WASHINGTON - A poll of American Indians found that an overwhelming majority of them are not bothered by the name of the Washington Redskins (news).
Only 9 percent of those polled said the name of the NFL team is "offensive," while 90 percent said it's acceptable, according to the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey, released Friday.
Annenberg polled 768 Indians in every state except Hawaii and Alaska from Oct. 7, 2003, to Sept. 20, 2004.
The survey found little disparity between men and women or young and old. However, 13 percent of Indians with college degrees said the name is offensive, compared with 9 percent of those with some college and 6 percent of those with a high school education or less. Among self-identified liberals, 14 percent found the term disparaging, compared with 6 percent of conservatives.
The franchise began in Boston as the Braves but was purchased in 1932 by George Preston Marshall, who changed the name to honor head coach William "Lone Star" Dietz, an American Indian. The team kept its monicker after moving to the nation's capital in 1937.
The name and feather-wearing mascot have since been challenged.
A panel of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled the team's trademarks in 1999 on the grounds that the name disparages American Indians in violation of federal trademark law. But last year, a federal judge ruled the team can keep its name, finding insufficient evidence to conclude it is an insult to American Indians.
Some Indian leaders are still pressing their case, noting that many schools with similar mascots referencing Indians have made name changes in recent years.
Interesting article. Hopefully it will answer some questions regarding similar posts (Redskins name) that pop up quite often.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
Well I guess this really does settle this issue doesn't it. Why just yesterday I was talking to a friend about how much I thought the "University of Pennsylvania" had its finger on the pulse of the Native American community! Yeah right! The arrogance!
How about citing some reputable Native American organizations regarding this issue? What were the ages of those polled? This is important since those too young may lack a historical perspective on the origins of the term. Who/What is the National Annenberg Election Survey? Never heard of them, so why would they have any credibility with me. Where do they get their funding? I think that would be an interesting investigation. As you well may know, polls are often designed to sway opinion. How many times have you read a poll that reflected results that were so far away from your perspective, only to find out that those polled didn't begin to reflect your demographic group. For me, these results mean absolutely zilch.
Precisely what type of evidence might you like? Might I use the example that cited all of the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq? A perfect example of how people are manipulated with misinformation to serve the ends of special interests. Now here we are well over a year later and not as much as an M-80 firecracker has been found. If you also recall, Hanz Blix (sp) from the United Nations was ridiculed for not finding any evidence of these weapons before the conflict began. His name was dragged though the mud. Guess he is sitting back smiling now. That is AN EXAMPLE of how false premises lead to false conclusions.
If you don't realize that polls are used in this fashion, then let me tell you another shocker. There is no such thing as Santa Clause either!
Washington has always been my team, always will be. I just don't turn a blind eye to those things about my team's history that may not be pleasant. I'm done.
I guess I'll have to take the bait johnjack. Since you insist on making this a political discussion, bottom line is there WERE weapons of mass destruction at one time. He had 'em, he used 'em. Are you one of those naive liberals who believe that Saddam had put away his toys and was going to play nice from now on? If so, like all liberals, you live in a dreamworld. Hopefully, you and medal boy won't get a chance to see us fight a "more sensitive war on terror" after november. As for the Redskins nickname, I have no poll numbers or statistics. Like a lot of things, the liberal media would have you believe that most americans are offended by things when they're not.
johnjack wrote:Precisely what type of evidence might you like? Might I use the example that cited all of the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq? A perfect example of how people are manipulated with misinformation to serve the ends of special interests. Now here we are well over a year later and not as much as an M-80 firecracker has been found. If you also recall, Hanz Blix (sp) from the United Nations was ridiculed for not finding any evidence of these weapons before the conflict began. His name was dragged though the mud. Guess he is sitting back smiling now. That is AN EXAMPLE of how false premises lead to false conclusions.
If you don't realize that polls are used in this fashion, then let me tell you another shocker. There is no such thing as Santa Clause either!
Washington has always been my team, always will be. I just don't turn a blind eye to those things about my team's history that may not be pleasant. I'm done.
That post was rambling and non-sensical. And, frankly, I don't think it warrants a detailed response.
polls can't be used to manipulate or shape a particular argument in pretty much any manner the pollster chooses. I'm in complete agreement with you on that point. I'll also agree that no huge cache of WMD has been found yet. I repeat, however, he DID have them. Anyone who believes that Saddam would never manufactured or used them again is truly delusional. W said after 9/11 we'd go after terrorists anywhere anytime anyplace and that goes for those who aid and abet them as well. Abu Nidal of Achille Lauro fame and Abu Abbas were both captured in Baghdad so that leads me to the conclusion, based on what I've read, that they had al qaeda ties as well.
I have been a Redskins fan for 33 years and I LIKE the name Redskins. If Snyder ever succumbs to the forces of political correctness and changes the name (for example the washington bullets are now the washington wizards for crying out loud) then I'm no longer a fan. Thank God, he appears to have "a pair" and he's sticking to his guns.
as you call it, is the fourth ranked university in the country and is world renowned for its academic standards. Their Wharton Business School is the best in the country and most likely the world. The Annenberg Survey is one of the most well known in the country and is often cited, showing that you really are very ignorant of any of the topics being discussed in this conversation and therefore your comments on this subject do not hold much credibility. An institution of the exemplary standards of UPenn would never put its name on a study unless only the highest polling standards were used. You just do not know what you are talking about.
In addition, what do WMD have to do with polling. This is a complete non-sequitor.
