It appears that the Fightin' Whities might need to be resurrected to lead a march

on Washington.  Their fight isn't over yet.  Racial stereotyping is still alive and well

in the Halls of Congress, as evidenced by legislation sponsored by Cong. Tim Johnson

and Speaker Dennis Hassert.

Recently, the NCAA ruled that Native Americans would no longer be used as sports

mascots, completing a long effort to extend racial justice to them.  However, Johnson

and Hassert aim to preserve Chief  Illiniwek, mascot of the University of Illinois

Indians.  In spite of endorsements by the NAACP, and other civil rights, religious, and

educational organizations,  Johnson and Hassert assert in their legislation that the

NCAA interfered with the institutional autonomy of the University of Illinois.

There are a number of reasons why the Johnson/Hassert legislation is being viewed as

an attempt to legalize racism.  Most prominent of these reasons is that the University

of Illinois neither requested either Congressman to represent them, nor did that institution

complain to them.  In fact, an overwhelming majority of the school's Student Senate

voted to retire the mascot.

From this writer's perspective, nothing good could come from this legislation, either

for our Country, or for the Republican party.  At a time that our Nation needs unity,

hassert and Johnson are sowing the seeds of racism and devisiveness.  Were this 100

years ago, the two might help to fund a new movie, "Birth of a Mascot."

Hopefully, news of this effort will travel quickly, and result in crushing opposition.  Also,

maybe the voters of Illinois will remember this endeavor by Hassert and Johnson come

the November elections.  It seems to me to be just another example of a Republican

Congress involving itself where it shouldn't, while ignoring the issues it is charged to

oversee.

Zeke 5/6/06