Fox News provides warm affirmation to Christians who are offended by the mythical "gay agenda." But according to the hosts of Fox's Outnumbered, Native-Americans, who feel that the team name "Washington Redskins" is offensive, are just engaging in silly political correctness directed against a beloved American team!
A federal court judge recently mandated the cancellation of the Washington Redskins federal trademark registrations. For Fox News, this is another silly "attack" on an American icon. Last year, Megyn "Santa and Jesus were white" Kelly, said that changing the teams name is an attack on free speech and that the controversy is fake. Fox & Friends couldn't understand why Native-Americans find the name offensive.
On yesterday's Outnumbered, Anna Kooiman immediately framed the message of the evil forces of political correctness against an beloved real American football team: "One of the NFL's most storied teams still under attack on multiple fronts for its nickname." The banner reinforced the agitprop: Washington Redskins Facing New Challenges Over Team Nickname." She reported that the Washington football team will appeal the recent federal court decision (which she didn't explain) and that the Obama administration is "reportedly" blocking the construction of a new stadium until the team changes the name. She introduced "the perfect guy" to discuss this issue, former football player #Oneluckyguy Joe Theismann who, when last on Fox & Friends, totally tried to justify the offensive team name.
Theismann said that the decision should be up to the team owner, Dan Snyder. He asserted that he "will always be a Redskin," is proud to have worn the uniform, and proud to have represented Native-American tribes. (Uh, the feeling ain't mutual!) And as evidence that Native-Americans are OK with the name, Theismann cited his own anecdotal "survey." He noted that"activists" are spoiling everybody's good times. As an example of Native-Americans who have no problem with team names mascots, he mentioned the Seminoles who say that the Florida State Seminole mascot is OK. He didn't mention that the school's agreement is with the Florida Tribal Council - not the Seminole Nation which has condemned Native team mascots.
Theismann whined about the court decision (without explaining it) and how it will mean that "everybody else can use" the trademark. Harris Faulkner was concerned that the team's name will be "wiped away from history" and asked if, in the hall of fame, Theismann would be identified with the replacement name. Theismann then brought Caitlyn Jenner into the mix with his claim that Jenner's first name will be changed on her Olympic medals.
Bringing patented right wing vitriol into the mix, Andrea Tantaros asked about "the government interference in this" and asked about our "priorities" now that "ISIS is on the march and "illegals are killing Americans." She asked if "this is the government's business" in blocking a stadium. Theismann said that there is more important stuff for the government to think about. Tantaros: "The PC Police is Out in Force." Faulkner did mention that it's just not activists who want a name change.
Kooiman provided us with her patented profundity: It's hard to see the critics' opinion when you have the players saying that they are representing the Redskins and you're proud to be a Redskin." Theismann further justified the name because he was given a Chief's headdress when he won the Super Bowl in 1982.
So, as usual in Fox News coverage of what they deem is an example of "PC" run amok, no attention was paid to why the team's name is considered offensive. In Fox's bizarro world, it's actually a compliment. But as Anna Kooiman said, if the players say it's fine, it's all good. You just can't make this crap up.......Oh, right, this is Fox "news."
Note: According to the Washington Post, "even if the Redskins ultimately take the case to the Supreme Court and lose, the team can still use “Redskins” and seek trademark protection under state law." So another, "attack," - not so much.
Charles Krauthammer (Yes, him) once had a great comeback to O’Reilly while arguing for the name change: “If I were to ask you how many Indian Americans or Native Americans are in the Congress, you would not say, ‘There are two redskins.’”
http://www.newshounds.us/krauthammer_smacks_down_o_reilly_on_why_redskins_should_change_their_name_10162013
Would it be okay if the NY football Giants renamed the team the “NY Hook-nosed Jews”?
How is this different than naming a sports team the “Redskins”?
What if instead of changing the name, The redskins change their logo to a potato. Is it still racist if they are the REDSKIN POTATOES but just nicknamed resdkins?