Mascot Watch

By DON TROOP

New Mexico State University

Old mascot: Pistol Pete

New mascot: Pete (sans pistol)

Issue: Athletics officials are being accused of violating Pete's right to bear arms.

What's happening: The mascot has a new logo, a new foam head, and a new name — plain old "Pete," no "Pistol." The changes have nettled some people, most notably the polemical talk-show host Bill O'Reilly, who declared it "yet another example of political correctness run amok."