Prosthetically Hip

An Open Letter to Roger Goodell

January 28, 2010 2:16pm

The following email was forwarded to me by my father. It was written by a good friend of his and attorney (we won’t hold that against him) Chip Saunders:

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Who Dat
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:21:42 -0600
From: John Saunders <audubon253 @cox.net>
To: <roger.Goodell2@nfl.net>

Commissioner Goodell, I hear the NFL thinks it owns the rights to the phrase Who Dat, as well as any use of the ubiquitous Fleur-de-lis:

Let’s begin with the fleur-de-lis, sir. It is, quite literally, an iconic representation of the Lily flower, and it has been in existence in French monarchy since at least the 12th century. At that time it became the heraldic emblem of the Capetian Kings of France, who claimed it was initially adopted at the time of the Frankish King Clovis 1 in 493. Since then the fleur-de-lis has been incorporated into the coat of arms or the flags of many European countries, including Spain, Luxembourg and the House of Bourbon. It has ALSO been used worldwide, appeared on postage stamps and, in North America, it has long been associated with areas settled by the French, such as Quebec, Louisville, St. Louis, Louisville and – yes sir – Louisiana, of which I presume you are aware New Orleans is a part.

When the Saints came into existence in 1967, it was normal and natural that the creators would want to adopt a symbol representative of that heritage. What could be more natural than the fleur-de-lis? It’s was and still is virtually everywhere throughout the region (hence my use of the word ubiquitous). But I said adopt, not co-opt. No one has a right to or ownership of the fleur-de-lis and I dare say anyone foolish enough to attempt to register it as a trademark, trade name, service mark or any other “protected” icon would be summarily laughed back into the bayou. And if, for argument’s sake anyone could own the word or the icon, what next? Will the NFL also claim, by virtue of the awarding of the franchise in 1967, that the name New Orleans is also the property of the NFL, issuing cease and desist orders to anyone marketing anything with those words in the colors old gold and black?

No, Mr. Commissioner, it’s time for you to have a come-to-Jesus-talk with your legal counsel and impress upon them the folly of claiming any rights of any kind in our beloved and historic symbol, the fleur-de-lis. Should the NFL try to pursue this course, I dare say you will find that there’s as much fight in Louisianans in general as there is in our wonderful Saints. You will think you’re in a real dogfight, sir.

Then let’s look at Who Dat. I could as easily ask you “Who Dat say dey gonna take our phrase? Who Dat? Who Dat?” Do you also claim ownership to the word Crunk, merely because it is now directly and principally associated with that fervor that breaks out in the Dome at every NFL game? Will all the fans have to remain in their seats and resist boogieing to the sounds, lest they infringe on some right the NFL thinks it has acquired? Tell that to the Ying Yang Twins and see how far you get.

Who Dat has been used in this region, in various settings and for various reasons, as far back as the 19th century. Though many claim something to do with its creation, it was being used by a regional high school in the 1970’s, repeated in college football settings thereafter, and was ultimately linked to the Saints in the early 80’s. If the NFL could establish any right in the phrase – which I suggest it cannot do – the NFL has nevertheless been silent for over 25 years while the phrase has been repeatedly used by any and all, in relation to the Saints as well as in relation to things that have absolutely nothing to do with the Saints. Again, Mr. Commissioner, to claim any proprietary right in the term is foolhardy. Next thing, you’ll be wanting everyone to pay a license fee to ask “Where Y’at?” or “How’s ya mama ‘n ‘em?”

Commissioner Goodell, many flags have flown over our city, and many nationalities have flourished here. But all who would assume management of our town have realized that while there may be cross-town rivalries, ethnic differences, economic jealousies and partisan bickering, when anything – ANYTHING – held sacred is challenged, the people of New Orleans become as one. The British learned it in 1815, and Rite Aid learned it when it assumed our beloved K & B drugstores and ceased offering Coke products for sale. Rite Aid may still be “Pepsi-exclusive” in other parts of the country, but we, the people of New Orleans, let Rite Aid know in no uncertain terms that if Coke was not available at Rite Aid, it most certainly was at Walgreen’s. In less than a year, Rite Aid reversed itself. Never underestimate the power of New Orleanians to wreak havoc on a corporate interloper telling us what we may or may not use.

This effort to claim any right in either the phrase or the icon is really a very wrong step. You’re tilting at a very large windmill and you will become an irritant to a populous you really don’t want to irritate. Perhaps, in that sense, you should consider the lyrics from the song: “Don’t you know little fool, you’ll never win; Why not use your mentality, come on step up to reality…”

Reality is, you have no right in either, and it’s time to drop the claim.

