Thomas snubs the President......

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Boom Boom

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Im interested to hear his reasons. And I certainly dont dispute he has a right to do so. A heck of a way to make a statement however. Does anyone have any insight into his reasons ahead of his announcement?

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/01/23/obama_bruins/

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=385861

"Everybody has their own opinions and political beliefs and he chose not to join us," Bruins president Cam Neely told ESPN.

Thomas, who represented the U.S. in two world championships as well as during the 2010 Winter Games, is reportedly set to make a statement explaining his reasons for skipping the team's White House at some point Monday on his Facebook page.



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I would have not gone too. But thats not the point. He has the right to choose not to go and the right not to talk about it.

I'm on his side
 
Former NBA Small Forward Tim Thomas is suddenly going to wonder why his name's on the no fly list.... :D

wildfan1833 said:
I would have not gone too. But thats not the point. He has the right to choose not to go and the right not to talk about it.

I'm on his side
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I almost agree with everything you say here, however, being that Thomas is in the public eye as much as he is, it's only right that he address why he didn't go...even if it's just a blanket statement made up of every public relations cliche in the book.
 
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chadsexington said:
Former NBA Small Forward Tim Thomas is suddenly going to wonder why his name's on the no fly list.... :D



I almost agree with everything you say here, however, being that Thomas is in the public eye as much as he is, it's only right that he address why he didn't go...even if it's just a blanket statement made up of every public relations cliche in the book.
Click to expand...

I agree with you too. We all know he will say something to clam the fire. But I wouldn't blame him if he didnt say anything
 
Timmy is one of my favorite players in the game, and I will wait until we hear his reasons before passing any judgement.

Under 'normal' circumstances it should be inexcusable to miss a team event of this magnitude. Being as how he was not suspended or reprimanded, I am assuming it wasn't politically motivated. Although Thomas is a rather conservative fellow, so who knows....
 
The Great Zo said:
This is lame and inexcusable. Visiting the White House as a major league champion has nothing to do with politics at all.
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Here's the great thing about this country. You have the right to your opinion by saying that. Just like Tim Thomas has the right to believe the opposite. Tim Thomas is a noted right winger (outside the rink). If he feels that strongly against visiting the White House and meeting the President, that's entirely his choice. I completely support him. The people serving now, the people I served with and the ones that served before us gave him that right. He chose to exercise his freedom of choice. He shouldn't be lambasted for it.
 
He put himself ahead of his team, and made himself the story, so that the world might know his political views. And since who the heck cares the political views of a hockey player, he's wanking.
 
As far as I know there was no game at the White House today. He's allowed to have his own beliefs and opinions outside Bruins games. It was a team event but it wasn't mandatory for him to be there. He exercised his option not to go. The only one putting him ahead of the team is all the media blowing it out of proportion. If people respected his right to choose and not made such a big deal out of nothing, this wouldn't be an issue.
 
The Great Zo said:
He put himself ahead of his team, and made himself the story, so that the world might know his political views.
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Not particularly Andy. The media chose to put him ahead of his team, and make him the story, so the world might know his political views.

Expanding on my thought earlier (not directed at anybody...just an observation in general) ...I know that it's often the sexy thing to do to just "go along" with the majority, but when people have the right to take a stand for their beliefs and do, I don't understand why it's such a big deal when they've chosen to do so.

The thing is, had the Bruins been granted an audience with the pope, and Thomas chose not to attend because he was Muslim, would it have been as big an issue? Or would it have been dismissed as "Ah yeah he's a different religion - that makes sense that he isn't going." I don't see why this is any different.
 
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Just because one has the right doesn't mean that one can use that right for a trump card against any and all injustices he feels have been committed.

Where is Thomas (or any other athlete that has turned their back on the invite) going to draw the line? If a politition dropped the opening faceoff would/should a player refust? Throws out the first pitch, refuse to catch it? Sing the national anthem, turn their back.

I get that his politics don't align with the current administration but throwing away the opportunity to be publicly commended and to take in the history of the White House because you don't agree with it's current tenant is petty at best.

Tim, you're a champion, act like it. Be the better man if thats how you have to sell it to yourself but you are alienating yourself from your fanbase (or at least major parts of it) by making huge splashes that have nothing to do with what happens on the ice.

My two cents anyway (and that would be the same regardless of the political party in power).
 
Interesting.

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a group to meet a French-Canadian Prime Minister who I absolutely despised. Everything about this person, from his snugness/arrogance/superiority complex to his political party/beliefs, I despised from the deepest part of my soul.

I didn't want to go, but was basically 'forced' to for 'the good of the team.'

It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. After the handshake, I litteraly felt ill and wanted to puke and then run to the washroom to scrub my hands thoroughly. I felt 'dirty.' I felt like a complete hypocrite, and was basically mad at myself for days for not saying 'F*** it' and refusing to go.

If Thomas didn't want to go, fine with me.
 
I have no problem with Thomas not going. He's not the first, and he won't be the last. I don't care regardless. Again why's this a story of any significance?
 
Because the Super Bowl is still two weeks away and there are a bunch of bored sports writers trying to make a story out of nothing.
 
Tim Thomas is the man!! :beer:

He has every RIGHT to decline the invitation and stand up for his beliefs. And I would say the same if I didn't agree with his decision/beliefs.
 
Tea Party Timmy didn't want to go. That's fine. It's his choice. People may lambaste him for it, but really he's the one missing out on the big fun event. I've hobnobbed with a few political rivals and I'm always cheerful when I tell them how much I look forward to defeating them in the next election. Stock Day was a nice guy about the whole thing, in particular. LOL
 

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