Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Let Grapes wither on the vine

ANDRé PRATTE

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 10:06 PM EST 08/07/08

Nobody's perfect, but the Order of Canada mustn't reward intolerance ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Pretty Much Sane from Canada writes: Pratte: Plain and simple - Your goofy!
  2. T J from Canada writes: Order of canada? Really? Perhaps the Canadian Clown Hall of Fame.
    Or recipient of The Most Garish Canadian Award.
  3. Two Cents from Canada writes: I wish the CBC would trade Don Cherry away to CTV to get the Hockey Night in Canada song back. How much do Canadian taxpayers shell out for his salary? 3/4 of million dollars? 1 million dollars?

    Ditch Cherry and his obscene salary and wardrobe expenses, and the song is paid for in just a few seasons.
  4. l. mills from BC, Canada writes: I agree with you Andre Pratte.
  5. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: Andre Pratte is one of those naive Quebec journalists who actually thinks francophobia is only a marginal aspect of life in English-Canada.

    I hate to tell you M. Pratte, but you are seriously delusional. Nevermind the populist press (ie Toronto Sun), let's just look at the Globe and Mail, supposedly the newspaper of reference in this country. The Globe has been francophobic throughout its existence, in the 60s and 70s when I used to deliver it!! and even more so in the 80s and 90s as a counterpoint to the rise of Quebec nationalism.

    The things you could read in this newspaper about francophones and Quebec were truly scary. It went well beyond the run-of-the-mill bigotry and I dare say nothing has changed. The media in Canada reflects the prevailing attitude of the vast majority of people and that reflection is quite revealing for anyone who has the courage to look at the unvarnished truth without averting their stare!

    Don Cherry, Rex Murphy, the Globe and Mail....three peas from the same rotten pod!
  6. Terry Horton from Toronto, Canada writes: Who is Andre Pratte and why would anyone care what he thinks?
  7. a brown from Out West, Canada writes: Mr. Pratte, I couldn't agree with you more. Not only should Cherry NEVER get an OofC, he shouldn't even be on TV, spouting his inanities and given such a forum to spew his cultural bigotry...and he wasn't even a good hockey coach, for god sake.
  8. Dick Garneau from Canada writes: The Order of Canada is pure bile since it was ordered to Mr. Morgentaler.

    .
  9. Gil More from Kingston, Canada writes: Two Cents from Canada writes: I wish the CBC would trade Don Cherry away to CTV to get the Hockey Night in Canada song back. How much do Canadian taxpayers shell out for his salary? 3/4 of million dollars? 1 million dollars?

    Ditch Cherry and his obscene salary and wardrobe expenses, and the song is paid for in just a few seasons.
    ___________________________________________________________

    Don Cherry is more than paying his way with the advertising revenue he generates; and that excess revenue likely subsidizes less financially lucrative productions at the CBC. I doubt if Don gives two pucks if he gets the Order of Canada. And after Chretien got the Order, with Shawinigate and Sponsorship still up in the air, I could give two pucks, myself, who gets the Order of Canada. It has no value anymore.
  10. Emma Hawthorne from Canada writes: The OC should be the torch that leads the way on human rights, dignity and tolerance. I am appalled to learn for the first time that the OC was previously given to some church representatives of churches that routinely and systemically discriminate against women who are not allowed to be Pope or even priests, and against both men and women who are not hererosexual. As a country, Canada must not reward bigotry of any kind. And it is high time the provinces, currently still!!! run by a surfeit of middle-aged white men, stopped allowing municipalities to give property tax breakes to bigoted churches who discriminate against the majority of citizens. Hey boys! About 55 % of the electorate, being all women and gay men, is being discriminated against. Knock it off. As the for the churches, I hope they give back all of their OCs. I don't want any church that discriminates to have any OC memberships at all.
  11. Murray Fitch from Calgary, Canada writes: Terry Horton,
    Who is Andre Pratte? I don't know, but presumably a journalist writing in the Globe and Mail. Are his arguments appropriate or not? If personally think they are, and agree with a brown. Don Cherry is the semi-amusing bigot who should be on the stool at the end of the bar, not on TV, certainly not on the invite list for the Order of Canada. He's occasionally got a good point about hockey, but this is quite rare in my opinion. He's undoubtedly a Canadian patriot, and undoubtedly a supporter of women's hockey, injured players, Canadian troops and good 'ol Canadian hockey players - all laudable traits. But he's also a bigot and a buffoon, and these are the traits that that have put him in the public eye. So, Order of Canada? No way!
  12. Emma Hawthorne from Canada writes: I wanted to note that Cherry and the CBC should be fined and tamed with $50,000 to $100,000 penalties for every bigoted comment he makes on air. But some of his comments are pretty good, so I think he should stay on air, but not get the OC. Question 'Don, what do you predict will happen in tonight's first Olympic hockey match against Canada?' Cherry: 'I predict Canada will get the first penalty.' Funny.
  13. Mike B from Dundas, Canada writes: Seems like André Pratte is intolerant of intolerance!
  14. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: don cherry's wardrobe can't cost much - he takes the fabric off old worn-out sofas and drapes and has a tailor make a suit out of them -
  15. Puk Natcha from Canada writes: If Don Cherry gets the OC can I nominate the loud-mouth know-nothing imbecile down the block?
  16. John Van Heck from Canada writes: Let see now ..... on one hand we have Henry Morgentaler, who not only spews hatred towards the innocent and helpless of society but he out right murders them! On the other hand we have Don Cherry, who yes is a bigot and spews hatred, but only towards those who can defend themselves. Heck not only give Cherry the Order of Canada but canonize the man! You can't compare the two. One is pure evil and the other is merely a babbling baffoon. Don Cherry rips people to pieces with his words and Henry Morgentaler rips people to pieces with cold instruments. Oh yes - my mistake - they aren't people - they are fetus'. Hope that makes you feel better about yourself.
  17. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Amazing. So we'll award Canada's highest civilian honour to a man who has caused the death of Canadian babies, but we will ostracize a man who has made some fairly obvious statements about the on-ice courage of European hockey players, and French players' penchant for wearing face masks?
    Do you ever get the feeling that the Globe is just trying to capitalize on the ongoing Order of Canada controversy by putting forward arguments as zany and goofy and as divorced from reality as this prattle by Pratte?
    Canada's star is fading, if these elitist out-of-touch idiots are the ones shaping and influencing our agendas. Common sense has become not too common at all.
  18. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: I have heard the G&M Troll Poll stopped the affirmative responses. It has happened before.

