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Congress to Examine "Inappropriate" and "Devastating" Use of "Geronimo" Codename in bin Laden Mission

ABC News’ Matthew Jaffe (@jaffematt) reports:

The Senate Indian Affairs committee will hold a hearing Thursday on racist Native American stereotypes, a hearing that will now also address the Osama bin Laden mission and the code-name Geronimo.

While the hearing was scheduled before the mission, a committee aide today said the linking of the name Geronimo with the world’s most wanted man is “inappropriate” and can have a “devastating” impact on kids.

“The hearing was scheduled well before the Osama bin Laden operation became news, but the concerns over the linking of the name of Geronimo, one of the greatest Native American heroes, with the most hated enemies of the United States is an example of the kinds of issues we intended to address at Thursday's hearing,” Loretta Tuell, the committee's chief counsel, said in a statement.

“These inappropriate uses of Native American icons and cultures are prevalent throughout our society, and the impacts to Native and non-Native children are devastating,” Tuell said. “We intend to open the forum to talk about them.”

The Senate committee is chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.


(sigh)

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Uh huh :

Joakim Soria, Pitcher for Kansas City Royals, want to drop his nickname:

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- There is a long and storied history to baseball nicknames, from Ted Williams (the Splendid Splinter) to Randy Johnson (the Big Unit) to Babe Ruth (the Sultan of Swat).

Kansas City closer Joakim Soria has a nickname he wants no part of.

The Royals pitcher said that "The Mexicutioner" has a negative connotation and is a particularly jarring choice given the drug violence racking his homeland. He is from Monclova in the northern state of Coahuila.

"It's been really bad in Mexico right now," Soria said Wednesday. "There are a lot of guns in Mexico. It's out of control right now.

"If I can change the mindset of the people, change the nickname or just take it out. It's not a big deal. I think it's a smart move. I think about my people."

The 26-year-old Soria saved 43 games in 46 opportunities last season and for the second time in two years was selected to the All-Star Game.

The nickname originated in 2008, when Soria saved 42 games and "The Mexicutioner" T-shirts were sold in Kansas City. Soria did not shy away from the nickname in the beginning, but with the increased violence in Mexico, he wants to shed it this season.

Soria pointed out that Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, two of the best closers in history, have no nicknames. He said he has no preference for a new nickname. "His Mexcellency" was one suggestion.

"I don't really care about nicknames," Soria said. "I'm not the type of guy that thinks too much about it. I'm open-minded about anything. I don't really want to choose one. If it stays Joakim Soria, fine. I don't really care. But I just want to change that name because it's bad right now for Mexico. This type of thing my nickname -- I try to be a positive thing."

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oh for heaven's sake.... haven't they got anything better to do??????