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.
- James_Tanner

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.
- Sens2k5

Not one single person complained about him abusing his platform in the 20+ years that he has been bashing people for not wearing a poppy.. The only reason it happened this time is that it is 2019 and you have all the hyper-sensitive people that are offended by everything where it actually affects them or not. My guess is that most of the people that complained only chimed in after it hit social media.

Sportsnet spent the entire day spinning it and listen to the Tim and Sid segment again..It was 100% PR/Spin and there was one listener that tweeted in some words of wisdom for Sid. Telling him he will be next if he is not careful.

Here is how I see it

Don Cherry had every right to say what he said...
People have the right to agree or disagree...
Rogers was fully within their rights to fire him if they wish(but don't take that to be a function of any mortal standard but of that calculation that this may hurt sales)....
They gave Don a chance to apologize and he did not and stood by his comments...
Don is no longer on HNIC because of it...
I have the right to cancel my Rogers services (which I did not only because of this I have been thinking about it for some time) because that is the only thing that I can do to show Rogers that I do not agree with their choice..

This exact segment would have caused no outrage 5 years ago and the same segment in 5 years will probably be a crime as the leftist continue to try to be more outraged than their leftist neighbor.

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.
- James_Tanner

I don't think that's accurate.

A right wing person could be against racism, but may feel a little squeamish about companies reacting to public outcry by firing people.

The question we may be asking ourselves is what happens when the definition of acceptability in society changes? What kind of upheaval are we looking at if we're all constantly outraged and trying to stop people from earning money.

Let's be honest, let's say someone else hires Cherry right now for a similar position an a new network, won't the same crowd call for him to be fired until he repents to a level of satisfaction to them?

I think right wing people are more concerned at what appears to be a mob rule and sees that as more dangerous than an old man spewing something that would be considered ethnocentric rather than racist.

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.
- Atomic Wedgie

I agree. Even being from Canada when I was a little younger I would of walked by and not picked up a Poppy not truely understanding the significance of it or where the money goes. I don't blame immigrants for not knowing if they don't. That's why I am saying someone telling immigrants to go out a buy Poppy's isn't a bad thing. Obviously he said it in a aggressive way but that's how he talks about everything. Either way I'll choose to remember DC as a proud Canadian who loved troops and loved hockey instead of some old racist.

I don't think that's accurate.

A right wing person could be against racism, but may feel a little squeamish about companies reacting to public outcry by firing people.

The question we may be asking ourselves is what happens when the definition of acceptability in society changes? What kind of upheaval are we looking at if we're all constantly outraged and trying to stop people from earning money.

Let's be honest, let's say someone else hires Cherry right now for a similar position an a new network, won't the same crowd call for him to be fired until he repents to a level of satisfaction to them?

I think right wing people are more concerned at what appears to be a mob rule and sees that as more dangerous than an old man spewing something that would be considered ethnocentric rather than racist.
- gcomella34

Don Cherry was a controversial figure for decades before he got fired. Assuming that a bunch of angry people will result in the control of a TV network or that "mob rule" will somehow impede on anyone's freedom is a ridiculously weak strawman argument.

He said something well-intentioned, was not articulate enough to navigate the nuance required in making his point succinctly, doubled-down, pretended he was referring to all Canadians and not "you people" and refused to apologize for a misunderstanding that could have saved his job, at least until the end of the season, and now is choosing to become a conservative martyr. It's embarrassing and sad. Times evolved and Cherry didn't.

Don Cherry was a controversial figure for decades before he got fired. Assuming that a bunch of angry people will result in a tremendous amount of turnover at a TV network or that "mob rule" will somehow impede on anyone's freedom is a ridiculously weak strawman argument.
- eichiefs9

It's actually not, there are entire fields of study right now about consumer reaction to corporate social responsibility and how companies navigate this water.

It's actually not, there are entire fields of study right now about consumer reaction to corporate social responsibility and how companies navigate this water.
- gcomella34

"Field of study" on the subject does not equal "hoards of angry twitter users have annexed control over major TV network personnel policies"

8:00 am: I made a snowman.

8:10 - A feminist passed by and asked me why I didn't make a snow woman.

8:15 - So, I made a snow woman.

8:17 - My feminist neighbor complained about the snow woman's voluptuous chest saying it objectified snow women everywhere.

8:20 - The gay couple living nearby threw a hissy fit and moaned it could have been two snow men instead.

8:22 - The transgender man..woman...person asked why I didn't just make one snow person with detachable parts.

8:25 - The vegans at the end of the lane complained about the carrot nose, as veggies are food and not to decorate snow figures with.

