And now it's time to practice what I preach.
I think the upcoming and seemingly unavoidable NHL lockout is completely unnecessary. I think the players get paid too much. I think the owners and team management have foolishly and recklessly put themselves in a bad position financially. I think the league in a few different ways is mismanaged, and the entire situation takes advantage of hard-working, generous, loyal fans who pay huge amounts of money and deserve to be treated with respect because of it.
If the 2012/2013 is disturbed in any way by ownership and the NHLPA...if the two sides can't sort things out by September 15th, 2012, keeping training camps from starting as scheduled...I think there needs to be a reaction from fans. We've patiently tolerated two lockouts before. Now it's time we get serious and take a stand. Fans, it's now time to get organized. We need to save the NHL from themselves. It's time us ants beat the crap out of the grasshoppers.
I have created a Twitter site: Stop the NHL Lockout, or @StopTheLock2012
Please join the ruckus if you agree both sides should be trying harder to avoid labor action. I'll also be looking for a volunteer or two to help me create a website that will display what I'm calling the "NHL Fans Manifesto". What that will be is a statement indicating our collective position, and hopefully provide a place where fans of the game to voice their disgust with this on-going situation.
I haven't written the manifesto yet, but I'm thinking the following items need to be included. Please offer your suggestions for this worthy cause.
1. Stop the NHL Lockout does not take the side of the players union or the league. We believe both parties should work together to ensure the 2012/2013 season takes place as scheduled for the sake of the game and in recognition of the importance of fans who ultimately keep the league alive.
2. It is the belief of Stop the NHL Lockout that the league and the NHLPA must create a Collective Bargaining Agreement that ensures no other strikes, lockouts or labor actions of any sort occur for at least the next ten years.
3. It is the belief of Stop the NHL Lockout that ticket prices should be frozen for a minimum of the next three seasons, as the costs involved to attend games have gotten out of hand at several NHL team locations.
4. NHL fans in support of Stop the NHL Lockout will no longer purchase NHL merchandise until the labor dispute is completely resolved.
5. NHL fans who support Stop the NHL Lockout will no longer wear team jerseys or display team merchandise of any sort until the labor action has concluded, and a new deal is in place.
6. NHL fans in support of Stop the NHL Lockout will not participate in any activities or events that show support in any way to the players or the NHL. This includes boycotting any tournaments or tours organized by the NHLPA.
7. NHL fans in support of Stop the NHL Lockout will be asked to discontinue communicating with teams and players thru the Internet. All supporters will demonstrate no acknowledgement of either side. Consider this the Cesar Millan clause. Team management, the owners, and the players need to be completely ignored until they correct their behavior.
8. NHL fans who support Stop the NHL Lockout will purchase and wear, if possible, merchandise to show support for rival forms of hockey entertainment (like Junior hockey) or leagues like the KHL and SEL.
9. Here's one that will make people mad: Supporters of Stop the NHL Lockout will boycott the release of EA's NHL 2013, for the reason that it glorifies the NHL and it's players. They deserve no praise or glory until they have a new agreement.
This is just a starting point. I'm looking forward to reading your additional comments and suggestions.
Let's take control of this situation. Power to the people!
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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