Crisis in Canada.

[u crank]

Okay, never mind the Middle East or that pointless U.S. election. Forget global warming or Willy and Kate. Boys, we gotta real situation up here.

National Hockey League locks out players.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/15...eadline-passes

Most people in the rest of the world have no idea of the potential for civil and social unrest now. People will wander the streets aimlessly on Saturday nights mumbling "where's Don and Ron?" Menfolk will be forced, yes I tell ya, forced to talk to wives and girlfriends. They will have to help their kids with homework and do chores. They'll have to take up weird hobbys and go on the internet. Worse, they will be forced to watch other sports and give their misguided opinions. Lookout Soopaman2! Sales of beer and chicken wings will drop causing a financial crisis and there will be line-ups at the local mental health clinics. What people will talk about on Monday mornings is anybody's guess.

I sure hope the U.N. doesn't have to get involved.

I gotta go lay down now....

[Betonov]

What do you mean by ''other sports'' ?????

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Betonov

What do you mean by ''other sports'' ?????

Well I'd have to look them up first.

[soopaman2]

Being a New Jersey Devils fan, and smelling a cup this year, it is a crisis here too.

The last strike nearly killed hockey in America, it became so much less popular and never recovered like baseball did after their strike in the early 90s. (and that took 2 roided up people to hit a bunch of homeruns, Right Sammy and Mark?)

Both the players and the owners forget one thing.

It is the fans who make the sports world go around, we buy your jerseys, pay 8$ per beer, pay 50$ to sit in the nosebleed sections. Plus 16$ for parking, tolls to get to and from the game, deal with massive traffic to and from. etc...I really can go on.

So grow up you bunch of pantywearing greedy bastards, you could man a jackhammer, or lift boxes on some dock for 10$ an hour if playing a game for millions is too hard on you guys. Real people do what you guys do for fun. Come back to reality.

[Betonov]

What does it actually mean, locked out players

[soopaman2]

Originally Posted by Betonov

What does it actually mean, locked out players

It is the step before a strike/work stoppage in this case.

The origins of the term, Locked out refers to early union busting days when they would hire scabs (replacement workers) and lock out the picketing workers from the factories. The term stuck, though scabs in Hockey would be unwatchable. So instead they hold the fan hostage in an attempt to sway public opinion one way or the other.

The lock out is the owners way of telling the players to fornicate with themselves.

[u crank]

Originally Posted by soopaman2

Both the players and the owners forget one thing...

Ya, there's no doubt that both sides are equally guilty of greed and have little regard for the fans who pay to watch. This is Bettman's third work stoppage in his presidency. That's not a bad record. And the NHLPA is probably pro sports most incompetent union. Bad combination.

Devils came close last year.

I'm a Leaf fan. Long time. I may not have to listen to that laughter this year.

[soopaman2]

Originally Posted by u crank

I'm a Leaf fan. Long time. I may not have to listen to that laughter this year.

At risk of being chastized for going off topic, I will say I respect a die hard, a heck of alot more than a fair weather fan. Enjoy the laughs, it only makes the eventual victory so much better.

Back on topic, I do not want to take a side here, I know too little of the real details of the labor dispute. But it all comes down to a bunch of people who make too much money to play a sport, and a bunch of owners who make too much money from fees for people to enjoy the sport.

Both sides should die in a fire. Just pure disregard to the fan, and not even an apology to us from either side.

I am surprised they aren't asking for a government bailout, they remind me of the banks in this utter greed and screw you attitude to the folks who provide their revenue.

Edit: Maybe we should take away the anti-monopoly exemption on them. Seeing as how pro sports in America is exempt from monopolization laws that other money making enterprises have to answer too, and the players union is not a real union, those guys do not work, they play a game.

Can I get paid for playing Call Of Duty?