Last night while watching the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs third game of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I was shocked and hurt deeply by the conduct of the New York Islander fans when they BOOED our Canadian National Anthem!!!

We forgave when in the '92 World Series when our flag was mistakenly flown upside down, but this is too much! We are your brothers, we are your allies, we have earned more respect! Especially in light of our most recent tragedy involving Canadians in Afganastan. Come on America, we deserve a great deal more respect and honour than this treatment brings.

Please, this really does hurt. Especially at this tender juncture. We love New York, and have felt deeply for her losses. Enough that we are fighting side by side to assure her vindication.

WhiteDove, That is not acceptable at any time never mind a sporting event! Hmm I wonder why no one has posted to defend those Fans? Was it the whole place that booed or just a few uncouth people? Who ever it was I am sure the New York Islander's Team was embarrassed by that lack of unsportsman like conduct on the part of their fans!
I also agree with the rest of your post 100%!
PF

Yeah ... as an American, I apologize on behalf of the New York fans. People just tend not to think when they're cheering their sports team ... I doubt that any of the booing fans gave a second's thought to the fact that the anthem represents an entire nation, and not just the opposing team. The fans are dumbasses, yes (they probably root for the Yankees too, how could they not be?), but I don't think they're malicious dumbasses.

I also hereby issue a belated apology for the '92 World Series fiasco. I mean, the Canadian flag is a great design - easy to recognize, easy to tell which end's up - and the fellow still screwed up. I remember being embarrassed when I saw it (what was it, Game 2?) and I was ten years old at the time.

[ 04-25-2002, 01:19 AM: Message edited by: CellarDoor ]

Cellardoor, Thank you for the apology! I admit that during sporting events feelings and booze tend to get the better of people but that is not an excuse for disrespecting a Country which is your nearest neighbour and your closest allies!
I am still puzzled by the lack of American response to the Post about the Canadian Soldiers!
I saw posts from France and Australia but not a single one from an American!
Why is that?
Again I appreciate your sincere apology.

Your Friend and Neighbour Purple Fan

[ 04-25-2002, 04:57 AM: Message edited by: PURPLE FAN ]

Thank you, Cellardoor. Your apologies mean everything. Along with Purple Fan, I count myself both friend and neighbour to my American counterparts. And you are very right about the flag fiasco. It was rather hard to believe that one couldn't decern up from down, however, we took it tongue in cheek...We Canadians are known for our excellent senses of humour , it is only disrespect that we can't tolerate ! Thanks again for caring.

I am appalled that the fans of any sport would show disrespect for an opposing team's flag or national anthem. Such behavior is beyond rude, and it's really inexcusable.

The Islanders' fans who booed the Canadian anthem should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves--their behavior really disgraces our country.

(But CellarDoor now owes me an apology for her crack about the Yankees. ).

The American friendly fire incident which killed the Canadians was a tragedy. There isn't really much that one can say about it--other than to express great sadness and regret that it happened. During the current military operation we have also killed our own troops by friendly fire. Such incidents are among the most painful tragedies in military operations.

[ 04-25-2002, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: chelseabelle ]

The deaths of the Canadian soldiers were a terrible tragedy. As Chelseabelle says, though, this isn't the first time this has happened - even in this conflict - but that only makes the situation worse. One would think that bombers would be a bit more careful after nearly killing Karzai last fall and nailing an embassy three years ago, but no. It was a training exercise; it was not combat; I am terribly anxious to learn what on earth could have persuaded the pilot that he was being attacked with "small arms fire" when there was none to be found.

I read in the Washington Post that these were the first Canadians killed in combat since the Korean War; this must make the tragedy all the more of a shock.

Guess I'll weigh in now....a dollar short and an hour late! Didn't follow this thread! Didn't see the "game", either.

I did, however, feel Whitedove's indignance and sorrow ... and understood, that at this "time" it is not so easy to "turn the other cheek"...or just "suck it up"...it DID hurt!

It hurt me, also, to see just how quickly the Canadian deaths no longer were a topic of "news" in the United States! Seemed to last for a sad little day...maybe a mention the second day....then nothing. CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and CTV offer MUCH more thorough coverage of what is happening day to day. We DO want answers, even understanding that "friendly fire" incidents are not uncommon! GAWD...we've shot our own, too.

I've seen many shoddy ocurrences over the years at sports events...I think perhaps the Canadian "skin" was just a little more tender on this day.

Thank you for your understanding CellarDoor and Chelseabelle!