"Heritage" game indeed...

[ACCCT2]

"Heritage" game indeed...

Was anyone else as offended as I regarding the NHL's latest "Canuck-centric" debacle?

A bit of TRUE American "Heritage" feedback for the NHL and NBC --

This game was a travesty of diplomatic insult, boring "same-old, same-old" camera-work, followed by even worse period-break banter that generally celebrated was is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL and REPULSIVE about the game's so-called "heritage" ("Slapshot" & "Ogie Oglelthorpe" & Mike Milbury beating a fan with his shoe!?). The NHL, NBC and its broadcasting brain trust (?) should be ASHAMED of this production. If THIS piece of "Canuck-centric" production/freak-show was their ALL-or-NOTHING "roll of the dice" to gain "new" American fan, sponsor and media interest, then it was an absolutely delusional "craps" of a roll.

Personally, as an American, I was extremely offended that international diplomatic protocols and due respect were insultingly disregarded by the (obviously "TOO-Canadian") NHL.

FYI --

This game was played on American sovereign ground, Buffalo, New York, between 2 American teams -- why ONLY the Canadian national anthem?

If we're talking that the Canadian anthem was sung to somehow reflect the game's Canadian "heritage", well then, why not ALSO play the Russian, or Czech, or Swedish, or Finnish, or German, or Slovakian, or Austrian, or ESPECIALLY, considering the absolute appropriateness and DUE respect of doing so, the American anthem?

Why the Canadian flag? Why not a Russian, Czech, Swedish, Finnish, German, Slovakian or Austrian as well?

Why could the NHL 'thank' "our troops" ONLY in Afghanistan (where, gee, Canadians ARE serving), but NOT in Iraq or anywhere else (where Canadians AREN'T)? Could it be that the well-known truth about the NHL having "far too many Canadians" has finally shown its ugly TRUE colors and resulted in a diplomatic (and "politicized"?) protocol insult to not only American citizens and US Military Honor Guard there at Ralph Wilson Stadium and Americans watching at home, but also DIRECTLY against those brave and selfless Americans who so gallantly serve and give their all in places like Iraq, hmmm, where Canadians don't?

Let's face it: the "Canuckle-heads" who run the NHL were more concerned with ONLY their Canadian "heritage" and fan-base than they were about truly "woo-ing" any of us know-nothing Americans (or anyone else for that matter) as potential "new fans" to the sport. Quite frankly, the only thing the "US-owned, but Canadian-run" NHL cares about is their seemingly self-annointed birthright to come down from the "Great White North" and bag as much hard-earned American cash and swag as possible, all the while self-righteously proclaiming their superiority about everything from world politics to "our sport" (while benefitting from the service and sacrifice our US Armed Forces that they so callously insult and disrespect).

I myself will NEVER, EVER purchase another NHL licensed item, broadcast package or game ticket EVER again. I will have ALL of my NHL subscriptions cancelled by the end of the day. I will also work tirelessly to insist the NHL and NBC do right by its American fans, viewers, sponsors and media partners, as the NHL and NBC owes FIRSTLY, "our (AMERICAN) troops" in Iraq and around the globe an outright apology for their almost unbelievable diplomatic insult of our country and Armed Forces. They absolutely owe the US Military Honor Guard on the field of the stadium an apology for the almost inconcievable insult of having them (a US Military Honor Guard) stand 'at attention' for the Canadian anthem, but then insultingly denying them the "honor" (what they're supposedly there for) of standing 'at attention' for their OWN national anthem on their OWN soil.

I LOVE this game and have traveled all around the world, on many different continents, joyfully playing and singing its praises, but to ME (a 40-something, 25-year ad/media guy) it's VERY apparent that the "Canada-centric" NHL ONLY wants American's hard-earned cash and sponsor swag, as opposed to actual fan attention, respect or participation, especially as to how it translates to that hard-earned American cash and sponsor swag going into the pockets of (frankly) WAY TOO MANY Canadians that permeate WAY TOO MANY levels of "our" sport (and it IS "our sport" in places like Russia, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Slovakia, Austria, and yes, even America!).

