I agree with you, but in today's world you are not allowed to have an opinion. I have an opinion on lots of things just like Don and if it hurts you where you sit oh well TS.
- porterw1

The difference being that you aren't paid to speak on a nationally televised, weekly program.

I agree with the first part, I just think we should be cautious before we do stuff like this.


Really I blame my evangelical brethren here in the States because they started this boycott mentality with the "Moral Majority". Nonsensical things like boycott these stores because they don't say "Merry Christmas" but instead say Happy Holidays.

Yeah, that didn't backfire on them.
- gcomella34

I do find it really odd that the supposedly pro-business Republicans poop on businesses that like to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" - to me, it's just increasing the number of customers you are addressing.

Isn't that a good thing in business?

I don't care what your religion is - I just want your money.

All he was doing was sticking up for Veterans, Veterans of every race. Regardless of which country they came from.

So he isn't up to date on todays "woke" terminology, he's 85, most people past 40 cant keep up with how to say things politically correct these days.

He lived through WWII and anyone who didnt will never understand. He's the biggest advocate for our Veterans, Armed Forces, Mounties, and all Public Servants.

How Rogers Sportsnet treated Don Cherry yesterday was astonishing, embarrassing, and showed absolutely no class.

I agree with the first part, I just think we should be cautious before we do stuff like this.


Really I blame my evangelical brethren here in the States because they started this boycott mentality with the "Moral Majority". Nonsensical things like boycott these stores because they don't say "Merry Christmas" but instead say Happy Holidays.

Yeah, that didn't backfire on them.
- gcomella34

The boycott this company thing is no different than cancel this person because I disagree what they say. If I disagree with a company I can choose not to give them my money if I disagree with a person I can choose to tune them out or ignore them. It's not about creating a campaign to destroy said person or company.

The milk and honey comments were in reference to the small farming towns which he stated supported the troops by purchasing poppies vs the cities that did not. I think his intent was good in that everyone who lives in Canada whether you're from here or not should buy a Poppy more than a chance for him to go on a racist rant. He slipped up in how he presented it and that was enough for the mob to jump on him.
- HealthyScratch6

Dude, please.

I love Don Cherry - or at least I loved him, back when he was entertaining.

But when he refers to "you people" (them) liking "our" milk and honey (Don's not from a farming town, so don't serve up that B.S. here) he's clearly referring to immigrants.

He's setting up the classic "us vs. them."

I'm actually glad they are removing him, before he tarnishes his reputation even more - and yeah, we can all agree that would have happened.

I do find it really odd that the supposedly pro-business Republicans poop on businesses that like to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" - to me, it's just increasing the number of customers you are addressing.

Isn't that a good thing in business?

I don't care what your religion is - I just want your money.
- Atomic Wedgie

Exactly.

Living in a civil society requires that we act, well, with civility towards each other.

Once we start defining our morals on the quicksand foundation of what society's current hot button topic is, history is replete with how that goes.

You can be an a hole, you can be an a hole company, all I'm concerned with is do I get value from the product or service you provide IF you're doing so legally.

When you start "spending according to your morals" how far do you take that? Do you only take mortgages with companies that check off all your causes and beliefs? Good luck.

You have to understand you're going to encounter people who don't agree with you. It's that simple. Calling for someone's job or means of wealth because they said something stupid....well that's just tyranny.

But this is a rather complex situation.

Dude, please.

I love Don Cherry - or at least I loved him, back when he was entertaining.

But when he refers to "you people" (them) liking "our" milk and honey (Don's not from a farming town, so don't serve up that B.S. here) here's clearly referring to immigrants.

He's setting up the classic "us vs. them."

I'm actually glad they are removing him, before he tarnishes his reputation even more - and yeah, we can all agree that would have happened.
- Atomic Wedgie

... because WORDS...

Dude, please.

I love Don Cherry - or at least I loved him, back when he was entertaining.

But when he refers to "you people" (them) liking "our" milk and honey (Don's not from a farming town, so don't serve up that B.S. here) here's clearly referring to immigrants.

He's setting up the classic "us vs. them."

I'm actually glad they are removing him, before he tarnishes his reputation even more - and yeah, we can all agree that would have happened.
- Atomic Wedgie

The milk and honey reference is very ancient. Goes WAY beyond small farming towns. It's how Israel referred to the Promised Land in the book of Exodus.

