Don Cherry just said it wrong. It’s not about them vs. us...it should be ALL Canadians should show respect for our predecessor’s who gave their (frank)ing lives or at least put them on the line for the values that allow us to live in the greatest and safe fest place on earth. Canada is diversity, and that is precisely what our for fathers fought for....god love them and buy a (frank)ing poppy to show support. That’s all Don was saying.

Don Cherry just said it wrong. It’s not about them vs. us...it should be ALL Canadians should show respect for our predecessor’s who gave their (frank)ing lives or at least put them on the line for the values that allow us to live in the greatest and safest place on earth. Canada is diversity, and that is precisely what our for fathers fought for....god love them and buy a (frank)ing poppy to show support. That’s all Don was saying.
- landros 2

Don you did nothing wrong! So glad he did not apologize to the leftist SJW mobs. Enjoy retirement bud!

Don you did nothing wrong! So glad he did not apologize to the leftist SJW mobs. Enjoy retirement bud!
- disorca

At 85...it’s a short retirement.

Ahhh yawn. I can't stand Trudeau and the blackface thing is still so tiresome. It was 20 years ago, Tropic Thunder was literally a movie like 10. You can't hold someone accountable now for doing something 20 years ago that was deemed acceptable in a freaking school of all places at the time.

People need to let it go.
- joel878

This will be the same person claiming Trump is a racist because he father didn't rent to blacks in the 70s

Trudeau was a teacher and 30 years old when he painted his face black.

I have never painted my face black. Have you?

It says something about you.

Don Lemon blames white people for all the problems in America.

I guess some people are allowed to be racist and keep their jobs

Hey Ek- thanx for the thoughtful piece today. i've always enjoyed Don Cherry and appreciate his hockey old-school, tell-it-like-it-is apporach. But like a pair of comfy sneakers, the soles had finally worn thru and it was time for a new pair. Tho it isnt fair to question a person's determination to 'stick with it' and keep working as long as one can, I think Mr Cherry probably stayed on stage a little too long after his shelf life. Which is disappointing because, rather than going out on top, with a long distingushed career to look back on, he goes out like this- on a rail and on the outs, ignobly and unsung. All for uttering a couple of ill-chosen words. But on a parallell note, it is sad that the cuture has become so butthurt, so eager to crucify someone and ruin their careers, publically destroy people in some cases, all over a couple of those ' ill chosen words'. Sticks and stones, anyone? Tho I think it was probably unwise to use his HNIC platform to weigh in on such a touchy subject to many, I dont think any of us know what's in Don Cherry's heart. Yeah, its possible he may really not like immigrants. I dont know. I dont care. Thats between him and his maker and his conscious. Yet so many have kept piling on and hammering the guy over this unforgiveable 'Racist Rant", that he deserved to be fired, etc. etc. Good grief. Don Cherry may have overstayed his welcome, but he is no more 'racist' than you or me. Besides, with the term 'racist' being tossed around these days like confetti from skyscrapers on parade day, its totally lost its meaning. If everything is racist, than NOTHING is racist. And the real racism and racists are allowed more cover. Don Cherry's only sin- besides being, in his mind, patriotic- was saying sort of a dumb thing in a really dumb time. Which, unfortunatly now, is how he's going to be remembered. And that makes me sad. Thanx for letting us weigh in on this today- but thank you MORE for keeping your site politcally free. In a social media landscape polluted by the cesspool of politcal discourse, sniping, browbeating, and politcal correctness (gag)- this is a welcome oasis, a breath of fresh air, a place to regain some sanity. Bless you. Go Sharks! Rocket, Grass Valley, California

Don Lemon blames white people for all the problems in America.

I guess some people are allowed to be racist and keep their jobs
- sabresfan69

You can't be racist against white people. *slides goal post slightly little to the left*

Don Lemon blames white people for all the problems in America.

I guess some people are allowed to be racist and keep their jobs
- sabresfan69

This page is a joke from the imagined trade rumors to the smug bloggers who think everyone is an idiot. To sit there and say I tell my writers not to talk politics is as ridiculous as the imminent trades about to go down. Not to mention Noel Fogelman and Dan Petriw were replaced by a guy who barely has a pulse.

- BareMetal

Is Don Lemon implying that white men aren't people?


Wow, that's not racist as poop?? How is he not fired for his anti-white bigotry? It's as if there is a double standard...


He must be a lieberal!

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.
- matty12345

Personally, I haven't forgotten about Don Cherry in 10+ years - I've stopped watching him altogether because of his outlandish, outdated and generally offensive views on things. I thought he should have been booted off the air 15 years ago, I think Ron MacLean has done what he can to mitigate the disasters over the years, and I don't think anyone should have a platform to spew biased hate on the air.

He crossed a boundary when he, without basis in fact or merit, picked a (minority) group of people to upon which he assigned a baseless set of accusations. That's wrong. It would like calling all immigrants dangerous, or another group of people lazy. It's wrong. Yes, it's an opinion, but from my perspective, it's no different an "opinion" than other malicious and unfounded "opinions" that serve to do one thing. Set one large group of people against another smaller group of people.

