This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Unjust Dismissal?... He Says... She Says...

In response to Sean Avery's support for gay marriage, Damien Goddard tweeted his disapproval. A few days later he was fired. How sad that the rights we once enjoyed in this so-called free and democratic society have been so easily trumped by political correctness.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

Paul says...

A few weeks back, NHL bad boy Sean Avery was in the news again, not for being an idiot this time, but for something totally unexpected... something "Un-Avery", like. Sean, it seems, had taken up a cause... advocating for gay marriage!

In public service announcements for "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality," the rebellious Ranger opines, "I treat everyone the way I expect to be treated, and that applies to marriage. Committed couples should be able to marry the person they love. Join me in supporting marriage equality".

While many were shocked to learn that Sean may care about something other than Sean, others, like NHL player agent, Todd Reynolds, took exception to his point of view. Risking being busted by the politically correct constabulary, he tweeted, "Very sad to read Sean Avery's misguided support of same-gender 'marriage.' Legal or not, it will always be wrong."

As Reynolds endured the boos and hisses, and was dealt the 'homophobe card,' another celebrity jumped in to the act... Sportsnet host, Damien Goddard! He tweeted, "I completely and whole-heartedly support Todd Reynolds and his support for the traditional and TRUE meaning of marriage."

More boos and hisses! We invited Damien to join us on our show, but he declined, saying he was staying low and moving fast... maybe some other time. We were disappointed, but understood. He had a job, and people to answer too. A few days later he was fired. How sad.

How sad that the rights we once enjoyed in this so-called free and democratic society, have been so easily trumped by political correctness... fall in line, or fall out!

Disagree if you will, be offended if you must, but Reynolds and Goddard should be allowed their views without fear of harassment or persecution.

Do we not recall the words attributed to that famous French philosopher, Francois-Marie Arouet... pen name 'Voltaire?'

Apparently not.

Carol says...

On this one, Paul and I pretty much agree! As an individual you have the right to hold any opinion you like. It's one of the freedoms we enjoy in this country but, if your opinion shared liberally and publicly begins to affect your employer there may be consequences.

Damien Goddard, should have the right to say how he feels. He just said that he doesn't believe in gay marriage. So! That is his opinion. The venom and vitriol that was spewed in his direction was hateful.

If you are hired for your opinions you shouldn't be fired for them if they aren't the popular ones or don't reflect being in lockstep with management. Look at Don Cherry! It really does take an employer with backbone to support their staff when complaints are lodged. We know what that's like and over the years have worked for very supportive employers and others not so much.

I think where Todd Reynolds dove offside was in a follow up interview to his tweet where he says. "But the majority, I think, of Canadians would say that they don't agree with gay marriage -- that man and woman were created to be married, not man and man or man and horse, you know?"

Why would he suggest a consensual relationship between two same-sex individuals is comparable to bestiality! Please! It drives me nuts when people do that.

Will we only tolerate speech we agree with and opinions that match our own? We will be living in a very boring country where real conversations take place away from the spotlight, debate will disappear and only government sanctioned discussions will be allowed.

When what you do for a living is share your opinion, you become pretty touchy when you see others losing their livelihood for sharing theirs. There may be a day when you disagree with me. Nah, more likely Paul!

In any event I hope you'll call to enhance not stifle the discussion.

The debate continues.

Paul and Carol Mott can be heard discussing the issues weekdays from 11a.m. until noon streamed through their website www.themotts.ca.

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.