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MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2003

"From the beginning, the proposal to rename Squaw Peak to Piestewa Peak was a transparent attempt to exploit patriotic feelings to advance a politically correct cause. There would not have been nearly the attention paid to a proposal to rename Squaw Peak after a fallen White male soldier. Nor to a proposal to rename some other mountain after Pfc. Piestewa.

So, there was broader opposition to the proposal than commonly understood from the beginning. But it was just simmering, even after Napolitano initially got behind the idea.

It reached a boil, and she committed her political blunder, when she demanded the resignation of the chairman of the State Board on Geographic and Historic Names. This was political correctness baring its ugly teeth, bullying its way through the facts, precedent and tradition, and seeking to intimidate those who disagree."

Get the Story:
Robert Robb: Governor commits her first major blunder (The Arizona Republic 4/20)

Relevant Links:
Robert Robb, Goldwater Institute - http://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/experts.php/25.html

Related Stories:
Say goodbye to Squaw Peak in Ariz. (4/18)
Benson's View: Piestewa Peak vs. Pipsqueak (4/18)
Ariz. panel votes to change 'squaw' names (4/18)
Republic Editorial: 'They did the right thing' (4/18)
Column: Lori Piestewa was not a warrior (4/18)
Column: Piestewa's name deserves much more (4/18)
Piestewa Peak views continue to roll in (4/18)
Some Ariz. GOP unhappy with Piestewa plans (4/17)
Editorial: Don't wait five years to change name (4/17)
Pequot tribe donates scholarship to family (4/17)
Column: What's Better - Squaw Peak or Piestewa Peak? (4/17)
More support and opposition for Piestewa Peak (4/17)
Hopi Tribe to honor Piestewa in official ceremony (4/16)
Thousands remember Piestewa in memorial service (4/14)
Editorial: Stop making excuses for Squaw Peak (4/14)
Navajo lawmakers cite poor timing for name change (4/14)
More reaction to renaming peak for Piestewa (4/14)
Piestewa service to take place in Tuba City (4/11)
Piestewa, the Lady Warrior, honored at pow-wow (4/11)
More opinions on renaming peak for Piestewa (4/11)
Reaction: 'One of the Fallen Heroes' (4/10)
Piestewa story extends beyond Indian Country (4/10)
Don't expect Piestewa Peak any time soon (4/10)
Column: Name change is more than just symbolism (4/10)
Footnotes to a war: What about Private Lori? (4/10)
How to Donate to Lori Piestewa Memorial Fund (4/9)
Editorial: Rename Ariz. peak in honor of Piestewa (4/8)
Column: Would anyone call Piestewa a 'squaw'? (4/8)
Piestewa death investigated as war crime (4/8)
Memorial set for fallen soldiers from Ft. Bliss (4/8)
Snow in Hopiland heralds return of Piestewa (4/7)
DoD confirms Piestewa killed in action in Iraq (4/7)
Indian Country mourns loss of Native soldier (4/7)
Hopi Woman Confirmed Dead (4/5)
Readers react to Piestewa tragedy (4/5)
Letters of Support Lori Piestewa and Family(4/4)
Piestewa: 'When is his mom coming home?' (4/4)
Rescued soldier has no information on Piestewa (4/4)
Military begins difficult identification process (4/4)
Rescued soldier watched unit members die (4/3)
Fellow Piestewa unit member rescued in Iraq (4/2)
Vigil held in Ariz. for missing Hopi soldier (3/27)
Hopi Tribe prays for return of missing soldier (3/26)
Piestewa Family Letter: Thank you for prayers (3/26)
Ariz. soldier reported missing (3/25)