a). I love music
b). I love politics
c). I love hockey
These are three of the main components to the genetic makeup of The Rocker. Now, not only do I love hockey, but my team is (and always will be) the Dallas Stars. So, while it totally doesn't fit in with the theme of the last few months, i'm going to leave Libs and Conservatives aside and analyze what is currently going on with Dallas Stars winger Sean Avery. You know, this guy:
Now, in case you don't pay attention to hockey, or are wondering "why in the hell is the rocker talking about Sean Avery," it's because he was recently suspended indefinitely for his remarks to TSN before Tuesday's game against Calgary. According to various news outlets, Avery's comments were as follows:
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."
The "sloppy seconds" Avery is referring to is most likely ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert, who currently is dating Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Apparently, this results in an indefinte suspension for Mr. Avery, pending a hearing on Thursday Dec. 4 with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The question I have to ask is this: are they really serious?
Now, without a question, Sean Avery's comments are inappropriate. He is a public figure, and should know better than to get on camera and say something like that. However, he has been known as an antagonist, so this should come as no big surprise. What bothers me the most is that it's just trash talking. I find it really hard to believe that a guy like Todd Bertuzzi can maliciously slam someone's face into the ice and still be able to play hockey, yet Avery runs his mouth and is in huge trouble with the NHL. The National Hockey League is looking at everything under NHL By-Law 17 and Article 6 of the NHL Constitution, which basically states that his actions are inappropriate to the game.
My problem with this is that the punishment seems a little harsh. At what point do we draw the line when it comes with people's speech and actions? At what point is it not okay for people to speak their mind freely? Avery should be reprimanded in some fashion for acting like a child, but I don't think he should be banished from the game. This is where the "publicity stunt" theory comes into play. In the US, it's no big stranger that hockey takes a backseat to some of the more popular sports - football, baseball, and yes...even basketball. Something like this will dominate the sports news for at least a couple of days, and can maybe help bolster ratings.
Or, you could be of the opinion that Avery is getting what he deserves. If you are, my bet would be that you are also for complete government intervention and bigger government, and this sort of thing makes perfect sense to you. If so, then it's obvious we are going to disagree on a lot of things, not just hockey. If you are one of the people who voted for Obama and loves the Detroit Red Wings, then we will disagree on everything.
My point is that I really don't support restricting anyone's speech in such a fashion. I think we have become too oversensitive to everything in this country these days. Everyone is so worried about "political correctness" that you can hardly speak without offending someone. Besides, you don't think that these players say even worse things to each other on the ice? So the trash talking is purely acceptable, as long as it isn't in the face of the media, is that it?
I think a public apology is in order, but to suspend someone over this is stupid. That's as simple as I can put it - it's just stupid. We live in a world where everyone is so scared to offend someone that we over-react and behave in this fashion. Whatever happened to some good old fashioned trash talking, and then letting the players duke it out on the ice?
Here's the video of the comment in case you were curious:
-The Rocker-
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