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.

For me the BIGGEST difference is that Geronimo was defending his homeland and his people from others who were trying to steal the Apache's lands. He was not the initial aggressor, though he did fight against the "white man." He and the Apaches were fighting against imprisonment and losing their tribal lands.

Not at all what Bin Laden did.

To me there is no comparison between the two.

For me the BIGGEST difference is that Geronimo was defending his homeland and his people from others who were trying to steal the Apache's lands. He was not the initial aggressor, though he did fight against the "white man." He and the Apaches were fighting against imprisonment and losing their tribal lands.

Not at all what Bin Laden did.

To me there is no comparison between the two.

Also a good point, clearly Im no history buff, Im with USMC no comparison. However, I still don't think it was meant as an insult to Geronimo or the people of his culture

I am sure it wasn't meant as an insult. I doubt there was someone PURPOSELY intending to insult the Native American community.

I really think the comparison between Geronimo and Bin Laden i entirely too simplistic, to the point where I see no comparison.

Geronimo is a reverred figure to many Native American communities for his staunch belief in his tribe (and Native Americans as a whole) and because of that he is a symbol for community perseverence for many different tribes.

I can't help but think of all the different ways the name Geronimo is used, I mean I can remember as kids yelling "GERANIMO!" jumping into a pool or the top of a kiddie dog pile....none of that had anything to do with the actual Geranimo

I just think it's interesting since "Geronimo" is the nickname for 1/5, who is currently deployed to Sangin. Shrug.

Posted By Ktbug613 on 06 May 2011 05:09 PM

For me the BIGGEST difference is that Geronimo was defending his homeland and his people from others who were trying to steal the Apache's lands. He was not the initial aggressor, though he did fight against the "white man." He and the Apaches were fighting against imprisonment and losing their tribal lands.

Not at all what Bin Laden did.

To me there is no comparison between the two.

Also a good point, clearly Im no history buff, Im with USMC no comparison. However, I still don't think it was meant as an insult to Geronimo or the people of his culture

I don't think it was either. I'm just showing why Natives could be offended. 

Oh I know USMC I think you posted earlier that you didn't think it was meant to be offensive

Posted By *usmc*eodwife on 04 May 2011 01:03 PM
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.)

I most definitely wish that they hgad not released the team's location!!!!!!!


Did anyone read the part of the article where they were explaining that WWII (I think WWII, maybe it was WWI) paratroopers used the battle cry "Geronimo" when they jumped? The name has kind come to mean a venture where all can be lost. I do not think for a minute that anyone meant any disrespect to the man Geronimo or the Native American people.

You can NEVER make everyone happy.

Well, Geronimo was not his real name, his name was actually Goyathlay. Geronimo was given to him during a Mexican raid. Regardless of what Bin Laden's code name was, someone would have been offended. I'm trying to bite back all the nasty things I want to say regarding political correctness, etc. because it has nothing to do with the topic whatsoever.

What if his code name was JESUS?