I say LET the know-it-all Canadians (BY THEMSELVES) try and run the NHL on their own soil, in their own cities (and cow towns) with THEIR OWN money. In fact, by themselves the USA, Russia and Europe would have a GREAT "NHL-quality" league of their own with JUST American, Russian and European players (really, the bulk of "talent" players in the NHL anyhow). How many Canadian NHL-quality cities (or "cow towns"?) do you think could provide over-paid employment for the HUNDREDS of mostly otherwise-marginal-&-out-of-work Canadian players then, EH...!?! Hamilton? Winnipeg? Quebec City? -- That's pretty much "it", wouldn't you say?

I say, give-em back their ugly, dump-&-chase, fight-infested "Ogie Oglethorpe" pond hockey (that doesn't sell here anyway) -- we in America will keep our Herb Brooks-styled-&-inspired, skating, play-making, USA/Euro "fusion" game and LOVE it without the backwards-thinking "Canuck-centric" brain trust at the NHL offices cramming "Canuck-head" hockey and their so-called "heritage" down our collective cable and digital access.

And just think: they'd (hopefully) NEVER screw-up the national anthems, diplomatic protocols and DUE respect EVER again...!!!
SHAME ON YOU, NHL. SHAME ON YOU, NBC.

Just an honest American "Heritage" point of view...

P.S.: I think we should start as many internet petitions as possible (especially through the college & "IT" networks) to boycott the NHL and NBC until they issue a formal apology to all concerned, especially to the US Military and its Honor Guard...

[hockey4ba]

What are you even talking about? I got about 2 paragraphs in and I felt like I was reading a chinese algebra book. That game and everything about it was awesome. That was the most pubilcly viewed game on television for the NHL since 1996. NBC and the NHL are planning to do more outdoor games like that in the future and I think its great for the game. I did read your p.s. part at the bottom and the only petition I'll sign is one saying ACCT2 isn't allowed to post anything over 1 paragraph and it has to be all lower case letters and no quotation marks.

[Stampede#11]

Sign me up to that please ..... I assure you, his posts are getting slightly easier to read.

The game was awesome for hockey, end of story. You can pick bits off it all you like and say it is Canadian centric, but bottom line, they put an an awesome event. Which included building a NHL spec rink in 7 days. Picking up on "THIS POINT" and "THAT POINT" really just insults those people who put the days/months of hard work in, to show hockey for the awesome team game that it is.

Everyone knows what a fantastic job the Military guys are doing, as we all see it every day on the news and will all know people serving. Don't make every little thing as an insult to them ... as I am sure they don't see it that way. In the UK, we don't expect every high profile Football game to honour and promote the jobs our boys & girls are doing in Iraq and Afganistan?!? That's about as far as I am going to go, as I don't see the need to make every topic political.

Getting so angry & wound up about everything ... I don't know how you get through a day.

[ACCCT2]

SOME people just don't get it: It was an absolute diplomatic insult to the United States and especially to the US Military Honor Guard that was at the game -- anyone knowing even a little of proper and respectful and DUE protocols would "get it" why so many Americans were offended by this obviously Canadian planned insult.

This is NOT about Tynan's "signature" song, it's about the DUE respect and basic diplomatic protocols that were so stupidly and inexplicably violated by the idiots who run the NHL. Someone's "signature" song absolutely DOES NOT over-ride the protocols that SHOULD have been observed, especially when more than one national anthem was to be presented, and doubly so with a US Military Honor Guard 'at attention' on American soil.

There was absolutely NO reason whatsoever for playing the Canadian national anthem when both teams were from the US, especially if there were no plans to present the US national anthem. But, once there was a US Military Honor Guard, in full "dress" and expected to be 'at attention' for whatever courtesies might be (unusually and inappropriately) extended to Canada in this event, it was and should've been an absolute imperative that they be allowed the "honor" to stand 'at attention' for their own national anthem on their own soil.

I can only imagine the arrogant, pompous and self-righteous Canadian national indignation and jingoistic outrage that would've been directed at the USA and our supposedly "base" sense of respect, diplomacy and etiquette had the insult been the other way around...

[William Bourque]

So your saying that the American national anthem was never sung during this game? Is this the diplomatic insult that you are talking about? I missed the pre-game and first periods of the game so i would not know, but i do recall seeing both Canadian and American flags covering the entire distance between the rinks and stands.

[ACCCT2]

The American national anthem was NOT presented or sung -- and with a US Military Honor Guard standing 'at attention' for the totally inappropriate singing of the Canadian national anthem (after all, the game was between 2 American teams on American soil), the "Canuckle-heads" of the NHL then denied this Honor Guard the expected and appropriate "honor" of standing 'at attention' for OUR OWN national anthem -- an egregious and insulting breach of proper and DUE international, military and diplomatic protocols.