"We're not going to be the pushovers of the NFL, we're gonna push over some people!" - Clinton Portis
as you call it, is the fourth ranked university in the country and is world renowned for its academic standards. Their Wharton Business School is the best in the country and most likely the world. The Annenberg Survey is one of the most well known in the country and is often cited, showing that you really are very ignorant of any of the topics being discussed in this conversation and therefore your comments on this subject do not hold much credibility. An institution of the exemplary standards of UPenn would never put its name on a study unless only the highest polling standards were used. You just do not know what you are talking about.
In addition, what do WMD have to do with polling. This is a complete non-sequitor.
THN's resident jerk.
Glock .40 Model 22 - First* line of home defense.... 'ADT' is for liberals.
National Annenberg Election Survey of 2000 was the largest academic election poll ever conducted
The large sample size enables analysis of groups that would be too small to measure confidently in ordinary election polls.
Another key feature of the NAES is its use of the rolling cross sectional methodology for interviewing representative samples of Americans. With this method, random samples of respondents are interviewed each day of the election period in such a way that the samples are comparable from one day to the next. In particular, the composition of each day's interviews is balanced for demographics and ease of acquiring the interview. Each day's interviews can then be used to identify trends and points of change in the public's reactions to political events as they unfold over the course of the election.
johnjack wrote:Precisely what type of evidence might you like? Might I use the example that cited all of the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq? A perfect example of how people are manipulated with misinformation to serve the ends of special interests. Now here we are well over a year later and not as much as an M-80 firecracker has been found. If you also recall, Hanz Blix (sp) from the United Nations was ridiculed for not finding any evidence of these weapons before the conflict began. His name was dragged though the mud. Guess he is sitting back smiling now. That is AN EXAMPLE of how false premises lead to false conclusions.
If you don't realize that polls are used in this fashion, then let me tell you another shocker. There is no such thing as Santa Clause either!
Washington has always been my team, always will be. I just don't turn a blind eye to those things about my team's history that may not be pleasant. I'm done.
That post was rambling and non-sensical. And, frankly, I don't think it warrants a detailed response.
I don't think this was a "push poll" such as "Would the fact that John McCain has a black child cause you to vote for Governor Bush?"(an actual push poll question asked to South Carolina residents in the 2000 primary elections... Thank you Ralph Reed) Yes we know Sadaam had WMD because they were given to him by the previous Reagan and Bush administrations in his fight against the Iranians. So don't get on your high horse about how we deposed this awful dictator in a human rights campaign. The US has always, and always will, support brutal dictatorships if it serves our national interests. Now back on topic, this is an interesting survey because it shows that a very small percentage of American Indians find the Redskins' name offensive.
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
Yes the name Redskins used to be a slur to Native Americans. That was a long long time ago. None of the NA's are alive, who lived during the times when it was used as slur.
When the team was named the Redskins, it was NOT considered a slur any longer, and in fact, the team was named the Redskins as a compliment to the NA's. It was meant to portray the fact that our team was going to be strong, fierce and fight til the end of the game. It has nothing to do bashing on NA's and it never did.
Every poll I've ever seen has shown that it's a very very small % of NA's who are offended by the name. You could call the team the Washington Chihuahua's and the % of people who were offended by it would be the same if not larger. Excluding skins fans that is, cause if they changed it to that, I know I would be offended lol.
This is a dead issue, and the only reason it keeps being brought up is because certain people want in the spotlight.
DEHog wrote:Wow how did we go from Redskins to WMD's does this need to be moved tothe lounge??
Speaking od WMD's haven't seen Skins55 or Mr. Temple polysci major lately??
of course not. they were here in the "off season" to talk politics, not to talk FOOTBALL! now that the season is here, niether wanna show up, because nobody here really gives a flying...err, crap about politics. we only care about the REDSKINS.
THN's resident jerk.
Glock .40 Model 22 - First* line of home defense.... 'ADT' is for liberals.
I'm telling you, this topic needs to die. There is no middle ground The debate cannot possibly be won by either side. It's done for. The name will not be changed, and the people who don't like that will continue to say so.
Please. Let it die. It's a moot topic.
"Sit back and watch the Redskins.
SOMETHING MAGICAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"
JPFair- A fan's fan. RIP, brother
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
I'm telling you, this topic needs to die. There is no middle ground The debate cannot possibly be won by either side. It's done for. The name will not be changed, and the people who don't like that will continue to say so. Please. Let it die. It's a moot topic.
..__..
{o,o}
|)__)
-"-"-
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
Unfortunately, there are those who seek attention in bringing this topic up on an annual basis. The attacks will not end - no matter how many polls are published. What needs to happen is butt-whippings handed out to all those "offended" parties. I'm part Cherokee indian - if the name offended me, I'd simply find another team to root for. As it is, it's never been intended as an insult to anyone. But people have the right to chose when they become offended... based on their own logic and definitions - or lack thereof.
I appreciate the effort, but this topic won't be retired in my lifetime - as much as I might wish otherwise. :0)
I think Dan Rather should do a nice "fair and balanced" segment on 60 Minutes about the name "redskins" and use JohnJack's tie-ins to WMD's. Maybe bring out Al Gore (who invented the internet you know) to do a recount of the survey. (90% to 9% is within the margin of error)
fleetus wrote:I think Dan Rather should do a nice "fair and balanced" segment on 60 Minutes about the name "redskins" and use JohnJack's tie-ins to WMD's. Maybe bring out Al Gore (who invented the internet you know) to do a recount of the survey. (90% to 9% is within the margin of error)
I see you are another of the brainwashed masses. Can we please save the political discussions for the Lounge or Smack forums?
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
we only care about the REDSKINS. 
