Piestewa Peak
All of the instances of "Squaw Peak" on this weblog have been changed to "Piestewa Peak" as the infamously named recreational mountain in Phoenix has been officially renamed for Lori Piestewa an Arizona soldier who was killed in Iraq. Actually I've left Squaw Peak in place, but crossed it out and put the new name in it's place, to help the hundreds of searchers who come here looking for Squaw Peak.
I had previously been opposed to changing the name. Squaw Peak has a ring to it, and - to me and everybody I know - does not refer to the vaginal orifice of a Native American. To those to whom it does - wash your mouths out with soap. I'm in favor of this particular change, however, because it honors a soldier who died in defence of our country and her fellow soldiers. Even more than that, though, I want to counter the bigotry I've heard on a stupid talk radio show that's on in the morning in Phoenix that gives air to every redneck in town (and need I remind you that it's a pretty big town.)
One particular caller made the comment "I wish I could get a mountain named after me for getting lost." Ok jerk, how about we pluck you outa your pickup and plop you down in the desert with no armored backup and let the Iraqi army have it's way with you. Asshole.
Welcome Piestewa Peak.
