I've never heard George Bush referred to as a communist but you'll find he was the man in charge of pushing through the wall street bailouts.

And Flint, Michigan has been spiraling for a lot longer than any timeline syncing with the bailout. Manufacturing declines and American jobs get shipped to China. It's called Capitalism, not Communism.
- AlexF

Don't forget who you're dealing with...

Good on ya Timmy for not playing the little lap dog for something you didn't believe in.

LoL...this should cement the reputation of the B's.....Hockey should not be a forum for political ideology.....Thomas could have just sucked it up and recognized that a trip to the nations capital is an honor regardless of who sits in the Oval Office....by taking this selfish stance he purposely draws negative attention to his club and teammates.....I don't see how you can wrap an American flag in his decision?....are The Bruin's trying to bully the US President now?.....this will be another cloud that hangs over this organization as this team seems to consistently find new ways to disgrace itself....I feel like I need to apologize for you guys.

LoL...this should cement the reputation of the B's.....Hockey should not be a forum for political ideology.....Thomas could have just sucked it up and recognized that a trip to the nations capital is an honor regardless of who sits in the Oval Office....by taking this selfish stance he purposely draws negative attention to his club and teammates.....I don't see how you can wrap an American flag in his decision?....are The Bruin's trying to bully the US President now?.....this will be another cloud that hangs over this organization as this team seems to consistently find new ways to disgrace itself....I feel like I need to apologize for you guys.
- Termin8

That's harsh. I don't think you can fault the Bruins organisation for this. This was an individual making a choice for himself. Right or wrong, it was his choice to make, not the Bruins.

LoL...this should cement the reputation of the B's.....Hockey should not be a forum for political ideology.....Thomas could have just sucked it up and recognized that a trip to the nations capital is an honor regardless of who sits in the Oval Office....by taking this selfish stance he purposely draws negative attention to his club and teammates.....I don't see how you can wrap an American flag in his decision?....are The Bruin's trying to bully the US President now?.....this will be another cloud that hangs over this organization as this team seems to consistently find new ways to disgrace itself....I feel like I need to apologize for you guys.
- Termin8

This is not about the Bruins! This is about Thomas, and Thomas only

WOW, It's amazing an NHL goalie can create such a stir What's the point in making this into something BIG? Media hype over nothing but ratings, and I see allot of you are the hungry fish biting at dead bait. Next week it will be old news and nobody will care. Move on,,,Next?

That's harsh. I don't think you can fault the Bruins organisation for this. This was an individual making a choice for himself. Right or wrong, it was his choice to make, not the Bruins.
- james

Agreed. I think Cam Neely came out and said that TT's views were his own and not reflective of the organization. This topic is getting old...

Agreed. I think Cam Neely came out and said that TT's views were his own and not reflective of the organization. This topic is getting old...
- AlexF

Ahmen

That's harsh. I don't think you can fault the Bruins organisation for this. This was an individual making a choice for himself. Right or wrong, it was his choice to make, not the Bruins.
- james

The choice is fine....it just doesn't respect his teammates, organization and the NHL. A team function where the leader of the nation wants to personally congratulate your success is not the appropriate forum to make a stand that will obviously cast a negative reaction. I think it's a classless move.....and you can't help but infer what his real motivations might be.....

It's his right to do it but he probably could have handled it better. He said that his decision wasn't about politics or party but preceded and followed that with strong political statements. If not that, then what was it about, Tim? If he didn't want it to be taken as a political statement then he should have said he's declining due to personal reasons and just leave it at that. He did make a political statement by not attending and, although that's totally within his rights, he probably alienated himself from members of his team and the Bruins organization. If he considers that a fair trade off then fine, he's got my support. I just think he made this more difficult on himself and his team than it needed to be.
- Jeffmt

There are 3 American players on Boston's roster, not likely the team will alienate him as the majority of players are in fact Canadian and really don't care about American politics! Don't you think that is a little more accurate?

We're now going to see the Boston media's attempt at running TT30 out of town and painting him as a bad guy. It's going to be really cute.
- tyanderson

And so it begins ...

http://www.csnne.com/blog...lockID=636986&feedID=3352

does he not understand by shutting up smiling and shaking the president's hand he could have avoided this entire thing?

he shook all the canucks' hands, does that mean he respects them more than president of his country

the fact he's a noted republican as well has nothing to do with this at all either

There are 3 American players on Boston's roster, not likely the team will alienate him as the majority of players are in fact Canadian and really don't care about American politics! Don't you think that is a little more accurate?
- sloppyseconds2

I think any time there's a major team function, the players would like everyone to be involved. It really doesn't have anything to do with nationality. I guarantee you that a lot of the Canadian and European players were thrilled to have that opportunity. Thomas told his teammates that he'd rather make a political point than to be there with them. Personally, I don't care either way if he goes. I don't have a problem with him standing up for something he obviously has strong feelings about. That said, if you think he didn't piss off some of his teammates you're dreaming. I don't think the Bruins could have been any more clear that, at least as an organization, they're disappointed in him.

