the Viking ages) when maurauding seafarers conquered/colonized various villages/towns/settlements.

Yes I am also offended by the Minnesota Vikings, who would stereotype all white males of european descent as marauding barbarians…

DOWN WITH THE TRYANNY OF TEAM SPIRIT!

And now comes the feared fighting whites http://www.fightingwhites.org/ I find it very bizzarre that whites from all over the planet are not protesting the immoral use of this mascot and to make out like all white men look like Ward Cleaver at that. On the serious side I find it odd that when native mericans use the same mascots it is no longer derogatory kind of like the “N” word not being a racial slur if it is used by black people. I went to Northeastern Oklahome State the home of the Redmen which is alo the capitol of the Cherokee Nation (West).

Don’t believe me–believe actual Native Americans:

From the FSU SGA:

http://www.fsu.edu/~sga/journal1113.html

Dr Hayes, a professor at FSU, said that the university that he teaches at is a leader of progressive thought, even though there are no Native American courses taught to educate the student body. He said he teaches a course entitled Seminoles of Florida, and he has found that the Native Americans object to the derogatory use of their name. Ruby B., a member of the Tribe Zota, said that FSU does not understand the use of the mascot and they need to realize what this mascot does to their culture – it has a negative effect on the children and it is demeaning and degrading. Susan Anderson said she attended FSU and felt the sting of the nasty mascot for all the time she was here. She said the mascot offends her and her children. Patricia Cordier said she is of Native American descent and she is against using the Seminole Indian as a mascot. David Narcomy, an instructor at FSU, said he conducts workshops on racism and it is morally wrong for FSU to use the Seminole as a mascot. Paul Rutkorsky told the Senate that FSU needs to have a Native American Program and he asked that the Senate discuss this further.

Still more:

http://home.earthlink.net/~ekistics10/mcnair/nltr0207.htm#story7

To better understand the Florida State Seminoles and their mascot, Chief Osceola, a little history is needed. Chief Osceola, a mascot that is actually named after a historical figure in Seminole history, was the brainchild of Bill Durham, a FSU graduate student, who “sought and obtained the approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida for the portrayal of Osceola” (http://seminoles.fansonly.com/trads/fsu-trads-osceola.html). Chief Osceola, who wears “authentic regalia designed by the ladies of the Seminole Tribe of Florida” rides an Appaloosa horse to the center of the field at every home football game and plants a flaming spear in the ground, leading the FSU Seminoles football team into battle (http://seminoles.fansonly.com/trads/fsu-trads-osceola.html).

The Seminole Indians, actually a mixture of a large number of Creek Indians and some native Florida groups, are best know for their resistance to the US Government�s Indian Removal Policy during the early to mid 1800�s. The Seminole War that characterized their existence in the 1835 is full of stories of heroic Seminoles fiercely resisting and giving little ground while killing thousands of opposition forces. The Seminole finally agreed to remove to Indian Territory in 1842, although some 300 Seminole refused to remove and escaped to the everglades, forming what is today the Florida Seminole Tribe (Williams Lecture, 10/25/01).

In this case it appears that Chief Osceola has made a legitimate bid as the mascot for FSU. But how deep is the backing for the FSU mascot? FSU mascot supporters do indeed include the chair of the Seminole tribe of Florida, James E. Billie, who has stated repeatedly that “neither he nor the tribe has any objection to the use of the FSU name, logo, or mascot” (Team Spirits, King, 144). While this may be true, it is also true that Billie does not represent all of the Seminole Nation. “Of further importance is the fact than none of the four Seminole tribes of Oklahoma nor any other well-known Seminole members have endorsed the FSU situation. In fact, Seminole Michael Haney is prominent among a national group of Native Americans who have protested the Indian mascot for many schools and franchises, including FSU” (Team Spirits, King, 146).

And as if the matter wasn�t complicated enough already, Billie�s approval only appears to be a token statement of his own opinion. In fact the Seminole Tribe of Florida has actually signed a statement of the National Congress of American Indians condemning the use of Native American Mascots (www.ncai.org).

A number of years ago, the American Indian Movement started taking action to get Florida State University to get rid of their Seminole mascot, Chief Osceola.

The Seminole tribe pretty much told them to go to hell.

An article from the St. Petersburg Times a couple of years ago states the Seminoles’ view of FSU’s use of them as a mascot:

Legislators, Seminoles gather for FSU Day

“The Seminoles also got a special endorsement from Max Osceola, acting chairman of the Seminole Indian Tribe.

” “We’re proud of the relationship we’ve established with FSU,” Osceola told the crowd. “We do not consider the use of our name derogatory or insulting. The tribe supports the ongoing use of the Seminoles for FSU. By the grace of God, I was born Seminole, but it is by choice you are Seminoles.” “

The Vikings originated in Scandanvia. Their progeny included strains of other cultures because they traveled broadly.

And still, this is totally off the point. Though that’s probably your point.