I must have missed something back when Indiana was debating about daylight-saving time.

I thought we were just deciding whether or not to turn the clock forward an hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall.

Apparently, I was wrong.

Apparently, we also were deciding whether to go on Central Time or Eastern Time.

Now there is this raging debate that has the state divided.

South Bend wants Central Time to mate upÊwith Chicago.

Fort Wayne wants Eastern Time to mate up with, well, pretty much everybody else east and north of us.

I sincerely hope Indiana doesn't make itself the laughing stock of the midwest again and go with Central Time.

See, before the whole DST debate, most of Indiana was on Eastern Standard Time without observing DST. (We still are, until next spring.)

Now that we have opted to observe DST, if we went to the Central time zone we would be in sync with Chicago on Central Daylight Time.

That would mean the time would be exactly the same during the summer in Indiana as it has always been.

Which is to say it would completely negate the effect of DST for Indiana. The sun would set at the same time as it does now.

What would change is the time the sun sets in the fall. When we turn our clocks back an hour, it'll get dark earlier. It'll be dark when you get home from work.

The whole point of DST is to keep it light longer in the evening. That's where the energy savings come from.

If we end up in the Central Time Zone, we'd look like idiots.

We go through this whole debate about DST, then pick a time zone that nullifies DST's affect.

Indiana needs to be on Eastern Time.

*****

It's interesting to see what gets the NCAA whipped into a froth these days.

Fed up with what it sees as "hostile" and "abusive" American Indian nicknames and mascots, the NCAA last week said it would no longer allow any of those words or images in postseason tournaments.

Just another thing that makes you go, "Hmmm."

First of all, if the NCAA wants to get rid of Indian nicknames or mascots, why not just say if your school has an Indian nickname or mascot, your school can't be affiliated with the NCAA?

Why the Mickey Mouse post season caveat?

(Oh, and by the way, major college football teams are in the clear because there is no NCAA tournament for them.)

But beyond that, the whole issue is a bit cloudy to me. While I fully understand and agree that racism is wrong, I can say with certainty that there are people who don't think having and Indian nickname or mascot constitutes racism.

Take the Florida State Seminoles, for example.

That school is fixin' to sue the NCAA. Here's what Florida State president T.K. Wetherell had to say:

"That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole people as culturally 'hostile and abusive' is both outrageous and insulting. ... I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will forever be associated with the unconquered spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida."

Now, I have a hard time labeling this Wetherell guy as a racist.

And since the Seminole Tribe of Florida has given Florida State permission to use it, does that make them racist, too?

Frankly, I think that particular group of Indians were flattered by the schools choice of a nickname. After all, sports teams mascots generally are chosen for their strength, courage and agility.

There really is not negative context for a sports mascot.

And what about all the other mascots?

I wonder if boilermakers are offended by Purdue Pete? He's pretty clownish looking.

Are steelworkers offended by the Steelers? What about meat packers? Does Green Bay offend them?

Nonetheless, I suppose in a perfect world, no one would ever be offended. And I suppose that changing team nicknames and mascots would be a pretty easy way avoid offending someone.

I'm not sure I'm ready to call the Wawasee Warriors "hostile" and "abusive" racists.

Besides, a quick glance at the graduation rates of college athletes tells me the NCAA probably has come more pressing issues to consider. [[In-content Ad]]