That's why he used it. Canada is a promised land, be grateful for those who died to make it as good as it is so you would come here.

The milk and honey comments were in reference to the small farming towns which he stated supported the troops by purchasing poppies vs the cities that did not. I think his intent was good in that everyone who lives in Canada whether you're from here or not should buy a Poppy more than a chance for him to go on a racist rant. He slipped up in how he presented it and that was enough for the mob to jump on him.
- HealthyScratch6

I don't agree. Saying "you people love our milk and honey...", to me, can't be taken as anything other than immigrants becoming citizens and sharing our healthcare and social assistance. Is it wrong to have that opinion? That's a pretty grey area. Is it wrong to state that opinion on your hockey analyst televised show? That's pretty black and white.
And I say this as the son of 2 retired naval officers who has never NOT worn the poppy. I have a minimum donation every time I get a poppy, but never a maximum.

I agree with you, but in today's world you are not allowed to have an opinion. I have an opinion on lots of things just like Don and if it hurts you where you sit oh well TS.
- porterw1

Again...missing the point. No one is saying Don isn't entitled to his opinions. He's free to express them and anyone who wants to listen or agree with them can. The platform on which he chooses to do so is the issue. His JOB was as a HOCKEY commentator. He was hired to give his opinion on hockey related topics. That's why EK mentioned that this isn't the first time Don has said something questionable, but he got a pass from most because it was still under the veil of "hockey related". This time it wasn't.

Don doesn't have the "right" to use the Sportsnet platform for anything he pleases. He is (was) an employee of Sportsnet and they have every right to determine who they put on air. He said, verbatim, "You people, loved... WHO COME HERE, whatever it is. You love OUR way of life. YOU love OUR milk and honey, at least you could pay a couple of bucks for poppies, or something like that."

That is not hockey related and 100% singling out immigrants.

Ummmm, you may want to re read that part of the blog. The point of that sentence had nothing to do with population percentages of a particular ethnicity.

You completely missed the point.
- Sens2k5

It was a play on words!!

Yes America is divided but I don’t think it’s more or less divided than Canada. We have a prime minister who has a horrible track record of being Canada’s biggest hypocrite. Frankly I don’t care if you disagree with me, the evidence is clear as the day is long.

Don Cherry will be back for coaches corner. I suspect that the backlash which is occurring against Sportsnet right now will hit their bottom line and they will beg Cherry to come back.

Dude, please.

I love Don Cherry - or at least I loved him, back when he was entertaining.

But when he refers to "you people" (them) liking "our" milk and honey (Don's not from a farming town, so don't serve up that B.S. here) he's clearly referring to immigrants.

He's setting up the classic "us vs. them."

I'm actually glad they are removing him, before he tarnishes his reputation even more - and yeah, we can all agree that would have happened.
- Atomic Wedgie

100% understand he was talking about immigrants. I was debating whether or not one line was in reference to something else he said but fine. I still don't think there is anything wrong with saying immigrants should buy Poppy's. I agree that all people in Canada should buy Poppy's. I think "you people" was a poor choice of words and the lynch mob jumped on it. I don't believe he had negative intentions when he said what he said. That's just my opinion. I don't know his true motivations, I just know that he was always passionate about supporting the troops.

Yes America is divided but I don’t think it’s more or less divided than Canada. We have a prime minister who has a horrible track record of being Canada’s biggest hypocrite. Frankly I don’t care if you disagree with me, the evidence is clear as the day is long.

Don Cherry will be back for coaches corner. I suspect that the backlash which is occurring against Sportsnet right now will hit their bottom line and they will beg Cherry to come back.
- JetsAvs

That's the position they're in. They have to do calculations before decisions like this to see taking which side results in the least revenue lost. That's said.

But, to be honest, most research on consumer behavior to company behavior shows that people often threaten they will stop buying, but rarely do. It's an interesting study.

100% understand he was talking about immigrants. I was debating whether or not one line was in reference to something else he said but fine. I still don't think there is anything wrong with saying immigrants should buy Poppy's. I agree that all people in Canada should buy Poppy's. I think "you people" was a poor choice of words and the lynch mob jumped on it. I don't believe he had negative intentions when he said what he said. That's just my opinion. I don't know his true motivations, I just know that he was always passionate about supporting the troops.
- HealthyScratch6

And not understanding someone's motives is what makes me hesitant to start calling for action apart from true physical harm.

