When did professional athletes arrange for job security, rather than competing on the basis of talent and effort?

Is that really the point here? I thought there was a lockout going on.

I don't know about you, Dean, but every employer lockout I've been a part of usually involved me having to stand out in the cold and rain holding a picket sign of some sort representing a show of unity within the locked out union members. People from other unions would occasionally drive by and honk their horns in support while others would yell out "Get back to work" mistaking us for Strikers.

Has anyone seen a single hockey player picketing in front of their local arena? I guess you can't when nearly 40% of their members aren't even on the Continent. You listen to some of these locked out players on the radio doing interviews and you'd think they were on some kind of extended vacation.

If these players were all on the same page, they would all be unified and fighting together for a common goal (kind of like a Union or something, Bobby). Instead we have union player members in all corners of the world doing "their own thing" (Some playing hockey and some getting on the radio speaking against the very union that they should be supporting) while Bob and Gary just stare at each other seeing which one will blink first, as worldwide hockey begins to crumble.

It also looks like the ultimate contradiction as these "scabs" are more than willing to sign a contract for $80,000 to play in Europe, but not for $1,800,000 to play in YOUR city. I still can't figure that one out. If the NHLPA members were really serious about their stance, they shouldn't be playing ANYWHERE. At least for salary, as I really can't complain about Brad May's charity game that's taking place soon here in Vancouver for Canuck Place.

Maybe it's time for me to make my stance and cancel my Centre Ice plan.

Keith...