When that camera goes on, he has children tuning in, he has minorities tuning in, he has immigrants tuning in. He therefore has a responsibility to act in a responsible manner. He intentionally chose not to. He THEN intentionally chose to not apologize or even try to help himself by clarifying any misconception about his statements.

You want to have a different opinion? Fine. Find a respectful way to get your message across. Call out EVERYONE who didn't wear a poppy. Hell, I didn't wear a poppy yesterday, so Don can come on here and give me poop if he wants. And it wasn't due to political motives or disrespect - I don't carry cash, and I felt bad for forgetting to get some. But the point of Remembrance Day isn't the poppy. The point is to remember, and not one person, not Don Cherry or anyone else, knows what people did to remember those souls yesterday.

Accountability is still a thing in this world, right? It's honestly hard to tell anymore.
He's been let off the hook more than once, message clearly has never sunk in, it's time for him to move on

I was gonna reply but there's just too much derp to go through, my reply would've been longer than his post
- Nucker101

Lol, this coming from a country that elected Jill Andrew even though she gave the black police chief the "2016 coon of the year award."

Personally, I haven't forgotten about Don Cherry in 10+ years - I've stopped watching him altogether because of his outlandish, outdated and generally offensive views on things. I thought he should have been booted off the air 15 years ago, I think Ron MacLean has done what he can to mitigate the disasters over the years, and I don't think anyone should have a platform to spew biased hate on the air.

He crossed a boundary when he, without basis in fact or merit, picked a (minority) group of people to upon which he assigned a baseless set of accusations. That's wrong. It would like calling all immigrants dangerous, or another group of people lazy. It's wrong. Yes, it's an opinion, but from my perspective, it's no different an "opinion" than other malicious and unfounded "opinions" that serve to do one thing. Set one large group of people against another smaller group of people.

When that camera goes on, he has children tuning in, he has minorities tuning in, he has immigrants tuning in. He therefore has a responsibility to act in a responsible manner. He intentionally chose not to. He THEN intentionally chose to not apologize or even try to help himself by clarifying any misconception about his statements.

You want to have a different opinion? Fine. Find a respectful way to get your message across. Call out EVERYONE who didn't wear a poppy. Hell, I didn't wear a poppy yesterday, so Don can come on here and give me poop if he wants. And it wasn't due to political motives or disrespect - I don't carry cash, and I felt bad for forgetting to get some. But the point of Remembrance Day isn't the poppy. The point is to remember, and not one person, not Don Cherry or anyone else, knows what people did to remember those souls yesterday.

Accountability is still a thing in this world, right? It's honestly hard to tell anymore.
He's been let off the hook more than once, message clearly has never sunk in, it's time for him to move on
- rmull905

See the meme directly above your comment. Are you outraged about that as well?

He told immigrants to buy poppies then said he misspoke and meant everyone should buy poppies. Buying poppies are not just about symbolism it's about funding veterans who are grossly under funded and under appreciated in this country.

I was with some of your comments until.... Canada is way behind ? WTF ? On what?
I will gladly and proudly live in Canada and despite differences in views on many issues I am proud to live in the greatest country on earth....that is all.

- landros 2

Capital is fleeing our country like never before! Household debt is MUCH higher than that of the USA just before the financial crisis, taxes are extremely high for less services, construction everywhere to repair an aging/failing infrastructure.... e.t.c e.t.c e.t.c...and we just lost our job/income (I.e. commodity exports). I love it here too, but the future is the bleakest it has ever been (also, I'm an economist and wealth advisor...). P.s. I'm not moving anywhere, I like Canada and I'll be filling my Nicerink liner all day tomorrow! Cheers

I am glad cherry is gone. although i thought it should have happened years ago. He is a racist and a xenophobe. his views havent evolved at all. I think the group wanted to get rid of him last year but was worried about the back lash after some other folks were let go. cherry did it to himself though. he put himself in a position to be fired knowing all the offseason discussions. then he doubled down with the "i am not a robot" comment.

there is a lot of talent in hockey broadcasting today. no reason to hold on to a guaranteed to say something off color, make everyone in the room feel uncomfortable, crabby, full of piss and vinegar guy who feels like he is being attacked if he says something racist. Apologists wont say that he should be fired; they go right to the "well this person said this" like its a contest.

I am glad cherry is gone. although i thought it should have happened years ago. He is a racist and a xenophobe. his views havent evolved at all. I think the group wanted to get rid of him last year but was worried about the back lash after some other folks were let go. cherry did it to himself though. he put himself in a position to be fired knowing all the offseason discussions. then he doubled down with the "i am not a robot" comment.

there is a lot of talent in hockey broadcasting today. no reason to hold on to a guaranteed to say something off color, make everyone in the room feel uncomfortable, crabby, full of piss and vinegar guy who feels like he is being attacked if he says something racist. Apologists wont say that he should be fired; they go right to the "well this person said this" like its a contest.
- i'mjustafan

Name one thing he's ever said that was racist.

“You may not know this, but I have a policy with my writers to not write about politics on Hockeybuzz.”