    Mr Cherry is no worse than many that have received it. He has raised Cancer awareness. He reaches out to kids having difficulties. He supports our troops. He helped raise awareness for women's hockey.

    Remember he is an entertainer and he works hard at it. Is he putting you on?
  19. Jennie MacCrae from Canada from Canada writes: Why in hell would Don Cherry be given the OC, that's absurd. What has he ever done to contribute to society expect shout his mouth off with his own biased opinions? Whatever he did is not comparable to Morgentaler, at least he has made an impact and a significant contribution regardless of the controversy.
  20. Jennie MacCrae from Canada from Canada writes: Prairie Boy from Canada writes: I have heard the G&M Troll Poll stopped the affirmative responses. It has happened before.

    Mr Cherry is no worse than many that have received it. He has raised Cancer awareness. He reaches out to kids having difficulties. He supports our troops. He helped raise awareness for women's hockey.

    ** Ah, you mean his PR person did all that.
  21. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: I saw a good cartoon in the Calgary Herald. It was one of the most recent 'winners'. It went along the line 'I support women's right to choose. Those that don't get born...not so much.'
  22. dean spence from Canada writes: Strange that those who dislike don cherry are usual supporters of the CBC. He and HNIC are the main reason taxpayers only moderately resent shelling out tax dollars to this network.
  23. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Yes, Morgentaler has 'made an impact' all right - but mostly on the babies he dismembered and scrapped from their mothers' wombs. I guess we're giving awards for that these days.
  24. Two Cents from Canada writes: Gil More from Kingston writes: 'Don Cherry is more than paying his way with the advertising revenue he generates;'

    How many people would stop watching Hockey Night in Canada if Don Cherry were not on? I'm sure it would be just a small fraction and it's not clear that it makes up for his big salary. I'll concede that part of his salary might be subsidized by advertising revenue.

    The song was far more important to Hockey Night in Canada viewership than Don Cherry, hands down, and at a much lower cost too.
  25. Jennie MacCrae from Canada from Canada writes: Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Yes, Morgentaler has 'made an impact' all right - but mostly on the babies he dismembered and scrapped from their mothers' wombs. I guess we're giving awards for that these days.

    *** Ofcourse nobody wants an unborn fetus to be aborted but this topic is a grey not black and white area. Yes, there are women out there abusing this system but with some careful thought and smart doctors this too can be stopped.
  26. mary conception from Paradise, Canada writes: This Cherry is a 2-legged clown. His arrogance about anything is only exceeded by the type of clothes he wears. His mother does dress him funny. Maybe he is just a latent cross-dresser. If it would mean an increase in viewers he would cross-dress. Go on mon-Cherry do. It would be a real draw for hockey viewing. Priceless.
  27. bethany middleton from Canada writes: Let's look at henry morgentaler's impact: thousands of women saved from dying at the hands of poorly trained back room doctors or through unsafe home abortions. Abortions will not end if they are illegal; they will go underground. Women have always sought abortions and will continue to seek them. Thanks to courageous people like Henry Morgentaler, they can now actually survive the process. Women, countless women, have been saved - and for those of you who are always on about 'the unborn baby', many of these women are mothers - how about thinking of the children who would be motherless as a result of a botched abortion? Or doesn't that matter?
  28. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Jennie - That's actually not a bad answer - and one I can respect as thoughtful, and middle ground.
    It's certainly not one I agree with, though - I think it is an issue that's black and white: you don't kill children for personal convenience when your own personal recklessness or decisions resulted in them - but at least you, unlike many pro-abortion posters, allow that it is not simply an issue of choice, and that we have abuses of the absence of a law in Canada on the issue.
    Good for you - you may not after all be the troller I took you for from your previous posts. :-)
  29. jan bakker from Canada writes: Emma Hawthorne from Canada: Pretty easy to see who you favor and who you discriminate against. All hail the female
  30. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Bethany,

