Firing an embarrassment

I think it absolutely idiotic that Don Cherry was fired for his comments concerning immigrants wearing poppies.

I find it very interesting that the majority of young people think he should be fired, while the older people thought it was wrong. Youngsters are being brought up wrapped in plastic bubble wrap, protected from all things right or wrong, all words right or wrong. They have never fought in a world war and don’t have an inkling of what it’s all about. 

It is horrible that Cherry was fired for standing up for the veterans of this country. 

I would love for someone to explain to me where racism comes into what he said. He was talking about all immigrants (are we not allowed to use this word?) who came to Canada to make it their home. “You people,” meaning all immigrants, black, white, brown, ivory, beige ... whatever colour or race, should support the people, black, white, brown, ivory, beige ... who fought and gave their lives so that this country could remain a free one. 

That is what makes this country such an appealing and sought out place to live. 

They should spend a couple of bucks on a poppy to honour and show appreciation for what all veterans of this country did for us. What is wrong with Don Cherry saying that? How is it racial? 

Isn’t it ironic that a man standing up for veterans who gave us the freedom to say what we want was fired for saying what he wanted? Isn’t that a loss of the freedom all those men and women gave up their lives for? 

All those soldiers are probably turning in their graves knowing that this “new” Canadian country has given up the right to free speech. We can no longer give our opinion and now have to worry about everything we say and if it is “politically correct." Where is the freedom in that? 

The fact that he was fired on Remembrance Day for standing up for those we are supposed to be remembering, makes it even worse in my mind. 

I am sick and tired of people being “offended” so often in our world today. Freedom of speech no longer exists in Canada. We are always being told what is not “correct” to say anymore. 

Our prime minister wears “blackface”on several occasions in his adult life, is labelled a racist for it and isn’t fired from his job. An 85-year-old hockey icon says immigrants should wear poppies to remember our veterans, and he is fired from his job. 

Canadians should be embarrassed. It may be the true north, but it certainly is no longer strong or free.

Patti Ricciuti