John C. Saunders, Jr.
253 Audubon Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 866-3756

1,460 Days and Counting

August 29, 2009 11:41am

Well, the web (or at least my little corner of it) is all a-flutter with Katrina posts, as it made landfall 4 years ago.

It’s an important event in our lives – not just as New Orleanians or Louisianians specifically, but for Americans and people as a whole.

I’m not going to get into a re-cap of my experience. I’m not going to rant about various levels of government, or about our citizens that behaved badly both here and wherever it was they ended up. I also won’t talk about the people who acted in the exact opposite of that.

I will just say this: I’ll spend today and the next few days or so as I did last night and as I did four years ago: with people I care about.

And as a bonus, there’s a Saints game today. It’s not a home game, but I’ll take it nonetheless.

Who Dat.

Saints ’09 / Drew Brees > Olympic Archer

April 15, 2009 2:43pm

The Saints have released their 2009 Schedule, and I am super excited. We have our season opener at home, 3 night games of which all are at home and one is on a Monday against those Dirty Birds, the Falcons.

For me, the best omen/sign I see is that finally, there is no game at Chicago in December. Finally.

I called a 12-4 Season for ’09 at the end of ’08. Let’s see how far we can go. Up next: the draft.

While we wait for that, here’s an amazing video of Drew Brees and how incredibly accurate he is:

Who Dat!

I’ve got to admit it’s getting better

November 24, 2008 2:45pm

Well, things are a bit up and maybe down today, despite my mild hangover.

For the definite up, my pay cut will be $5k, not $10k. Definitely makes me feel a bit better. I was feeling better about the $10k the other day, as new work with new clients was developing. I am very excited about the project, and this is where we get to the maybe down bit.

Depending on how some things play out, the gig may be canceled. I hope it works out, as I think it would be a fun project, and would pay for my new furnace/condenser and the Home Depot debt.

Cross you fingers for me, internets.

Oh, and WHO DAT!

Devil in a Red Dress

August 7, 2008 10:01am

I can’t believe it’s time again for the Red Dress Run.

It seems that just a couple months ago was last year’s run, and just a bit past that was the ’06 run. My how time flies when you’re cross-dressing.

There’s a VooDoo Red Skirt tonight through the Marigny / Quarter to drum up any more potential runners, but I think I may skip that. I did the NOH3 Red Skirt on Monday, and while I’m up for running, I think that I may have to pass due to a SAINTS GAME!

Anyways, back to the subject at hand – not only will Bea be joining us again this year, but we have a newcomer! Welcome to the Red Dress, Andee! Since you have a proclivity for turning purple and passing out, please try to find a big floppy hat to keep some of the sun off of you.

This reminds me – I need to go find a big floppy hat to keep the damnable sun off me. My dress this year is considerably longer and heavier than years past – the hat will be of great assistance.

Preseason, bitch!

August 1, 2008 2:08pm

Me: man, cant wait till thursday
Bea: what’s thursday?
Me: PRESEASON, BITCH!
Me: haha
Me: WHO DAT!

18-1

February 4, 2008 1:39pm

Wow. A guy I used to play soccer with as a kid just won the MVP in the Superbowl.

For the record, I have a gripe with calling the Giants (or any team that wins the Superbowl) “World Champions”. There are no teams outside the U.S. in the NFL!

Big Weekend.

December 13, 2007 9:23pm

As much as I hate to admit it, I think I’ll look forward to Monday, with my weekend looking like this:
Friday: Main office X-Mas party, other office X-Mas party.
Saturday: rollerderby double-header, afterparty
Sunday: Cribbage (it is extreme, yo), Saints game, Derby X-Mas party.

Busy. And I’m keeping my eyes on other football games this weekend.
Here’s what would really, really help the Saints in getting the NFC wildcard (this weekend):
Saints def. Cardinals
Chargers def. Lions
Giants def. Redskins
Bears def. Vikings (Monday night)

That’s not really so much to ask, is it? The Falcons beating the Bucs wouldn’t hurt either, I reckon.

Hiro Nakamura is an NFL Referee!

December 3, 2007 9:00am

Well, not really. However, had you bee in the dome for the Saints game last night, you might think so.

On the Bucs’ last drive in which they scored the winning touchdown, and actually on that very play, the play clock stopped. Twice. I’m not sure how long both the stops were, but the were significant and certainly seemed like an eternity.

After talking to people who watched it on tv, there was no discussion by the announcers about that.

Timeclock FTL.

Drew Brees / Carlton Banks

November 26, 2007 10:04am

In light of the picture below, I think that Drew Brees’ touchdown dance should be “the Carlton”.

How does this happen, and can someone inform me when it will happen again?

In other news, SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTSSSSSSSS!