THIS IS CREEPY – AT 12:41 P.M. ET:   No matter how you feel about the name "Washington Redskins," this should make you uneasy.  From The Politico: 

In a major blow to the Washington Redskins, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Wednesday canceled six federal trademarks of the Washington Redskins team name because it was found to be “disparaging” to Native Americans.

“We decide, based on the evidence properly before us, that these registrations must be cancelled because they were disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered,” the patent office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board wrote in a 2-1 decision.

The Redskins team name has become a divisive political issue over the last few years, with even President Barack Obama saying the club should consider changing the name. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Democrats also have pressed owner Dan Snyder to change the name. On the other side, conservatives have either defended keeping the name, arguing that it isn’t a slur, or been silent on the uproar.

COMMENT:  As a writer, I'm familiar with the importance, and the power, of copyrights and trademarks.  In this case the federal government seems to be using the power of the trademark to enforce a political view, in particular a politically correct view.  Where does that power end? 

Will we have books and newspapers reviewed for their content before a copyright is granted?  I don't know, but I can worry, can't I?

June 18,  2014