Don Cherry can go to hell. I’m one of the “you people” he was referring to: I was born in Canada but to parents who immigrated from India to Canada. I believe Don’s TV statement referred to something about “you people” not appreciating the sacrifices of Canadian war veterans, but coming over to Canada and enjoying its milk and honey.

My grandfather was a tank commander and Army Captain who killed Nazis in Egypt, and also served in Burma, in World War II. The British war effort was struggling and they pleaded with India’s leadership to pledge India’s massive troop size to fight under British command. They did so. My grandpa fought bravely alongside British soldiers and officers to defeat the Axis powers. And when I was in Canada, I wore a goddamned poppy. Don’s insinuation about “you people” is a despicable lie.

I never met my grandpa because he died of a battlefield illness. My mom was 3 at the time. Where is Don’s gratefulness for MY family’s sacrifices, while he’s uttering these slanderous lies about “you people”? I would like to know. And I’m still waiting.

And Canada’s milk and honey? Approximately $45 trillion in wealth was transferred to the British empire from South Asia during colonization. That’s where your milk came from, Don. Don’t get me started on where the honey came from.

“Just do it. Even if it costs you everything.”

Isn’t that the prevailing ethos of modern commercial sports?

.... fits right in with DC5's past thread "Admiration for Conviction":  https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/357625/1

Aside to PaulR... when you mention replacing Cherry's likeness with a weasel, did you have Mr. McLean in mind?   His obsequiousness gives the dudes on CHL broadcasts [Cosentino, Broadhead, Faulds, et al] a serious run for their money.     Their "devotion" to [NHL]  draft picks and "prospects" is more than a little off-putting, IMNSHumbleO.

Who says they don't wear poppies? Has someone done a count?

And who says anyone approves of J.T. in blackface? I don't, and I doubt anyone posting here does. (But I don't want an American in 24 Sussex, either.)

But you're right, though. Don is arrogant and offensive.

I agree that it would be great if everyone wears a poppy,, but again, not all newcomers to this country instantly adapt to our customs and traditions. It’s wonderful that we welcome immigrants to clean our public washrooms and hotel bedding at low wages, so why demand they quickly do as we do? Isn’t it only in Anglo countries that poppies are worn? To me it was obvious what Cherry’s agenda was - bigotry hidden behind a smokescreen of patriotism.
(& don’t get me started on Trudeau-lite...)

My brother sent me this email about his grandson Jackson....


“Jackson, dressed as Cherry for Halloween a mere few days ago, won the award for “Most Canadian Costume” at his school. Ha! Poor Donny’s undoing were some very “unCanadian” comments...”

Arghh....”Most Canadian Costume” !?

Well, he almost apologized... he once said on CC, “Never apologize,,stick to your guns,,,go down with the ship!”

globalnews.ca/news/6157812/don...t-impact/

I like this take on things:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDsw0qoIWVQ&feature=youtu.be

You good folks south of our border probably wonder what all the fuss is about, but anyway here’s an excerpt from an article by Cathay Kelly in the Toronto Globe and Mail :

“Everyone ran to line up with their side and start chucking rocks. A little scroll through any random Facebook comments section on the matter is a vertical toboggan ride into intellectual hell.

My two key takeaways: The all-caps button ought to be banned from future keyboards, and if you are going to e-mail people and profanely berate them, you probably ought not do it from your work account.

Then Cherry pops up on Fox, making us all look like idiots, and you think: This cannot possibly get any stupider.

But it can. It always can.

Most of all, Canada loses. This country will be fine one way or the other. It’s too big an endeavour and too good an idea to fail.

But every once in a while, it’s useful to step back and really think about the big, fundamental questions. Without meaning to do so, Cherry gave us that chance. We were too busy yelling at each other to take it.”

Reads like overkill to me, Chuck. More like a writer looking to make a mark. And if those are the "two key takeaways", then the writer has too much idle time. On Facebook - what would one expect?

The guy's gone. Let's see what HNIC comes up with.

I wonder what proportion of the people upset (?) [either way] are similarly offended (?) by other 'way more significant stuff in our country... the us/them divide between FN and non-FN that leaders of all stripes either ignore or promote, the widening gap between haves and have nots [and all the associatedproblems], etc., etc. 

