$9 Billion for pride?

I want to congratulate both of the Canadian hockey teams. I was not surprised the men beat the Americans but I was shocked the American women lost as well. Despite the fact that the Americans lost, I have several dear Canadian friends and I wish I was there with them today partying like a rock star!!!

Americans have a sense of pride about many of the things we do both athletic and non athletic. We have grown accustomed to being the best in everything we do so every now and then a humble reminder makes us take stock and try that much harder next time.

But in Canada, they live and breathe hockey. It is like soccer to the Europeans and football or baseball to us. In fact Canada hasn't had an NHL team win the Stanley Cup in over a decade despite the fact that most of the players are in fact Canadian. The sad truth is most of the teams have left Canada for America and the almighty dollar. It kills the Canadians when teams like Carolina or Tampa Bay win the NHL championship because it just doesn't fit. How can a warm weather climate produce great hockey teams and or fans?

Americans love their sports and more importantly their violence. Being a former wrestler and football player, I can honestly say I wish I would have had an opportunity to play hockey because it is the best of both of my favorite sports. Speed, strength, skill, violence, and intelligence all at once. It truly is a beautiful thing.

Despite having spent 9 billion dollars to have the Olympics in Vancouver Canada, it is worth every penny to the Canadians because of the national sense of pride it brings their country. The price seems a little high for the reward to logical people, but this is much deeper than logical dollars and cents, or sense as it were.

Despite the fact they share a border with the greatest superpower the world has ever known, Canadians still struggle in the shadow of their big brother to the South. It could be their crippling taxes, socialized medicine, or just their alliance to a commonwealth long since forgotten, but the fact remains they still struggle.

So when you hit the pillow tonight think of all the hangovers that will happen tomorrow morning and just feel good for the Canadians. They deserve these wins and it really is a feel good story for some of the greatest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to have known.

Good on ya boys! Congrats and have a Keith's pronounced(Keets) or Olands for me, I am with you in spirit!