8:28 - I was being called a racist because the snow couple is white.

8:31 - The Muslim gent across the road demanded the snow woman wear a burqa.

8:40 - The police arrived saying someone had been offended

8:42 - The feminist neighbor complained again that the broomstick of the snow woman needed to be removed because it depicted women in a domestic role.

8:43 - The council equality officer arrived and threatened me with eviction.

8:45 - TV news crew from CBC showed up. I was asked if I know the difference between snowmen and snow-women. I replied "Snowballs" and am now called a sexist.

9:00 - I was on the news as a suspected terrorist, racist, homophobe sensibility offender, bent on stirring up trouble during difficult weather.

9:10 - I was asked if I have any accomplices. My children were taken by social services.

9:29 - Far left protesters offended by everything marched down the street demanding for me to be beheaded.

Moral: There is no moral to this story. It is what we have become.



Satirical (mocking) - what our society has become....in a humorous way.

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.
- James_Tanner

If telling immigrants to support the people who made the country they chose to immigrate too possible is scary for you then you probably shouldn't leave your house. Was it poorly worded, sure. Scary...no.

I've heard this exact thing several times, and it's so close to making a point, but fails to do so. First, the two have nothing to do with one another. Second, he wasn't fired for the comments, he was fired for not apologizing for insensitive comments or even acknowledging that it was an issue. Third, he's been a hard line bigot and mysogynist for decades. This is not the worst thing he's said by a long shot, but people are finally fed up with it. Freedom of speech does not equal freedom of consequence.
The bottom line is, just because you weren't offended doesn't mean other people weren't. We really need to get over this rhetoric of "people are too soft" mentality, and just think before you speak and realize there are other people.
- Copper n Blue

What I usually do when something I don’t like comes on the TV I just change the channel. Most people who were offended weren’t watching coach’s corner before for that exact reason. Now they have forced SN’s hand to take away the show from those that do

"Field of study" on the subject does not equal "hoards of angry twitter users have annexed control over major TV network personnel policies"
- eichiefs9

Which is never what I said or meant, so we agree.

Edit: For grammar, original was turrible.

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.
- Tonybere

Herein lies part of the problem I think. All these different opinions on what he meant by milk and honey. He didn't actually say immigrants becoming citizens and sharing our healthcare and social assistance.

The fact that he didn't have any desire to clarify (or backtrack) his comments left no alternative to his dismissal. I think that speaks to the old grumpy man aspect. He's in no shape to enter into a debate on these things. He can hardly get his hockey points across at this point and, sad as it is, it's a symptom of age (not everyone I understand that there are perfectly eloquent speaking people of his age and older, but that's not his case).

Totally agree with this ... 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.

I think you have either

1) graduated from Trump University
2) or you drink too much Trump koolaid
- habsp

How did this become about Trump? Oh, I know...you're one of the professional victims I referred to. I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Hopefully, now that Cherry is gone, you can live your life in peace and safety.

Herein lies part of the problem I think. All these different opinions on what he meant by milk and honey. He didn't actually say immigrants becoming citizens and sharing our healthcare and social assistance.

The fact that he didn't have any desire to clarify (or backtrack) his comments left no alternative to his dismissal. I think that speaks to the old grumpy man aspect. He's in no shape to enter into a debate on these things. He can hardly get his hockey points across at this point and, sad as it is, it's a symptom of age (not everyone I understand that there are perfectly eloquent speaking people of his age and older, but that's not his case).

Totally agree with this ... 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.
- Sayros

So now we've moved to ageism?

Which is never what I said or meant, so we agree.

Edit: For grammar, original was turrible.
- gcomella34

I knew what you meant (regarding the edit)

That paragraph I bolded reads to me as if you're concerned that the opinions of the masses are going to have some sort of control over network decisions, that's the only thing I really took exception to and I was just pointing out that I don't really think that's the case if it took this long for Rogers/Sportsnet to fire a controversial figure.

But we've managed to make it this far without hurling personal insults and I'm pretty impressed so I'm willing to drop it

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.
- gcomella34

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I know it must be scary that there are people who have a faith that you don't share. Can you please make evangelicals a list of where they must spend their money? That would be super.

Cherry's time was up. It's been up for the better part of a decade now.

Other than the vet conversations, which are good, he was getting absolutely terrible at his job. He doesn't understand the game anymore, plain and simple. He is stuck in the 70s.

Let's be honest here: Most people under 50 tuned in to laugh at him, rather than take anything he said seriously.

