Apache Tribe asks Obama to apologize for linking Geronimo's name to Bin Laden

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe in Oklahoma is asking President Obama for a formal apology for using the code name "Geronimo" in reference to Osama Bin Laden during the successful operation that eventually killed the notorious terrorist.

"We are grateful that the United States was successful in its mission against Bin Laden, but associating Geronimo's name with an international terrorist only perpetuates old stereotypes about Apaches," Jeff Houser, chairman of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, the successor to Geronimo’s Chiricahua Apache Tribe, wrote in a statement faxed Tuesday to the White House.

"Geronimo" was the code name for the mission where 24 Navy SEALs raided Bin Laden's three-story million-dollar compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan; "Geronimo" was also the code the SEALs used to alert their commanders that they identified their target; and finally "Geronimo-E KIA" was the coded message to confirm that they had killed Bin Laden.

The letter E stood for "enemy" while the letters KIA meant "killed in action."

The Apaches are upset that after all this time, Americans are still equating Native Americans with savages and enemies.

"In the 1800s Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache people were portrayed as savages," Houser wrote. "This portrayal was used as justification for the forced removal from their homelands and their subsequent imprisonment. Linking Geronimo’s name to an infamous terrorist only reinforces this false and defamatory stereotype," Houser said in the statement asking Obama to "right this wrong."

Born in what would later become New Mexico in 1829, Geronimo spent many years successfully fighting Mexican and U.S. armies until 1886 when he and 35 warriors surrendered to Gen. Nelson Miles near the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Geronimo was sent to an Army outpost at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma, where he eventually died of pneumonia in 1909. The Fort Sill Apache Tribe are descendants of the native Americans who lived in southern New Mexico and Arizona until they were held as prisoners of war for 28 years in Oklahoma "and maintained their status as independent Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apaches until the tribe was restored years later as the Fort Sill Apache Tribe," according to the tribe's website.

RELATED:

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Geronimo: A century after his death, mysteriously tied to Bin Laden, the CIA and Skull and Bones

-- Tony Pierce
twitter.com/busblog

Photo: Geronimo while he was a U. S. prisoner, poses outdoors near a group of tents in Oklahoma. Credit: W. H. Martin

Comments

[Jay]

You want a personal apology? Go to Bin Laden for it. The use of the "word" geronimo had nothing to do with this great Native American warrior. Lets not forget that the peoples that inhabited this country long before Columbus discovered an inhabited land killed each other, pillaged, raped and stole as part of their culture. We need to stop being so sensitive about everything like it is intended toward us, if the code name used was the name of my mother or father, I would not be offended by that, but no matter was chosen in this case, someone would find reason to scrutinize. We are the United States of America and we apologize for nothing!

[Rutgar]

Have they considered that the name Geronimo was chosen because of his prowess as a warrior and not because of the "savage" stereotype mentioned in the article?

When I hear the name Geronimo I don't think "savage". My first thought is jumping into something, a call to action if you will.

Why is everyone so negative these days?

[billy james]

GET OVER IT!

[Mojavegreen]

When I heard that was the name that was chosen for that pile of vile camel dung I was annoyed. Known what I do about Geronimo, that was as bout as ignorant one can get when it came to choosing names. To compare a that low life scumbag to an honorable person like Geronimo by using his name as a code word was extremely ignorant. A more proper codename would have been scumbag. Scumbag would not only have been appropriate, it fits as bout as good as a wetsuit. I hope the White House realizes the mistake they made in choosing that name and offers up a formal apology to the Apache Nation as well as the other Indian Nations as they too hold Geronimo in high regard.

I heard that osama was wrapped in a pig skin, had rotten bacon shoved down his throat and the tossed him in the ocean above the raw sewage stream that was being discharged from the bilge.

[Mark Taylor]

Give me a break! It appears that some people spend all of their time actively looking for a reason to be offended.......

[Mark Parity]

GERONIMO!!!

That's what people yell before going down a slide.
Please talk to the slides for an apology, indians.

GERMONIMO!!!

That's what people yell before jumping out of a not perfectly good airplane.
Please to the airplanes for an apology, indians.

GERONIMO!!!!

That's what kids eat. Oh wait. Geranimals. My bad.

Screw off and go sioux yourself.

M

[Ann Parker]

In all due respect, Apache Indians, I understand you are proud of your culture and your warriors, but the fact is this man killed American soldiers...but please don't flatter yourselves that this was personal. Geronimo has become slang for a lot of things, this just being one of those occasions, so get over yourself and become Amiericans today!!!!

