WHAT'S IN A NAME? – AT 8:11 P.M. ET:   A number of spokesmen for native American groups have vigorously denounced the use of the code name "Geronimo" for Osama bin Laden:

(Reuters) - The reported use of "Geronimo" as a codeword in the operation that led to Osama bin Laden's killing has angered some native Americans and threatens to become an embarrassment for the Obama administration.

Geronimo was an Apache warrior leader who fought for tribal lands against U.S. and Mexican forces in the 19th century and who, like bin Laden, evaded capture for many years. He was held as a U.S. prisoner of war from the time he was captured in 1886 until his death in 1909.

COMMENT:  As readers know, we're not very high on political correctness here, but in this case the complainers are correct.  Geronimo has, for years, been seen not as an enemy but as a native American warrior, and was honored by act of Congress a few years ago.  You'd think someone would have shown some common sense in avoiding the use of the name to identify an international terrorist.  "Geronimo" has been used in American military parlance before, as the war cry shouted by paratroopers as they jumped from their aircraft during World War II. 

What's amazing is that among all these Obamans, who are always chanting about the glories of multiculturalism, there was not one who spoke up and realized the potential for embarrassment.

I mean, they could have codenamed him "Jane Fonda."

May 4, 2011