    What proof do you provide to back your assertion that 'many of these women are mothers'? I would countersuggest that any woman who has actually delivered a child can not be so cavalier about the next time as to destroy their baby's brother or sister. So I would argue that many of the women who are having abortions have, in fact, never delivered a child ... and they are actually using abortion as an afterthought contraceptive because they've been indoctrinated by a selfish feminist movement to believe their bodies belong only to themselves in pregnancy - a fallacy which plain biological science refutes.
    Luckily for you, your mother didn't share your views, so that you are availble now to regale us all with the depth of your intellect.
  31. Steve A from New York, United States writes: FYI Don's ENTIRE salary is covered by advertising revenue for ads that play around his coach's corner segment. He draws a ton of money, so stop all these moaning comments about taxpayer dollars (even more of which would be required to fund the CBC without him). If you people don't like him or his analysis, fine, that's your right. But he knows more about hockey than most and is so popular that the CBC knows they can't get rid of him without risking a backlash.
  32. Steve A from New York, United States writes: As for Two Cents' point, yes people would still watch hockey night in canada. But they may choose to do something else during the intermission if Don weren't on Coach's Corner. And that's the time the advertisers pay big bucks for, because they know he will draw a crowd.

    Don't watch him if you don't want to, but well over a million of us will.
  33. jan bakker from Canada writes: John Van Heck from Canada : nice analogy of don & henry's professions.
  34. Katherine R from Canada writes: Don Cherry - not exactly the pride of Canada (I guess unless you are a white Anglo male between 12 and 45).

    For whoever keeps going on about women 'abusing the system' by getting too many abortions. Ummm... If, say, some crack addict keeps getting pregnant, she is the FIRST person who should be allowed to get multiple abortions! Abortion is not the most pleasant topic, but are you actually suggesting that we should somehow 'punish' the pregnant crack addict by 'teaching her a lesson' and forcing her to carry to term a crack addicted baby?

    For all of you who constantly make digs about Dr. Morgentaler, you better have 3 adopted children at home who have fetal alchohol syndrome. Before opening your mouths in judgement against others, you ought to be providing homes for all the unwanted babies. While you're at it, you should impregnate yourselves or your wives with all the embryos stored in medical facilities so all the poor embryos in the world can become happy Christians who love Don Cherry.
  35. Jon Bakker from Mt. Pleasant, United States writes: If Cherry's words are to be considered hateful and offensive to visible minorities in Canada, how much more are Morgentaler's words and actions hateful and offensive to an invisible minority in Canada (and not the infants/fetus') - those who do not agree with him when it comes to terminating pregnancies before they reach term?

    If Morgentaler is to be rewarded for boldness in word and action in the face of protest, then why not also Cherry? If one is absurd, then surely the other is as well.
  36. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Hi Katherine R.
    If only this were a debate about your extreme scenario of crack-addicted women, then we might find more common ground - because what real percentage does that scenario comprise?
    Unforunately, the debate really deals with a culture of convenience and entitlement and indoctrination by militant feminists that has led to the deaths of thousands and thousands of Canadian children, for no other reason than convenience and ideology.
    But please do keep providing us with your one-in-a-million scenarios as proof that the majority should ignore basic human decency and morality, and proclaim evil as good and good as evil!
  37. Jennie MacCrae from Canada from Canada writes: Katherine R from Canada writes: Don Cherry - not exactly the pride of Canada (I guess unless you are a white Anglo male between 12 and 45).

    For whoever keeps going on about women 'abusing the system' by getting too many abortions. Ummm... If, say, some crack addict keeps getting pregnant, she is the FIRST person who should be allowed to get multiple abortions! Abortion is not the most pleasant topic, but are you actually suggesting that we should somehow 'punish' the pregnant crack addict by 'teaching her a lesson' and forcing her to carry to term a crack addicted baby?

    ** As I said it is a grey area and your story is certainly not the only story. What would you suggest to the young girl who keeps getting pregnant by her boyfriend and resorting to abortion everytime instead of taking some form of birth control. Sadly this is a true story of one of my Psychologist friend's patients. Nobody is talking about 'punishing' but rather 'abusing' a method that is and was only supposed to be a measure of last resort. Even Dr. Morgentaler will give no more than two for the same woman. Some hospitals will give up to four.
  38. jan bakker from Canada writes: Psychological Impact of Abortion on Women .Irlc summer 2003

