97 replies to this topic

[peteyvegas]

Interesting article in NHL.COM. Thomas refused to visit the White House yesterday because of the current situation in our country. He claims it's not political, that both sides are the problem.

[Quinn01]

Ballsy.

[hargsy]

Tim Thomas was invited to the White House as a Boston Bruin, to be honored for being Stanley Cup champs, he made a selfish decision, he dissed his team, team-mates, and the organization he works for.
As an American, he has a right to free speech and to vote, and should exercise those rights as an individual...not as a Bruin.
He's a friggen hockey player that makes millions of dollars and enjoys a life we could only dream of....grow up Tim.
Do you think Washington give's a sh!t about one hockey players no-show.

Edited by hargsy, 24 January 2012 - 09:18 AM.

[Microwavepizza]

i respect his right to do it...

but i believe now the Bruins' trip to the White House will be remembered as "Thomas didn't go"and it does make him look like an ass for making it about himself rather than the team

[NJCroMag]

Tim Thomas Boycotts White House Visit

In the Bruins' 2011-12 media guide, Thomas, a Republican, cited conservative TV pundit Glenn Beck as the person he'd most like to have dinner with.

I just got a movie idea... "My Dinner With Glenn"

[thefiestygoat]

I have no problem with this action and support Tim Thomas. Good for him.

[Jerrydevil]

Do you think Washington give's a sh!t about one hockey players no-show.

No, but for some reason you do. I would have pushed politics aside for a White House trip, but he is free to make his own decision.

[hargsy]

Timmy should demand a trade to a Canadian team, and become a citizen of Canada if he hate's America so much. What a little pansy, he doesn't like who's in the White House...well they were all voted in by the people...that's the way it goes.

[squishyx]

This thread is going to turn sour in the wrong forum.

He's free to make his own decision we should all leave it at that rather then make an issue out of nothing.

[hargsy]

No, but for some reason you do. I would have pushed politics aside for a White House trip, but he is free to make his own decision.

this thread title is "Bruins White House visit, Thomas refuses"....thats the reason

Edited by hargsy, 24 January 2012 - 09:55 AM.

[aylbert]

The Bruins supported his descision passively. They don't agree with him obviously, but they could have made the trip mandatory if they thought it would be that detrimental to the team.

I think he's a fool and I disaprove of Obama... but he is still the President of the United States, and it's a great honor to be respected by the office of the Presidency. If Obama just randomly did this, I could almost see why he'd pass; but this is a time honored tradition.

Absolute Fool.

[Joonas #6]

Thomas is the man. He can do whatever the fvck he wants. Haha.

[Vic Rattlehead18]

Hargsy=troll. I support thomas

[mouse]

I volunteered for Obama, and while I don't think he's been perfect by any sretch of the imagination, I would still count myself as an ardent supporter, but I have no problem with what Thomas did. He had the balls to use his public standing to illustrate his displeasure. It's nowhere near Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving the black power salute at the olympics, but it's the first time in awhile an athlete has used his status to make some kind of stance, especially one which will be unpopular with many people and could cost him endorsement money. It's been said that dissent is patriotic, and I agree. If I had been put in the same position with Bush, I would have had a problem pretending to like/respect him, and I'm not sure what I would have done. I have no problem with Thomas making this decision. Especially since he did it with class and decorum. He kept it quiet, but had the decency to explain it.

Also, he won the Stanley Cup. He earned the benefits that come from that. If he views a White House visit as a penalty rather than a benefit, he shouldn't be forced to do it. Much as some people are viewing it as team bonding, I don't buy that Thomas skipping the visit will have a negative effect on him or his teammates.

[DaneykoIsGod]

He isn't the first athlete to decline a White House invite, nor will he be the last. Agree or disagree with the motive, he's certainly free to make this choice.

Edited by DaneykoIsGod, 24 January 2012 - 10:14 AM.

[EdgeControl]

Bruins need to walk a fine line here, with all the Mass-holes up there

PS: Neids would have drove the team there himself in a hybrid van lol

Edited by EdgeControl, 24 January 2012 - 10:16 AM.

[Chuck the Duck]

but he is still the President of the United States, and it's a great honor to be respected by the office of the Presidency.

While I am no fan of President Obama, I agree with this sentiment. You may not respect the man or his political beliefs, but you need to respect the Office. Thomas probably should have gone. But, is this a big deal? No (although the political media is making it out to be one because its an election year and it gives them something to talk about other than Newt's 12 ex-wives). What pisses me off is, if you have the balls to refuse the invitation, then have the balls to stand up and say that you are a Republican and do not believe in the President's policies, want to take this opportunity to make a political statement (which this clearly was), and don't want to be in his company.

Edited by Chuck the Duck, 24 January 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[thelastonealive]

To steal a joke from Down Goes Brown - at least we finally know how to beat Tim Thomas: crowd him with left wingers and he won't even show up.

Edited by thelastonealive, 24 January 2012 - 10:34 AM.

[Steven M.]

I respect Thomas' decision.

[Pepperkorn]

i respect his right to do it...

but i believe now the Bruins' trip to the White House will be remembered as "Thomas didn't go"and it does make him look like an ass for making it about himself rather than the team

I agree. it seems very self-important. It also seems disrespectful to his country not supportive of our troops or struggling citizens. His statement just doesn't work for me. I'm a little shocked though because this is the sort of sh!t that happens to Republicans

Personally - Presidents no matter how incompetent, corrupt, or out of touch they may seem are always worth meeting. They are amazing people to have reached the office. Short of his/her criminal insanity, I'd be hard pressed to NOT want to meet any nation's leader.

To steal a joke from Down Goes Brown - at least we finally know how to beat Tim Thomas: crowd him with left wingers and he won't even show up.

Niiiice