[randy]

Code names hardly mean anything other than to the people using it and for what purpose it's intended. They are more like trigger words. If someone(enemy) was listening and heard the code word... they would have no idea what it means. Maybe they should have used 'Bacon' or 'Mickey Mouse' as a code word/name? Oh wait, Disney would probably ask Obama for an apology. Everyone needs to just stop being so sensitive. Stop you're crying, stop your 'OMG i feel offended, let's sue them'.

[Lloyd]

"Lets not forget that the peoples that inhabited this country long before Columbus discovered an inhabited land killed each other, pillaged, raped and stole as part of their culture. "

You've got to be kidding me. Killing each other, raping, and stealing never happened in Europe at that time? This of course was is after the Inquisition. Never mind we committed genocide against your people, but here's more insult? Your'e a douchebag!

[Speekinda Troof]

You, Chief Houser, are completely out of your mind. Perhaps you should spend some time getting your people off meth and their heads out of bottles of booze before you go around demanding anything from anyone, least of all those that have carried you and yours for 400 years. Only an idiot would think this is the single biggest issue facing your tribe and others. What a dope - and you represent these people ???

[Rob]

The Apache should get over themselves. Geronimo is not their exclusive name. That is like me getting ruffled because they used the codename Walter. Does not hold water. Besides, it was used as a codename in a top secret operation, big deal.

[Gene Draper]

I could be wrong, but the way I see it Geronimo is remembered as a hero, even by the whites who hunted him down. To code name taking out Osama "Geronimo" is like giving hero status to the mission. It is a kind of flattery. I've read a lot about the fontier days: what we did to the Indians and what they did to the settlers. We have Indian blood, from my mother's side. Geronimo had a lot of fun with the white man's technological toys when he was doing the 'show' circuit. He lived in the white man's world and died only because he fell off his horse and hit his head on a rock on the way home, having had too much 'firewater'. No, I don't see anything derogatory in the
Geronimo code name. He is remembered as a hero and I think that's how it was meant.

[R Maestri]

GERONIMO! Last time I went skydiving I yelled it at the top of my lungs... I'm sorry I equated the name of a great Apache warrior with the act of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. How about we worry about something more important like feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and caring for the sick in this country ~ including Native Americans.

[richard]

The Apaches were blood thirsty savages who would skin alive their enemies. They were guilty of even more hideous crimes and Bin Laden is a boy scout compared to the Apaches.

[rainman2]

I'm half apache indian and think this is total bunk. If anyone sneezes wrong somebody's panty get in a ruffle. Geronimo got his name for falling off the back of a model-a drunk. Most people don't even know that. Some people search for things to get upset about. All I can say is get a life it's a name used all the time for all kinds of reasons from history that was a long long time ago.

[tdanielsesq]

Geronimo! is a war cry denoting bravery and courage. There is no negative connotation to that for the Fort Sill Apache Tribe. They should feel honored that their chief is remembered immemorially as brave.

[Joe]

I think, if anything, using Geronimo's name for this operation should be considered an honer.

[Johnathan Edwards]

From Canada to Chile the Euro came to plunder, rape and appropriate the nations of the people of these lands which had been settled for some 20,000 years with the immigration of the human into the Americas. Humans on all continents have been fighting between themselves since time whether the tribes of Europe, Africa or any other lands inhabited by humans. The fact is in relatively modern times the Euros treatment of other peoples in the world to gain power and exploit resources of other lands has been the cause of major wars. The US, as an extension of Europe, is no different to any other of these Euro powers in exercising its power for its own ends. This is human nature which has yet to learn. We must not be so hypocritical. Our culture is no different Jay.

[jim brooksher]

My ancestors are Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickashaw, French and English. They landed in North Carolina 1670. Proud to be a SAR. I grew up a few miles form Geronimo's gravesite, and personally know a great,great, great, great Granddaughter of Geronimo. My best friends were full blood Comanche, Gourd Clan. When I grew up, I am 63, we played cowboys and indians, I was ALWAYS an Indian. The name Geronimo was used in terms as the toughest, best, strongest etc. When the name was used as a verb, or a battlecry, playing sandlot games, it was used as lets' go to war, or charge in away that was respectful and meaning it is time to fight. I took it the Seals meant the same thing. GERONIMO

[Whitey Dingo]

Dear Idiots,

The use of the word Geronimo is disgusting. The reason it was used is due to the legendary difficulty that U.S. military had in capturing the Apache leader. He was constantly on the run and the U.S. spent more money and man power on catching this Native American leader than any other. In the end though, the Dene speakers of the Navajo ( and Apache as well) became the Code Talkers that allowed us to end World War II, many giving their lives for a country that has consistently dumped on them.

In no way does this pay tribute to Geronimo, the Apache, the Code Talkers, and Native American people. The warrior history of these people is still rich and countless men and women still fight for this country, but you probably have never been to the Navajo or Apache rez anyhow. The casino doesn't count by the way...

