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.
- Atomic Wedgie

Way to mock holidays with premature ejaculation issues, dirtbag

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
- Richieattack18

They love cancel culture until it comes for them. Then it's unfair because they have the moral high ground. Funny how the group that sees everyone by race, sex or sexual orientation instead of just people claim to be the tolerant ones

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.
- HealthyScratch6

My exact thoughts. Xenophobia is spreading fear or hate of immigrants which (assuming he meant exactly what everyone thinks he did) asking them to wear poppies is not. At most I would say it is stereotyping that all immigrants are unaware that wearing a poppy is more than just a tradition but a show of respect for those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. It’s his naturally aggressive tone/being an old white guy with a history of borderline offensive comments that make it sound like a racist rant

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.
- eichiefs9

Fair

It does make sense but is a bit of a leap for this conversation.

Censorship of opinion exists everywhere... We self censor all the time, and if we didn't keep at least some of our thoughts to ourselves, the world would be much worse off. If Don wants to make statements like this around family or friends, there's no stopping him.

I would also wager that Rogers/Sportsnet have a code of conduct or ethics which applies to all employees, regardless of what their job is. If in breach of those policies, they have a duty to hold him just as accountable as Ron MacLean, the producer behind the desk or the janitor down the hall.

If Don had a problem with (all) people not wearing poppies, then make a blanket statement. Once you attack a portion of the population (especially in an illegitimate, fact devoid way like he did), you cross boundaries. He's crossed a number of boundaries over the years and someone finally held him accountable for it.
- rmull905

Again, what does this actually mean? He crossed what boundaries, and whose boundaries. If you say he said something that 30% of people don't agree with, well, I can't say almost anything that 30% of people somewhere wouldn't agree with.

So maybe it's more like 80% of people that think Don crossed the boundary of what they think is acceptable? Do we really want to live in a society that says, "This is an opinion segment, please say whatever you want, but only say opinions that at least 80% of people agree is the acceptable stance." If you are outside the 80%, you get ostracized.

It's honestly scary, and people like you never even stop to question who is drawing the 'boundary' or deciding who has crossed it.

This has nothing to do with free speech. No one violated his right to free speech. It's about a society that tries to actively discourage individuals from voicing fringe opinions, under the guise of being inclusive. It has nothing to do with being PC. People like tearing other people's lives apart. If one allegation comes out against Johnny Depp, let's destroy him without proof. Then it turns out later his wife is actually mentally messed up, so let's turn and destroy her.

Today it's Don Cherry. Tomorrow it will be someone else, and Cherry will be completely forgotten. In two years he will have some new segment, and people won't care, because they'll be on to destroying the next victim.

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.
- bluelineenforcer

Nothing happened to me so nothing to apologize for.

I was making a comment on something I noticed historically that backfired.

So my statement was not about where one was not allowed to spend their money or not but more about being judicious around withholding your money as a punishment.

That's all.

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.
- JetsAvs

I don't think it was racist, either. It's not like he is hating on a specific group of people. It was something that was hard to define.

In my opinion, it was a frustration with immigrants (hence the YOU COME HERE... which as I said before, is what clearly got him fired) and their lack of a desire to 'fit in'.

I don't know what you call that. The problem is that Canada has always preached the opposite of the US. Instead of assimilation, it's about keeping your identity. But keeping your identity does come at the expense of unity - ie respecting the traditions of your new country.

I think Don's frustration was as much with our system as any specific individual or group.

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.
- HealthyScratch6

You've completely missed the point. Don could have told everyone who didn't buy a poppy to go buy one. Instead, he signaled out immigrants because he is an idiot, has no education and blames all his problems on immigrants while conveniently forgetting that we're all immigrants. Even without the "you people" it was still disgusting. Defending him is disgusting too. Blaming on a mob of people, or social media or the "left" is just stupid.

What scares me is the ideas that being against xenophobia and racism is a left wing concept. Be better, right wing people.

Way to mock holidays with premature ejaculation issues, dirtbag
- eichiefs9

We both started at the same time, honey - not my fault I'm just faster than you.

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.
- eichiefs9

your time would be better spent trying to find and reconcile with that wife of yours anyway.

I don't think it was racist, either. It's not like he is hating on a specific group of people. It was something that was hard to define.

In my opinion, it was a frustration with immigrants (hence the YOU COME HERE... which as I said before, is what clearly got him fired) and their lack of a desire to 'fit in'.

I don't know what you call that. The problem is that Canada has always preached the opposite of the US. Instead of assimilation, it's about keeping your identity. But keeping your identity does come at the expense of unity - ie respecting the traditions of your new country.

I think Don's frustration was as much with our system as any specific individual or group.
- Charliebox

Racist to me is way too strong, I think ethnocentric better describes it.

But, that has far too many syllables.

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.
- gcomella34

If I'm being honest, I don't necessarily think that what Cherry said was so horrifically racist or terrible, in a vacuum and devoid of past context, that he deserved this. But his history of, generally, being a diarrhea-mouthed octogenarian finally caught up to him, it was quite literally a straw that finally broke the camel's back.

