I'm a simple man. I have always tried to be reasonable you know, to see and accept the world as the comlex network of inter-related systems of religious beliefs, political structures, and ethnic flavors that it is. I have always been on the fore-front of the "live and let live" movement. I think the vast RGNC readership will concede that I am squarely on the record with the whole live and let live thing. But now, well, now things are getting a little complicated and as of today, as much as it goes against my previous attitude of respect for all, well, today the gloves are coming off. (klang) There: that was the sound of the gauntlet being dropped. Because I have finally realized what it is that truly divides us, especially in this country, and now I intend to acknowledge this division and treat it as the threat to decency and good clean living that it is.
You see, dear reader(s), America is divided. It is divided worse than we ever thought or feared. It is not divided along religious, ethnic or political lines; no thats all kid stuff. It's much worse...America is divided over hockey.
Right now, as I type this tome, the powers that be, a.k.a those representing the owners and players of the NHL, are meeting in a secret location to try to put an end to the strike that has thus far consumed over half of the regular season games this year. And the fact that there are some who don't even care about this critical moment in sporstdom illustrates my premise exactly: America is DIVIDED OVER HOCKEY.
Sad as it is, some people claim that hockey is no big deal to them, that they just don't "get it". They defend their gusto-less attitude by saying things like, "it's too hard to watch on tv, I can't see the puck", or "there's too much violence and fighting", or "the rules are too complicated", blah blah blah. On the other hand, there are those good people who recognize hockey for what it truly is, The King of Sports. The sport of hockey, its fans, and its players, all reflect the quality of character that not only produces a great sport, but also great people. If you "don't get hockey", oh my sad friend, then perhaps you just don't "get" life.
Thus far, hockey is the only sport that has not been co-opted by nike, viagra, coors, or apple. Hockey players do not taunt or dance to humiliate the other team because the guys on their own team would kill them! Hockey players all respect the tradition of the game that they are a part of, and the fans that sign their paychecks. Ask any hockey player who was the first defenseman ever to lead the league in scoring was; "Simple: Bobby Orr" they will reply. Now, ask Randy Moss who holds the NFL record for gaining the most all-purpose yards in a single game...yes, you are still waiting for the answer because lil' Randy is too busy dropping his pants in the end zone to "celebrate" a touchdown. (BTW, it was Ed Podolack 12/25/71).
So you see, hockey is different: and better. This is a demonstrable fact. And the fact that so many folks can't recognize its superiority is sadly indicative of the true division that is threatening this great land. A division based upon a lack of character, respect for tradition, hard work, and, well...character. If anyone within the sound of this blog can honestly say that they prefer the jackassery of the NBANFL and now even MBL to the purity of athletic endeavor found on the ice, then I can only shake my head in resignation and sadness over what has befallen our land. I mean, even in a socialist joint like Canada they still retain some respect for the "game of games". Why? Because it matters, that's why. Even in Canada there are to be found solid, upstanding types who refuse to cave in to the shortened attention span of sports that are controlled by tv time outs. They still refuse to swallow the socialist line that this very moment is threatening to devour their country, and the prime way they show this is by supporting the game that made their once great country what it was: The Home of Hockey. And even though they are in the collective cultural process of dropping the ball/puck, there are still to be found a few shining beacons of hope that light the way for all of us, even as they are departing this sweet life. Their's is the example we must follow. This is the hockey way. Let us pick up the mantle and enlighten the less perceptive around us, and thereby heal the division that threatens the sanity of the continent as a whole. Let us all aspire to the day when we can joins hearts and hands as we rise to the challenge, and together, as a nation, shout out that classic phrase of freedom: "GAME ON!"
Blast from the grave: Hockey fan slams lockout in own obit
January 21, 2005
OTTAWA (AP) -- An ardent hockey fan who died this week used his obituary to denounce the NHL lockout.
Archie Bennitz, 84, instructed his son to criticize NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union leader Bob Goodenow in his death notice.
Bennitz called Bettman and Goodenow ``skunks for denying him the pleasure of watching the NHL on TV this year,'' the obituary in the Ottawa Citizen read. Bennitz also urged Bettman to step aside in favor of Wayne Gretzky.
