Article content continued

On this Remembrance Day the irony is not lost that freedom of speech, and to peacefully disagree, are rights Canadians enjoy because of the sacrifice.

Certainly if the network and league don’t like the remarks it is their show and prerogative to criticize.

He works for them.

But this is an overreaction, perhaps by some waiting in the weeds to pounce.

Certainly many of the commenters on this have been over the top with their piling on and frenzy when this was merely Don expressing his opinion, as he has done in a non-politically-correct fashion for 40 years.

Cherry’s fans know sometimes his ‘Grapes speak’ style crunches so many thoughts together, the context can be lost.

He doesn’t care if you are new to the country or born here, he just doesn’t want people to forget the safe and prosperous lifestyle enjoy here thanks to those who fought or died in war.

“It seems to have upset people,” Cherry said.

“Like I said, Joe, you can put in that I said my piece and I will leave it there.”

He just wants the focus put back on Remembrance Day.

RON MacLEAN WEIGHS IN

Et tu, MacLean?

Your partner of three decades is on the canvas and you join the pack to stick the knife in?

Coach’s Corner sidekick Ron MacLean metaphorically did just that to his legendary Saturday night desk mate Don Cherry, amidst the controversy over Grapes’ poppy comments.