I hope this was just ignorance on the part of the military. They do need to make an apology-perhaps they were not thinking clearly when they decided on this moniker.

The code name should have been " Hitler".
Geronimo never wanted to kill all the Jews...not even one!

[Lanche]

What were they thinking they should have used Custer. Because this was Bin Laden's last stand. If you had actually looked at how Geronimo was used in this exercise. It meant the goal was accomplished so instead of the offense that you have taken from this make sure you know what your being offended by. It was actually a kudos to a Native American. So for all of you offended blowhards. You offend me.

[alamodefender]

someone wants some attention........ someone wants some attention...........

[Duif100]

Just for Loyd:
"Lets not forget that the peoples that inhabited this country long before Columbus discovered an inhabited land killed each other, pillaged, raped and stole as part of their culture. "

What did the white man do when they came here?
We cannot have college football team with Indian mascots/names because it is considered an insult.
Apparently it is fine and acceptable to put the biggest scum on the earth on equal footing with an Apache hero.

[Duif100]

It was Bush's fault.
He made Obama choose that name.

[Fingerpointing]

To the guy who was worried about tying the Apaches to terrorism: nobody knew that Geronimo was Apache until just now.

Oops.

[Duif100]

Just for tdanielsesq:

The code name for the operation has not been disclosed yet as far as I know.
Geronimo would have been a good code name for the operation.

The code name for Osama Bin Laden was Geronimo. That is very different. Bin Laden was not a brave warrior on equal footing with Geronimo.
A better code name would have been Custer since he killed also defenseless dogs, women and children.

[gibsmedat]

Many have already pointed this out, but again, the code name in my opinion is a positive reference to the strength and tenacity of the American Indians.

[Duif100]

Just for Ann Parker:

Yes Geronimo did kill American soldiers but the American soldiers were the invaders, treaty breakers and conquerors. The Apaches were defending themselves against the American invaders. The Americans were the intruders, not the Apaches. The fact that the Americans eventually won does not make their actions right.

If the American invasion was acceptable and fine why is the same action by Osama Bin Laden not acceptable?

[Estoban]

The armed services of the United States use many Indian names due to the honor and bravery of the American Indians. In WWI and WWII American Indians volunteered for duty at a far higher rate than any group, including women. We've named our best choppers for the Apache, Black hawk, etc. It is an honorary recognition of their immense contribution, courage and bravery.

[Duif100]

Just for richard:

It is good to know that the Americans were so considerate and did act so much better than those savages. That must be why the Indian tribes were nearly eradicated. Today we would call it genocide.
|It is certainly a proud part of the American history.

[Duif100]

Just for Speekinda Troof:
Here you have a perfect example of what government control and dependency have accomplished.
This kind of welfare state with government control from cradle to grave is what Obama with his socialistic programs has in store for America.
What the Indians have become (thanks to government control) is a glimpse into the American future. Enjoy it while you still can.

[Duif100]

Just for Joe:

You stated: "I think, if anything, using Geronimo's name for this operation should be considered an honor".
Geronimo's name for this operation would be considered an honor".
Geronimo's name for Osama Bin Laden should be considered an insult".

[waipu]

telling natives to "get over it" is like telling americans to get over 9/11. by calling attention to this identifier let's non-natives know that native pride is alive and well. as for the so called 1/2 nativesand self-identifying people who may or may not have native blood. you are not cultural and have not grown up with native pride. you are disconnected from real natives. if you were cultural, you would have not only felt the elation of the end of this murderer but also the crush of identifying him with someone so revered and highly regarded as Geronimo. All of you reference this great man with jumping out of plane can't identify with someone who was one of us, suffered for us and fought for us. shame on all of you.

[Kenneth W. Treuter]

Want to sit quietly and think about some real racism, Jay? I'll give you some examples and if your awareness level is high enough you'll know who made the racist remarks: "God damn America...America's chickens have come home to roost...America is a mean-spirited country...This is the first time in my adult life I am proud to be an American...If you didn't move too quickly so as to scare whites you could get along with them...White man's greed runs a world in need...I didn't help the farmer because he was white and I could have helped him but I preferred helping my own people...Dropped the case against them although they were ready to enter guilty pleas because I want to work for my people...If the political winds turn nasty against Muslims I will always come down on the side of Islam..."

Oh, and let's not forget that the peoples that inhabited the continent from which the above racists are descended long before one of their kind was brought here against their "will" killed each other, pillaged, raped and stole as part of their culture. They also clubbed their fellow inhabitants over the head, hogtied them, sold them to others as slaves, had no philosophical writers, no lasting arts, no publications or literature, and no architecture beyond a straw hut.

