Political Garbage...Take 2

I figured I'd add another blog in response to the comment
Left on my previous one regarding this subject, simply
Because I know me, it's going to be a bit of a long winded
Reply lol, so instead of responding with my own comment..
Here's take 2.

First off, going back to the game in question..
Shane Doan plays for the Phoenix Coyotes, and at the time
They were playing against the Montreal Canadians.
Curtis Joseph, the goaltender was upset that a penalty
Hadn't been called against the Canadians for an infraction.
In an attempt to Calm Joseph down, Shane said too Joseph..
"Four French Referees in Montreal, Cuje, figure it out"
Now I wasn't at the game..but with the described scenario..
I do NOT see that as a *Cultural slur*.
What I do see that as...is Doan likely..*Calling it as he
Saw it, in the heat of the moment* in regards to the possibility
The Refs were Biased,
Being there were 4 French-Canadian refs, in one game being
Held in Montreal, a French-Canadian city.

I'm not sure how anyone can see that as a Cultural Slur,
When in context of the game..and refs, it was more of
An accusation of how the infractions were being called,
*seemingly* in favor of the French-Canadian team.
Doan admits to making the above comment, but offers no
Apology for it.
NOW...reviewing the score sheet for that game as I write
This, as far as how the penalties were called, there
Were 9 per team called throughout the game.
Period 1
Phoenix 4
Montreal 3

Period 2
Phoenix 1
Montreal 4

Period 3
Phoenix 4
Montreal 2
(Both teams receiving one partial to full 5 on 3 PP during
The game)
So..in all, the penalties were called fairly evenly, though
Because of getting 4 in a row a couple times, it may have
Seemed otherwise to the Phoenix players, especially when
Magnified by the frustration of losing 5-2.

Should Doan apologize for the remark? Yes, in regards to
The accusation the Refs were calling the game in a biased
Manner.

The trouble is...The referee in question took the comment
Out of context, and accused Doan of voicing cultural slurs
Against the French referees, also accusing Doan of calling him a *Fucking
Frenchman*.
A comment Doan Denies he ever made.
This is where the situation gets a little hairy, so to
Speak.
Doan makes a comment, albeit..not the smartest one in the
World, and his character goes on trial for cultural slurs,
To the point the Government of Quebec sides with the Ref,
Apparently unable to see what the comment meant in context
To the game, and for TWO years..the Government, and Ref in
Question have kept the accusation of cultural slurs alive,
To the point of attempting to get him thrown off Team
Canada in '06, and now..wanting his title as Captain of
Team Canada stripped.
I can understand how he's not overeager to apologize for the
Comment he DID make, and it's intent. It's his Character..
Against the Government of Quebec and Canada.
Not a scenario his Character is likely to win.

Had the comment been taken in context..chances are..it'd have
Been long forgotten by now, but as soon as it was called a
*Cultural slur*, it has now tainted Doans image no matter what.
This will follow him for the rest of his career.
The Government, nor Ref..seem to eager to make amends for
Their accusations, and neither does Doan.
It wouldn't matter much now if either side did really..
The damage has already been done, a ghost to haunt what's left
Of his career.

At this point.. the *Canadian spirit* is lacking on both
Sides.
If anything...in my opinion...I'm surprised that despite
The actions of the Canadian government, he's agreed twice
Now..to represent Canada on...Team Canada.
I'm not sure I'd be so gung-ho about it given the
Circumstances.

Good refs don't exist
Politicians are a dime a dozen
But good hockey players aren't as easy to come by.