    In the last 18 months alone, seven new studies have been published in major medical journals showing that abortion is associated with elevated rates of suicide, death from other causes, substance abuse, clinical depression, and psychiatric hospitalization
    Many women are traumatized by their abortion experience. Some try to commit suicide. Others try to avoid any reminders of abortion. When a co-worker becomes pregnant, some even find it necessary to leave a good job just to avoid seeing a pregnant woman. Many feel shame, anger, and guilt regardless of whether the abortion was their choice or they felt forced into an unwanted abortion. Often, they feel they deserve punishment for their abortion so they tolerate abusive relationships or use alcohol, drugs, have eating disorders, or even physically abuse themselves. Many who appear to have a normal life actually spend hours in private crying because of they feel such despair and abandonment.
  39. Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: So Don Cherry doesn't particularly like French people. He's hardly alone in this sentiment!
  40. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes: The majority of Canadians like Cherry take some of his tirades in stride as they are intended, he is actually good hearted and people get incredibly sick of the Political Correctness and distortion that the media dishes out.
    Mortengaler is an example of incredible hyprocasy .... where some females seem to feel it is their right to abort any fetus. There are circumstances which can be clarfied to do so, but there must be a valid reason. There is much fuzzy logic out there and it can be a highly emotional issue, but with careful rational and reflective thinking, society can address the issues. Ending artificial life support is another contenious issues with some religions, but in both cases each situation should be reviewed.
    One radio talk host in Vancouver said 'we send our soldiers into battle to be killed so why can't women decide ??? ignoring the fact that soldiers are adults who by their own choice join the Army. Whereas where is the right of the fetus to develop once the process has started.
  41. Jack Rip from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'Dion or Dijon?' It is pretty obvious that you are not a woman. Until you have faced with the wrenching personal decision of whether or not to terminate a pregancy within your own body, shut yer yap. Spend your productively by pontificating and moralizing on something that can or will actually happen to you.
  42. David Gibson from Hamilton, Canada writes: Cherry the Buffoon appeals to the lowest in people, and there is a lot of it around.
  43. R W from Canada writes: Cherry set Canadian hockey back by at least a decade. He convinced a whole generation of young players that nothing mattered as long as you were prepared to drop your gloves and stand up for your team mates. So the NHL became a place where most skill players came from outside Canada and Canadian players were relegated to being the plumbers and role players on the teams. Only through some good work by Hockey Canada (not HNIC), Canadian hockey programs are once again focussing on skills instead of the macho 'rock em sock em' hockey that Cherry promoted and we are once again the leaders on the world stage, especially at the junior levels.

    I understand Cherry does a lot of charity work and he should be appluaded for that, but, his on air persona has done so much harm to the way kids (and parents) approach hockey that we should not even consider him for the award.
  44. Mark Thomas from Toronto, Canada writes: Forget about his racist comments - my objection is that he promotes goon hockey and is a discredit to the sport.
  45. Nassar Ben Houdja from Canada writes: Used to have some value, now a self contgratulatory award for the politically correct. Might as well name a donut at Tim Hortons, 'Order of Canada' glazed, full of nuts, with a cherry on top.
  46. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Cherry, has never killed anyone. If Canada's answer to Josef Mengele deserves one, so does Cherry.
  47. V ADS from Canada writes: Go Don Cherry! Canadian to the core!
  48. Greg Naydiuk from United States writes: Typical whining Quebeckers - nothings changed!
  49. James Cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: Given the list of names that appear on the Order of Canada list, that Order has become diluted and meaningless. Canadians are taught to 'tolerate' anything, including any atrocity and any abomination. The Order of Canada reflects this 'tolerance'.
  50. Conservatives Lie from Canada writes: Don Cherry is nothing but an obnoxious jackass. He has contributed nothing to the betterment of the nation. People need to understand that we should not throw away prestigious national awards for contributions to Canada on cheap celebrities. Put him on the Canadian Walk of Fame if you must, but the order is for people who have done something substantive.
  51. Orest Zarowsky from Toronto, Canada writes: If Don gets an OoC, Ricky, Julian and Bubbles should get one too. After all, they are on the same intellectual, moral and ethical levle. Let alone political level.
  52. jan bakker from Canada writes: Jon Bakker from Mt. Pleasant: hello , nice name. Must be dutch,where is Mt Pleasant.
  53. Templeton Jones from Windsor, Canada writes:
    “Appointments of persons as Members and honorary Members shall be made for distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity.”

    -----------------

    It's clear that distinguished only has to pertain to one of Canada's many communities. In the case of the abortionist Morgantaller he is distinguished only by those women who wish to use abortion as a form of birth control. Morgantaller is despised by a fantastic number of Canadians, who believe that awarding Morgantaller with the Order of Canada has seriously diminished the esteem that this award use to have. To use an analogy, could you imagine how reduced the Purple Heart or the Victoria Cross would become, if wither were awarded to a coward or a traitor?

    It seems a precedent has been set in awarding the Order of Canada to a distinguished abortionist. It seems all that needs to occur, is that one be distinguished by work done in a particular community. With this in mind, perhaps a future al Quida member will receive the distinguished award or maybe Dalton McGuinty's distinction among unionists.
  54. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Andre Pratte is 100% correct here.

    Grapes has certainly worn out his welcome as the Chief Clown at the CBC IMHO...

    This country needs to finally hear from those voices that unite us as a country -- not the lunatic rantings of those who would polarize one region against another region for taxpayer's dollars or their own personal vain glory.

    Let's put an end to these regionalistic soap operas and work together as a country again.

    As Ronald Reagan would likely have said on this issue:

    Centre of the Universe, tear down this clown.
  55. dick brown from missy, Canada writes: Gotta love the vitriol towards a hockey commentator that most people just laugh along with..but lets defend the poster boy for killing 3 miilion Canadian citizens since 1970.....and the author states....let's not reward intolerance!!!!...are you friggin serious? listen to what your spewing! Hockey icon bad, destroying life good...hmmmmmm....I shed a tear for this country. It's over.
  56. Lane Myers from Canada writes: Awarding the Order of Canada to Morgentaler has so tarnished the award that I cannot help but wonder why Don Cherry or any other Canadian, for that matter, would ever accept it.

