I never would have argued with someone who insisted Don Cherry was a blustering buffoon. Generally I did not have that much of a problem with him when he was relegated to small time slots in between the periods of Saturday night hockey games. Sure he said some off colour remarks, but hey, it’s about hockey! In the category of things worth complaining about, his antics were pretty low on the list.

Like all great fools however he decided he should get political. My tolerance quickly waned.

First he promoted his idiocy by backing politicians; suggesting Ford, Fantino, and of course himself, as every day kind of guys. Not that he is the first, rich, overly privileged individual who likes to pretend they know everyday struggles. Not to suggest Cherry hasn’t encountered hard times in his life, but let’s face it, he’s had a cushy contract as an on air personality for the CBC for thirty years now.

With Cherry being invited to the ceremonial inauguration of Ford as mayor of Toronto, I doubt too many people we expecting a large amount of decorum. What transpired left me wondering if Cherry was trying to jump the shark on his own career. He started a rant on the “left-wing” media* and started calling city councillors “kooks” and “pinkos.”

Simply, it was wrong and it was inappropriate, especially considering the event was billed as family friendly and there were a least several children in chambers that day. Cherry should apologize for saying the words and Ford should be apologizing for the fact that no one in his team could be bothered to check what was to be said by the man CBC puts on a tape delay.

Now for the more complicated part. What the heck did Cherry think he was doing? Why was he whining about the media in a room full of people who are not actually part of the media? You don’t walk into a Tim Horton’s and complain to the manager about the bad service you got at a Wal-Mart! I’m sure there would have been fifteen dozen news reporters falling all over themselves to hear Cherry’s comments on how much he hates the media at a much more appropriate venue.

Then you have the actual insult. Pinko? McCarthy, is that you? Why don’t you just call them communists or reds? While we’re at it let’s start a black list.

By the way, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, you’re in Canada! We traded goods with “communist” China to the tune of 42 BILLION dollars in 2006. How’s that for supporting the reds? Also, we have government funded healthcare and we like it!

I’ve said this a million times before but living in a modern country and complaining about socialism is complaining about the fudge on your hot fudge sundae. There is no true capitalism and socialistic principles will always be necessary to create a country worth living in. In other words, there will always be taxes and government control so we have shit like roads.

If you don’t like it, well, there’s always the last true capitalist enterprise, piracy.

Signed,

The Left-Wing Pinko

*Where exactly is this huge left-wing media conglomerate? You have The Star and what? NOW Magazine?

This shirt also amuses me.