NCAI Releases Statement on Use of “Geronimo” as Name for Osama bin Laden Operation

[oberliner]

Excerpt:

“Let’s be very clear about what is important here; the successful removal of Osama bin Laden as a threat to the United States honors the sacrifice these Native warriors made for the United States and their people,” added Keel, an Army Veteran and the Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma.

In November 2010, the Pentagon estimated that nearly 24,000 American Indian and Alaska Native active duty personnel serve across the Armed Forces. Hundreds of thousands of tribal members have served in the U.S. military in the last century making vital contributions, such as the Native American code talkers.

Reports from news outlets in the days following the tactical strike in Pakistan to capture or kill bin Laden have stated that the military’s code name for him was “Geronimo,” referring to the Apache leader revered by many as a hero in the Southwestern, United States.

“Our understanding is that bin Laden’s actual code name was ‘Jackpot’ and the operation name was ‘Geronimo’,” said Keel. “To associate a Native warrior with bin Laden is not an accurate reflection of history and it undermines the military service of Native people. It’s critical that military leaders and operational standards honor the service of those who protect our freedom.”

http://www.ncai.org/News-View.19.0.html?&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews=781&tx_ttnews=9&cHash=1d469c7101

[DURHAM D]

1. Some people just have too much time on their hands. nt

[fishwax]

3. who, the National Congress of American Indians? How odd that they would release a statement

:eyes:

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

2. so Geronimo did not refer to Osama, but they'll still get pissed about it?

That doesn't make a damned bit of sense.

[fishwax]

4. the statement doesn't exactly sound pissed to me

:shrug:

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

6. why even make a statement for a non-issue?

[Hissyspit]

8. What non-issue?

Pretty clear that they are clarifying.

Geronimo should not have been associated with the operation.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

9. Geronimo was only associated with "Success". You guys are the ones associating it with Bin Laden

[Hissyspit]

10. "You guys"

Success of the mission involving Osama bin Laden, you mean? Whyever would I make that association?

The statement is clearly a clarification to the press, as well. It's not a non-issue.

[seabeyond]

5. point. thank you. even as kids using Geronimo when jumping off something was brave, courageous.

i have never heard Geronimo used in a negative. and it wasnt here either.

if they had used Geronimo for obl, it would have made no sense what so ever.

it would be beligning Geronimo which would take effort, since i have never heard it done.

that being said

native americans dont like it....

dont EVER use it again

[bobbolink]

7. "native americans dont like it....dont EVER use it again"

Exactly.

Respect is a good value.

thank you.