50 senators call for Redskins name change

The Hill ^

[Sub-Driver]

May 22, 2014, 09:39 am 50 senators call for Redskins name change

By Mario Trujillo

Fifty Democratic senators are pushing the NFL to change the name of the Washington Redskins.

In a letter sent Thursday to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday, the group urged him to follow the lead of the NBA in punishing Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for making racially insensitive remarks.

"The despicable comments made by Mr. Sterling have opened up a national conversation about race relations," said the letter spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). "We believe this conversation is an opportunity for the NFL to take action to remove the racial slur from the name of one of its marquee franchises."

Reid and other Democratic leaders have long called for a name change, but the letter signals the largest collective call in Congress.

The senators pointed to a number of federal laws that protect Native Americans. And they lamented the "racial slur" that Native Americans are made to watch on Sundays.

"Every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C. football team mocks their culture," the senators said.

"The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur. We urge the NFL to formally support and push for a name change for the Washington football team," they added.

Only five Democratic senators did not sign the letter, including both Virginia senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), a centrist lawmaker who is locked in a tough reelection fight, also did not sign the letter, along with Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

This story was updated at 9:52 a.m.

[thackney]

I don’t want any give in the PC nonsense. Redskins needs to stay, Washington needs to go.

[Genoa]

Where does this end?

Don't forget the Browns.

[Dilbert San Diego]

of course, Cleveland Browns is offensive to brown skinned peoples.

Dallas Cowboys is offensive to real cowboys.
Houston Texans is offensive to an entire state.

Milwaukee Brewers is offensive to real beer brewers.

[Amagi]

Could the Senators please call for the truth in the IRS Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the Benghazi Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in VA Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in Fast 'n' Furious Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the NSA Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the State Department Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the AP/Fox Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the EPA Scandals?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the Seal Team 6 Scandal?
Could the Senators please call for the truth in the NLRB Scandal

Can you Senators please find time to clean at least one of the Obama substantial messes instead of goofing off on some lame manufactured issue involving the 82 year mascot of a professional football team?
You people earn the contempt in which you are are held.

[Kenny]

Nothing else better to do? No scandals to look into, nothing?

My thoughts exactly. It's embarrassing that adults with pseudo-real jobs keep pandering like this.

Of course that was how they took control of the country, racism, abortion, sex, etc. Guess they figure if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[KSCITYBOY]

These assholes have nothing better to worry about.

[dfwgator]

Dallas Cowboys are offensive to anyone who appreciates watching good football.

[Dilbert San Diego]

LOL, yes, in recent years, the Cowboys have offended their own fans based on what happens on the field.........

[musicman]

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[envisio]

These people really need a hobby other than telling everyone what offends other people.

[Genoa]

They missed their chance to complain about the Washington Senators. I know I would have been offended.

[Fresh Wind]

I think the “DC Diversities” should be their new name.

[Sacajaweau]

Just plain stupid.

[Milton Miteybad]

Simple solution: Pool their money, buy the team and rename it any damn thing they want.

Sure...that's one solution. Another solution is for these fifty busybodies in the Senate to refer to the Washington football franchise, on their own and without any involving anyone else, by any other name they may choose. Normal people can continue to call them the Redskins, and these fifty senators can call them the "Washington Doorstops" or the "Washington Carburetors."

"Why, that would make them look silly," one might say. Well, no sillier than they already look even discussing this non-issue, I'd point out.

[al_c]

Attention senators: You have more pressing matters to attend to ... drop this one.

[dead]

Has Fauxcahontas expressed her outrage about the inappropriate hijacking of the native American culture by insensitive white people?

[WayneS]

Correction: "50 citizens call for Redskins name change".

[Charles Martel]

They could just shorten it to “Washington Reds”.

Yep - with the lettering adjusted like so: "ШДSHIИGTФЙ ЯЗDS"

[WayneS]

;-)

[WayneS]

Oh! MEAT packers...

Okay.