    This award may stroke the recipient's ego, but this is about the only purpose it now serves. Cripes a French singer, a non-Canadian, Charles Aznavour has been made a honorary officer. Next we will hear that Homer Simpson is under consideration.
  57. John Hinkley from Canada writes: Personalities and personal feelings aside, the Order of Canada has been conferred on worse individuals than Henry Morgentaler. Conrad Black for one and there are certainly other business and political folks who do not deserve it.

    I would have given the Order to Don Cherry before Morgentaler.

    As Prairie Boy said above: 'Mr Cherry is no worse than many that have received it. He has raised Cancer awareness. He reaches out to kids having difficulties. He supports our troops. He helped raise awareness for women's hockey.

    Remember he is an entertainer and he works hard at it. Is he putting you on? '

    Don't knock Don Cherry just because he tells in like it is and is a more patriotic Canadian than most of our serving politicians.
  58. dick brown from missy, Canada writes: Hey Hnkley...who did Black kill?
  59. westcoast Groovin from Canada writes: Since when did tolerance become the supreme virtue above all others? why should I tolerate a bad haircut or tolerate a stupid argument. should we tolerate rude service.... well you get the point. So Cherry is eccentric; so what? He is rude and make people angry. So don't watch him. Inequalities are what enliven public debate. Let the people who listen determine if he should have a voice. I do not support him for the Order of Canada, but then thats pretty devalued anyway.
  60. Terry Terry from Brantford, Canada writes: Once Don Cherry gets one, all 4 or 5 of the Quinlan quints should get 'em too. Fer sure, eh?

    But seriously, give Don Alan Eagleson's old one.
  61. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Krusty the Coach is the reason that I refuse to ever watch the CBC/HNIT ever again...

    As many Canadians are already aware, Cherry's Rock 'em, Sock em' Goon Show on the CBC advocated for the breaking of the arm and the taking off of the head of a talented 16 year old boy from Nova Scotia for making an imaginative play in a meaningless junior hockey game... Wonder if the fact that that kid was being a bit too vocal about his love of the Montreal Canadiens had any bearing on that ?

    TSN and RDS also have the Hockey Theme...

    Don Cherry and the OoC? That's a good one...

    Yes, the Trailer Park Boys and Julie Coulliard should probably be the next recipients...

    Cheers
  62. retired Catholic Teacher from Calgary, Canada writes: ANDRé PRATTE I agree with you 100%, don cherry is a bigot and a load mouth idiot. He should be banned from the air and also if he recieves the OC we might have a land slide of returned OC awards.
  63. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: That darn CBC...they should be acting a lot more as thought and speech police...Monsieur Pratte would understand that in Quebec with the language police.
  64. J Albert from Toronto, Canada writes: OK - maybe we can get Michelle Landsberg's (yea who?) OC revoked. If anyone is intolerant, it's Landsberg. If you don't believe me, believe me, believe the Ontario Press Council upholding complaint against her. (Thankfully, Landsberg retired about the time of the OPC ruling.)

    If you're not from Toronto - you probably don't know who this women is. Yet somehow she garnered an OC! This should tell you how meaningless the whole thing has become.
  65. Lucy S from campbell river, Canada writes: I disagree with Mr. Pratte. I think Don Cherry is a Canadian icon and is well deserving of the Order of Canada. Rather than focusing his attention on some Mr. Cherry's mistakes he should talk about some of his achievements. Don Cherry has always been a supporter of anything Canadian including Junior Hockey, Canadian soldiers fighting overseas and is a spokeman for the average person on the street. Rather than promoting intolerance, (some peoples view) his message is success comes from hard work and perserverance.
  66. Templeton Jones from Windsor, Canada writes:

    “Appointments of persons as Members and honorary Members shall be made for distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity.”
    --------------------------

    Yep. There are all kinds of folks in the 'Big House' who believe they qualify for the award. And why not? Some psycho who's doing his time, peacefully, working in the kitchen, getting grub ready, who's turned to god, and has completed a university degree is a damn credit to himself. Maybe the Parole Board will recommend an incurable socio-path for what use to be the highest award in the land.
  67. Jack Rip from Canada writes: Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes:
    'And while we're at it, a woman has complete control of whom she lets in her body. It's whom she lets out is another matter.'

    Spoken like a mysogynist control freak ... thanks for validating my point.
  68. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Hey Scott Moore of CBC Sports...

    Mary Conception of Paradise, Canada is definitely onto something here...

    Have Drapes sport a dress (the more revealing, the better) for next year's season of Hockey Night In Toronto !

    It will certainly bring in the viewers who also read the Toronto Sun... and that's what it's all about for you guys, eh?

    Cheers
  69. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Can anyone provide a valid argument for Don Cherry receiving the OoC using a sentence that doesn't include the words, Henry Morgentaler...

    Judging by the recent columns in the G&M, it seems like even Rhodes Scholars are now even appealing to the lowest common denominator in Canada...

