"Just Sayin" Eliminated from ISU Daily

**gharris** · 02-28-2012, 09:39 AM

I grew up in central Iowa and have always called them "sqinnys", now when I moved to the south is the first time I've heard them called "squintys" but I have heard both in reference to ground squirrels.

**Boxerdaddy** · 02-28-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by azn4cy

As an Asian, the biggest thing I take out of this is that Iowans use some strange slang.

I'm offended by your avatar. Just kidding. I like it.

**CycloneErik** · 02-28-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneGB

Wasn't ever used in my area of the state either growing up but heard a couple people use it on campus at ISU referring to ground squirrels.

I agree with previous posts about this being more of a "look at us" move for these people than actually being offended.

Think about it, if you were over in China studying abroad and the school paper had some comments about "wide-eyes" but find out its a term for their rodents, would you go in and make a big stink about how your people are victims of racism? And, moreover, would their paper completely change their format because of it? People know its a touchy subject in America and a black eye on the country's history. They also know that they can make a big fuss about it and get all kinds of attention. And nobody wants to take up the other side for fear of living up to the "racist" card thats been played.

Its just attention-hungry people trying to put smoke where there's no fire..

Because when I think "attention-hungry people," I think of Asians.

I also have never heard of this term. I can understand the perception, and it's probably a poor choice in retrospect, but I can also assume that the guy who used the term assumed that everyone else knew it because he did.

**CyArob** · 02-28-2012, 09:46 AM

I was more offended by the ignorant letter to the editor comparing Asians studying here to the Russians stealing information during the Cold War, but to each their own.

**Incyte** · 02-28-2012, 09:51 AM

I'm from the farm but we always called ground squirrels 'grennies.' We may have been negatively referring to people from grenada however.

**3TrueFans** · 02-28-2012, 09:54 AM

I think whoever is complaining about this obviously doesn't have enough work/schoolwork assigned to them if they have time to complain about stupid **** like this.

**VeloClone** · 02-28-2012, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Incyte

I'm from the farm but we always called ground squirrels 'grennies.' We may have been negatively referring to people from grenada however.

We always called them pocket gophers - I then had to learn that they were also ground squirrels - finally I had to learn they were squinties - now I hear that it actually should be squinnies - but that isn't PC so I should just exterminate them so we don't have to talk about them.

**CycloneGB** · 02-28-2012, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

Because when I think "attention-hungry people," I think of Asians.

I also have never heard of this term. I can understand the perception, and it's probably a poor choice in retrospect, but I can also assume that the guy who used the term assumed that everyone else knew it because he did.

Not really even referring to Asians when I posted that. Was more talking about the people clammoring that racism is running rampant at ISU (Like the girl in the discussion article about racism being brought to light or whatever).

I would have no way of knowing whether an Asian person would take offense to that term or not. I just feel, the way it was used was not meant to be deragatory and there are people out there who have an agenda to get noticed and use any means necessary to do that. If it offended people of Asian descent, I have no problem with them bringing that up to the people at the Daily, and changes to be made. But for other people to jump in on it and make it out like a mistake in editing suddenly means ISU is full of intolerant racists, makes me think they are attention-hungry

Like a previous poster said, how is a country ever supposed to move on from what happened in the past if there's constantly folks trying to drag us back to that by claiming an innocent term like "squinneys" is somehow a blatent display of racism?

**Sighclone Fan** · 02-28-2012, 10:05 AM

I feel like the editor really dropped the ball here. I'm sure ISD gets plenty of inappropriate comments every day - they should be able to tell what is suitable for the paper.

**Al_4_State** · 02-28-2012, 10:07 AM

I remember them being called "ditch tigers" in North Iowa.

Could have just been my uncle though.

**azn4cy** · 02-28-2012, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by VeloClone

I was waiting for you to weigh in on this one...

It seemed like an appropriate time for my monthly post.

**azn4cy** · 02-28-2012, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by cycarob

I was more offended by the ignorant letter to the editor comparing Asians studying here to the Russians stealing information during the Cold War, but to each their own.

Yeah, I'm with you there.

In all seriousness though, just like the Lin thing, it's poor editing more so than content. Seems like an overreaction to can the section.

**CycloneGB** · 02-28-2012, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I remember them being called "ditch tigers" in North Iowa.

Could have just been my uncle though.

Huh.. we always called stray cats wandering around "ditch tigers" in Northeast Iowa.

**tm3308** · 02-28-2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Boxerdaddy

Disagree totally. These comments make no sense when referencing a person.

"Just had a staring contest with a ground squirrel. They're fearless."

That makes more sense than if the quote was referencing a person? Having a staring contest with a ground squirrel seems pretty stupid to me.

"Saw a ground squirrel in the building. The invasion has begun."

This one actually makes sense. But it makes just as much sense if it were referencing a person who's not from here.

I haven't read the full story, so those two quotes may make more sense in context. But stand-alone, they still make sense if they were referring to a person.

**RayShimley** · 02-28-2012, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by tm3308

"Just had a staring contest with a ground squirrel. They're fearless."

That makes more sense than if the quote was referencing a person? Having a staring contest with a ground squirrel seems pretty stupid to me.

"Saw a ground squirrel in the building. The invasion has begun."

This one actually makes sense. But it makes just as much sense if it were referencing a person who's not from here.

I haven't read the full story, so those two quotes may make more sense in context. But stand-alone, they still make sense if they were referring to a person.

MAYBE IF YOU'RE A RACIST!!!11!!11!