Paul Steckley

Leafs Fan. Steelers Fan. What else is there to know?

[Chris McCluskey @mcclusk]

Canadians are divided by the National Anthem being sung in Punjabi.

Here are my thoughts:

I consider Canadian culture to be a combination of our values, traditions, stereotypes, isms, and reputation.

Hockey, forests, nuclear families, manners, poutine, beavers, apologies, maple syrup, sharing a beer after a fist fight, peacekeeping, First Nations, safe, cold, metric, lakes, cottages, healthcare, coloured money, tight-knit communities, welcoming, old-fashioned, outdoorsy, brave, hard working, respect for elders, tough, compassionate, weird English, weirder French, French toast, French fries (with cheese curds and gravy), proud, humble, honourable, free - and forever in debt to those who fought to secure our freedom.

Our cuisine is uniquely curated; our beer, the animals we farm, our preferred dishes and traditional holiday meals. We have a unique way of raising our families and instilling values into our children. We have unique role models. We have a unique approach to life that you cannot encapsulate with words. Has to be lived.

We are proud; of our country, our flag, our life at home.

Our countrymen are reputable. We do not have nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. We aren’t known to produce extremists or commit acts of terror, or for drug distribution or cartel interference.

We respect women. We do not restrict them from showing their face, or driving, or voting. We do not tolerate the abuse of women or children. All Canadians are free to pursue their dreams.

We are humane. We are a democracy. We uphold our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Hopefully all Canadians can agree so far. So where’s the disconnect?

I’ll generalize and split Canada into 2 groups:

1.Canadians who believe that diversity and acceptance of other cultures is a FUNDAMENTAL part of Canadian culture; what makes us unique and special as Canadians is that we are accepting and willing to do offer our embrace where most other countries will not. They are proud that we not only offer refuge, but hospitality - not only can you crash at our place, we’ll make you breakfast - that’s the Canadian way. They argue that Canada’s always been a melting pot and scoff at the hypocrisy of those who protest against any form of celebrating diversity. After all, as of last year, only 56% of Canadians have two parents who were actually born in Canada. Why are people flipping out over the pre-game anthem?

2.Canadians uncomfortable with the degree to which we incorporate other cultures into our own. They feel our culture is being diluted at an accelerating rate and worry that what it means to be Canadian will soon be overwritten - that Canada is becoming a melting pot and losing its identity. They want to pass the Canada they’ve known and loved on to future generations and believe that if it’s not fiercely protected, it could become unrecognizable within a mere lifetime. They are deeply bothered, and fear that to concede an inch is to concede a mile.

If you can’t understand and respect both sides and would sooner resort to name-calling and emojis, you’re the problem.

Both perspectives are valid, but both sides also have advocates who are complete pieces of shit, proving it difficult to make progress with sensitive issues like this. Peaceful debates among reasonable people are far less common than the archetypal battle between The Virtue Signaller and The Racist, and as a consequence, anyone weighing in is quickly categorized as one or the other.

Here’s what I know to be true: We Canadians have values, traditions, and an identity worth preserving. We also have a dynamic population that’s worth embracing. The least Canadian thing we could do is fail to find a compromise that makes all Canadians proud, 1st-generation to 5th.

Punjabis have fallen in love with Canada and hockey. They’ve had their own HNIC broadcast for years now. Don’t be so afraid to grant the honour of singing O’Canada in Punjabi that you miss the beauty in the honour they’re giving to us.

[Aris Roussinos @arisroussinos]

The World At War would be impossible to make now, just when we need its sober clarity most. Me on the 50th anniversary of the greatest documentary series ever made: https://t.co/WObYJF1Ilb

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

It was 4-1!!!!!!

[Toronto Maple Leafs @MapleLeafs]

GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!1

[Toronto Maple Leafs @MapleLeafs]

GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!1

[Justin Bourne @jtbourne]

Niedermayer, Hrudey, Gomez, under way now 👍

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @AOC]

Shamefully, AIPAC is working for Republican control of Congress and further destabilization of US democracy.

Let’s rally for @SummerForPA. Help her out with a volunteer shift or donation today: https://t.co/1nmtjs8lo6

[Joe Smith @JoeSmithNHL]

For what it’s worth, Brian Engblom - who was between benches - said on broadcast that Pat Maroon told Wayne Simmonds, “Hey, you’re going to be out of the league next year, anyway.” Not sure on Simmonds response. But Maroon said ref told him the chirping was “bad for the TV.”

[Toronto Maple Leafs @MapleLeafs]

Looking to bounce back in Columbus

@scottywillats checks in with tonight’s game preview.

#LeafsForever | @Scotiabank

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@mforbes37 Any 8 tracks down there too?

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@mforbes37 Where did you ever find a tape to put into the deck?

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@KJankowski Looks fantastic!

[Patrick Brown @patrickbrownont]

Had a great time at the downtown Brampton Farmer’s Market this morning with GG and Theodore. @bramptondtbia #Brampton

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@JoelCadieux As much as it breaks my heart to read them, please keep posting.

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@mforbes37 A word of warning: Seeing Japan’s amazing public transit system in person will forever make you hate ours. It’s the epitome of efficiency and utility. And the bullet trains are just plain cool.

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@mforbes37 Japan’s an amazing place. I definitely recommend buying the train pass before you go.

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@TLNdc It really was Christmas in July

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

Best. Hockey. Name. Ever. RIP https://t.co/FZTVuETXP1

[Hartford Whalers @WhalersPlates]

Very sad to hear of the passing of former Hartford Whaler Zarley Zalapski. https://t.co/JC1twIbFLf

[LEGO @LEGO_Group]

Retweet for the chance to win a LEGO @Marvel Deadpool the Duck Minifigure @Comic_Con Exclusive! 😃 #LEGOSDCC #SDCC https://t.co/YyFBQYxTua

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@hebsie99 Thank you Kessel!

[Paul Steckley @PaulSteckley]

@mirtle @TheAthleticTO Good article. Any desire at the league level to extend OT at least, if not make the other changes you’ve outlined?