Outside The Lines

I just wanted to share this thought with you. I watched the ESPN special this morning on the mascot issue in North Dakota. There were several points of interest but here's my two cents worth.

Even after ESPN gave the background on the gentleman's fine when he held that "Hitler" party in Las Vegas, UND's person said something along he line of, "Yes, that was an unfortunate situation, but he paid his fine and we should be looking at all the good he has done for the university and the community." I immediately thought of the Pete Rose issue. They may not seem similar on face value, but check this out.

Pete Rose has been called one of baseball's greatest players but he can never be involved in baseball again unless he admits to his betting on baseball games.

Now, in North Dakota, a graduate from UND becomes a multi-millionaire, donates money to his alma mater for a new sports facility but says the school must keep the name "Fighting Sioux" or he'll take the money back. This coming from a man who spent thousands of dollars on a party in "Honor" of Adolf Hitler, and sees no problem with his actions. On one hand you have a sport that condemns a man for life because of his betting, but on the other hand a man who goes to great lengths to "Honor" one of the world's greatest murderers is regarded as someone who, "Has paid his price for his indescretions, but his actions are accepted by the governing board of a major public university." I wonder how the Jewish communities feel about this?

I get all tangled up in this mess of what society calls honor and respect. On national TV the head of the athletic department of a major college puts off what this man has done to two groups of people as trivial. I've said many times before that money generates America. Its a shame that America will still stand by their belief that they are paying "Honor" to us by keeping these names. Like Mr. Gipp said, "Sioux is not even an Indian name." And then he went on to explain it in great detail, but to no avail. That sucks.

I don't know if Pete Rose bet on baseball games or not. And, to be perfectly honest, I don't really care. But maybe if he had spent some of his money helping the gentleman "Honor" Hitler, then maybe, just maybe, the guy from UND could help place a bet on Pete to see what his chances would be to get back into baseball. Either way we as Indian people can still hold our heads high and know where our true honor is.

Richie Plass