From the wailing and gnashing of conservative teeth, you'd think he just gave Manhattan back to the natives!
On Sunday, President Obama announced that he would restore the name of the nation’s tallest mountain, currently called Mount McKinley, to Denali. The move, which comes in advance of the President’s trip to Alaska, was described as a show of respect to Native Americans and the original name they gave to the peak.
The name of the mountain was officially changed from Denali to Mount McKinley in 1917, at the suggestion of a gold prospector. William McKinley, who never visited Alaska, was America’s 25th president. Naming the mountain after McKinley, seemingly at random, was viewed by many as an expression of cultural imperalism.
But not everyone was happy about the change back. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), who represents the state where McKinley was born, said he was disappointed with the decision and blasted Obama for not deferring to Congress.
The renaming of Mt. McKinley has got the people over at the Millard Fillmore Rest Stop very nervous #next
— Scott Paulsen (@heymrpaulsen) August 31, 2015
What's in a name? Ohio lawmakers slam White House decision to rename Mt. McKinley 'Denali' http://t.co/ZDu7cNH9g5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 31, 2015
Obama renames Mt. McKinley to "Denali." Conservatives claim it's just one more thing he's taken from white people.
— clydetheslyde (@clydetheslyde) August 31, 2015
I oppose Obama's renaming of Mt. McKinley to Denali. America's highest mountain should not be named after a foreigner. #ImpeachObama
— Speaker Cruz (@HavanaTed) August 30, 2015
