Flags of Our Fathers?

[Flattop]

for example, would anyone care if BYU dressed like a US Cavalry unit from Custer's time?

Considering Custer served in the cavalry during the Civil War, and considering that there are thousands of Civil War re-enactors who seek to remember and honor this part of America's heritage, I would say yes.

[UtahUte72]

Yes, agreed. I have no problem that it has become a military reference of sorts. I was just pointing out that BYU's use of the phrase should not be a problem because it is a Shakespeare derivative, not a US military one. Nobody has a license to monopolize Shakespeare.

The Iwo Jima thing.....maybe BYU should have thought it through more. There seems to be a greater sensitivity to WW2 issues, not totally unrelated to the work Hollywood has done to raise WW2 awareness with movies like Saving Private Ryan, et al. For whatever reason, this doesn't usually extend to other wars....for example, would anyone care if BYU dressed like a US Cavalry unit from Custer's time? Not sure. And people have called upon Vietnam iconography as pop culture for years. Interesting.

Thanks for your service, btw. I am not sure how many vets we have on CUF, but it is always nice to have more.

If you shot live rounds at me, I would be scared.

Since I was a member of the 1/7 th Cav, I would probably object to the Custer thing, but that's just me.

[Jarid in Cedar]

would anyone care if BYU dressed like a US Cavalry unit from Custer's time?

Didn't they do that last November?

[il Padrino Ute]

I am totally uncomfortable with "War Utah!" as it would be a blatant ripoff of Auburn's War Eagle. Please don't tell me that there is a "War Utah" cry at Ute games? Although, it may fit part and parcel with other stolen things, like the two-handed "U" gesture, for example.

Are we sure that Miami started the U signal first? I honestly don't know.

[TripletDaddy]

Considering Custer served in the cavalry during the Civil War, and considering that there are thousands of Civil War re-enactors who seek to remember and honor this part of America's heritage, I would say yes.

Really? I don't think anyone would care all that much.

Axl Rose used to wear a confederate hat on stage during some shows, along with a raiders jersey and a kilt. I don't recall reading of a single complaint. And I don't think he was really honoring anyone. It was a fashion thing.

In fact, the more I think about it, what about movies, comedies, etc that made light of war? Hogans Heroes, for example...these folks were Nazi prisoners, for crying out loud, and it was a super popular comedy on TV. 1941 with John Belushi, etc? Our society is replete with examples of light-hearted approaches to serious topics related to war.

I don't think this is as cut and dried as originally thought. And now I wonder if it is a big deal to society, in general. Clearly, to Utes it is a big deal because they are biased. To soldiers, this seems to be a big deal and I respect their right to that opinion because they have earned the right (although I am not so sure if they were also laughing at Hogans Heroes...then the respect argument goes out the window). I wonder if the general populace cares? They probably should, but I wonder if they do?

[Jarid in Cedar]

I am totally uncomfortable with "War Utah!" as it would be a blatant ripoff of Auburn's War Eagle. Please don't tell me that there is a "War Utah" cry at Ute games? Although, it may fit part and parcel with other stolen things, like the two-handed "U" gesture, for example.

I haven't heard of it at any games. It is a product of Jim Rome listeners co-opting it IMO.

[TripletDaddy]

Are we sure that Miami started the U signal first? I honestly don't know.

The only other possibility is that in the 80s, Miami decided to copy the University of Utah.

I guess it is possible that one of the premiere football programs in the country happened upon a then totally unknown school in the WAC and decided to co-opt some school spirit for its own athletes.

Im going to say no on that one. Sebastian the Ibis agrees with me.

[Flattop]

I haven't heard of it at any games.

I have seen posts at UF.N on game days saying "War you damn Utes!"

[TripletDaddy]

I have seen posts at UF.N on game days saying "War you damn Utes!"

It is likely a Rome reset, which is a reset from Auburn. So in essence, it is a copy of a copy.

No worries. BYU has ripped off most of its things, too.

[il Padrino Ute]

The only other possibility is that in the 80s, Miami decided to copy the University of Utah.

I guess it is possible that one of the premiere football programs in the country happened upon a then totally unknown school in the WAC and decided to co-opt some school spirit for its own athletes.

Im going to say no on that one. Sebastian the Ibis agrees with me.

It's not so much of a stretch that athletes at Utah came upon it on their own as well, is it?

Of course, we Ute fans have the pirate ship. I'm not aware that any other team has one - not even East Carolina.

[Flattop]

Axl Rose used to wear a confederate hat on stage during some shows, along with a raiders jersey and a kilt. I don't recall reading of a single complaint.

Actually, it might be different with confederate symbols and gear with the whole rebel thing.

[TripletDaddy]

It's not so much of a stretch that athletes at Utah came upon it on their own as well, is it?

Yes, since most of those athletes grew up watching 80s college football and the University of Miami (nationally considered to be "The U").

Of course, we Ute fans have the pirate ship. I'm not aware that any other team has one - not even East Carolina.

I'm on record as thinking the pirate ship is a cool tradition and definitely think that it is U-nique. It is clearly something that has caught on with the fanbase and is here to stay. In a word, it is now a "tradition." I like the Jolly Rogers at the football games. Fun stuff, esp for little kids that are just getting introduce to college football. That is what it is all about.

[il Padrino Ute]

Yes, since most of those athletes grew up watching 80s college football and the University of Miami (nationally considered to be "The U").

Fair enough.

I forget that people younger than me are college aged. I remember not hearing a thing about Miami until Schnellenberger was coach.

I'm on record as thinking the pirate ship is a cool tradition and definitely think that it is U-nique. It is clearly something that has caught on with the fanbase and is here to stay. In a word, it is now a "tradition." I like the Jolly Rogers at the football games. Fun stuff, esp for little kids that are just getting introduce to college football. That is what it is all about.

It's all about having fun. Kids will wander over to it and we'll invite them on board to ring the bell. They get a kick out of it.

[TripletDaddy]

Actually, it might be different with confederate symbols and gear with the whole rebel thing.

Agreed. Although one could argue that people are offended by the use of Confederate iconography for pop culture purposes, but for non-traditional reasons.....the flag is a considered by many to be a symbol of racism and slavery.

I want to take some time to think of pop-culture uses of WW2, Vietnam, and other iconography. I have a feeling there is plenty of it, thereby calling into question this mini-uproar about BYU football and Iwo Jima.

War and propriety aside, I am done with these annual themes. Just go out and win games. Every now and then at Disneyland, I will see some old "Raise the Bar" t shirt, or even "The Quest." What do you do with those shirts once the season is over? Why would you wear a shirt today with a 2007 football schedule on the back?

[il Padrino Ute]

Why would you wear a shirt today with a 2007 football schedule on the back?

Gotta hold fast to memories.

I still have my 2005 Fiesta Bowl t-shirt, though I rarely wear it away from the house.