A friend of mine asked me to weigh in on the whole issue of the NCAA getting involved in and creating a mascot scandall where there isn't one.

Let's see, this "ruling" was handed down by the NCAA's executive committee. Said committee consists of representatives of eight Division I schools, and six of those schools are under investigation for major rules infractions.

That "committee" is headed by megalomaniac Myles Brand, who apparently thinks that the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota is more offensive than low graduation rates, gambling, players committing felonies, and all sorts of other problems.

Now, there are many folks that got bullied into changing their mascots. The University of Utah Utes actually consulted their tribal namesake for guidance, and still got bullied into submission.

Here's a fun list from another friend of mine, courtesy of some radio talkhost whose name shall not pass my lips:

1) The Seminoles in Florida have affirmed the use of Seminole by FSU and have ensured that the details are accurate and authentic.

2) Illinois can put Illinois on the jersey but not Illini. Illinois is, of course, a french word meaning "Illini"

3) North Dakota can't use "Fighting Sioux" but instead can use Dakota. The Sioux were a confederation of tribes, one of which being the Dakota.

4) Oklahoma can use Sooner, the people who cheated in stealing Indian lands. The very word Oklahoma is Choctaw for 'red people'.

5) Indiana can use Hoosiers, of course. But the word Indiana means Land of Indians. The NCAA is of course HQ'd in Indianapolis, City of Indians.

6) The big sponsor of the NCAA Basketball tournament is GM, who of course markets a line of vehicles named Pontiac.

See? What kind of crazy shit is this? An institution that can't figure out how to name a national champion wants to wade into this muck?

Myles, do us all a favor. Put away your "what a travesty" rhetoric, put your sheet back on your head and leave the rest of us reasonable folks alone.