In a poll that appears to represent a good cross-section of the state (54-46 percent female to male, 66-30-3 white, black, other), Ole Miss comes up as the least popular sports team. No doubt the poor showing this season didn't help. Despite this fact, people from all over the state support amending the state constitution in order to bring Col. Rebel back as the Ole Miss mascot.
Most people are willing to defer to university administration, but the scandalous, racist banishment of Col. Rebel has just been too much for people to stomach. So, folks, find a petition to get this on the ballot, sign it, and then vote next year to get Col. Reb restored to his rightful position so we can start winning some football games again!
Q5 Is your favorite college sports team in the state
Mississippi, Mississippi State, or Southern
Mississippi?
Mississippi ..................... 21%
Mississippi State ............... 36%
Southern Mississippi ............ 27%
Not sure ........................ 17%
Q6 Would you support or oppose a Constitutional
Amendment to designate Colonel Reb as the
official mascot of the University of Mississippi?
Support ......................... 52%
Oppose .......................... 22%
Not sure ........................ 26%
Oh, and by the way, don't you hate it when pollsters refer to Ole Miss as "Mississippi." If they don't want to use Ole Miss, then say the whole thing, "University of Mississippi."
8 comments:
Why a constitutional amendment? Isn't that a little extreme? Why not just pass a law? How is it going to be enforced? Are you going to put a penalty in place if the mascot doesn't appear at all athletic events?
Ignatius,
I'm not sure about this as I'm not involved in the movement, but I think it is actually easier to bring citizen sponsored change to the constitution than it is to pass a law. Also, the legislature has failed to act, and I think the group doesn't want to pass a law only to see it repealed.
Most constitutional provisions don't have penalties attached; nevertheless they must be obeyed or you will face court sanction.
The easy thing is for the administration to admit it was wrong and restore the mascot. Or the legislature can pass a law and it will take the wind out of the sails.
And how many State fans do you think want this just to make Ole Miss look bad? Come on, CRS. A Constitutional amendment? For a cartoon character? I know that he is your namesake, but come on. Your guys control the legislature now. Let them pass the law.
Ignatius,
I've heard the suggestion that State fans support Col. Reb to "hurt Ole Miss and there's just not much to it in my opinion. I know plenty of State fans, and their attitude is that we've gotten a raw deal.
I would prefer not to have a law or an amendment. I would prefer for the administration to admit it did wrong. But when the popular will is wrongfully thwarted you run the risk of having action, and then reaction. That's what this is. But if it's the only way to get rid of the bear, I'm for it.
One more point. MSU had a nut-job president a few years ago. If he had decided to get rid of the Bulldog over overwhelming student and alumni opposition, I would support a constitutional amendment to bring it back, and my motive would not be to hurt the school. It would be to set it in stone so they couldn't do it again.
Our State's foundational document being used to micromanage what cartoon character is associated with an institution of higher learning is frightful to me. I would like to end the whole, decade-long debate by changing back to the "Floods" since that preceded Col Reb almost eighty years ago. As you and I have often done, we will have to agree to disagree, CRS. I respect your use of the Col Reb moniker for its historical value, but I would like to keep it just that: history.
I dunno ... University of Michigan is "Michigan," University of Nebraska is "Nebraska" ... why shouldn't University of Mississippi be "Mississippi"?
Anderson, you make a point. It's just that the school name is Ole Miss. May be is they would say "Missippi."
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