S. Dakota Sign Causes Controversy - Hooker Street

In the small town (800 residents) of Whitewood, S.D., there is a quiet street named after a civil war general that is causing controversy. “Hooker” Street is named after Civil War General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker, who was a career U.S. Army officer and a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. However, if the Rev. David Baer has his way, the Whitewood City Council will change the name of the street to something less offensive. He doesn’t like the idea of changing it to “General Hooker” Street either. City council will discuss Reverend Baer’s request at its December 17th meeting.

This story is as bizarre as the one about the Australian Santa Clauses, who were banned from saying “ho, ho, ho” because it might be offensive to women.

Just because a local minister has his mind in the gutter, General Hooker’s good name has to go? It is not clear whether or not there is also a street named after Revolutionary War soldier and President of the Continental Congress of the United States of America, John Hancock.