But it's still OK to offend the Irish
The NCAA aims to punish colleges and universities that use "hostile or abusive" American Indian nicknames and mascots.
Schools like Florida State (Seminoles), Illinois (Illini) and Utah (Utes) could be barred from post-season tournaments.
Well, what about Notre Dame? Am I the only one offended by its hostile and abusive exploitation of the Irish?
"Fighting Irish" perpetuates a cruel stereotype of drunken brawlers, IRA terrorists and Ulster loyalist thugs.
It's bad enough that ugly representations of the Irish character are perpetuated in the use of such language as "don't get your Irish up," "donnybrook," "blarney," "shenanigans" and "Paddy wagon." But we Irish-Americans must also be subjected to the mockery of Notre Dame athletics.
As the grandson of Irish immigrants, I am hurt by this despicable hateful distortion of a kind and gentle people. The Irish should more accurately be depicted as poets, priests and politicians.
Wait, never mind the politicians.
And what about that Notre Dame mascot, the overgrown leprechaun? I have never seen an Irishman who looked like that. It's a ridiculous caricature of a handsome, dignified ethnic group. I mean, must we endure this?
It is blatant bigotry by the NCAA to protect the pride of Native Americans but ignore the sensitivities of Erin's sons and daughters. If Notre Dame will not change its nickname and mascot to something completely lacking in color, interest or historic significance, I hereby call upon everyone of Irish extraction to assemble in South Bend on the date of the first football game and stage the mother of all donnybrooks.
South Bend police, warm up the Paddy wagons.
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