The other "insult" was Ronan Tynan's 'thanking' ONLY "our troops" ONLY in Afghanistan (where, gee, Canadians ARE serving), but NOT in Iraq or anywhere else (where Canadians AREN'T) -- clearly another "Canuckle-headed" slight of our Armed Forces, as whoever scripted this ONLY intended to "thank" Canadian troops and if something else (CLEARLY NOT 'said') might be 'implied' towards "our" American servicemen and women, well then, they'd let it slide.

Personally, I think that the NHL and NBC should also be denied the use of any US Armed Forces Honor Guards until an appropriate public apology is made by both the NHL and NBC to our brave men and women in uniform who were so egregiously disrespected and insulted by the obvious "Canuckle-heads" who staged this insult to our intelligence of an event. And I would also offer a simple suggestion to the NHL and NBC: buy a diplomatic protocols book for the future. Or at least put in a call to the US Military Academy at West Point.

Check out some of the military forums and blogs on this one and see what THEY are saying regarding this clearly "Canuckle-headed" insult to the USA and its Armed Forces...

[EagleBC]

I didn't see the opening or much of the first two periods, but radio shows up here were talking about how impressive the singing of 'God Bless America' was before the game.

Also they commented on how the NBC coverage was severely lacking in that there was no pre-game show, it just flipped on to an outdoor hockey game all of a sudden.

Again, I didn't see this part of the game, but this is what I've heard.

[ACCCT2]

So what wouldn't have been just as "impressive" had Ronan Tynan done the appropriate and diplomatically proper thing and "impressively" sung and 'presented' ('cuz that's what it is to a US Military Honor Guard) the "Star Spangled Banner"? The "Canuckle-heads" at the NHL didn't think of it because they DON'T REALLY CARE about American sensibilities or sensitivities about anything (except relieving as many of us of as much of "our" hard-earned American cash as possible, of course)...

[RoadDoggFL]

Everyone knows what a fantastic job the Military guys are doing, as we all see it every day on the news and will all know people serving. Don't make every little thing as an insult to them ... as I am sure they don't see it that way.

I see it that way. It's a big deal. Ignoring that the Canadian anthem really had no business being played, it's understandable as a courtesy, but there's really no justification for not playing the US anthem.

As for thanking "our" troops in Afghanistan only, that's not that big a deal. The Iraq war isn't a popular one and not thanking those participating in it is hardly an insult. Sucks for any hockey fans out there, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been the worst thing they've ever heard about being there.

Also, "honor guard" gives the impression that a full color guard was present, with organizational flags from all services being dipped for the Canadian anthem. ACCCT2, you should've specified what you meant by it (assuming that the honor guard was the service members holding the edges of the US flag).

[ACCCT2]

A US Military ("Color Guard") Honor Guard was indeed present and 'presented' in "full dress" -- clearly, with the US "Color Guard" present, under proper diplomatic and military protocols, once the Canadian national anthem was (inexplicably) 'presented', the "Star Spangled Banner" should've been 'presented' afterwards as well, especially since this was on American soil.

About "RoadDoggFL's" comment -- "...As for thanking "our troops" in Afghanistan only, that's not that big a deal. The Iraq war isn't a popular one and not thanking those participating in it is hardly an insult..." -- I beg to differ: you "thank" everyone who serves their country by bearing arms, whether the defined duty and assigned deployment is "popular" or not. What the NHL, NBC and Ronan Tynan did was clearly an egregious "Canuckle-headed" insult to ALL of "our troops" who serve and protect us so well, wherever they serve or are deployed.

[Buffwings77]

Just to clarify a few points ACCCT2 made in the original posting:
*At all Buffalo home games the Canadian and American anthems are sung. Many of the Sabres season ticket holders are from Canada.
*The American anthem was not sung by Ronan Tynan because he feels it is disrespectful to sing the anthem not being an American. The Flyers had Kate Smith sing God Bless America during a few of their playoff runs in the 70's both in person and on tape. Nobody had a real problem with her singing the song. I was at the game on Tuesday and basically the whole stadium (including Canadians) was singing G.B.A. when the main verse of the song kicked in. It was different but unique feeling and sent chills down a lot of spines in the crowd. The loudest ovation at the stadium on the day came before the actual game when 4 choppers flew overhead with the lead copter flying the American Flag. Almost more American than Apple Pie itself.
*As far as the broadcasts go I have not seen the NBC or CBC broadcasts as of yet but hope to do so very soon. I will reserve further judgement on the quality of these broadcasts but if anything the usual NBC hockey broadcasts are a dumbed down version of Hockey 101 for fans who don't catch many games. You make some valid points on how political and proud Canadian hockey is of "its" game but as an American who tries to see the angles from both sides of the river or lake, NBC puts on it's own sideshow instead of providing the game and game analysis that CBC does. Just one mans opinion.
* If anybody else what at the game I think they would say that #1 it was about the event spectacle , #2 about the NHL making their cash and #3 about the game. The game was great and I applaud the NHL, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and crews for putting on this event!

