FORGET HISTORY -- DON'T OFFEND ANYONE.

Crain's Cleveland Business, February, 1999 by TUCKER, BRIAN

Last week came reports of a new Justice Department inquiry, and you'll be thankful that it's not centered on the president, or any other politician for that matter. But for the tens of thousands of Cleveland Indians fans here and across the globe, it will be interesting to watch the process unfold.

Janet Reno and her minions are looking into whether the use of Indian-related mascots for high school athletic teams violate the rights of Native American students. While I can certainly understand the pejorative nature of the nicknames "Redskins" and "Redmen," I have a hard time understanding the thought of an across-the-board ban of all references to Native Americans. Given the gallant nature of much of the history of Native American tribes, I would have...