Re: Thoughts from Montreal
posted at 3/11/2011 5:10 PM EST
In Response to
Re: Thoughts from Montreal:
In Response to Re: Thoughts from Montreal : I was being sarcastic about you saying I'm delusional. I've read everything that's been said with respect and attention. I also tried to stay polite despite some of the replies I've received. My purpose ? Some kind of impossible agreement, maybe... To give you some insight on what's going on here, beyond the whinning frogs hypothesis. And I'm also trying to gain some insight on your position in this matter. Maybe I'm trying to cast some doubts in one or two of you, 'cause I think it could be useful. And in the end, if nothing I said made a difference for no one, I'll still have learned that I'm not that good at what I've been trying to do. Maybe I'll try something else next time. But I like debates, so all this was still kind of fun. And if I didn't change my opinion yet, it's not that I haven't been listening... I just haven't heard any suggestions that would lead to something better than what Montreal and the Canadiens organization are trying to do. But because it's one of our players, because there are emotions involved, because we're habs fans and because of this and that, you're being dismissive of what we're trying to do, oversimplifying our actions to "whinners call 911, send Chara to jail" I just don't agree with your suggestions of status quo . We've been getting sickier by the year of players getting hurt like they do. We're not going to let go... not before someone convince us that what we're doing is not the right thing to do. You're mostly right when pointing the finger at the motivations that lead and created such a stir in Montreal. But I think you're wrong thinking those are good enough reasons to stop. Among all the "why"s there's is another "why" which is worth fighting for... Do something before it's too late. The only way you'll convince any of us to stop is on that simple point : "Why should we not do something to avoid a man's death in the rink ?" Let go of the other motives, 'cause even when you'll have proven your point, we'll still be going forward. As Ian Laperriere said... maybe it's a good thing for the NHL that it happened in Montreal.
Posted by Wedgy-Dunlop
Couple things Wedgy. If your purpose is to influence....change people's minds, you're absolutely screwed if you start by saying you're thoughts are immoveable.
You make reference to my thoughts regarding the "status quo". Where did that come from?
Rather than "assume' my thoughts, you can read my position on another thread here(Hal Gill Hit On...) if you choose. If not, fine, just don't make things up as you go.
You haven't heard any "whining frogs" bs from me, and I have never wrote anything about "over simplifying" your actions or being "dismissive".
If you're going to play on a public forum...and address your thoughts to an individual, please edit the perceived generalities.
Although we probably agree on the need to make hockey safer, we seem to disagree on the method of changing it, and we certainly disagree with the hypocritical position of "Montreal and the Canadians organization".
-If you, and the community, and the organization are so passionate about player safety..why are you only speaking up now? Players have been injured more seriously than Pacioretty. The answer is simple, but it may pain you. You're not passionate about player safety, you're only passionate about your own self interests. That doesn't make you terrible, it merely puts you in about the same boat as everyone else. The fact that you expect people to accept the sincerity of your pompous hollow claim is annoying to any free thinker, and ultimately makes you a fraud.
-As a Canadian, I'm appalled by the fact that anyone would support tax dollars being wasted on a criminal investigation, a child could see has no chance of conviction.
-I'm appalled that any human being would attempt to justify...as logical....the idea of tieing up 911 lines to protest a hockey call.
-I'm appalled that a company like Air Canada would be dumb enough to comment on something they know so little about.
-I'm appalled that a representative of the government of my country could get so caught up in the hysteria of the moment, that they'd suggest "suspensions for any serious injury". How incredibly stupid is that?
This idiocy isn't coming from Vancouver or Halifax, or New York or L.A. It's all coming from Montreal...and don't insult me by insinuating it's the result of passion.
Many, many, many people are "getting sicker by the year of players getting hurt like they do". If you think that philosophy only exists in the Montreal market...you and your community really aren't very self aware.
The first step to sanely institute change, is picking the right examples from which to make judements. The NHL has done that, and those that agree with you, again....miss the point. A lot of what used to be legal isn't anymore. Blindside shots, targeting the head, those things are dealt with severely now...and that's good. Anyone watching the Chara/Pacioretty sequence can see this is merely the consequence of the stanchion. Trying to make the point that Chara deliberately tried to knock Pacioretty into the stanchion is ridiculous..... It was a completely benign play with unfortunate circumstances.
It has to be ruled that way.
In the meantime, much has to be done to protect the players from themselves. It's a tough, tough job. It's nothing short of a miracle that only one player has ever been killed while playing in the NHL. Players are much faster and stronger then they used to be. Much better conditioned. They shoot harder, and have much better equipment. I think the whole culture needs to change, and that doesn't happen overnight. Rules need to be re thought. Players have to be more respectful, and right away, stanchions have to be dealt with. It's not that it's technically that difficult to end the potential of anyone whacking them. Suspensions will, and have helped curb some of the needless violence. Nothing I'm reading out of the Montreal market suggests anything constructive is being voiced. Only childish, self serving posturing.
Despite anything good that can be instituted, hockey is, and always will be a potentially lethal game.
The key is differentiating between those area's that can be improved upon, and those that merely incite and perpetuate hysteria.
There comes a time when you need to take your team hat off, and speak like a logical, reasonably well informed citizen.
Your turn Wedgy.
ps I cant' believe you used Ian Lapperierre's name in a column about gratuitous violence in hockey.