You know what? I don’t know that because you have “writers” like Tanner who constantly spout off about politics blasting others for their views. Numerous other bloggers on this site have done the same so this is a complete, utter, load of crap.

See the meme directly above your comment. Are you outraged about that as well?

He told immigrants to buy poppies then said he misspoke and meant everyone should buy poppies. Buying poppies are not just about symbolism it's about funding veterans who are grossly under funded and under appreciated in this country.
- HealthyScratch6

Yeah, just to be clear, I'm not politically motivated, Lemon can go too.

He didn't just tell immigrants to buy poppies, that's disingenuous. His "opinion" was much more deliberate and read as follows:

You people … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Cherry said Saturday night on the popular “Coach’s Corner” segment. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price

3 days later, he expresses some form of regret for his statement while, this is the best part, doubling down on his original opinion:

"Well there’s two ways of thinking, this is the way I think of it, I think that the silent majority is silent and they listened to the people that gave them [a] hard time,” Cherry said in his interview with Dube. “But there’s a lot of people out there who are with me, but they’re very silent

and:

I know what I said and I meant it. Everybody in Canada should wear a poppy to honour our fallen soldiers

I guess this is where he changes his opinion? But only after he's said he meant what he said, after he defended his statement by saying others agreed with him and all the while not recanting the worst part of it, which was that this was all motivated by his slanted view on immigrants.

As for the funding for veterans, I couldn't agree more. Raise taxes. Hell, I would give more that $2-$5-$10 once a year if the government would agree that those funds are fully accounted for in the budget and applied toward veteran programs. They likely would never commit to that either though.

"Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today." -Malcolm X

Seems applicable across the board here.

Are we really surprised that grandpa blurted out something problematic at the dinner table?

Capital is fleeing our country like never before! Household debt is MUCH higher than that of the USA just before the financial crisis, taxes are extremely high for less services, construction everywhere to repair an aging/failing infrastructure.... e.t.c e.t.c e.t.c...and we just lost our job/income (I.e. commodity exports). I love it here too, but the future is the bleakest it has ever been (also, I'm an economist and wealth advisor...). P.s. I'm not moving anywhere, I like Canada and I'll be filling my Nicerink liner all day tomorrow! Cheers
- JLO961

True on the Capital, and no argument on the taxes.....don’t get me started on the tax issue or governments over spending and wasteful ways... .but in comparison to any other countries on the planet this is the one where I would choose to raise my family. I did not vote for the recent winner in out last election...but as I told my kids. That’s democracy!!...the guy with the most seats won....love it or hate it...it was fair and square and with in the rules...that just doesn’t happen every where else.
I too come from an economist back ground but don’t quite share your pessimist view although I do see where your coming from....good thing I’m closer to retirement then most.

“Canada continues to believe strongly in embracing immigrants and when you walk around Toronto or Vancouver you truly see a melting pot with well-dressed business people of all nationalities working side-by-side and making huge contributions. “

Wait a second. You don’t think you see this in the US? Where do you live?😂

Yeah, just to be clear, I'm not politically motivated, Lemon can go too.

He didn't just tell immigrants to buy poppies, that's disingenuous. His "opinion" was much more deliberate and read as follows:

You people … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Cherry said Saturday night on the popular “Coach’s Corner” segment. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price

3 days later, he expresses some form of regret for his statement while, this is the best part, doubling down on his original opinion:

"Well there’s two ways of thinking, this is the way I think of it, I think that the silent majority is silent and they listened to the people that gave them
- rmull905[a] hard time,” Cherry said in his interview with Dube. “But there’s a lot of people out there who are with me, but they’re very silent

and:

I know what I said and I meant it. Everybody in Canada should wear a poppy to honour our fallen soldiers

I guess this is where he changes his opinion? But only after he's said he meant what he said, after he defended his statement by saying others agreed with him and all the while not recanting the worst part of it, which was that this was all motivated by his slanted view on immigrants.

As for the funding for veterans, I couldn't agree more. Raise taxes. Hell, I would give more that $2-$5-$10 once a year if the government would agree that those funds are fully accounted for in the budget and applied toward veteran programs. They likely would never commit to that either though.

He's literally just telling immigrants to buy poppies. You might not like the way he said it and he could definitely have said it better but all he's saying is to buy poppies and support the veterans.

I am glad cherry is gone. although i thought it should have happened years ago. He is a racist and a xenophobe. his views havent evolved at all. I think the group wanted to get rid of him last year but was worried about the back lash after some other folks were let go. cherry did it to himself though. he put himself in a position to be fired knowing all the offseason discussions. then he doubled down with the "i am not a robot" comment.

there is a lot of talent in hockey broadcasting today. no reason to hold on to a guaranteed to say something off color, make everyone in the room feel uncomfortable, crabby, full of piss and vinegar guy who feels like he is being attacked if he says something racist. Apologists wont say that he should be fired; they go right to the "well this person said this" like its a contest.
- i'mjustafan

You manage to dig up one shred of evidence for your racist claim yet or what? Can't be that hard to find a clip after him being on tv ranting for the last 40 years.