Letters: No matter how it’s vilified, nothing beats Canadian hockey

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Every winter, the acceptable narrative focuses its attack on the “toxic culture of hockey in Canada.”

The dark side of human nature permeates every culture — sports, religion, the arts and entertainment, politics, education — wherever people interact.

But nowhere does the Canadian media delight more in talking about wrong-doing than when it occurs in hockey. Targeting a key component of traditional Canadian culture fits the media’s agenda to a tee.

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Let us not forget the positive things that “The Game” has contributed to the Canadian identity:

Weekends at the rink with the kids. The smell of fresh ice, the clatter of sticks on pucks. The coach standing at centre ice with his arm around your eight-year-old’s shoulder. The competition. The camaraderie. The thrill of victories. The collective agony of defeats we cannot forget.

The disrepute individuals bring upon themselves with despicable actions should not be weaponized against a beloved aspect of Canadiana.

Vilifying “toxic” hockey culture stains honourable people with a broad brush. Our nation is bewildered and anxious to find itself in the crosshairs of our greatest ally.

Perhaps now, more than ever, we need to celebrate our collective identity. Are there better representatives of what Canadians value than Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, and Makar?

Let’s embrace our history, our culture, our identity. I am Canadian, and I love hockey.

Dennis Dodds, Regina

Thoughts on villains and superheroes

As the Batman movie plays out down South and around the world, it’s become clear to me more than one superhero is required.

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Any sane person has already heard and seen enough of the over-the-top, larger-than-life actions taken and words spoken by the truly menacing characters.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he was saved to help make America great again, standing before a crowd of fans who essentially celebrated with his words how good it would be if some people were to point their rifles at Lynne Chaney’s head and fire.

If it was possible to interview him about that invitation to murder, he might have denied having said it.

I hate to write this, but what’s happening is reminiscent of how, gradually, fascism overcame the collective goodness in the Germany and Austria of the late 1930’s.

Ironically, the United States was a significant part of Second World War along with its allies, including us Canadians.

At our core, we can hope and trust in the best intentions. We strive with our fellow family and community members to dare to look beyond what seems so threatening.

Praying for all those impacted by this larger-than-life Batman movie makes sense. Praying for our adversaries certainly wouldn’t hurt.

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Karenanne Joy Krofchek, Regina

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