Dave Naylor, who poses as the chief news editor of the Western Standard, as well as, somehow, carrying the title of vice-president of this fine publication, scribbled a column on Monday in which he is annoyed and called me an idiot for writing a column in which I ‘came out’ for the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals. Heresy!He was annoyed because I am a born-and-raised Calgarian, devoted to both the Flames and Stampeders and any other sports team with ‘Calgary’ in its name. I truly have a history as a hater of the Oilers and Eskimos (yeah, I know.)I love all things Calgary and care little for anything Edmonton, except the QEII highway heading south out of the city, back to Cowtown. I readily admit to having performed some very idiotic stunts in my life, most of which I can’t mention here because I’m not sure of the statute of limitations. If I counted on my fingers the number of times I’ve been called an idiot, let alone been idiotic, I’d need a couple hundred fingers. .Yes, to a degree, I consider it a badge, although I consider myself to be more of a radical than an idiot. Radical is much more romantic and attracts the ladies, who stay only long enough to see my idiotic side, then leave. Which, in a few instances, suited me just fine. I was entertained by Dave’s column, but also surprised, because I always thought the position of news editor required a higher level of maturity; the ability to properly gauge actions and situations without emotions, and; reacting quickly as to newsworthiness. Obviously, I was wrong all these years. Any idiot can do his job. The column was very emotional, especially for someone from England. Harsh. Full of name calling and whining. Misrepresentations of my political leanings. Highlighting his stubbornness and fealty to the British idea that father is always correct. To be clear, I am very fond of all things England. Not because I was smitten years ago by a lovely girl from Devon in southwest England; not because I was one of the first Beatles’ fans in Canada; but because of Winston Churchill and that Shakespeare fellow. .Where Dave’s column blew a tire is when he called himself a responsible journalist, writing he was at his favourite pub and decided to conduct a poll among those gathered to see who thought I was a traitorous cur (Dave's description, but now, my new favourite phrase by the way). A responsible journalist, polling beer battered barflies? And, accepting the responses as legitimate? Certainly, questionable methodology. A more reliable survey is the one found in the musings of Western Standard readers, which can be found where his column ends. After reading Dave’s missive, they offered their opinions about his rantings. They are obviously a very intelligent group, with the vast majority of them agreeing with me to temporarily give my support to the Oilers for the duration of the finals. (Which is exactly what it is, temporary. Much like a one-night stand with no obligations.) Let’s be clear: I still hate the Oilers. To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy, I choose to cheer for the Oilers not because it is easy, but because it is hard. .I justify penning my piece about cheering for the Oilers in the name of Alberta solidarity, in these heady days of talk about independence. A time when it has never been so important for Albertans to stand as one and that includes Edmonton. (We’ll deal with the city’s fondness for the NDP when the right moment arrives.) That’s my reasoning for now; it may change, because, apparently, I possess an idiotic, or rather, radical temperament. That and a potential side bet. But, if it tempers thoughts and ideas, I’ll only cheer for the OiIers in even-numbered periods in regular time. Do I have any seconders?