I don't disagree that SM probably isn't entirely indicative of society's feelings as a whole, but there's still something there. Just to play devil's advocate (I'm not actually supporting this next part), I'm sure someone could make a reasonable argument that SM removes the social anxiety some people have when it comes to having a (civil) debate/argument/etc... in a face-to-face setting and allows them to more honestly express their feelings because of the anonymity factor.

I think Sportsnet probably could have skated by doing nothing had Cherry just come out and apologized for his insensitive comments, but his complete and total refusal to do so kinda forced their hand.

They love cancel culture until it comes for them. Then it's unfair because they have the moral high ground. Funny how the group that sees everyone by race, sex or sexual orientation instead of just people claim to be the tolerant ones
- HealthyScratch6

Yeah it’s the most hypocritical poop ever but sadly it’s becoming common practice. Being a college student myself i see it myself of professors trying to push their liberal views on their young students and try to get them to become emotionally sensitive people who need to cry out that they are victims. Essentially college is a breeding ground for producing fake outrage liberals

Telling people to go buy a Poppy and support veterans isn't bad. It's everything great about Canada. (frank) you Ek!

your time would be better spent trying to find and reconcile with that wife of yours anyway.
- drew_doubty

Turns out limnmda threatened to call ICE on a Latino gentleman that cut her off on the highway and is now in hiding for fear of social media backlash. She never actually left me.

You've completely missed the point. Don could have told everyone who didn't buy a poppy to go buy one. Instead, he signaled out immigrants because he is an idiot, has no education and blames all his problems on immigrants while conveniently forgetting that we're all immigrants. Even without the "you people" it was still disgusting. Defending him is disgusting too. Blaming on a mob of people, or social media or the "left" is just stupid.

What scares me is the ideas that being against xenophobia and racism is a left wing concept. Be better, right wing people.
- James_Tanner

Being against xenophobia and racism is not a left wing concept. Overreacting to anything that can be construed as the least bit racist or xenophobic without looking at intent is a left wing concept. What he said was not racist in any way. Xenophobic maybe even though he never said anything bad about other nationalities only that they should buy Poppy's. Him calling french people wussies was worst than what he said yesterday.

And THIS is why us Americans voted AGAINST that SJW bullshiit.

Get over it, when did everyone get offended by EVERYTHING?

Keep your lame ass in Canada.

We both started at the same time, honey - not my fault I'm just faster than you.
- Atomic Wedgie

So now we've moved to ageism?

- gcomella34

Well I mean do you see his face when Ron ends the show with a pun or something. He's lost. He the person is lost, not all 85 year olds ... if I didn't already pre-face my comments enough

You've completely missed the point. Don could have told everyone who didn't buy a poppy to go buy one. Instead, he signaled out immigrants because he is an idiot, has no education and blames all his problems on immigrants while conveniently forgetting that we're all immigrants. Even without the "you people" it was still disgusting. Defending him is disgusting too. Blaming on a mob of people, or social media or the "left" is just stupid.

What scares me is the ideas that being against xenophobia and racism is a left wing concept. Be better, right wing people.
- James_Tanner

Lol fake outrage. Classic tanner. No wonder you’re one of the least respected writers on here.

Turns out limnmda threatened to call ICE on a Latino gentleman that cut her off on the highway and is now in hiding for fear of social media backlash. She never actually left me.
- eichiefs9

well this is a real swerve in the story line.

this is like breaking bad and poop!

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.
- aminnes

Just to be accurate, over 65% of Canadians voted for some form of left wing gov't. The P.C party , which is not subject to vote splitting like the Liberals, may have gotten slightly more of the total popular vote, but that is because of vote splitting, so acting like you have the majority but got screwed is not only disingenuous, but 100% inaccurate.

If I'm being honest, I don't necessarily think that what Cherry said was so horrifically racist or terrible, in a vacuum and devoid of past context, that he deserved this. But his history of, generally, being a diarrhea-mouthed octogenarian finally caught up to him, it was quite literally a straw that finally broke the camel's back.

I don't disagree that SM probably isn't entirely indicative of society's feelings as a whole, but there's still something there. Just to play devil's advocate (I'm not actually supporting this next part), I'm sure someone could make a reasonable argument that SM removes the social anxiety some people have when it comes to having a (civil) debate/argument/etc... in a face-to-face setting and allows them to more honestly express their feelings because of the anonymity factor.

I think Sportsnet probably could have skated by doing nothing had Cherry just come out and apologized for his insensitive comments, but his complete and total refusal to do so kinda forced their hand.
- eichiefs9

This is why I like staying civil because after a few posts, we see we're not THAT far off on how we view the situation.

I'm sure this wasn't the ONLY thing that lead to his firing. I see several people saying that Sportsnet was actually happy as this gives them an out. So there is that.

My take on SM is it's great, allows people to connect and can expand ideas and open minds. I think companies taking it as an end all - be all for how society feels is short sighted because people are ten feet tall and bullet proof on Twitter.

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

Right, because racism is a unique character trait exclusive to white people of European stock.

Imagine being that naive.

Let me guess: facts are racist too, huh...?

Lol fake outrage. Classic tanner. No wonder you’re one of the least respected writers on here.
- Richieattack18

If you use the phrase "fake outrage" you're out of the conversation. Just because you can't comprehend someone else being upset about something you're too ignorant to care about doesn't make it fake.