http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_bin_laden_geronimo

Apparently some native americans are upset at the code name used for Bin Laden during the mission that took him down. What do you think? Inappropriate or misinterpreted?


I  think this is slightly ridiculous. I don't think the name was meant in anyway to be offensive to anyone

IMO, I think whatever codename they had used one group or another would not have liked it. Since everyone (general) is so touchy about things they should have said on the news or what ever that the target had been spotted, they could have used whatever code name they wanted and just not released it.

Some people are never happy unless they have something to complain about.

I could see how they would be offended. To his people Geronimo was a brave leader, a hero. Bin Laden was clearly an evil man.

But the PPs are right, no matter what code name they used someone would be offended. They shouldn't have released the code name IMO. (But then again, they released the stateside location of team that killed him this morning and I don't think they should have done that either. Seems like they just made that area a target for retaliation.)

Posted By MrsZawicki on 04 May 2011 12:55 PM
Some people are never happy unless they have something to complain about.

That.

You can't make everyone happy. If they called him Paul or Mike; everyone who has that name would've said they felt slighted & offended. Heck I think if they referred to him as John Doe that would've caused problems! I see where they're coming from, but i dont think the codename should have been release, or what seal team it was, or where they're located, or the code name for the mission. We (the public) dont need to now everything.

I'd be pissed off. Wouldn't you be pissed off if they used code name Abraham Lincoln. Don't associate a great man with a scumbag. There are plenty of other names and words in the English language that a respectable person didn't have to be used. How about Capone? Or slug. More fitting.

J said they didn't use Geronimo to refer to the person Bin Laden but that it was the code for "Bin laden is dead, mission successful" (along those lines) - so he doesn't get them being upset.

they didn't use Geronimo to refer to the person Bin Laden but that it was the code for "Bin laden is dead, mission successful"

I had to ask my husband this because from my understanding they WERE referring to his person as "Geronimo" (when they radioed the confirmation they said "Geronimo E-KIA {enemy killed in action} as well as when they confirmed that they had visual on him they used the name) the operation was also named "Operation: Geronimo" which is what may be confusing.

Wouldn't you be pissed off if they used code name Abraham Lincoln.

Nah, not at all. They could've used my name, my mom's name, my grandmother's name. As long as they were able to get the mission done, what difference does it make? I'm with MrsZawicki (above)!

Someone was bound to get offended either way. And really, people are tearing this raid apart... it is what it is.

I am not necessarily offended by it (although I am Choctaw not Apache) but I do think it was poor taste and a better name could have been thought of...such as Cauliflower (yuck!). Not to make light of the situation, but seriously why not Cauliflower, did it HAVE to be someones name? Especially someone of historical significance and reverence for many people?

schmanyway.

I think if they used the name Geronimo as the operation code name (i.e. to fast rope in and extract/eliminate) then that's fine. Or stated "Geronimo (mission name) E-KIA (status of target)" great.

But if they referred to the actual target as Geronimo......that is offensive.

However, they couldn't exactly keep it a secret had they used a name like "7 foot evil freak"

Going off what bittersweet said from now I think they should just use fruit & veggie call signs! (Im being serious). Imagine CNN/Fox breaking that news lol......US Seals killed an enemy combatant codenamed Strawberry lol. Bittersweet I like the way you think! lol

I saw on the Today show that the codename for the mission being accomplished was Geronimo but Bin Laden's personal codename was something else. I don't believe it was a person at all. I just can't for the life of me remember what the jeebus it was. I'll research a bit and get back to you if I find it...

Posted By Riggerwife on 06 May 2011 01:20 PM
I saw on the Today show that the codename for the mission being accomplished was Geronimo but Bin Laden's personal codename was something else. I don't believe it was a person at all. I just can't for the life of me remember what the jeebus it was. I'll research a bit and get back to you if I find it...

JACKPOT!! I knew I'd find it...his codename was Jackpot and the successful mission was Geronimo.

Well thats better, I still think Strawberry or Cupcake would have been better.....how demascualting would that have been "Hey boys we got Strawberry/Cupcake over here!" Bin Laden thinking "WTF Im the most evil man in the world & Im being called Strawberry/Cupcake?!" Ok, sorry its been a long week couped up in my house with sicks kids & then being sick myself...Im a lil looney lol

JACKPOT!! I knew I'd find it...his codename was Jackpot and the successful mission was Geronimo

That's better. I had not heard this before now. All I was hearing about was "Geronimo."

I still think Strawberry or Cupcake would have been better.....how demascualting would that have been "Hey boys we got Strawberry/Cupcake over here!" Bin Laden thinking "WTF Im the most evil man in the world & Im being called Strawberry/Cupcake?!"

bahahahaha

So question for those offended by the use of "Geronimo." Let's say that WAS OBL's code name for a second.

Taken historically, Geronimo ran a guerilla war against the US during his time for several years. Which is pretty much what OBL was doing, wasn't it? Different eras and different circumstances but the same situation - both were rebelling against the institution.

Does/would that change your opinion any?

For me, the parallel is definitely interesting and I'd say that it was chosen with care, actually. Not with intent to offend anyone.

So question for those offended by the use of "Geronimo." Let's say that WAS OBL's code name for a second.

Taken historically, Geronimo ran a guerilla war against the US during his time for several years. Which is pretty much what OBL was doing, wasn't it? Different eras and different circumstances but the same situation - both were rebelling against the institution.

Does/would that change your opinion any?

For me, the parallel is definitely interesting and I'd say that it was chosen with care, actually. Not with intent to offend anyone

Interesting point