ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 I used to enjoy hearing ESPN's Chris Berman say "Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills!" - - but after more than a decade of no playoffs I've changed my mind about it. I'm tired of being reminded that the Bills must overcome stupid mistakes, both on the field and in the front office. By constantly repeating the "nobody circles the wagons" phrase, Berman simply reinforces the stereotype that the Bills can be counted on to make boneheaded decisions and plays that they must struggle to overcome. As a result, top tier coaches and players believe that the Bills will always need to not only beat their opponents, but the Bills own miscues. When given a choice, those players and coaches then take their services elsewhere. Enough! We need to make ESPN and Berman use a more positive catch phrase for the Bills. Besides, changing the "circling the wagons" catch phrase is just the right thing to do. As I learned here on Two Bills Drive, "circling the wagons" is a slang term for extremely brutal and immoral inmate behavior in prisons: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=circle%20the%20wagons circle the wagons where you take three or four bunks in a prison cell, and put them in a circle or semi circle with sheets blocking whats going on inside. What happens inside is that two dozen inmates are raping the hell outta their b*tch. . . . I have to admit, I just don't get it. How can the Bills promote a "make Mom proud" campaign for fan behavior in the Ralph, yet tactilely (by their silence) allow Berman's use of the phrase "Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills?" Ralph and the front office should be inspired by a recent news story from Utah. When required to make a decision about the use of a mascot with a much less offensive slang meaning, the Draper, UT school board took the high road. They refused to rubber stamp the students' choice of "cougars" as the mascot and name for the school's athletic teams. They believed that middle-aged women might be offended by the choice of name, and did not want to associate the school with the stereotype of unmarried women in their forties (i.e., losers): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/school-t-cougars-because-middle-aged-women-might-161402778.html As reported by Salt Lake City Fox affiliate KTSU, Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon High announced its new mascot and school colors on Wednesday, with Canyons School District officials proclaiming that the school's teams will be called the Chargers, using a blue and white color scheme. That's all fine and good except for the fact that the school's future student body -- which was given the opportunity to select its own future mascot -- had chosen to be the Cougars. With some 23 percent of the student vote, the Cougar choice was far preferred to other options, which included the Chargers, Diamondbacks, Falcons, Raptors, Broncos, Bears and Cavaliers. * * * * * * * * * Still, the Canyons School Board refused to accept the Cougar as a mascot out of fear that it might offend older women. In the current edition of the Webster Dictionary, the second definition for cougar sights a slang terminology that refers to "a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger man." The Bills should be as courageous as the folks in Utah and respectfully demand that Berman use a new catch-phrase for the Bills that creates a positive image and has no immoral slang meaning. I've had enough of ESPN and Berman reinforcing the culture of losing at One Bills Drive. If Berman's contract with ESPN requires him to use the "nobody circles the wagons" phrase, then let him use it for the Patriots, and stereotype them as the team that always makes bone-headed mistakes.
The Guy Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 This is an attempt at sarcasm right? Regarding the "circling the wagons" thing, that's a phrase used since the pioneers traveled by wagon across the west. They would literally circle the wagons for protection from an attack. Dude, please, I hope you were kidding.
drinkTHEkoolaid Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 I remember my first time circling the wagons
ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted January 20, 2012 Author Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) This is an attempt at sarcasm right? Regarding the "circling the wagons" thing, that's a phrase used since the pioneers traveled by wagon across the west. They would literally circle the wagons for protection from an attack. Dude, please, I hope you were kidding. What makes you think it's sarcasm? I get that "circling the wagons" was a real life pioneer thing, but that doesn't mean it's not derogatory. Just like "cougars" were real wild animals that people had to avoid in pioneer days, "circling the wagons" was a perfectly acceptable phrase back then. But today, "circling the wagons" (just like "cougars") has a not-so-nice slang meaning. If people in Utah can take a stand for decency and not being associated with a losing stereotype, why can't the Bills? Edited January 20, 2012 by ICanSleepWhenI'mDead
DC Tom Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 What makes you think it's sarcasm? Because if you're serious, you must be the dumbest person on the face of the planet.
ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted January 20, 2012 Author Posted January 20, 2012 Crayonz? Because I choose to post here androgenously, I have no way to prove it to you, but I am not Crayonz.
sweatpantsjoe Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Want some cheese to go with your whine?
Mike In Illinois Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Because I choose to post here androgenously, I have no way to prove it to you, but I am not Crayonz. You mean to tell me you dress like Boy George to post here? Androgyny Anonymity
Jim in Anchorage Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 What makes you think it's sarcasm? I get that "circling the wagons" was a real life pioneer thing, but that doesn't mean it's not derogatory. Just like "cougars" were real wild animals that people had to avoid in pioneer days, "circling the wagons" was a perfectly acceptable phrase back then. But today, "circling the wagons" (just like "cougars") has a not-so-nice slang meaning. If people in Utah can take a stand for decency and not being associated with a losing stereotype, why can't the Bills? I think you need some sleep.
Nanker Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Well then, how about, "Nobody can circle the jerk like IcansleepwhenI'mdead?"
Ramius Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Why is "cougar" an offensive term all of a sudden?
Teuton Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 This is so retarded. I think middle aged women should be offended that people in Utah think they'd be offended for something that's taken as a complement... if that makes sense.
Beerball Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 This is so retarded. I think middle aged women should be offended that people in Utah think they'd be offended for something that's taken as a complement... if that makes sense. Pretty soon someone will be yelling at you for using the word retarded. It's not PC you know.
Guffalo Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Pretty soon someone will be yelling at you for using the word retarded. It's not PC you know. I think he meant rettatta, you know, the egg/noodle/pickle juice snack you can whip up in just under 3 hours.
Chef Jim Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 I think he meant rettatta, you know, the egg/noodle/pickle juice snack you can whip up in just under 3 hours. The pickle juice is optional.
major Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 I wish our Bills were like that. We need to put sheets up around Ralph Wilson stadium and have our 11 players rape the opponent.
buffaloboyinATL Posted January 22, 2012 Posted January 22, 2012 What makes you think it's sarcasm? I get that "circling the wagons" was a real life pioneer thing, but that doesn't mean it's not derogatory. Just like "cougars" were real wild animals that people had to avoid in pioneer days, "circling the wagons" was a perfectly acceptable phrase back then. But today, "circling the wagons" (just like "cougars") has a not-so-nice slang meaning. If people in Utah can take a stand for decency and not being associated with a losing stereotype, why can't the Bills? Most of the "cougars" I know wear the nickname like a badge of honor. And Bills fans, myself included, enjoy hearing Berman say we "circle the wagons". Would you rather he point of that we are "circling the drain"?
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