Native Americans are understandably pissed off after the U.S. military used “Geronimo” as the code name for Osama bin Laden during the raid to kill him.
Syracuse’s The Post-Standard reports that Onondaga Nation leaders blasted the code name as “reprehensible.”
“Geronimo bravely and heroically defended his homeland and his people, eventually surrendering and living out the rest of his days peacefully, if in captivity,” the Onondaga Council of Chiefs said in a statement.
Geronimo fought the Army for years back when the United States was practicing genocide and terrorism.
Come to think of it, “Custer” or “Grant” might have been more appropriate code names for bin Laden.
Oh boo hoo!
Shoulda used “Poncelet”.
I don’t get it. Wasn’t the codeword for OBL himself “Jackpot”? Geronimo was the name for the operation wasn’t it? I don’t get how Geronimo was linked negatively. In my book the operation was one carried out under great stealth and by superb warriors, certainly well represented by Geronimo. Why do some Native Americans insist on linking it to negativity? I know … because some of these people would not have a job if they didn’t raise a ruckus now and then.
What has become of this country? This is political correctness gone made. You would think Native Americans might be proud to have their name associated with the demise of Bin Laden. However, some are offended and even want to hold hearings about it. Some people just don’t have enough to do.
The next thing, someone will complain the phrase “white elephant sale” is upsetting to them and Washington will have to hold a hearing. Wait – that would not be politically incorrect, would it?
@David: Would you still feel that way if the code name for Osama bin Laden would have been Ronald Reagan or Rush Limbaugh?
@ David. Maybe you couldn’t understand this, but what the government did just reminds us of their despise for us. It bring no honor or pride to be involved in the same sentece as that man.Geronimo was a Hero to our people, a man of honor and rightousness who’s only crime was being born Apache or indian as you call us. You want to know the truth about your government, President bush, his father, and his grandfather were in a secret sororaty by the name of skulls and bones. Their family dug up Geronimos body, skinned and scalped his head and use it for santanic rituals. Who’s the savage, are you really honored to call that your government.
Indians have a whole host of more important day to day issues – people whoes way of life – BIA, NM politicians and cocktail party sympathizers – depends to some degree on using “” history of repressed monorities…” have a fantastic opportunity to generate some press
It is important to look at the perspectives of the people expressing their opinions in this forum. But we shouldn’t post opinions in faux Native American dialog taken from old western movies. That would be offensive and ridiculous. This SHOULD NOT be done. It would look like this:
Here is story. Happened 3 moons ago. Big Chief Bin Laden not want to smoke piece pipe with Big Chief Obama. Medicine Man Prophet Mohammed say smoking bad. Mohammed no like fire water either. So hatchet not buried. Big Chief Obama send his braves to take Big Chief Bin Laden scalp. Braves kill Big Chief Bin Laden and he go to big bomb factory in sky with 72 squaws. Battle named Geronimo. Battle cost heap big wampum. Red man say paleface speak with forked tongue and insult us for using Geronimo name.