Discussion for article #239975
Simply put, it should have the name that the residents of its state desire it to.
Since when can Ohio claim primacy over the affairs of Alaska?
11 Likes
Iād love to see the RWNJsā heads explode if Obama said that this was simply a matter of the Federal government recognizing statesā rights.
8 Likes
Has Sarah Palin weighed in on this yet?
This seems to put her in a bind, Obama doing something most Alaskans want.
3 Likes
I somtimes feel like Iām playing gotcha with the titles of articles, as in āmade you look, ha, ha.ā
This artcle was fairly interesting, but it was not really about the history of Denali specifically, but rather about renaming Native American places.
I wanted to read an article discussing the particulars of this statement: āAlaska has acknowledged that sacred heritage for decades, and the mountain has been known as Denali within the state since the 1970s. But every time Congress has tried to formalize the change, Ohio has protested and stalled the process, arguing that the name McKinley is an important part of their stateās history and heritage.ā
Specifically, conservatives and lots of liberals are acting as though Obama just got up one morning and decided to rename a mountain. It doesnāt work that way. The following is from the Board of Geographic Names website.
āThe U.S. Board on Geographic Names is a Federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947 to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. The Board comprises representatives of Federal agencies concerned with geographic information, population, ecology, and management of public lands. Sharing its responsibilities with the Secretary of the Interior, the Board promulgates official geographic feature names with locative attributes as well as principles, policies, and procedures governing the use of domestic names, foreign names, Antarctic names, and undersea feature names.ā
āThe original program of names standardization addressed the complex issues of domestic geographic feature names during the surge of exploration, mining, and settlement of western territories after the American Civil War. Inconsistencies and contradictions among many names, spellings, and applications became a serious problem to surveyors, map makers, and scientists who required uniform, non-conflicting geographic nomenclature. President Benjamin Harrison signed an Executive Order establishing the Board and giving it authority to resolve unsettled geographic names questions. Decisions of the Board were accepted as binding by all departments and agencies of the Federal Government.ā
In this age of geographic information systems, the Internet, and homeland defense, geographic names data are even more important and more challenging. Applying the latest technology, the Board on Geographic Names continues its mission. It serves the Federal Government and the public as a central authority to which name problems, name inquiries, name changes, and new name proposals can be directed. In partnership with Federal, State, and local agencies, the Board provides a conduit through which uniform geographic name usage is applied and current names data are promulgated."
āFor geographic feature names policies applying to the United States, or to the use of foreign geographic names, Antarctica names, and undersea feature names by the United States, see the respective items in the main menu on the left. Any person or organization, public or private, may make inquiries or request the Board to render formal decisions on proposed new names, proposed name changes, or names that are in conflict. Minutes of the Boardās meetings are available.ā
I wanted to know things like how many times and in what ways has Ohio kept the government from renaming a mountain in another state? Someone had to apply to the BGN for the name change, who did that? When and how did Obama get involved? Has he always been concerned about the name or was he just looking for aa symbolic gesture for his historic visit to Alaska? How did he find out about it? Who brought it to his attention? In other words I was looking for a ālong history behind the renaming Mt. McKinley.ā
Also, using the term ārenamingā sounds as though it is a brand new name instead of reverting to itās original name: an entirely different thing.
7 Likes
Not just an American meme.
1 Like
This article does suggest a compromise of sortsā¦ Letās have Alaska and the rest of the world know the mountain by the name Denali and in so doing put in an exception for Ohioā¦ Let the exception for Ohio state that they can call it whatever the F*&k they want.
3 Likes
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate that perspective, and while I think that these broader contexts are crucial to talking about this issue, I also certainly agree that thereās plenty to the specific history here that is complex and worth our attention. I donāt have a link to a piece on those histories off-hand, but will try to find a good one and welcome any nominations in comments!
Thanks,
Ben
2 Likes
Palin herself referred to the mountain in the past as Denali.
2 Likes
There are few things that should be named after a Republican. The only thing(s) I can think of is(are) outhouse(s):-), because every time I hear what a teabagger says, I think of what is in the pit below the above mentioned house(s).
Since President McKinley, right or wrong. Judging by the real history, it seems very wrong as it was most likely only a prank or bad joke changing the name from Denali in the first place.
Ohio doesnāt have much positive going for it in terms of American history so claiming a dead before his time dead President is a highlight they can point to. Even though the reference isnāt even in the mainland of the US.
Plus, what else should we expect from the Boener caucus but derp.
1 Like
Denali just sounds more apropos I think. It has a Yukon sound combined with native American. It really fits.
There are almost uncountable references to Native Indian names in the US and not much attention is paid to that otherwise.
Considering the fact that Alaska only became a state in 1959, its history is far more native Alaskan than the newish nation, the USA.
Now that America is settled in for the long haul (hopefully anyways) a whole lot of recognition should be made to the original inhabitants that were displaced through no actions of their own.
The Indian culture is America and is wholly American.
3 Likes
Further proof that the repigs are just nasty little idiots who can make anything into a controversy. They wouldnāt know who McKinley was if he was re-animated and bit all of them on the ass.
Schmuckabee proved this morning that repigs are so stupid they think Obama named the mountain after a GM modelā¦because of the whole gubmint GM takeover.
from Wikipedia:
During the Russian ownership of Alaska, the common name for the mountain was Bolshaya Gora (ŠŠ¾Š»ŃŃŠ°Ń ŠŠ¾ŃŠ°, ābig mountainā in Russian).
Iāve been intentionally skipping the articles that are just about the dumb things that the dumb Republicans say. Huckabee is in this group, so I missed this but it wouldnāt surprise me in the least.
Wake me when there is an actual, doable policy put out about anything from anyone on the right. Their feigned outrage is not the slightest bit interest worthy. Trump said more and keeps saying it louder and longer than all of the other little Trump wannabes but heās still just like the rest of them. Policy free and all rhetoric all the time.
Trump boredom set in fast unless your a pathetic teabagger or cast out racist, then life is good. Iām over Trump and the rest of the clowns donāt even rate. The eventual winner for the Repub nomination will be interesting just to see them try to spin back away from themselves.
It was actually āBolshaya Fucking Goraā but it was shortened for brevity.
1 Like
Note to Ben,
Hey Ben, itās cool that you stay involved with your articles and just about always respond to clarify whatever may need to be or to answer questions.
You seem to get the task of doing short pieces on subjects that are hard to boil down and just arenāt complete in such a format but you give it the old college try. I appreciate both of these things and just thought that Iād say so. Iāve thought this for a while but Iām just now getting around to saying it.
Thanks again from one of your devoted readers 
1 Like
Ben,
I should have clarified. The article was fine and made some excellent points and I agree wholeheartedly with those points. I am glad Obama restored the traditional name. I love learning the translations of the names I grew up with and love (Tallahassee, Ochlockonee, Econfina, Chattahoochee, Miccosukee, Wakulla, etc.)
My gripe was with the headline, which I assume you didnāt write as the rest of your writing is not ambigious and, you must admit, this title is.
I agree with Leftflank. I really am flattered that you took the time to address my thoughts and would love to have some links if youāve written more on this subject.
2 Likes
Thanks so much, I really appreciate those thoughts. I definitely see these as starting points for conversations, with a lot more to be said and thoughtāand see the comments as one great way where and how that happens!
Thanks again right back,
Ben
1 Like