Aside for Chuck and PaulR:  the quip about Fabricland having to declare bankrupcy got me thinking.... What if people could be convinced to use the fabric for saris, turbans, dashiki, terno, qipao, etc.?  [thanks Google].  That way Fabricland might stay in business, and it might be a fitting way to ensure D'C.'s "legacy."   What think you?   
 

Owen, MD would say you have a boyfriend...

Owen, I regret I can only "like" your post once.

...and Bobby Orr weighs in:   https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/don-cherry-dismissal-reaction-bobby-orr-nov-14-1.5360086

Ah, what else would he say - he’s a friend of DC and has run a charity hockey game with him for years.

I suppose he could have said "No comment."  I somehow doubt that everybody ['cept you and me, that is] is willing to compromise their values for appearances sake or personal gain, or ???   Maybe this is another of the many instances in life where all-or-nothing doesn't quite fit.

Do you think that Orr, or any of his other "close friends" ever tried to reason with M.D. about his slanted opinions, or even his tone?

Dunno, but I doubt it would have been a "let's sit down and try to reason through this" session.  [More likely to have taken place over a few "pop."]  I expect that during the 40ish years he was "told," but it didn't sink in.

In our group of friends that plays cards, it's not uncommon for somebody to tell another that he doesn't know what he's talking about, or to ask questions so the guy spouting off can't help (?) but see that his logic/position is flawed.   

'Way back when I was a young adult one of the guys in our group would, if warranted, use the expression: "C'mon _______, that's drunk talk." to let another know that he wasn't makin' a lot of sense.   

I think he is BSing us with the statement about "should have used the word 'everybody.' "  Had he said something like "I think immigrants to Canada are lax in picking up on traditional Canadian customs.... I look around downtown Toronto and see very few poppies being worn.  I know our veterans would certainly appreciate seeing more."  ...same "slanted" message but the "tone" would likely have been acceptable.  Hence my contention is that much dissatisfaction with him is how he says things, not what what he says. 

That’s his schtick,, he knows by being controversial, loud, and aggressive he’ll have a passel of fans which of course the TV network loves. Being civil these days might not even get you a cup of coffee. Bring back Scott Young, Dick Irvin, Bob Goldham..... say, how about Doug McLean for CC?  Better than old Burkie.

Better than old Burkie???   How about a mannequin or cardboard cutout of Cherry, dressed in outrageous sports coats to satisfy that faction, with voices of various and sundry "analysts"  dubbed in to keep the rest at bay?   

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to most analysts [I'm either snoozing, or channel hopping, or TITM], but I seem to recall that Darren Pang was better'n quite a few others.   

Oh yeah, Darren Pang
youtu.be/kPdwp4w4K5s

From the ridiculous to the sublime dept.:  just now on CBC radio I hear that somebody or other has proposed that Stephen Harper might be a suitable (?) replacement [apparently he wrote a book that mentions hockey ???].  If that wouldn't be ratings hit, I don't know what would be.   Heck, maybe it's "method to their madness" thinking.... those who say Cherry's sacking is just and overdue would be contacting Sprotsnet/HNIC pleading for M.D.'s reinstatement.    

Edit: Personally I think they should come up with an entirely different format for that time slot.  However, the idea of playing out this season with a series of "analysts" filling in appeals to me... so long as they wear a D.C. style* jacket .

* = and D.C.'s size as well.

Please - no more clown jackets.
I bought Harper’s book about the history of hockey - it’s about as exciting as one of his monotonal speeches. Golly gee whiz, does Howie Meeker have any offspring waiting in the wings,,,,?

Geez, if you want real analysis, get Ken Dryden. At least he knows what he's talking about, and he has the history to back it up. But he's too cerebral for the average lout who worships M.D. We have a gourmet burger joint here called Harper's, and I won't go there, 'cause of the name (well, I went there once with neighbour Bob when the wives weren't around, but it's expensive for a burger) - even if it is really named after the owner's daughter.

Just give it time. After all, what would happen if M.D. hadn't been fired, but croaked instead? Time to move on.

Maybe Elton John could buy M.D.'s wardrobe. That would be schadenfreude! for me.

As for the excuses, listen to what he said. It was a reference to immigrants and no "I should have said" can camouflage it.

Should have seen him on FOX News’ Tucker Carlson......arghhh