Let them do the nickname

This whole UND nickname thing is strange. A few years ago I was all for keeping it because I have yet to see anything other than a couple of anecdotes for removing it. Sure have heard a lot of claims on both sides showing support for keeping and removing the "Fighting Sioux" nickname.

Haven't seen any attempts at voting about the nickname on any reservation either. Are the tribal governments afraid of something?

The remove the nickname folks are really good with the "anti" stuff so my suggestion is come up with something positive, come up with a nickname that will make Indians, North Dakota, and UND proud. Show something positive instead of negative.

I don't mean something stupid like "Fighting Whitey" either, just a positive step to eliminating the issue completely.

Sure haven't heard if UND has asked the tribes for their input into a new nickname either.

Bet they can't do it. It's too easy to be negative about things and so much for being part of the solution instead of the problem.

Our parents drugged us!

(This is not an original story - it came in an email & I think it's worth repeating)


The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question.

"Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Misc.

Saturday morning we took Joker and Mattie to the Paws Against Pet Cancer walk at Lincoln Park. It was a little on the damp side but it was for a worthy cause, the Animal Cancer Foundation. The turnout was low but everything has to start somewhere and hopefully this will catch on and grow in the future.

Some pictures are here.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. There will be a few events in Grand Forks this month to include these:

Annual Display of the NDClothesline Project
October 8-12, 2007
UND Memorial Ballroom
Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Take Back the Night March and Rally

Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 7 p.m.
UND Memorial Ballroom
Speakers will include local survivors of domestic violence - march to follow.

Domestic Violence Awareness Flag Display
A visual display of flags respresenting the number of domestic violence and sexual assault victims served by CVIC in 2006 can be viewed at the Grand Forks Police Department front lawn the month of October.

If you can't make it to any of the events, at least drive by the Police Department and take a look at all of the flags. Remember, this is Domestic Violence Awareness Month which is intended to make us aware that it isn't just something you read about in the paper or hear about on the news, it's right here in our own neighborhood.