From Bonavista to Vancouver Island - There is a difference!

As our song goes "from Bonavista to Vancouver Island - this land belongs to you and me"...

From the start of the Stanley Cup final series - there was a difference. Although Michael Ryder is a Canadian - he is not the great Sidney - so Canada's team became the Canucks and not the Pittsburgh Penguins. If the Pens were in the final and Crosby was playing the massive broadcast attention would have plunked itself down in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.

Michael Ryder is a tremendous talent in his profession - but he's from Newfoundland and Labrador - that's the province that most national broadcasters like to skip when they do a coast to coast commentary starting with the phrase, "from Nova Scotia to British Columbia". As such the CBC - CTV and most Canadian news agencies focused on Vancouver and not the real hockey fans in a real hockey town like Bonavista, NL.

We all awoke this morning to see our national image virtually destroyed by the city that hosts "Canada's Team".  Unfortunately that image was not countered with images of beautiful Bonavista NL, scenic, peaceful, and genuinely excited about their boy Michael Ryder doing Canada proud as he participated in this athletic test of excellence .

What a missed opportunity - Canada could have showcased an absolutely jaw-dropping coastline and natural vistas untouched by over-population and urbanization and a community that epitomizes "hockeyville" not "crimeville". They could have told a story about a young man from a small town - that beat all the odds by making the NHL cut.

The CBC and CTV could have camped out in Bonavista and the only pepper spray their reporters would have suffered would have been a few sprinkles of the spice drifting from a shaker being used by a livyer while barbecuing. They would have been adopted by 3000 or so people who would ensure they were well fed on lobsters, mussels, and crab while listening to stories dating back to 1497 when John Cabot made landfall at this historic site. With a population that is about 10% of Cole Harbour which itself is considered small when compared to a Vancouver - Bonavista is extremely proud of Michael Ryder.

Perhaps some damage control is still possible for Canada - if our media focuses on Ryder bringing the cup home to Bonavista - Newfoundland and Labrador. We can showcase the beautiful places and people of Canada - minus the looting, arson, rioting. Perhaps a whale will sing in the foreground of an iceberg dwarfing all around it.

In Bonavista Newfoundland and Labrador - you might see a salt and pepper hat, salt spray from the mighty Atlantic, or a riot - which defined here means a great old time of dancing, local music, and feasting on fresh seafood.

Congratulations to Michael Ryder and Bonavista - who last night did Canada proud.

Instead of mobs of gangsers running around drunk carrying stolen manikins - Bonavista celebrated with kids running around carrying Stanley Cups of tinfoil in their Boston Jerseys bearing Ryder's #73.

If the media of this country wants to show the real hockey spirit of Canada - load themselves on a plane and come on down to Bonavista. I am sure the images they capture will cure the hangover of embarrassment they are suffering from Vancouver.

Photo From the Telegram

 

Majestic Icebergs Bonavista

The beautiful whales Bonavista

Bonavista is built upon sedimentary deposits of the Precambrian Age (600 million years ago). On the road between Lance Cove and Bonavista you'll find one of nature's carvings - the Dungeon. It is a circular opening in the cliff with two seaward-side channels where the sea roars through. It is approximately 300 feet across and 15 metres deep. Tidal action has created a natural beach. You can swim or go through the channels in a small punt. Many people explore the bottom and sides of the Dungeon, climbing its high cliffs looking for plentiful iron pyrite (fools' gold) embedded in the rocks.

 

 

 

You want something to celebrate Canada? Hats off to Bonavista - now Micheal bring the Stanley Cup home. Congratulations to Betty Fitzgerald, Mayor of Bonavista, who did not have to resort to tweeting apologies. They were happy in Bonavista regardless of the outcome.

Harper cheers for twins from Sweden - as Canadian Essential Services are CUT

So President Harper wants to see a hockey game in Boston.

President Harper hitches a ride with the Air-Force 1 wannabe to the USA.

A pleasant picture of President Harper and his daughter in the stands cheering for "Canada's" team is shown by Canadian media - the same media who were restricted to 5 questions during the election campaign.

This at a time when smiling Oh'Flaherty slices jobs and essential services to Canadians. At a time when the the maladroit Minister of Finance happily hops down the steps heading to Parliament; on route to heckling political adversaries who are fighting his draconian cuts.

You see the NHL is a professional sports league that offers a product of unessential entertainment - best described as grown men passing a rubber disc around an ice surface with an aim to shoot it into a net owned by the opposing team. These men are paid millions to break a sweat while skating in 35 to 50 second intervals - and occasionally hit each other with an elbow, stick, or fist.

So at a time when jobs are being cut in Harper's republic, Newfoundland and Labrador is losing a rescue centre, and essential services for Canadians are being trimmed down - the Prime Minister has absolutely NO excuse to use government assets to watch a hockey game.

Do you think Harper is an average Canadian? He should be - he was elected by average Canadians to manage their collective affairs.

Harper is a liar; of that there is no doubt - but Harper is also clearly vindictive - to the point where average Canadians are blaming each other for voting anything but Conservative. It is a real belief in this country that if a particular electoral district voted for anybody but a Conservative - they will be punished with cuts to services and jobs. Worse Canadians believe - if a Province failed to vote for and elect a majority of Conservative seats - that population will be punished.

In Newfoundland and Labrador there is evidence that this is the case and will continue. Harper once said we had an attitude of defeatism and liked welfare - providing the benefit was rich enough. Harper felt completely comfortable abusing his power - while travelling to watch "Canada's" team in the NHL match-up.

Considering all these teams are rostered with individuals that are from everywhere - the PM actually sat in the stands cheering twins from Sweden while Newfoundland and Labrador's player Michael Ryder cleaned Vancouver's clock.

The Prime Minister Harper asked us to ignore "contempt of Parliament" and "violations of the Elections Act" and concentrate on the economy. Well done Harper - you lied again.

Remember Premier Dunderdale this is "your" man.