97 replies to this topic

[Pepperkorn]

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

Well... as an environmentalist I'd think Nieds would have plenty to take issue with when it comes to Obama. Buuuuut -- I also think Neids is more political than environmentalist actually --- so you're right. But it's all bullsh!t because Obama abandon the environment. That's the irony of the Solara thing....

even the pipeline thing -- I think is posturing to get Canada to give more - not any save the environment thing. I mean that's pretty obvious to all involved. (So all you Republicans - this is NOT bleeding heart liberal stuff - it would have flown through if the US stood to gain half as much as Canada).

[Steven M.]

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

As a servicemember, I can tell you that myself and all of my hockey-loving shipmates don't see it as a slight to the military / citizens / nation. (Small sample size obviously but still)

The man just didn't want to go there because he doesn't agree with the direction the country is headed. I see nothing wrong with him making that choice. He has displayed his patriotism for the country many times, so I don't think that reaction is what he intended by doing this.

[Pepperkorn]

As a servicemember, I can tell you that myself and all of my hockey-loving shipmates don't see it as a slight to the military / citizens / nation. (Small sample size obviously but still)

The man just didn't want to go there because he doesn't agree with the direction the country is headed. I see nothing wrong with him making that choice. He has displayed his patriotism for the country many times, so I don't think that reaction is what he intended by doing this.

I'm really glad you feel that way.

I personally see it as his duty as a public representative. You DO have a role when you strive to become a celebrated public figure for any reason. To me it is his duty to show up and shake hands with a smile on his face. How would you feel if Obama publicly refused to have the Stanley Cup winners to the White House because he felt the sport was too violent? It's his right to do so - and it's fine to respect his balls calling out the sport like that... but it's COMPLETELY inappropriate. They have a responsibility above their role as an average US citizen makin' a statement.

Everyone is SOOO self important. SUCK IT UP! WHo GIVES A sh!t WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY???? Any public figure has a responsibility to not alienate people doing something out of the ordinary. A hockey player HAS indeed chosen to be a public figure. And if Thomas thinks hes not and that this isn't part of his responsibility he should have called in sick. If he thinks he's got this wonderful opportunity to speak out -- well what a horses ass he is. Niedermayer shook George W. Bush's hand enough. THAT is honor. The other is just as I keep saying self important self-indulgent bullsh!t.

I'm glad it's not offending anyone all the same. I'm not offended. I just think he's a jackass of the first water!

Edited by Pepperkorn, 24 January 2012 - 11:07 AM.

[Steven M.]

I'm really glad you feel that way.

I personally see it as his duty as a public representative. You DO have a role when you strive to become a celebrated public figure for any reason. To me it is his duty to show up and shake hands with a smile on his face. How would you feel if Obama publicly refused to have the Stanley Cup winners to the White House because he felt the sport was too violent? It's his right to do so - and it's fine to respect his balls calling out the sport like that... but it's COMPLETELY inappropriate. They have a responsibility above their role as an average US citizen makin' a statement.

Everyone is SOOO self important. SUCK IT UP! WHo GIVES A sh!t WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY???? Any public figure has a responsibility to not alienate people doing something out of the ordinary. A hockey player HAS indeed chosen to be a public figure. And if Thomas thinks hes not and that this isn't part of his responsibility he should have called in sick. If he thinks he's got this wonderful opportunity to speak out -- well what a horses ass he is. Niedermayer shook George W. Bush's hand enough. THAT is honor. The other is just as I keep saying self important self-indulgent bullsh!t.

I'm glad it's not offending anyone all the same. I'm not offended. I just think he's a jackass of the first water!

Fair enough & valid points.

[DaneykoIsGod]

The Devils history with this:

2003

The President's Remarks

2000

Jason Arnott has also scored a Cup-winning overtime goal, but he's still waiting for his date at the White House.

"We never went," said Arnott, who helped the New Jersey Devils claim the Stanley Cup in 2000 with a goal in the second overtime of Game 6 against Dallas. [General Manager] Lou [Lamoriello] wouldn't fly us special there if it didn't work with our schedule. It is one of the most disappointing things in my life. It was horrible. It was great winning the Cup, but I never got to meet the President.

"I remember [Scott] Niedermayer and I were holding out for a new contract [at the beginning of the 2000-01 season] and I was just praying to God that they didn't go to see the President when we were not playing and they never ended up doing it. The times we were here in Washington the President was never here and [Lamoriello] never wanted to take an extra day and do it on its own."

1995

The President's Remarks

NY Times:

Coach Jacques Lemaire did not make the trip, and neither did Claude Lemieux, the most valuable player in the playoffs who was singled out for praise by the President. In fact, only nine players showed up to greet President Clinton for the brief ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

[95Crash]

I admit I'm a little old-fashioned when it comes to stuff like this. I always though it was kind of cool that U.S. presidents invited championship teams to the White House.

I respect the fact that everyone is free to voice his/her political beliefs in this country, but I think he should've gone anyway. I realize that he isn't the first nor last player to not go, but if everyone player did this, there'd be anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of teams not showing up to meet the prez, no matter who was in office. To me, it's a missed opportunity.

EDIT: LOL, I just read the post above about nine Devils showing up. I had forgotten about that. I do remember thinking at the time that it was a missed opportunity.

Edited by 95Crash, 24 January 2012 - 11:17 AM.

