Opinion

Opinion: Use of 'Geronimo' a tribute to famed Apache warrior





"Native American leaders are upset that Geronimo's name was used as code for Osama bin Laden. I respect their concern, but I don't think this particular reference is the insult tribal leaders think it is.

Quite the opposite, it sounds to me like a salute to the Apache warrior's leadership genius and his tribe's organizational success.

To understand why, do what they do at the supersecret U.S. Joint Special Operations Command that oversees Navy SEAL Team Six, the commandos who found bin Laden: Look past the obvious differences between Geronimo and bin Laden and examine what they shared in common.

Each was a charismatic, leader-by-example of a decentralized organizational structure that long-stymied much mightier and formally organized armies. The Apache style of organization — shared power, nimble execution, motivated by leaders who led by example more than by command — enabled Geronimo and earlier Apache leaders to hold off the mighty Spanish and United States armies for 200 years, long after the great Inca and Aztec civilizations fell."

Get the Story:
Clarence Page: What bin Laden, Geronimo shared (The Chicago Tribune 5/8)

Related Stories:
Harlyn Geronimo statement for Senate Indian Affairs hearing (5/6)
Democracy Now: LaDuke on militarization of Indian Country (5/6)
Editorial: 'Geronimo' codename causes headache for Obama (5/6)
Opinion: Nothing wrong with use of 'Geronimo' as codename (5/6)
Opinion: Use of 'Geronimo' name defames American Indians (5/6)
MP3: Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on stereotypes (5/5)
Tina Marie Osceola: Apology due for US treatment of Natives (5/5)
Oneida Nation statement on use of 'Geronimo' as codename (5/5)
Rep. Albert Hale letter to President Obama about 'Geronimo' (5/5)
NMAI statement on military use of 'Geronimo' as codename (5/5)
Terry Rambler: Saying goodbye to our young Apache leader (5/5)
L.M. VanEvery: Use of 'Geronimo' codename was 'offensive' (5/5)
Lise Balk King: The Indian Wars still alive and well in the US (5/5)
IPR: Indian Country bristles at use of 'Geronimo' codename (5/5)
Rep. Cole says military didn't have to use 'Geronimo' name (5/5)
Defense Department says 'Geronimo' was chosen randomly (5/5)
Native Sun News: Veterans upset by 'Geronimo' codename (5/4)
Fort Sill Apache Tribe to President Obama about 'Geronimo' (5/4)
Seminole Tribe letter to President Obama about 'Geronimo' (5/4)
Navajo president's statement on 'Geronimo' as codename (5/4)
SCIA to address use of 'Geronimo' as codename at hearing (5/4)
NCAI statement on use of 'Geronimo' for Osama codename (5/4)
Steven Newcomb: US still treats Indian people like terrorists (5/4)
Lise Balk King: US drops bomb with 'Geronimo' as codename (5/4)
Military use of 'Geronimo' codename was apparently recent (5/4)
Onondaga Nation leaders criticize military use of 'Geronimo' (5/4)
Fort Sill historian doesn't think 'Geronimo' use is a big deal (5/4)
Opinion: Geronimo back in the news with Osama bin Laden (5/4)
Opinion: US slanders Geronimo's name with Osama mission (5/3)
Rep. Pearce: White House crowd celebrates Osama's death (5/2)

Join the Conversation