[hockey4ba]

I am starting to think that ACCT2 is the only person in North America that felt the games "lack of DIPLOMATIC PROTOCOL" and "pompous and self-righteous Canadian national indignation and jingoistic outrage" were even present. WHAT?? haha...I mean who seriously types that type of stuff about a hockey game on an inline hockey forum. Please put away your thesaurus and SAT vocab book and talk about hockey. I dont even think you agree with what you are typing, but instead just create these riduculous ranting posts to spark an argument so that you can confuse people more. Nobody cares how wordy you can get and how many times you have studied the thesaurus. Maybe if you are so interested in sounding intelligent you should read a book on sentence structure and the proper use of punctuation so people can actually follow your ridiculous points. Forget about this whole topic and whether or not a hockey game on NBC was favoring America or Canada. More Americans tuned into that game than anything else on televison that day, yet you are the only person making these outrageous claims and wasting all of our times. For your next post, why don't you tell us your involvement with inline hockey or something worthwhile that explains why you are even an inline hockey central member.

[ACCCT2]

From what I know of it, the Flyers "Kate Smith/God Bless America" tradition never stumped, nor trumped proper diplomatic protocols, as in national anthems being properly 'presented', especially with a US Military Honor Guard 'present'.

The tradition of the US and Canadian anthems being 'presented' at NHL games is based upon proper diplomatic protocols concerning events hosted, shared or experienced between 2 different countries (in this case, NHL teams from different US and Canadian cities) -- they don't (or shouldn't, anyway) 'present' one national anthem and not the other, especially with a military Honor Guard 'present', and if there is a national anthem not 'presented' it definitely should NOT ever be the "home" team's national anthem.

As for Ronan Tynan's not singing the "Star Spangled Banner" supposedly "because he feels it is disrespectful to sing the anthem not being an American" -- BULL -- he feels just fine making his money here and "not being an American" has never stopped anyone else from 'presenting' the anthem.

As for "hockey4ba's" ridiculous comment that "...More Americans tuned into that game than anything else on televison that day, yet you are the only person making these outrageous claims..." -- WHERE ON EARTH are YOU getting YOUR "tuned into" numbers from -- the game wasn't even in the top 30 of anything anywhere in the USA and beat out absolutely nothing sportsbroadcast-wise (outside of Buffalo and Pittsburgh). As for my stand regarding the NHL's insult of proper protocols and respect, it MAY be "wasting" YOUR time, but if you check out the feedback from other places (US military forums and blogs), I think you'll find much more disgust, as they DO (unlike you) know proper DUE respect and protocols...

This is just one of the truly sad things unfortunately wrong with our country -- the "next" generation seemingly knows or cares very little of the service and sacrifice, as well as obviously even less of the respective and representative traditions, of those who make it possible for them to remain "comfortablely dumb" and oblivious of what their "freedom" (to be insulting, ignorant or stupid) costs others...

[hockey4ba]

Sorry I made a mistake, but read http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22476623/ . It was the most watched NHL game in the past 11 years, even bigger than Gretzky's final game, but thats all irrelevant to the point that nobody wants to hear your military rants.

but if you check out the feedback from other places (US military forums and blogs), I think you'll find much more disgust, as they DO (unlike you) know proper DUE respect and protocols...

Thanks for proving my point. This is a hockey forum, so take these long winded and impossible to follow posts and put them on some military forum where you can argue about military protocol until your fingers fall off. Now get off the floor, your shift is way over. Peace.

[ACCCT2]

Isn't it nice to have someone else ensuring you of the cozy "freedom" you have to play or be, well, whatever...!?!

FYI: this is an open IHC forum about that (as explicitly stated) can be about, well, whatever...