Sign on statue calls Gretzky 'U$ Lackey'

Associated Press ^ | March 26,

[new cruelty]

EDMONTON, Alberta -- A statue of Wayne Gretzky was adorned with a sign that read "U$ Lackey'' on Tuesday in protest of the hockey star's recent comments supporting President Bush in the war against Iraq.

Employees of Skyreach Centre quickly removed the cardboard sign from the statue at the entrance to the home arena of Gretzky's former team, the Edmonton Oilers.

Earlier this week, Gretzky praised Bush as a great leader, saying he backed him 100 percent. However, Gretzky also shied away from criticizing Canada's decision to stay out of the conflict.

"The reality is, you know, the people we should be concerned about are the people fighting in Iraq, the people who are there on the missions,'' Gretzky said Tuesday.

"We shouldn't be worried about what entertainers or athletes or Wayne Gretzky or Don Cherry says. It's immaterial.''

Cherry and his Hockey Night in Canada cohost Ron MacLean came under criticism for debating the Iraq war on their televised Coach's Corner segment over the weekend.

[Nagual]

The "Great One" is my hero! Thank you Mr. Gretzky, I saw you play when you were a Peewee. You were great then, too!

[litany_of_lies]

(From a military and defense perspective) Canada: US Parasite.

[KansasCanadian]

Gretzky was smart enough to be traded to a US team and get paid in US dollars. He has done more for the Canadian economy and image than any one single Canadian in history. And he chooses to reside in America--go figure!

[HighRoadToChina]

Canuck BUMP!

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Well said Great One, apparently answering to some embarrassing comments made by a sportscaster.

I think after we win, and we will win, there will be alot of shame on the part of non-leftist Canadians (people outside of Quebec) that they failed when push came to shove to support US/UK/Australia

Canada - vote Conservative! Get organized!

[XJarhead]

You Albertans really should join up with us. We'd love to have you.

[litany_of_lies]

If you didn't see it, you might be interested in this link:

"Smug Canadians Need a Slap"

http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/woodcock.html

[1 spark]

A Canadian friend recently told my husband how ashamed he was of his governments stance on the war, and said he knew many other Canadians who felt the same way.

[1 spark]

Bravo, EXCELLENT article! Thanks.

[CollegeRepublican]

For further discussion see: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/874978/posts

[KansasCanadian]

Very good analysis. Edmonton revolutionized hockey in the 80's, and even won a Cup after he left (Gretzky never did win another). I attended a Gretzky game in 1984 in the old Northlands. Of course, being a Flame's fan, i cheered for Detroit that game! He got 6 points that night. I still think the best upset of all time was the 1986 Flames Oilers playoff series--I still watch those old games now and again!

[WarSlut]

Okay, I now officially forgive Gretzky for the '85 and '87 Cup Finals.

Jari Kurri is another matter.