JEERS: To certain patrons at the Tignish Legion who hurled racists slurs and threats at two Sikh men in the building playing pool last week. Trouble started when management demanded one of the Sikh men remove his religious headdress and the man refused. The Legion has a longtime rule that everyone must remove hats or caps as a sign of respect for veterans, but it doesn’t apply to religious headgear. The Legion met and plans to apologize to the individuals involved, but in this day and age, it’s time people are aware of, and sensitive to, the personal, cultural and religious rights of others.
JEERS: to the ill-advised organizers of a bizarre car rally targeting Westisle students that was scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20. The list of tasks to be completed (with points awarded) involved illegal and risky behavior such as drive 160 km an hour, do 5 shots in 10 seconds, do 10 shots in 10 seconds, fight, smash a mailbox, skinny dip, run a red light, hook up with a freshman and so on. The school principal caught wind of the rally and went public to warn parents. Once West Prince RCMP got involved, the so-called rally was quickly called off. Police issued a stern warning to not participate as many of the tasks would result in charges under the criminal code and any violation of the law would result in charges. What were organizers thinking?
CHEERS: To James Dalton, vice skip of the P.E.I. junior men’s team who was awarded a Performance Brooms Fair Play Award at the 2018 New Holland Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Shawinigan, Que. The award winners were selected by tournament officials. Dalton was third on the Alex MacFadyen rink from the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside.
CHEERS: For the recruitment of two new family physicians to Kings County, which marks the first time in nearly a decade, that the region’s physician complement has been full. Dr. Penny Thomson started last week at the Montague Health Centre and Dr. Craig Malone will begin his new role this July in Souris after completing his final residency rotation.
JEERS: To U.S. President Donald Trump who issued his list of “Fake News Awards” last week in an attempt to discredit mainstream media. Trump’s idea of fake news is any report, which makes he or his administration look bad. Various media outlets have amassed a list of 2,000 lies and deliberate fake comments the president has made in first year in office. That amounts to more than six intentional lies the president has told a day on average. He should look at his own dismal record of accuracy in reporting when handing out his awards. His attacks on the media only lead to more intolerance and bigotry at home and abroad. Shame on him.
JEERS: To the Florida Panthers, who realized over a year too late what a dumb mistake they made by releasing Gerard Gallant of Summerside as head coach. The Panthers saluted Gallant with a tribute on the big screen during the first period of Friday’s game with the Vegas Golden Knights, a 4-3 OT Panthers win. There are many on that team and in the crowd who wished he still coaching there. Going in to weekend play, Gallant has the first-year Golden Knights one point out of first overall with a 30-11-4 record while the established Panthers are 19-20-6. Good move Florida.
