Is it wrong for the Washington Redskins to have to change their name?

I'm biased seeing how I am a fan of the team, but really I believe there is no case to make them change their name. One female in my unit who identifies herself as Native American says she doesn't mind the name at all and was a bit upset that her High School mascot wasn't the same. I'm not saying the whole group is kosher with the name, but I feel offended being called by my last name all the time, I don't see the military stopping that anytime soon.

I vote to keep it. People these days get offended way to quick. My personal opinion is that people need tougher skin. This has been the name of this team for decades and now because some people get offended we have to change it? In my opinion that is ridiculous but to be honest I wouldn't be shocked if it went through. But I'm sorry, the people of this nation need to toughen up and stop crying about every little thing. Again, not to offend anyone, this is the way I see things and I'm not changing my opinion any time soon.

What about Redman tobacco? That's older than the Washignton Redskins. Where's the uproar about them?

Consider this a watershed moment in cultural sensitivity going way overboard. I ask, "What's next?" Are the Chicago Blackhawks under the crosshairs next? How about the K.C. Chiefs? The Vancouver Canucks? The (formerly) Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota have already had to defrock and so did Eastern Michigan University's Hurons years ago. I'm part Huron from like many generations back. Do you think I gave a shit about that team name? Not in the least. My wife's half Native American. She couldn't care less if the Redskins are called the Redskins. Plenty of Native Americans are fine with the name and have even worn Redskins apparel in public. So what's the problem? When does this nonsense stop? We have MUCH more relevant things to consider in our daily discourses. The team name of a sports franchise is now served up in the same breath as immigration reform, the partitioning of Ukraine and the implosion of Iraq? Do we wonder why our country's losing it's superpower status? How are mascot names like Sioux, Redskins or Hurons offensive in the first damn place? Isn't it, on the contrary, indicative of Native American pride? Which is, in larger context, being part of our nation's culture? Or am I just being....insensitive?

I appreciate everyones responses to my question. However I do ask that you express you opinions proffesionally and have respect for your fellow service member. Thanks all!!!

First I must say I am not a football fan so I have not dog in this fight (grew up playing hockey and that is my interest). Secondly I must say I am probably going to rub some of you the wrong way, nothing new for me. I will also say my mother was half American Indian so maybe I have a little dog in the fight(?). They tried this whole thing with the Redskins before in 1999, I think, and it failed then too. I can understand how the name can be offensive and hurtful to some. I think we all have things that hurt and offend us in our lives but we are forced to accept them. I for one am offended by how the American Indian has been treated in the past and is still treated by our government and society. Can you imagine any other ethnic group that could be confined to pieces of land designated by the U.S. government? We did it for a short time to Japanese Americans during WW II and we have since publicly apologized and paid reparations. Today the AI is still treated like a second class citizen. Unfortunately some AI organizations have learned all too well from the whites how to take advantage of even their own people. I would rather see the people who are putting so much money and effort into changing a football team's name put all the money and effort into helping the AI out of a cycle of despair and provide real opportunity for them to be successful. Create the AI equivalent of the NAACP, JDL, La Raza or other minority organization aimed at helping. Changing a name will not help one American Indian in his or her daily life.

Just remember to leave the KC Chiefs alone. They were really named after the members of the United States Navy in the paygrades of E-7, E-8 and E-9. The Chiefs of the United States Navy!

SSgt (Join to see) The guy representing Native Americans on this issue, should be more concerned about the tragically high number of rapes on the reservations. The trademark individuals are being leaned out and shameless. Fix the conditions on these reservations and stop making this an issue. We have homeless people and we are being politically correct over total BS.

I think I'll defer to some real heroes who understand the issue.

nothing wrong with the name