A memorial to the dead of Newtown, Connecticut, at Copacabana
Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 15.
After Newtown Killings,
Sport Must Takes a Back Seat to Healing (RDS, Canada)
"It is
essential to consider, both individually and collectively, how to build a world
that rejects and condemns this violence, and just as important, its promotion,
whether direct or indirect. We must courageously absorb the sad lessons that this
horrible act holds for us. We must be able to assert, and to promise the
families of the victims, that their sacrifice is not in vain."
Visibly distraught, President Obama addresses the nation after America's latest gun massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. By asserting that something must be done to stem such attacks, the president somewhat forcefully reentered the debate about restricting firearms.
Watching the painful images from the latest killing spree
to strike American unfold before our eyes, this time in Newtown, Connecticut,
it is extremely hard to write this column. How can we give this less importance
than the "evils"
of Gary Bettman, the National Hockey League team
owners, the players, and their representative Donald Fehr? The world right now
is in shock, and it is extremely difficult to hold back the tears in the face
of such madness. The American president best said what we all feel today:
"Our hearts are broken!"
Since yesterday evening, I intended to share with you
some thoughts on the future of the NHL, and the need for it to make great
changes in its structure and management of personnel, and turn to leaders who
are more flexible, passionate about the sport of hockey, creative about
marketing, and finally, to base its business plan on the protection and
promotion of what works, and not an obsession to save what doesn't. It is time
for younger, more progressive owners, to take control.
A similar reflection is needed on the part of the
players, who have chosen a representative and counselor from the old school,
who thinks hard line confrontation is the only negotiating strategy. Is this
the right person to maximize the benefits of profit sharing and the great
partnership that both parties agreed to in 2005?
But we will return to that in greater detail in due
course. I know our job is to describe and discuss the sport and provide
statistical information, thoughts and opinion. But honestly, my friends, this really
isn't the moment.
Posted by Worldmeets.US
The great changes we should all be thinking of now hold a
much higher degree of importance. It is essential to consider, both individually
and collectively, how to build a world that rejects and condemns this violence,
and just as important, its promotion, whether direct or indirect. We must
courageously absorb the sad lessons that this horrible act holds for us. We must
be able to assert, and to promise the families of the victims, that their
sacrifice is not in vain.
With the holiday season comes a lot of festivities, and on
a human level, it is a wonderful opportunity for sharing and reconciliation.
But for many, it can also be extremely painful. My partner Marc and I have had
some extremely moving moments meeting the children at Ste-Justine on
Monday. Other of our colleagues have served meals to people who too often fall
into oblivion at the Old Brewery
Mission.
For all of these people and their families, the approach
of Christmas certainly doesn't mean the same thing, and they deserve to be in
our thoughts if we cannot bring them comfort on a daily basis. The same applies
to the parents and friends of those who fell under the bullets of a gunman at
the school in Newtown. We must also pray for those who survived the massacre that
one day they may find a certain balance, a certain serenity.
