I think this opinion piece from Tom Dennis brings up a good point, that I am going to expound on just a little more; why aren't our elected leaders from “Team North Dakota” (Kent Conrad, John Hoeven, Rick Berg) also involved in this process as well? Why not give the North Dakota's elected leaders congressional a call and ask them; here are the phone numbers, Senator Conrad’s office: 701-232-8030, Senator Hoeven's office: 701-239-5389 or Congressman Berg's office: (701)-224-0355. Remember, if you call them be respectful, I have found in the past Senators Conrad's staff to be very polite and easy to work with.
Tom Dennis for the Herald, Grand Forks Herald ---- “You break it, you own it.” That’s the Pottery Barn rule, said former Secretary of State Colin Powell. It’s also the warning Powell gave to President George W. Bush on the eve of the invasion of Iraq.
Today, Gov. Jack Dalrymple and North Dakota legislative leaders should remember the Pottery Barn rule as they weigh their options regarding the Fighting Sioux nickname.
By passing a law forcing UND to keep the nickname, the Legislature and governor took responsibility for the issue. That means they now have a duty to minimize or eliminate any harm to UND.
And that, in turn, means they should act to bring about a positive outcome rather than passively observing what happens next.
“Be a player who makes things happen,” smart coaches often tell their athletes. It’s good guidance for the governor and legislative leaders, too, if they’re looking for advice on what to do next.
For UND and the State Board of Higher Education were on their way to settling the issue when the Legislature and governor intervened. Now, the best outcome — convincing the NCAA to relax its upcoming sanctions against UND — very likely will demand the governor and lawmakers’ leadership and active involvement.
They’re the elected officials with the status and clout that offer the best chance of persuading the association. They’re the leaders with the stature to ask North Dakota’s congressional delegation to join the effort, thereby presenting a united front of impressive strength to the NCAA.