He's been walking the line for years, and this time he just finally crossed it. When he said 'you people', he was fine. It's when he went to the 'you come here and enjoy our milk and honey', and don't respect our traditions. That's when it was plainly obvious he was talking about immigrants. 'You come here', meaning you're NOT from here.

I do feel bad that this is the way it had to end for him, cause I really do think at the end of the day, he did mean well. He has always meant well and most of the intolerant things he says (including purposely mispronouncing European players' names) was just for shock value.

But, in the end, it was simply his time to go. Sucks it had to happen this way, but he simply went too far. It was that one simple line

'you come here and.....'

that did it to him.

You're assessment of Canada is a bit off. We are just as divided politically as the States - worse probably. Our current PM lost the popular vote and only got 33% yet won. Half there country wants what the US has, the other half wants whatever we are getting which is, well, I'm not even sure.

What I usually do when something I don’t like comes on the TV I just change the channel. Most people who were offended weren’t watching coach’s corner before for that exact reason. Now they have forced SN’s hand to take away the show from those that do
- RedC21

Sportsnet was looking for an excuse to poopcan Cherry.

Nobody "forced their hand."

This was Christmas coming early to Sportsnet.

Or was it just the holidays coming early? It's so hard to tell these days.

"Field of study" on the subject does not equal "hoards of angry twitter users have annexed control over major TV network personnel policies"
- eichiefs9

Are we talking about only major tv network personnel policies infringing on people's rights or freedoms? If so no because as a public company they are allowed to hire or fire anyone they want now if we're talking about angry twitter hoards infringing on people right to free speech in the case of say twitter, Facebook or Instagram then yes because even though technically private companies those have been legally given status as a public forum in order to rid them of any liability concerns which in turn allowed them to grow to the size they've become. Banning or blocking people from those public forums because they had a difference of opinion that some angry twitter mob is impinging on their free speech. Twitter hoards can have a lot of power.

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.
- James_Tanner

James, I respect your opinion. My issue with Trudeau is his lack of accountability. The racism that he took part in 20 years ago was in fact 20 years ago. The world is changing and I know that he’s sorry for what he did.

However, his treatment of women in his caucus was horrible. He has a track record of similar behaviour from 20 years ago also (although different situation) and had this type of treatment been a sports commentator you can bet they’d have been fired for it also.

I don’t believe for a second that Cherry meant his comment to be racist, I understand why people are upset about it but intent is important. He cares deeply about veterans and Canada. A Canada that includes us all welcoming new immigrants to Canada. I’m a right wing supporter and also completely support immigration. The media painting a picture that our views are anti immigration and racist is so insulting.

I find it amusing that the side preaching tolerance, inclusion, diversity, etc. is intolerant to someone else's comments and opinions that differ from theirs.
- garbow

That’s because liberals are nuts. The cancel culture they have created by causing so much fake outrage over anything and everything is insane. I’m sure they will put a boring vanilla person in cherry’s place and their ratings will suffer

Are we talking about only major tv network personnel policies infringing on people's rights or freedoms? If so no because as a public company they are allowed to hire or fire anyone they want now if we're talking about angry twitter hoards infringing on people right to free speech in the case of say twitter, Facebook or Instagram then yes because even though technically private companies those have been legally given status as a public forum in order to rid them of any liability concerns which in turn allowed them to grow to the size they've become. Banning or blocking people from those public forums because they had a difference of opinion that some angry twitter mob is impinging on their free speech. Twitter hoards can have a lot of power.
- HealthyScratch6

I speak English and can read all these words but I tried three times to read this entire post and still have absolutely no idea what you're saying.

I knew what you meant (regarding the edit)

That paragraph I bolded reads to me as if you're concerned that the opinions of the masses are going to have some sort of control over network decisions, that's the only thing I really took exception to and I was just pointing out that I don't really think that's the case if it took this long for Rogers/Sportsnet to fire a controversial figure.

But we've managed to make it this far without hurling personal insults and I'm pretty impressed so I'm willing to drop it
- eichiefs9

I don't hurl insults, just not my style. I truly enjoy debate, particularly if it's honest and respectful.

I am concerned about it driving decisions overall in business as it currently is. Most, if not all, of my courses for my MBA covered this in some capacity. So we can't disregard it as if it doesn't happen. Most businesses use social media as a research tool, particularly when measuring brand equity.

Despite what most people think, I don't believe that SM accurately represents society's opinions because it's such a combative medium.

More often than not, you sit the two people down who are arguing on the internet face to face, even if it's virtual opinions change or at least tolerance of an opposing view increases.