Common Sense and Common Folk

American Thinker.com ^ | December 29, 2019 | David Solway

[Kaslin]

Having recently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, my wife and I decided, as part of our intention to integrate into the community, to attend a Vancouver Canucks hockey game. It was something of a special occasion as the game featured the only meeting of the season at the Rogers Arena between the Canucks and the Montreal Canadiens, the team I grew up rooting for and, indeed, once dreamed of playing for.

What surprised us was that the stadium seemed packed with Canadien fans, red white and blue sweaters everywhere around us, cries of “Go Habs Go” (from the team’s French nickname, les habitants) and loud cheers erupting for every Canadien goal dwarfing the vocal enthusiasm for the home team. Raised in Vancouver, Janice was appalled. Where was the municipal spirit, the fan loyalty, the pride of place? Was this the residue of rampant multiculturalism? I, of course, a native Quebecker, was delighted. And after all, win or lose, les Canadiens are a storied franchise akin to myth, going back to the founding of the National Hockey League in 1927, recalling the “flying Frenchman” of old, and comprising a pantheon of hockey greats that dominates the history of the sport. Canadien games are always sold out.

But there was something else we found equally if not more conspicuous, namely, the good nature, spirit of camaraderie, courtesy, respect and conviviality we were surrounded by. Recovering from a serious soccer injury, I was hobbling on a cane, as a result of which I was treated as a VIP. Security personnel escorted us to the Call Wicket and picked up our reserved tickets for us. The jammed corridors parted like the red sea for my halting passage. The fast-food vendors were patient, not fast, in serving us.

[NFHale]

“...Montreal Canadiens,...”

Arrrgh.... Montreal... I STILL haven’t forgiven the “Habs” for sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers back in 75-76 Stanley Cup finals...

We Philly fans have long grudges... Haha!!

(Same goes for those damned Islanders in 1980 and the offsides game 6 goal.... Grrrrr)

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Ditto on both counts.

[NFHale]

Haha!!!!

Sports Grudges... they burn long...

[ml/nj]

I grew up a Ranger fan in the 50s in the days of the Canadians' dynasty. I think it was a mistake for the NHL to abandon the territorial rights of Montreal and Toronto in favor of "balance." I still remember being awed by walking into the old Forum and seeing all those team pictures.

I no longer follow the NHL. Last month I attended a Trump rally at an arena that the "Florida Panthers" call home. I actually had to look up who these Panthers were and was surprised to see that they are an NHL team. Somehow I doubt they will ever achieve the distinction that those old Montreal teams had.

ML/NJ

[MV=PY]

Good article, especially about the “realism” (actors) vs “nominalism” (talkers).

I guess I’ll read up on Plato and Aristotle. If I was taught that stuff I wasn’t paying attention.

Thanks for posting.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I guess I’ll read up on Plato and Aristotle. If I was taught that stuff I wasn’t paying attention.

While you're at it, consider the notion that time and form are illusions that prevent us seeing the Creation as it truly is.

[Weirdad]

Great article, thanks