<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Variable" data-cid="212881" data-time="1383264772">
I asked you that because just a page or two ago you said that respect was less than ever in the league, and cheap shots were rampant, much moreso than in the past. You say you agree with what Burke says and what he says in that article is the contrary to what you stated.
I was hoping you'd realize that but you didn't or maybe you did, I don't know. But either way, that is what this debate has become for the pro-fighting fans. People tripping over their own old arguments, until we're going in circles with the same recycled excuses for it being re-used over and over again and then disproved over and over again. Some of which contradict each other, like in this case. Is Burke right that they are the exception, a rarity, or are you right, that it's more of the norm? Did you have an honest change of heart all of a sudden or is it just convenient to your argument now to agree with someone like Burke who wrote in support of fighting? I certainly don't jump on the bandwagon of just anyone who says "Fighting in hockey is bad, mmmkay" because you could be arguing something that overall is right but for all the wrong reasons.</p></blockquote>
To me, cheap play against star players is as high as ever. I watch Toews get literally man handled every night. I don't see it as something that happens not often, but more regularly. You may not see much catostrophic incidents which Burke is alluding to, but you see quite a bit of work that 20 years ago would of forced someone to put their fist into the back of your throat or the fear of that would of deterred you from doing it.
Just because Burke is pro-fighting doesn't mean I'm jumping on board with everyone who does. Some have different reasons than I do. Surprisingly mine is very much more player safety than entertainment value.
Want to talk about running around in circles with arguments? Anti-fighting agenda is based on head injuries. Great! But what they don't seem to understand is that if you eliminate the fear of having to defend your actions or all the respect that the game has almost already lost, you will have guys taking runs at everyone whether it be clean or not. To me, that's much more worse than a fight against two willing combatants. Not every hit is dirty, yet can still do damage to the brain. Without that fear of retribution, what stops a player from going for that hit? At least now they know they may need to defend their actions, and for some that's enough to keep that type of physical play down.
