Well, this blog has been up and running for about a week and there has been no mention of the french vs english jihad yet. Well that stops right now. Why am I bringing it up you ask? Simple. The Habs have lost 4 of their 5 first games and that can only mean one thing... fire the coach and GM! We're 2 weeks into an eternally long season and some people are already calling for Martin and Pierre's heads. And whenever the shortcomings of the Montreal Canadiens head honchos are brought to light, the next question is always: "Who do we replace them with?" Well as of right now, there is not only slim pickins out there for bench bosses and GMs but there is also no chance Jackie and Pierre are even on the hot seat. So again, why am I bringing this up? Because the language debate within the management of this organization amuses me. It amuses me because it's so fucking stupid. Let me start off by saying that by definition, I am a francophone as it was the first language I was taught (sarcasm isn't a language, is it). I'm also happy and proud to consider myself fully bilingual. If you meet me for the first time, you will probably have no idea what language I am more comfortable with. And there in lies the problem. People need to be more like me. Case closed. What's so hard about liking both sides? When I'm within Canada, I'm proud as hell to be from the coolest province. Let's face it, without Quebec, Canada may just be the most boring country ever. We may be corrupt and drowning in debt, but we have the hottest girls, the best restaurants and nightlife and what we refer to as "des danses à dix". But when I leave the Country, I'm also proud as hell to be Canadian. Why is that so hard to understand???
As the poster boy for frenglish bilingualism, I can sympathize with both sides of this debate. On one side, it makes absolutely no sense to limit yourself to a small section of an already tiny talent pool by having to select a french speaking coach or GM. On the other, the Canadiens are not just a team, they are an institution here in Quebec. It's actually the most recogniozable symbol in the province. More than Mickey Mouse and the crucifix! So is it so crazy to think that the masses want to be able to connect with the leaders of the team in their own language? No it's not. But....
Over in Europe, they play a game called football, only with a sphere shaped ball with a checker board pattern on it. I've seen this game played, but only on the eastern part of this island by people with funny accents. My point it that over there, this game (that is only relevant here every 4 years) is more important than life itself. Anytime you think hockey fans are the most passionate in the world, stop wasting your time. Those people make Habs fans look like Expos fans. So if England is able to have a swedish head coach for their NATIONAL team, why can't the Canadiens hire Mike Babcock? There are countless examples of other prestigious franchises all over the world who hire coaches of different nationalities. I know the Swede speaks english, but don't you think there is a qualified Englishman somewhere who can coach a soccer team?? I use Babcock as an example because should he ever become available, 28 teams would be lining up to kiss his ass. The only 2 not in line would be the Wings (they just fired him remember?) and Les Glorieux. And that my friends, is completely insane. You know why? Because even the most closed minded bill 101 lover would sell throw principles under the bus for a parade down Ste-Catherine. There in lies my issue with this whole debate. The frogs that preach on the french side just want something to complain about when we lose and the blocks on the henglish side have no idea what it feels like to be outnumbered and feel like your culture is slipping away. Nobody really cares. The only thing we know for sure, is winning cures everything.
Mark my words, should the Habs ever win it all, there will be more half french half english babies born 9 months later than ever before.
Yours truly,
Les Cerises à Dônald
