TUESDAY COMMENTARY – RON DESERVES BETTER
(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 & Rock 98.5 FM)
I had absolutely no idea that a simple appearance by Ron MacLean on Monday’s Rod Pedersen Show would trigger so many Canadians, so many years after the fallout with Don Cherry occurred.
And frankly, I think their anger is misplaced.
I understand that my opinion is nothing more than a ripple in the ocean of public opinion, but I still can’t understand why people are so mad at Ron?
Let’s go back. It was November of 2019 when Don Cherry called out “new Canadians” for not wearing poppies, and disrespecting Canada’s war veterans.
The second I saw Cherry’s comments, I knew he was toast. And frankly, if he’d pointed the finger at any Canadian who doesn’t wear a poppy, I’d have even gone along with him.
But singling out immigrants is a no-no in today’s world. Does anyone actually need to be told that?
So Cherry had the opportunity to apologize, declined, and was fired two days later. I respect that stance, and it’s Don Cherry all the way.
Ron MacLean went on, business as usual.
Umm, what else was he supposed to do?
Never mind this media business is dog-eat-dog, kill-or-be-killed. I understand the 30-year association with Ron and Don but again, Cherry had the chance to save his own skin and declined.
His choice.
Again, MacLean was supposed to quit? And then what? I don’t understand.
Was Leo Rautins or Duane Forde supposed to quit when TSN unceremoniously dumped Rod Black?
Was Jay Onrait supposed to call it a career when TSN sacked Dan O’Toole?
Please tell me what the difference is here.
Why is Ron being villified and these guys get off scott-free? Or is this just how social justice picks and chooses?
I’m confused.
Darryl Sutter and I got in a rather infamous argument over this at a sports banquet one night as the Flames coach said Don Cherry should be able to say whatever he wants, whenever he wants, for as long as he lives.
Sorry, but I disagree. Nobody has that immunity in today’s world.
Nobody was a bigger Don Cherry fan than me. (Ask my Mom, who bought me his books, videos and ties for Christmas).
What’s weird here is normally I’m the one on this side of these types of arguments; patrolling “the right wing” as it were.
But not on this one.
Ron MacLean deserves better than how he’s being treated by Canadians.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio. Call your cable provider for details. You can also watch on YouTube Live or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)
I couldn’t agree more. Ron was put in a horrible spot by Don. He didn’t have to stand up and defend Don. The expectation should have been the opposite. That Don apologized to Ron for all the angst that he caused him.
Ron road Don’s coattails for years and then threw him under the bus to save his own neck. Brutal.
Let’s discuss coattails. Primarily Donald Cherry and his affinity for the Canadian Armed Services. The first thing I ask a guy who rails on and on about poppies and veterans. “hey, are you going to enlist?” This guy was a blowhard. He’s no different than Glen Suitor on TSN with the “Support the Troops” I got news for people. It’s a j.o.b. We do not have conscription and it’s like any other federal job. They volunteer and in doing so this country allows people the right to do whatever it is they choose to do. As for “freedom” – maybe… Read more »
This is a incredibly important commentary. Many of us make evidence based decisions and avoid cognitive dissonance. In CBC land there were two people that were allowed to run amuk for entirely way to long. The first was Gian Ghomeshi, and the second and moreso was Don Cherry. Two workplace sociopaths and there are plenty of those around. In fact CKRM employs one. When I was a child the Saturday night Coach’s Corner and playoff runs was must watch TV. Keep in mind I was a kid. So I got to listen to this guy talk about who was tough,… Read more »
I agree!!!!!
You’re leaving out one pretty big detail:
“Don Cherry made remarks which were hurtful, discriminatory, which were flat out wrong. We at Sportsnet have apologized. It certainly doesn’t stand for what Sportsnet or Rogers represents. We know diversity is the strength of the country. We see it in travels with our show (Hometown Hockey) and with Hockey Night in Canada. I owe you an apology, too. That’s the big thing I want to emphasize. I sat there, did not respond.”
Ron’s words after the incident. He threw Grapes under the bus.
No your’re wrong right off the bat. You all cut out the full thing he said to make it look negative. He said “you people, you come here or whatever it is, you enjoy our milk and honey” That literally means all people. You come here or whatever it is… Theres only 2 options. you Come here, or your born here. So you come here or whatever it is is just a really poor way of saying everyone. Maybe hes guilty of bad grammar or use of english language but any professor will tell you the words he said means… Read more »