David Bennitz said his father had become increasingly angry during his last month in the hospital as the lockout dragged on. Hockey was the only thing he watched on TV.
Bennitz, who was born in Nova Scotia and grew up just north of Toronto, was a dedicated Maple Leafs fan. He developed a soft spot for the Ottawa Senators, however, after he moved to Ottawa about three years ago to be closer to his family.
You see, dear reader(s), America is divided. It is divided worse than we ever thought or feared. It is not divided along religious, ethnic or political lines; no thats all kid stuff. It's much worse...America is divided over hockey.
Right now, as I type this tome, the powers that be, a.k.a those representing the owners and players of the NHL, are meeting in a secret location to try to put an end to the strike that has thus far consumed over half of the regular season games this year. And the fact that there are some who don't even care about this critical moment in sporstdom illustrates my premise exactly: America is DIVIDED OVER HOCKEY.
Sad as it is, some people claim that hockey is no big deal to them, that they just don't "get it". They defend their gusto-less attitude by saying things like, "it's too hard to watch on tv, I can't see the puck", or "there's too much violence and fighting", or "the rules are too complicated", blah blah blah. On the other hand, there are those good people who recognize hockey for what it truly is, The King of Sports. The sport of hockey, its fans, and its players, all reflect the quality of character that not only produces a great sport, but also great people. If you "don't get hockey", oh my sad friend, then perhaps you just don't "get" life.
Thus far, hockey is the only sport that has not been co-opted by nike, viagra, coors, or apple. Hockey players do not taunt or dance to humiliate the other team because the guys on their own team would kill them! Hockey players all respect the tradition of the game that they are a part of, and the fans that sign their paychecks. Ask any hockey player who was the first defenseman ever to lead the league in scoring was; "Simple: Bobby Orr" they will reply. Now, ask Randy Moss who holds the NFL record for gaining the most all-purpose yards in a single game...yes, you are still waiting for the answer because lil' Randy is too busy dropping his pants in the end zone to "celebrate" a touchdown. (BTW, it was Ed Podolack 12/25/71).
So you see, hockey is different: and better. This is a demonstrable fact. And the fact that so many folks can't recognize its superiority is sadly indicative of the true division that is threatening this great land. A division based upon a lack of character, respect for tradition, hard work, and, well...character. If anyone within the sound of this blog can honestly say that they prefer the jackassery of the NBANFL and now even MBL to the purity of athletic endeavor found on the ice, then I can only shake my head in resignation and sadness over what has befallen our land. I mean, even in a socialist joint like Canada they still retain some respect for the "game of games". Why? Because it matters, that's why. Even in Canada there are to be found solid, upstanding types who refuse to cave in to the shortened attention span of sports that are controlled by tv time outs. They still refuse to swallow the socialist line that this very moment is threatening to devour their country, and the prime way they show this is by supporting the game that made their once great country what it was: The Home of Hockey. And even though they are in the collective cultural process of dropping the ball/puck, there are still to be found a few shining beacons of hope that light the way for all of us, even as they are departing this sweet life. Their's is the example we must follow. This is the hockey way. Let us pick up the mantle and enlighten the less perceptive around us, and thereby heal the division that threatens the sanity of the continent as a whole. Let us all aspire to the day when we can joins hearts and hands as we rise to the challenge, and together, as a nation, shout out that classic phrase of freedom: "GAME ON!"
Blast from the grave: Hockey fan slams lockout in own obit
January 21, 2005
OTTAWA (AP) -- An ardent hockey fan who died this week used his obituary to denounce the NHL lockout.
Archie Bennitz, 84, instructed his son to criticize NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union leader Bob Goodenow in his death notice.
Bennitz called Bettman and Goodenow ``skunks for denying him the pleasure of watching the NHL on TV this year,'' the obituary in the Ottawa Citizen read. Bennitz also urged Bettman to step aside in favor of Wayne Gretzky.
David Bennitz said his father had become increasingly angry during his last month in the hospital as the lockout dragged on. Hockey was the only thing he watched on TV.
Bennitz, who was born in Nova Scotia and grew up just north of Toronto, was a dedicated Maple Leafs fan. He developed a soft spot for the Ottawa Senators, however, after he moved to Ottawa about three years ago to be closer to his family.
posted by mwc at 1:46 PM
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