Why I think hockey should be cancelled

I know this choice won't be popular with a lot of you.  At first, I was like the rest of you: play hockey! But I listened to some of the reasoning. Right now, for me, it is all about the safety of the players. There is a sense that there is another outbreak of the virus coming. The chances of players catching the virus goes up.

I know the chances are still pretty good that the players will be fine. To me, there has to be a time when we say health comes first. I get that the players want to play, and I understand that the owners are trying to recoup their losses. But isn't there a time where common sense needs to come into play? The players have not played in months, making them vulnerable to injuries. What happens if the Flames lose Gaudreau, putting next season at risk? It is common knowledge that the Flames would love to grab Hall next season. Can they afford Hall with Gaudreau still in the line-up?

Then there is the issue of the starting date of next season. Gary Bettman said the owners do not want to lose any games next season. They want eighty-two games for next year's season. Put that into perspective—another season going into July. Does the NHL want to compete with baseball pennant races? 

With all that has been going on of late, I feel you cannot rush back into playing just to determine a champion. We have to consider the ramifications of playing the season. You can't tell me that some yahoo is not going to try to see the players.  Mark my words, there will be fans trying to worm their way into seeing the players.

Randy

P.S  I know it is moot. They are playing. But I had to put it out there. I think it is the wrong choice.

Two Ears One Mouth

The same God who created sunrises and sunsets did not create what is going on in the world today. No, unfortunately, that is a manmade creation. What happened to George Floyd is despicable and should never have happened. There is no doubt of that, no matter what side you're on with the riots. No one is listening, only reacting. Isn't it time to remember God gave us two ears and one mouth? My heart is breaking with all the hate.

I have heard a lot on both sides. Some say the police are at fault for pushing first. Others say it is the fault of the protestors for causing property damage.  I am a firm believer that black lives matter.  Let me further say, I understand the hurt and frustration of being trampled time and time again. This unnecessary violence happens way too much. That does not excuse property damage and looting. There is no excuse for that. As for the police pushing first, they are supposed to be protecting the citizens. The root of the problem is that the police are assuming the protestors will get violent, so they are trying to stop it before it starts. The protestors are getting hit first, which angers them. When someone who is already angry gets pushed around, what is going to happen? Of course, the mob fights back. Again there are too many mouths and not enough ears. Everyone is talking over each other and not listening to the other's point of view. Isn't it time to change the motivation from revenge to healing?

The second problem, of course, is that protestors are not the problem. But they are the ones who are meeting the police in the main areas. The people who are looting and vandalizing are the ones the police should be handling, not the demonstrators. But the police cannot get to them because there to busy policing the main areas.

If we could use our ears and listen to one another, this could finally be ending. May my prayers be answered that there are no more George Floyds. It is my prayer that commonsense takes over, and the healing can begin.

My wife, Pam, wrote a poem years ago, which I think is precisely what we all need to learn.


Inside Out  
 

At my school there are rows 
and rows of lockers. 
At first they all look 
like they are the same. 
 
They fit into only five 
or maybe six groups, 
But that's all. And some 
then look no further. 
 
But if you can get 
the combination, 
You can see inside. 
 
Some are neat, 
Some confused. 
Some are full, 
Some empty. 
 
All are different, 
and all are unique. 
 
Some people look at other races 
like they are something alien. 
They think that every man 
from an ethnic group 
 
looks alike, 
thinks alike, 
is alike. 
 
They don't stop to think 
that they have feelings, 
that they have hopes, 
that they have fears, 
that they are someone 
worth knowing. 
 
Someone should tell the racist
about lockers. 

P.D. Workman