Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) continued to rally against the NCAA's new policy on mascots on Tuesday, calling it "offensive to Native Americans."
Bush cited the support of the Seminole Tribe for Florida State University's "Seminoles" mascot.
He said the decision ignores their views.
"I think they insult those people by telling them, `No, no, you're not smart enough to understand this. You should be feeling really horrible about this,'" Bush was quoted as saying. "It's ridiculous. How politically correct can we get? The folks that make these decisions need to get out more often.''
Just a few days ago, Bush said he wanted to tax Indian gaming. He also stalled negotiations with the Seminole Tribe for a Class III gaming compact.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, attorney Barry Richard, who led George W. Bush's challenge to the 2000 presidential recount in 2000, has agreed to help FSU pursue a legal challenge to the policy.
Get the Story:J. Bush blasts NCAA (The Miami Herald 8/10)
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Bush blasts NCAA as FSU plans response (The St. Petersburg Times 8/10)
Mascot Mess (The News-Press 8/10)
Gov. Bush balks at ban on Seminoles name (AP 8/10)
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FSU is determined to persevere (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 8/10)
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Florida State reacts to NCAA ban (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 8/10)
pwday NCAA Announcement:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005) Relevant Links:
Florida State University - http://www.fsu.edu
FSU Seminoles - http://seminoles.collegesports.com
Seminole Tribe of Florida - http://www.seminoletribe.com
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html
National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm Related Stories:
FSU wants policy changed to allow 'Seminoles' (8/9)
More reaction to NCAA's new policy on Indian mascots (8/9)
NCAA announces revised Indian mascot policy (8/8)
Mixed reaction to change in use of mascots (8/8)
NCAA committee to take up Indian mascots (8/3)
TV stations challenged on use of 'Redskins' name (07/22)
Giago: Seminole Tribe wrong on Indian mascots (07/19)
Appeals court keeps 'Redskins' lawsuit alive (07/18)
Opinion: Changing mascots is a waste of time (07/15)
Mascots not only an issue for Native Americans (7/14)
Opinion: It's time for racist mascots to go (7/14)
Seminole Tribe doesn't have problem with mascots (07/05)
NCAA committee won't call for ban on Indian mascots (6/28)
Seminole Nation opposes FSU's 'Seminoles' mascot (6/23)
Seminole Tribe supports FSU's 'Seminoles' mascot (6/21)
Editorial: Not all 'Indian' mascots are offensive (05/31)
Harjo: NCAA should ban all 'Native' imagery (5/27)
FSU defends use of 'Seminole' mascot in NCAA letter (05/17)
Schools defend Indian mascots in reports to NCAA (5/16)
Editorial: UND's 'Fighting Sioux' report not truthful (05/06)
FSU preparing report on use of 'Seminole' mascot (04/29)
Virginia tribe not offended by school's nickname (04/26)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe supports CMU nickname (04/13)
Drunk Student: Chief Illiniwek is not offensive to Natives (04/07)
Group protests university's 'Fighting Sioux' name (03/28)
UNC-Pembroke stands by its 'Braves' nickname (03/09)
UND asked to study 'Fighting Sioux' name again (02/17)