A HODGEPODGE CANESSA COMMENTARY: FROM GUNS TO THE NHL

The Canessa Commentary

By KEVIN CANESSA Jr.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

It’s been a pretty slow news cycle this week, so here’s one of those hodgepodge editions of The Canessa Commentary.

• Former Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who resigned after an affair, is planning on running for Congress — for a seat he once held. Looks pretty clear the GOP hasn’t really learned from the election of 2012.

• U.S. Rep Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., said recently the comments made by Todd Akin, that a woman rarely gets pregnant from “legitimate rape,” were “partly true.” Gingery is a former OB-GYN. Let’s just say I wouldn’t want my daughter — if I had one — going to this OB-GYN.

Isn’t it bad enough one person believes this? And now there are two?

Hell, what I am thinking — there are probably thousands of RWNJs (Right Wing Nut Jobs) who believe it.

• Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., gave one of the most lackluster State of the State addresses I’ve ever heard. He recapped exactly what we already knew — that New Jersey was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, and that the federal government continues to be slow in coming through with aid.

What Christie didn’t say was what he’d do to get the funds quicker, how the state would aid cities and people affected by the storm — or anything else for that matter, like lowering one of the nation’s largest unemployment rates.

He’s been great on the national scene. He’s been wonderful standing up for the people who were hurt most by the storm. And quite frankly, I’ve never seen a Republican more willing to stand up to the establishment — John Boehner, that is — than Christie.

But his address was meatless. He offered no specifics. And in a state where people are hurting from the storm and so much more, he truly failed when he had a tremendous opportunity to lead and comfort.

• The NRA recently met with Vice-President Joe Biden, and the NRA says the meeting was “useless.”

I will never understand how, in this nation, an organization that has 4 million members could have as much clout and power as it does. Perhaps I am just naïve here. But in general elections, if every NRA member voted Republican — and let’s face it, they probably do — it still wouldn’t matter.

And yet they’re still seen as all-powerful and almighty.

And it’s not just the NRA. There are tons of special-interested organizations in this country with smaller memberships — the ACLU comes to mind — that just have way too much clout and influence over policy.

Not holding my breath this will change anytime soon.

• I’m a big fan of older TV programs — started watching 1994 “ER” episodes in 2009. So it won’t come as much of a surprise that I just started to watch the old NBC show “Third Watch.” I never realized it back in the day — I did watch the show from time to time when it was new — but the show (some of the same production team) is basically “ER” on the streets. Similar background music. Similar themes. Similar terminology.

Regardless, the show is tremendous — and if you’re ever looking to catch up on old shows, this is one, for sure, to give a try.

• Speaking of TV shows, “The Good Wife,” CBS Sundays, gets better each week. Julianna Margulies is incredible in the lead. But this season has been made even better by guest appearances. First, it was Maura Tierney, who briefly worked with Margulies on “ER.” On-going, Michael J. Fox defies the odds with his Parkinson’s by playing an amazing role on the show. And Nathan “Joe” Lane, who went to the same high school as I did — St. Peter’s Prep (he the class of ’74, I the class of ’92, and yes, his birth name is Joseph — has been nothing short of stellar, as he often is in any role he plays.

Nathan Lane, left, with Christine Baranski, in 'The Good Wife.'

• As much as I was/am angry with the NHL, its players and its owners, I must admit to being excited for the start of the season. Though the schedule isn’t yet out, I’ve read the NJ Devils open on the “road” on Long Island against the Islanders on Jan. 19, and open at home on Jan. 22 against the despised Philadelphia Flyers.

After the first lockout, I was at the first Devils game of the 1994-95 season — in Hartford, Conn., against the Whalers. But it’ll take free tickets for me to step into an NHL arena this year after the third lockout in 17 years.

I’ll watch the games online or on TV for sure — but no in-person games.

I’ll be very curious to see what the attendance numbers are like across the league.

• Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Should be a good Sunday of NFL football. Let me know who wins, eh?

NOW THAT HOCKEY IS BACK ...

So the NHL and NHLPA came to an agreement -- and in just a few days, the NHL will be back in business. From the perspective of a fan of the game -- and the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils -- I was elated when I read the news this morning. The game I love more than any other is finally back. And for that, I couldn't be happier.

Yet there are a few things I must say. And it won't be pleasant. But here it goes.

In 2013, I ...

• Will not pay to go see an NHL game.

• Will only go to an NHL game if the tickets are comped. That means, if someone I know paid for the tickets, I still won't go.

• Will not but a single piece of merchandise that would put money in the pockets of the league or players.

• Will not pay for NHL Center Ice if it's not made available, for free, as it should be, as a way to say thank you to the fans.

• Will watch games that are televised.

• Hope to see fans sending a message by not attending games in the early stages of the season, though I doubt this will happen.

I love this game. I love this sport. I love the New Jersey Devils. But three times -- three times is way too many time to say "f--k off" to the fans. In time, I'll soften this stance. But for now, I'll watch on TV.

But it'll be a cold day in hell before I give these greedy bastards a penny.

Period.

That said, I'm ready for the Devils to do, again, what they did in 2012. But just one step further.

And I can't wait to begin to make fun of Rangers fans again.

That, I must say, is partly what I missed most.

NHL LOCKOUT KEEPS THE COMMON MAN A TRUE SUCKER

The Canessa Commentary
By Kevin Canessa Jr.

NEWARK, N.J. -- 

If you've ever been to an NHL game, whether in Newark, New York, Long Island or wherever, there was likely a time you got to the arena early. In doing so, you were meeting friends for a pre-game meal, or drink, or both, at a local watering hole or restaurant.

One of the reasons why the New Jersey Devils chose to move from East Rutherford -- where there was nothing but parking spaces surrounding the arena -- to Newark, was so fans could get the ultimate experience, before and after games.

When the Prudential Center opened, so, too, did numerous bars and restaurants in the area -- establishments that would not have otherwise been there. For at least 41 nights a year -- likely more with playoffs and pre-season games -- these places would be packed with fans. Hungry fans. Thirsty fans. Fans who have money to spend. And to tip. And to keep the local economy thriving.

NY Islanders: 1972-2011 (or when the lease ends)

Well, Nassau County residents spoke loudly and clearly tonight, resoundingly defeating a referendum that would have paid for a new Nassau Coliseum. With 77% of the precincts in, ESPN has projected the measure has no chance of passing. At present, the "NO" vote has 16,000-plus more votes than the "YES" crowd. More as results are certified.

Vancouver PD Using Facebook, Twitter, Youtube to ID Rioters

The riots in Vancouver the other day — among the most ridiculous of all-time riots — may go down as the first where social media helped nab perps who otherwise might have walked. Unlike previous riots, including the one on June 14, 1994, the last time their hometown Canucks lost a seventh game in the Stanley Cup Finals, there are plenty of street-level photos and videos, many of which were stupidly posted on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube ... by the perps themselves.

Police are actively asking residents to identify people shown prominently looting.

Considering the absurdity of the riots — there can't be enough arrests as far as I'm concerned.

Here's a few of my favourite photos of Vancouveraller stupidity — or are they Vancouverans? Vancouverites?.

New NHL Show I'll Be Hosting

The video here will explain it all. Thanks, to everyone, for still frequenting the ole "Hudson Line." I am hoping to somehow resurrect this site sometime very, very soon. Thanks!

— Kevin Canessa Jr.