Without England on hand for Euro 2008, it seems the Germans are ready to pick up where they left off. Around 100 German fans, who marched into Austria, were marshaled into jail as a preventative measure before and after their games against Poland yesterday for chanting Nazi slogans.

            Look, when you're German; and you descend on Austria; and you chant en masse "all poles should wear yellow stars" and other Nazi slogans you know their collective IQ is not beyond room temperature.

            Thankfully, the Austrian authorities acted quickly, since controlling hooliganism is now an advanced science in Europe.

            Regardless of what some art school snob will tell you, sports are culture.
 

            Actually, sports are proving central to our mile wide and inch deep culture in this country.

            Despite yesterday's published reports, CBC Sports is still very much in discussion with representatives of songwriter Delores Claman, the Vancouver woman who put pen to paper and created the Hockey Night in Canada theme.

 

            Canadians still snap to attention like Pavlov's dog to our second national anthem. It is a reminder of our childhood. Time with family and our friends in a uniquely Canadian experience.

 

            Folks, don't lose your heads about this one. The CBC saying they'll axe the anthem and the songwriter's agent playing hardball. It is all about negotiations.

 

            Both sides are aware of the cultural value the song possesses in Canadian lore. There will be a solution. ...