Its funny because the biggest threat to the American constitution was the patriot act that the republicans forced down the thoats of Americans by creating a sense of fear.

I'm guessing that's why he isn't taking sides on a party.

The choice is fine....it just doesn't respect his teammates, organization and the NHL. A team function where the leader of the nation wants to personally congratulate your success is not the appropriate forum to make a stand that will obviously cast a negative reaction. I think it's a classless move.....and you can't help but infer what his real motivations might be.....
- Termin8

The Bruins already visited the White House with Tim Thomas last year after the cup win, this was simply a marketing/popularity stint by the government to try and boost voter support as an election is in the horizon.Tim decided not to be part of the scheme of influencing voters with a BS visit to the White house. Can't blame him for not wanting to be a pawn for an election, and only 2 other Bruins are American, so most don't give a shyte anyway!

I think any time there's a major team function, the players would like everyone to be involved. It really doesn't have anything to do with nationality. I guarantee you that a lot of the Canadian and European players were thrilled to have that opportunity. Thomas told his teammates that he'd rather make a political point than to be there with them. Personally, I don't care either way if he goes. I don't have a problem with him standing up for something he obviously has strong feelings about. That said, if you think he didn't piss off some of his teammates you're dreaming. I don't think the Bruins could have been any more clear that, at least as an organization, they're disappointed in him.
- Jeffmt

I don't know how he let his teamates down he's an American most of his teammates are not. Its his country he feels a certain way and he voiced his opinion.

Its not like the guy refused to go to a hospital for sick kids.

does he not understand by shutting up smiling and shaking the president's hand he could have avoided this entire thing?

he shook all the canucks' hands, does that mean he respects them more than president of his country

the fact he's a noted republican as well has nothing to do with this at all either
- sushi

Exactly this.....how about "hey guys, my tummy hurts so I'm gonna bow outta this one." .....or......"I got some wicked bad diarrhea and I don't want to paint the porcelain in the Whitehouse"

Don't worry Timmy.....it looks like the South might rise again.

The Bruins already visited the White House with Tim Thomas last year after the cup win, this was simply a marketing/popularity stint by the government to try and boost voter support as an election is in the horizon.Tim decided not to be part of the scheme of influencing voters with a BS visit to the White house. Can't blame him for not wanting to be a pawn for an election, and only 2 other Bruins are American, so most don't give a shyte anyway!
- sloppyseconds2

You keep saying that but you really have no clue whether that's true or not. I don't have access to the White House's guest list but I'm willing to bet that hundreds of foreign guests are invited every year and show up with a smile on their face. You don't have to be American to appreciate that.

I think any time there's a major team function, the players would like everyone to be involved. It really doesn't have anything to do with nationality. I guarantee you that a lot of the Canadian and European players were thrilled to have that opportunity. Thomas told his teammates that he'd rather make a political point than to be there with them. Personally, I don't care either way if he goes. I don't have a problem with him standing up for something he obviously has strong feelings about. That said, if you think he didn't piss off some of his teammates you're dreaming. I don't think the Bruins could have been any more clear that, at least as an organization, they're disappointed in him.
- Jeffmt

Good points there, its hard to say, all I really know is if he would come to the Leafs, he could rip our government all he wants as long as he stops the puck

You keep saying that but you really have no clue whether that's true or not. I don't have access to the White House's guest list but I'm willing to bet that hundreds of foreign guests are invited every year and show up with a smile on their face. You don't have to be American to appreciate that.
- Jeffmt

Why should he put on a face when he doesn't appreciate it. And how is that letting his teammates down? Its totally irrealavent

Good points there, its hard to say, all I really know is if he would come to the Leafs, he could rip our government all he wants as long as he stops the puck
- sloppyseconds2

I can't argue with you on that.

Why should he put on a face when he doesn't appreciate it. And how is that letting his teammates down? Its totally irrealavent
- duckyjets

I wasn't talking about Thomas. It was a reply to a suggestion that anyone who isn't American wouldn't care about the event. Keep up.

I wasn't talking about Thomas. It was a reply to a suggestion that anyone who isn't American wouldn't care about the event. Keep up.
- Jeffmt

Well they are not going to care about the same issues as an American would.

To non Americans its a dinner with a powerful man to an American its a dinner with someone who has influence on what has gone on in his country so the feelings are totally different.

You keep saying that but you really have no clue whether that's true or not. I don't have access to the White House's guest list but I'm willing to bet that hundreds of foreign guests are invited every year and show up with a smile on their face. You don't have to be American to appreciate that.
- Jeffmt

So true, and I would love it, but I am saying that Tim's team mates aren't likely offended by his actions,it is a system they don't live by or vote to, sure the thrill of being at the White House is amazing, but I don't think the non-Americans put allot of thought into which political party is in power. Tim does because he is American.