    Quelle dommage
  70. Dana Cruickshank from Canada writes: I don't know if Don Cherry should be elevated to the Order of Canada, but what I do know is that he is as proud a Canadian as anyone in the order right now. His comments have been controversial, but he does know what he is talking about. The fact of the matter is that more French players wear visors, for example. I can't justify everything he has said or will say, but I do know that there is no one who goes on TV like him and takes his time to make sure that everyone remembers our fallen soldiers, police officers and firefighters like him. What does that say about the rest of Canadians on TV and otherwise, when we have a hockey commentator supports Canadians more than anyone else. What a sad comment on our society and the fact that someone would write an article just to smear him. Maybe instead of being upset about some stupid comment about his opinion of french canadian hockey style, we should look at all the good things that he has done. I wish Quebec would support our troops half as much as he does.
  71. Ryan Ginger from Canada writes: Mr. André Pratte, your essay was clear, persuasive and even-handed. I agree with you: love him or hate him, Mr. Cherry's contribution is not deserving of an Order of Canada.

    Now let's revoke Mr. Conrad Black's Order of Canada--he is, after all, a convicted felon and a non-citizen at that. Globe and Mail, can we have this debate next?
  72. Bill H from Maritimes, Canada writes: R Miller wants to have Don's love child.
  73. Tom Alderman from Vancouver, Canada writes: Andre whoever you are just because Mr. Cherry points out the Franco Canadiens could stand to grow a spine does not mean that he should not be rewarded with the OC - Harper will be in power for a number of years still and Cherry will receive this recognition next year - sorry but what can you do about it?
  74. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bill H:

    You are so mature...

    And you think that I am embarassing Maritimers...
  75. Mary Smith from Canada writes: If men, instead of women, had to carry and give birth to babies I would imagine that there would be no debate about the right to choose. The comments about the 'reckless women who have abortions' is pure mysogyny.
  76. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Agree with several other posters here, let's have a discussion on whether we should strip convicted criminals of their OoC...

    Conrad Black, Allan Eagleson...

    Has Garth Drabinsky been convicted yet ?

    Cheers
  77. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bill H from Maritimes:

    I think that Greg E from Ottawa's comments are directed at you !

    Cheers
  78. Bill H from Maritimes, Canada writes: Don is a true Canadian patriot who deserves to be admitted to the Order of Canada. If thieves like Jean Chretien can be admitted, Don should be a shoe in.
  79. Maurice Caissy-Cyr from Canada writes: Order of Canada, like some do, --sorry I pass my turn-. And to avoid that, more and more question are ask to those who received it. The question is- when offer in public, will you refuse it, and if not a done thing, then the order is not offer.

    Let say it look more like a bronze medal these days. And for whatever I could do good, I will refuse it. Hall of fame of bouffon, Black, Chretien, Morgantaler, Cherry, Mulroney, Martin....and some of those who received it, been in jail after..
  80. Conservatives Lie from Canada writes: Chretien dedicated almost half a century of his life to serving Canada. To compare him to Cherry, who has spent his life being a shrill, ignorant dandy, is beyond absurd.
  81. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Yes, but why should Mr. Cherry receive the highest honour that Canada has to offer, Bill H?

    For his failures as a hockey coach to lead his team to the Stanley Cup Finals despite having one of the best players and teams in recent history...

    For his Rock 'em, Sock 'em goon hockey videos...

    For his continual put downs on hockey stars like Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, etc., French Canadian and European players.

    For his Clown like attire...

    For the fact that he polarized the country on the basis of French and English ...

    For his non-existent actual military service to Canada...

    Have you looked at the nomination forms, Bill H...

    The Committee needs a little more info than 'true Canadian patriot.'
  82. george simko from Canada writes: Sweet Josephine: Cherry,to be awarded The Order of Canada.
    My true opinions concerning this eunuch would not pass the
    censors.If there is one truth,is that he continues to polarize the
    country. If he must be recognized, award it to him posthumously.
  83. Misty Morning from Canada writes: Thank you Mr. Pratte. If parents wish to teach their children what not to be when they grow up let them watch Coach's Corner. Perfect example of what a grown man should look like and talk like. Shudder! Shudder!
  84. Maurice Caissy-Cyr from Canada writes: Andre Pratte is a federalist, associate with La Presse- Montreal, Le Soleil- Quebec city, and work for Power corporation, a Desmarais own. To be editorialist in Desmarais journal, you must be a truly federalist, charter of right is put aside.

    Him and Dubuc are famous in Bob Gratton movies by Falardeau, journalist walking like dogs with chain. Not very well know in Quebec, because Le journal de Montreal is so famous, and for their bias opinion when come to Quebec alternative, and their watch dog.
  85. Some Guy from Canada writes: Don has many virtues, but some very obvious flaws. If they let him in, they'll only have to kick him out again when he lets lose with one of his trademark outbursts of bigotry.
  86. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Jack Rip says:
    'Spoken like a mysogynist control freak ... thanks for validating my point.'

    Yep, another Liberal buzz word employed to obfuscate the actual argument I advanced. I don't think like you do, or adhere to your world view, so therefore I must be lacking, right Jack Rip? And suddenly my objection becomes a validation of your point, because it does not dovetail with yours? Right J.R.?

    Hey, I don't really blame you for your tactic. Liberals have always been blind followers and your political gods did, after all, ride that ad-hominem attack tactic to several majority governments - in fact, it is classic Liberalism to define and brand the Liberal world view as what is 'Canadian' and then to attack everyone who disagrees with them as unCanadian.