Only in Canada do we hold a sports commentator more accountable than our own Prime Minister.
- Pacificgem

Nailed it.

In Canada it's 1984

Nailed it.

In Canada it's 1984
- rugdnit

Did I miss the public voting on Cherry's job?


Newsflash: Rogers isn't a democracy.


Man some of you guys are incredibly ignorant, you have no control over Rogers, you have to sit back and watch whoever they hire or choose to change the channel

They owe nothing to you or anyone else crying over Cherry.

100% understand he was talking about immigrants. I was debating whether or not one line was in reference to something else he said but fine. I still don't think there is anything wrong with saying immigrants should buy Poppy's. I agree that all people in Canada should buy Poppy's. I think "you people" was a poor choice of words and the lynch mob jumped on it. I don't believe he had negative intentions when he said what he said. That's just my opinion. I don't know his true motivations, I just know that he was always passionate about supporting the troops.
- HealthyScratch6

But how has Mr. Cherry determined that immigrants are buying poppies in less numbers than "good old Canadian boys?"

Quite frankly, I think he's probably right. I think that most immigrants have difficulty navigating a new country, fitting in and adopting the Canadian culture and figuring out all the customs "we Canadians" adhere to. Including buying poppies once a year.

Not knowing that once a year, you pop a twonie into a little cardboard box and put a red flower on your lapel to fund veteran care isn't necessarily disrespectful.

To me, it's just lack of awareness, and that's probably on us "good old Canadian boys" for not helping them figure it out.

It does amaze me how happy everyone is to see Don get shoved off the show, Brian Burke might replace him. I do like him BUT he is American as in not a true Canadian on CBC itll be interesting I think ratings tank after everyone gets his moment in the sun.

Why do you think they kept him for 40 years at 85? Cherry is ratings!!! sales matter nothing else, except when people freak out over what he said. I am not saying it isn't in bad context or wrong it was for sure. Sportsnet or rogers will hate how it is played out more when they have a ratings tank and cant save it, who's fault is it then? Don cherrys? NOPE!

Our altruism will be the death of us.

But hey, as long as the left can claim the moral highground, they'll willingly go down with the ship.

Only in Canada do we hold a sports commentator more accountable than our own Prime Minister.
- Pacificgem

Trudeau did something wrong 20 years ago, apologized for it and changed for the better. This is a false equivalency I keep seeing, and it's nonsensical.

Our altruism will be the death of us.

But hey, as long as the left can claim the moral highground, they'll willingly go down with the ship.
- BareMetal

If I was a right wing person, I'd be so embarrassed, humiliated, disgusted that being against racism is somehow a "left wing" thing.

It's not, or at least it shouldn't be, but comments like this are scary.

Did I miss the public voting on Cherry's job?


Newsflash: Rogers isn't a democracy.


Man some of you guys are incredibly ignorant, you have no control over Rogers, you have to sit back and watch whoever they hire or choose to change the channel

They owe nothing to you or anyone else crying over Cherry.
- Nucker101

The number of people who don't understand the concept of free speech is astounding

No. He didn't say "you people." He said "you people come here and you love our milk and honey..." That is very obviously talking about recent immigrants. Calling it anything else is whitewash. Heavy on the White!
- Tonybere

Agreed - he was referring to immigrants. What if he didn't say 'come here' ... I think those two words were more his undoing than 'you people', which I was agreeing with the point he says 'you people' all the time.

I just think he's just as fired up about young people not wearing poppies as he was immigrants.

He's a professional yes ... but most professionals are forced to retire long before 85. Parading him out there each week for ratings and the ensuing result that was easy to see coming is where I lay some blame to the networks. Not trying to vindicate Cherry, just feel like the network is gets off easy because they fired him and 'did the right thing'. They did the right thing now but it never should have got to this.

Did I miss the public voting on Cherry's job?


Newsflash: Rogers isn't a democracy.


Man some of you guys are incredibly ignorant, you have no control over Rogers, you have to sit back and watch whoever they hire or choose to change the channel

They owe nothing to you or anyone else crying over Cherry.
- Nucker101

i love the "you people" could have meant anybody crowd lol.