Look lively: MMA and Hockey.

Today in the Globe and Mail, Jeff Blair (whom we admire) wrote the following:

here's a reason Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed martial arts have their disciples: Some people like watching other people beat the hell out of each other. If you can gussie it up with a few rules and persuade people they aren't merely interested in it because of the gore - make them feel as if they don't need a shower after they've watched it, or that they're somehow smarter than the yobs who watch pro wrestling because of the so-called spiritual elements of the serious martial arts - so much the better.

Now, I'm no fan of MMA in the slightest, and not because of some class issue, but just because it's kinda boring.

I'm also not a fan of fighting in hockey, especially when it becomes either attempted murder, or done to "send a message". I have a bad day at work, I don't pick a fight with the janitor to prove a point.

I'm also a fan of consistency in journalism.

Ergo, I applaud Mr Blair's stance, and urge him and every writer at the Globe, and every commentator and sportscaster at TSN to say the following after every hockey fight:

Here's a reason fighting in hockey has their disciples: Some people like watching other people beat the hell out of each other, and enjoy bullying other who don't. If you can gussie it up with a few rules and persuade people that it's what makes them Canadian- make them feel as if they don't need a shower after they've watched it, or that they're somehow smarter than the yobs who watch pro wrestling because of the so-called "Nationalistic element" - so much the better.