    The problem that you and your ilk face now is that Canadians are thinking for themselves these days. And anyone who defines - as you did in earlier posts - the decisions of the heartless as 'heart-wrenching' is bound to run into a trap of circular logic from which he or she can't escape.

    So please do spout your lefty, talking-point buzz words. It is the extent of the depth and substance of your arguments. You know damned well at a moral level abortion is murder.
  87. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Could we ask both the 'lefty' and 'righty' loons to stay on topic please...

    We are discussing Don Cherry and the OoC here -- not abortion.

    Please consider re-locating your partisan drivel to another thread.

    Thanks.
  88. V ADS from Canada writes: Don Cherry is 'Canadian' to the core. A True Patriot.
  89. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Hey R. Miller -
    Clarification: YOU are discussing Cherry; not WE.
    In fact, very many people are discussing abortion on this post, since it is a subject intimately linked with the Order of Canada just now.
    So what makes you think you can tell a group of Canadians having a free-speech debate on a NEWSPAPER board what they can and can't discuss? Who appointed you censor?
    At least I will defend your right to spout your 'drivel' whereever you choose.
    Like most of the Cherry threads have said, If you don't like it, don't watch it (or in this case, read it).
  90. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: V ADS from Canada:

    The question is neither whether Don Cherry is 'Canadian' or a 'Patriot.'

    All the posters on this thread are likely both of those things...

    The question is should we award the OoC to a bigot who polarizes the country on so many issues ... including a French and English basis.

    The G&M already had a poll on this very topic and the response was that the majority of respondents did not feel that Don Cherry merited the awarding of the Order of Canada.

    This is democracy in action. The guy shouldn't get the OoC.

    Cheers
  91. Robin Hannah from Canada writes: Mary Smith, I agree - but there will never be agreement on this. As long as women and girls get pregnant accidentally or against their will (i.e., forever), there will be abortion, forever. And there will forever be people against it. We can only hope that those against abortion come around to the idea of sex-education and birth control. I've yet to hear an intelligent argument against all three.

    Meanwhile it's funny people are taking Murphy's suggestion of Cherry seriously. I thought he was just tripping over his own cynical cleverness as usual! But Bill H, I do think you meant to say 'shoo-in'. Though come to think of it, I'd love to see Cherry's shoes.
  92. The Bubble from Canada writes: Go Don Go, people who don't like you don't get it. If Don goes and all we have left are Mclean and Kelly Rudy (boring), I'm never watching hockey again (until the playoffs). Those four guys they have after the second period (can't recall their names) make you not want to watch the end of a tied game between Toronto and Montreal. Remember Americans, all your players are Canadian. Edmonton sucks. Europeans are wussy's. Daniel Alfredsson is the most frustrating player I have ever watched.
  93. The Bubble from Canada writes: I agree with abortion on demand, Henry Morgenthaler: 'You make em, we scrape em'. Get lost you freaks.
  94. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada:

    I haven't actually been reading the majority of your posts on this thread, but since you are addressing me, I will address the last one...

    There is no actual connection between Don Cherry and Henry Morgantaler...

    The awarding of the future OoCs is independent of the last person who received...

    Your arguments trying to connect these two issues is a complete red herring.

    If you think that you have a valid reason as to why Mr. Cherry should be awarded the nation's highest honour, why not state your case clearly in this forum or download the forms on-line and send them to the Governor General.

    Or you could just continue your partisan talking points that the CPC is likely paying you to spout.

    Cheers
  95. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: John Hinkley from Canada writes: Personalities and personal feelings aside, the Order of Canada has been conferred on worse individuals than Henry Morgentaler. Conrad Black for one and there are certainly other business and political folks who do not deserve it.

    Black, pretentious, despicable individual he may be, is not a serial killer. Morgentaler/Mengele is.
  96. James C from Shenzhen, China writes: some hockey games are so boring that i used to make it a point to return to the tv at the end of the first period just so i could listen to what don cherry had to say. whether or not you agree with the man, he's always got something interesting to say....
  97. Rhoddy Manyhandles from Oshawa, Canada writes: I used to know Don Cherry during his days 'working in construction'. He might just surprise you and decline the offer if it is ever made! He is an amazing success story if you know the whole truth. He has done more with what he has had to begin with than a hundred of you nay sayers put together. That said, I am not a hockey fan since Smythe fired Imlach seconds after the Leafs lost the Cup in the seventh game. And I do not condone violent hockey, which is why I quit playing it in High School.
    Part of why he is what he is can be blamed on TV ratings and audience requirements by advertisers. (How much beer have you sold?)
    I remember walking beside Foster Hewitt and his Son Bill leaving the Queen Elizabeth Bldg for a supper break at the Canadian National Exhibition circa 1966ish. The two of them were exasperated by the demands of Impervious Ahso's ad men demanding they 'remain on display' to the public with out any breaks.' Corporate North America thinks that they own everyone, in some cases some of you demonstrate that they do!
    As for the medal, any medal, they are highly over rated and given out far too frequently. Award a Gold Medal only if and when a new record is set. In which case it could be argued Don Cherry deserves one.
  98. The Bubble from Canada writes: There will be a Don Cherry museum when he dies. It will be like Graceland and you will finally be able to buy shirts with big collars on them. They will sell bull terriers and you will be able to get drunk and say whatever you want. It will be like Graceland.
  99. Dick Garneau from Canada writes: John Van Heck, good comment!