[Shtikl]

Chiarelli opted not to suspend and fine the guy, which is worse than the guy having a tantrum and bragging about it in the first place. There were a lot of players in that room who don't approve of Obama, but they know the difference between a team event and a personal one. They know their goalie laid an egg and acted like a spoiled two-year-old. But it's not the first time he's done something petty and stupid and it won't be the last.

At least he spared Obama the ordeal of having to be polite to a selfish bigot. Of course being a man, Obama did his duty because it's a tradition that goes with the job, no matter what he thought of the team or its players.

I suppose it must be a comfort for you, DevilsFanSteve30, to think that so many of the people who are supposed to have your back in a crisis think it's perfectly fine not to show up if they don't want to.

[ghdi]

Its his right not to go, but his reasoning is shallow. Trying to politicize a innocent tradition like this is stupid and demeaning. No one gives a sh!t about Tim Thomas' political views at the end of the day. I would go regardless of who the President is, and if I didnt agree with his policies, I would hope to get a chance to express that to the President respectfully.

[Steven M.]

Thanks for those links, DiG!

I particularly like this from the 95' one.

Martin Brodeur was one of the nine players in attendance. President Clinton singled him out and said he particularly liked Brodeur's nickname, which is The Kid.


"I got chills when he said that," Brodeur said afterward. "It's something special that I will remember for a long time."

[hargsy]

You know sometimes the public perception of a person is very negative because of the biased media, but when you (yourself) meet this person you realize maybe he's getting a bad rap...he's not that bad after all. It's worth a shot to find out for yourself.

[DaneykoIsGod]

No prob, Steve!

I liked this one too:

From the NY Times:

In a Rose Garden ceremony, Bush said the Stanley Cup trophy, which was on display nearby, was proof of a team's "athleticism and desire and drive, a couple of cuts here and there, maybe a missed tooth or two." As if to underscore the point, Bush posed with gap-toothed defenseman Colin White, whose grin is testament to the rough-and-tumble nature of his profession.

Link to the photo of Bush and White with a big, goofy, gap-toothed smile (the photo itself won't embed into the post ... weird extension)

[ScoreMoreThan3]

The Devils history with this:

2003

The President's Remarks

2000


1995

The President's Remarks

NY Times:

Incredible pictures. Incredible hair.

[Steven M.]

I also like this:

The Devils have been winners in more ways than one lately. They were the envy of the draft in Edmonton on Saturday when they were able to select Petr Sykora, perhaps the most skilled forward in the draft.

A native of the Czech Republic, Sykora is a talented center, but he was overlooked by teams because of a shoulder separation he suffered in the winter playing for the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League. Despite his immense talent, Sykora is certain to start the season with the Devils' top affiliate in the minor leagues, the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League.

17 years later... here he is having a standout season for us. awesome.

[NJCroMag]

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.

I'm with this. Come right out and say you'd rather kiss Zdeno Chara on the mouth than have to put up with that "God-hating, baby-killing socialist scumbag" because at least there's no wishy-washy "I'll say this isn't political when it really is" idiocy.

Of course, if he kisses Chara on the mouth, the Republicans will probably kick him outta the party, but I digress...

[oofrostonoo]

It was about the team and not him. Being a key piece to that team and not showing up wasn't the best move. Then saying a political statement about it...followed by saying it wasn't political kinda makes me scratch my head.

Bad move... overshadowed the team, I can respect his views, but not his decision.

[hargsy]

Mark Recchi, Shane Hnidy and Tomas Kaberle aren’t with the team anymore, and they still made the trek to the nation’s capital for the high honor.
good article here:
http://www.csnne.com...986&feedID=3352

[Marshall]

Its his right not to go

Actually it isn't - it's a team event and he's mandated to go.

"(d) to co-operate with the Club and participate in any and all reasonable promotional activities of the Club which will in the opinion of the Club promote the welfare of the Club and to cooperate in the promotion of the League and professional hockey generally,

"(e) to conduct himself on and off the rink according to the highest standards of honesty, morality, fair play and sportsmanship, and to refrain from conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Club, the League or professional hockey generally."

[Jimmy Leeds]

At least he spared Obama the ordeal of having to be polite to a selfish bigot.

So let me get this straight...........he doesn't go so he's now a "racist"?

Is that correct? You actually made that leap?

[Devil Dan 56]

He should have just gone and avoided all of this, but the media is really blowing it out of proportion. Lots of players have missed these things and there's never any mention of it.

[devilsfan26]

He should have just gone and avoided all of this, but the media is really blowing it out of proportion. Lots of players have missed these things and there's never any mention of it.

Yeah really, I can't believe how big a deal this has become, and even his own GM supports his decision not to go. He shouldn't have to pretend to enjoy being there.

Chiarelli opted not to suspend and fine the guy, which is worse than the guy having a tantrum and bragging about it in the first place. There were a lot of players in that room who don't approve of Obama, but they know the difference between a team event and a personal one. They know their goalie laid an egg and acted like a spoiled two-year-old. But it's not the first time he's done something petty and stupid and it won't be the last.

At least he spared Obama the ordeal of having to be polite to a selfish bigot. Of course being a man, Obama did his duty because it's a tradition that goes with the job, no matter what he thought of the team or its players.

I suppose it must be a comfort for you, DevilsFanSteve30, to think that so many of the people who are supposed to have your back in a crisis think it's perfectly fine not to show up if they don't want to.

Dude relax, he didn't "have a tantrum and brag about it." He just declined to attend an event that many have declined to attend before, and when asked about it he gave a brief explanation. You are seriously overreacting.