We are the United States of America and on our behalf the BO stench of liberalism has traveled the world apologizing for us, denying our exceptionalism, calling our Constitution fundamentally flawed, saying as a country we are arrogant and generally badmouthing the nation.

[tncflyfree]

listen to my new song "Why use Geronimo's name" at your own risk. http://www.myspace.com/tncproductionsflyfreestudios

[Agastyan Daram]

Comparing Osama to Geronimo by US special forces is fitting. This is the mentality of todays American public. Arab looking people are being treated like the Native Americans of yester year in the way we talk about them. In some of our eyes they are all terrorists. I think it shows the level of our mentality perfectly well that the special forces used the name Geranimo. Way to go guys.. thats one point for Osama.. When will we learn from our mistakes and be looked at in a better light by the rest of America. I say this as someone who loves his country and wants to see it do better..

[Flavio Rael]

Duif100 Get off the high horse. I know the other side (being Mexican American) . That isnt how the Apache People need to get out of there demise. Quit crying and be proud that Sir Geronimo (being the GREAT WARRIOR that he was to be leading this great nation to a killer of women and children and our young men blew his brains out . Thank You our young men.

[Gbot]

Exactly let's not Forget Gerinimo killed plenty of peaceful "native" Americans, mexicans and US settlers. Sorry but we are talking ancient history here folks. I as a 6th generation American claim my status as Native Merican. I'm not offended. They could have called bin laden Custer or Washington as far as I'm concerned.

[Lynn Strollo Smith]

For Pete sake there's 26 letters in alphabet is it that difficult to choose a code name that doesn't offend someone. Fix this Mr. President and don't do it again.

[ali]

Would you suggest sensitivity training for the SEALs? It might improve their manners. And to think, just hours after the Royal Wedding, when all of America was reveling in proper - ness and learning how to courtsey, and wondering how those hats stay on their heads, our terribly brutish SEALs barged right into Obama's house without even knocking! It's such an embarassing reflection on us.

If you get the SEALs restricted to base for sensitivity training, do you think you could mention something about those outfits? Ties would be nice. And just a splash of color.

[maggie]

If they had name him MLK WHAT WOULD THE OUTCRYHAVE BEEN??!!

[maggie]

If the name had been JFK would you understand??

[maggie]

Geronimo is remembered as whites have portrayed him. No we are not going tlo get over it,

[maggie]

He killed "American" soldiers?? Excuse me, we were the real Americans. IT WAS NOT A WHITE MAN'S WORLD. We do not need to get over ourselves!

[=Peace=]

First of all... "INDIANS" are from India. I would prefer that you call us Native American or Indigenous people. After all... we were here before all of you. We are not all meth heads or alcoholics! Some of us just do not know how to adjust to BOTH worlds (western society and our traditional ways) so we go to what the western society gave us (alcohol and other drugs) to cope with what we can not endure or can not face. Maybe some of you should put yourself in our shoes. Maybe take trips out to our reservations and see how we live and what we have to go through. It is not easy to try to keep our traditional ways and learn new ways. A native american would be lucky to know both their traditional language and fluent, clear English.

I do... think that they should have chosen a different name but oh well... what else can we do... no one is on our side.... we just have to go with it. ha... I honestly do not think it is suppose to be disrespectful and they (whoever named the code) did not mean to compare Geronimo to a terrorist. However.... I do want to know why they chose the name. I honestly do think that Obama is trying his best, he was just left with a "big mess".

Please have respect... the United States is full of different races and I do not think it is going to change anytime soon.

[maggie]

The blood thirsty savages were the white man.
Were we not to try to protect our nation??
Exactly what we as a country is doing now. But that is different. HOW??

[maggie]

Billy James, I am sad for you.

[Steve Britton]

The President doesn't owe an apology to anyone for allowing the valiant U. S. Navy SEALS for using the name of Geronimo as a code word for bin Laden. The name, if intercepted by the enemy, would mean nothing to them nor give away their target.

Grow up and get over it!

[DEE]

To all those complaining about the use of the name Geronimo - GET A LIFE...
No one owes you an apology... If anything you should apologize to the American People for continuing to live off of welfare - Again "GET A LIFE"

[JD]

Its jerks like you, JAY that give "Americans" a bad name. "we apologize for nothing!" You are only encourageing the continuance of discrimination towards us Native people. It still creates the idea that to resist "anglo america" is bad. Geronimo was labeled "Public Enemy No. 1" when he RESISTED the United States. He is considored a Freedom Fighter to Native people. Had it been ANY OTHER ethnic historic person's name, Im sure that there would have been just as bad of a cry. You think that just because we are now citizens that everythings okay, reguardless that we are still discriminated upon with different tactics. ALL WE"RE ASKING FOR IS RESPECT! but what do white people know of respect, look at YOUR history. There are always two sides, its time you've considered ours.