    I am not a sports fan, so observing Don Cherry it's quite humerus and he shouldn't be taken so seriously.

    It's easy to laugh at Don Cherry but we cry at Mr. Morgentaler.

    Who speaks for the unborn?
    .
  100. The Bubble from Canada writes: Dan Akroyd will be the curator of the Don Cherry museum which will be located on Wolf Island.
    Hats off Rhoddy!!!
  101. The Bubble from Canada writes: I speak for the unborn, I hate my mother.
  102. The Bubble from Canada writes: Git now. You don't belong here.
  103. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: R. Miller -
    Yep, I disagree with you, so the CPC must obviously be paying me. Man, I wish! What a sweet job that would be. How did you get your job from the Liberals? Was there an application process?

    By the way, genius, there is an actual connection between Cherry and Morgentaler - they are both controversial figures in relation to the Order of Canada. This board is split 50-50 between Cherry and Morgentaler, and you're obtuse if you think this Globe columnist didn't float this 'Cherry for O.C.' column at this particular time in a bid to capitalize on the controversy surrounding the Morgentaler appointment right now.

    Again, the free speech you enjoy also permits me to talk on this post on whatever subject I choose, as much as that may gall you. I'll talk about the virtues of Windex over generic brand window cleaner here, if I so choose, without much concern for what you think about it.

    No one is forcing you to read it. So your exhortations for us to move the abortion debate to another thread because YOU suggest only serious posters want to talk about Cherry is laughable. The most serious posts you'll find here are about issues of life and death, not issues of hockey and millionaire TV commentators.
  104. Robin Hannah from Canada writes: Bubble - I both love and loathe Cherry, as do most Canadians. But I don't think he merits the Order of Canada, even for his spectacular suits. Do you? And I'm guessing Rex Murphy is still laughing his head off.
  105. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Yes, it is easy to laugh at Don Cherry... I used to do it all the time until he started getting a bit weird and advocating that 16 year old kids should get their arms broken or their heads taken off...

    Then it got less funny...

    Nevertheless, I would be more than happy if someone would give this clown his own comedy show so he is not associated with Hockey Night in Canada anymore...

    I might even watch HNIC again... although TSN, NBC and RDS are really miles ahead in their hockey coverage now on most viewership polls anyways...

    Plus, TSN and RDS do have that hockey theme.
  106. The Bubble from Canada writes: This guy is a real wet blanket, I tells ya. Problem you have is that we love abortion, we live for abortion, I can't think of anything in the whole world I love more than abortion, I like to stand in the window of the abortion clinic and watch abortions, there are 8 billion people on the planet and we can't sustain them all but we need to force women to take babies to term that they don't have the ability to do, we need more unwanted babies to grow up in squalor and if a woman has a career, too bad, or if her dad rapes her, too bad, we need more babies, oh please save my baby, but kill all Muslims, what a joke.
    Sorry Don
  107. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: OK, all Don Cherry fans should rally for the ouster of Grapes, so that the regal R. Miller 'might even watch HNIC again.'
    Sheesh ... the arrogance.
  108. The Bubble from Canada writes: I think Rex Murphy would make a fine Bozo the Clown with a red nose on his face. I like Rex but he's got that Garfunkle hair and yes Don is as popular as Rush and they got it. It's not like it really means anything.
  109. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada:

    The serious posters here are talking about Don Cherry...

    The clowns are talking about abortion.

    Cheers.
  110. Jack Mitchell from Canada writes: Hear hear, Mr. Pratte. Actually, why doesn't Mr. Pratte have the Order of Canada? He is one of the best Canadians alive.
  111. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes:

    'OK, all Don Cherry fans should rally for the ouster of Grapes, so that the regal R. Miller 'might even watch HNIC again.'

    I knew that you would come around to seeing things my way...

    Thanks.
  112. The Bubble from Canada writes: Dion or Dijon?: Don't have a baby!
  113. The Bubble from Canada writes: That's enough
  114. Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada writes: Hi Bubble -
    I wouldn't have a baby anywhere near some people on this post. They'd be more than likely to kill it.
    And hi R. Miller -
    Yes, people who lose arguments often justify that the victor saw it their way. But we both know the truth, don't we ...
    :-)
    To both of you, well played! I truly do mean it when I say I believe in free speech, and that includes vitroil directed against me! The minute we feel that we can't speak our minds (barring statements of outright hate, of course) then we are all diminished as Canadians. And though the Globe is a leftist mouth-piece, it deserves credit for permitting opposing, alternate views on its fantastic site.
    Cheers!
  115. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Dion or Dijon? Canada or France? from Canada:

    Free speech is fine in my books...

    Is advocating for NHLers to break a 16 year old kid's arm or take off a kid's head a 'statement of outright hate ?'

    Or is that just good old Rock 'em, Sock 'em hockey...

    Cheers
  116. Robin Hannah from Canada writes: 'By the way, genius, there is an actual connection between Cherry and Morgentaler - they are both controversial figures in relation to the Order of Canada.'

    Um - no they're not. Whatsoever. Except for what Rex Murphy has stirred up, to beat the band.

    Henry Morgentaler was just awarded the Order of Canada