How exactly is Tim Thomas embarassing his team, league and country, by being man enough to make a decision (a tough one) that goes against many?
- jak521

how is hiding being a man?

He brought attention to himself and his political views when it should've been a day of celebration for his team. And I don't get when people call what he did being a man or admirable. He didn't stand up for his beliefs, he avoided someone who he disagrees with on a day that wasn't about politics. That's not admirable to me. I'm sure he could've said something to the president like an adult instead of avoiding the situation.
- feelingkettle

exactly

TT badly missed the boat on this one.
- MJL

I agree. I did not vort for President Obama, but I would still appreciate meeting the President of the United States. I don't hate Mr. Obama. He didn't do anything personal to me. We just differ in our political views - but I bet we have more in common than most would think. Heck, his wife does a hockey commercial.

He brought attention to himself and his political views when it should've been a day of celebration for his team. And I don't get when people call what he did being a man or admirable. He didn't stand up for his beliefs, he avoided someone who he disagrees with on a day that wasn't about politics. That's not admirable to me. I'm sure he could've said something to the president like an adult instead of avoiding the situation.
- feelingkettle

you play guitar for a living.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BEING AND ADULT

Pretty sure all the statements I've read from players and the team were stating their disappointment that he wasn't there. So maybe it was a bit of a big deal to the team. Like MJL said, there is a time and place for political discussion, but yesterday was not one of them. He could not see past disagreements and chose to avoid the situation and post something online, drawing attention to himself instead of his team. I wouldn't want anyone doing this under Bush, either. I don't care about hockey players' political beliefs. I like them because they're good at hockey.
- feelingkettle

Then why does it matter if he goes to a white house event or not? If its sheerly because they are hockey players.. why does the fact that a guy decided not to honor the president bother so many people. I dont care if it was George (frank)ing Washington.. if a guy doesnt wanna go, so be it.

He does have that right. But the problem is that he is making a non political event into one. That's not about politics. It's about an American tradition of having Championship sports teams visit the White House, to honor the team. There is a time and place to stand behind political views. And that isn't one of them. And that's all I'll say about that.
- MJL

Yea now that you put it that way, the President is more or less representing the American people by having the team over for that event. It's more or less a way for the team to be honored by the American people regardless of what the President thinks. Ugh I don't know he didn't break any law and I'm no TT lover I'd love to pile on but I'm having a hard time to objectionably make a decision on this one.

you play guitar for a living.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BEING AND ADULT
- OrangeBlack27

Oh snap!

you play guitar for a living.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BEING AND ADULT
- OrangeBlack27

Everything I learned from life, I learned from Grey Eyed Glances lyrics.

My favorite song of theirs is "More to Come".

If your expecting Couturier to be like a Brindy or a Handzus I think your really under estimating him. I see him more like a Brad Richards type of player.
- RooNosHockey

I see him as Jordan Staal, playing behind our version of Crosby and Malkin. And this ice time argument is so tired. As is the "which line is 1st 2nd or 3rd" discussion. We pay too much attention to designations.

All three centers will get close to 20 minutes a night between ES, PK, and PP. It wont be an issue.

And if Couturier puts up points even close to what Brind Amour did in his career I would be giddy.

Everything I learned from life, I learned from Grey Eyed Glances lyrics.

My favorite song of theirs is "More to Come".
- feelingkettle

Can't listen to "Burt" without tearing up.

Then why does it matter if he goes to a white house event or not? If its sheerly because they are hockey players.. why does the fact that a guy decided not to honor the president bother so many people. I dont care if it was George (frank)ing Washington.. if a guy doesnt wanna go, so be it.
- jak521

He didn't not honor the president. I don't care what he does to the president. He took attention away from his team and made it about his political beliefs. He could've made the same statement before or after the event and still gone to it.

how is hiding being a man?
- Dkos

Being a man is sticking to your guns no matter the consequences. He knew there would be a backlash.. hell everyone knows there will be a backlash. He said so be it, and stuck to his beliefs. Had he changed because a few people didnt like something... then he would be hiding. Instead he bared his soul... pretty much the opposite of hiding to me.

Would I have done the same thing? No... and I think Obama is about as phony as they come.. I would have went and said, its a pleasure meeting you Mr. President. Obviously Tim Thomas did not want to do that.

Can't listen to "Burt" without tearing up.
- OrangeBlack27

Always thought that was the best song of their album "Scary Good."

Then why does it matter if he goes to a white house event or not? If its sheerly because they are hockey players.. why does the fact that a guy decided not to honor the president bother so many people. I dont care if it was George (frank)ing Washington.. if a guy doesnt wanna go, so be it.
- jak521

No one is honoring the President at this event. It's the other way around. The country is acknowledging the Stanley Cup Champs. Obama just happens to be this country's representative currently.

He didn't not honor the president. I don't care what he does to the president. He took attention away from his team and made it about his political beliefs. He could've made the same statement before or after the event and still gone to it.
- feelingkettle

Bull poop. He didnt take anything away from his team... people who are flipping poop on the guy took away from his team. If it was left alone and the media and fan bases didnt blow it up, would it have been a huge deal? Do you think today Chara or Bergy are sitting in their hotel thinking.. Dammit Timmy, you really ruined my day. You stole all of our attention? Come on..

No one is honoring the President at this event. It's the other way around. The country is acknowledging the Stanley Cup Champs. Obama just happens to be this country's representative currently.
- Dkos

It's an American event, not a political event.

Being a man is sticking to your guns no matter the consequences. He knew there would be a backlash.. hell everyone knows there will be a backlash. He said so be it, and stuck to his beliefs. Had he changed because a few people didnt like something... then he would be hiding. Instead he bared his soul... pretty much the opposite of hiding to me.

Would I have done the same thing? No... and I think Obama is about as phony as they come.. I would have went and said, its a pleasure meeting you Mr. President. Obviously Tim Thomas did not want to do that.
- jak521

Gimme a break. He avoided the situation. That's not sticking to your guns. He could not see past his own political convictions to enjoy a day of celebration with his team. The day wasn't about the president, it was about his team. But he made it about him. Just because something is in the White House does not automatically make it political. The Easter morning egg hunt is apolitical as far as I know.

It's pretty evident that Thomas doesn't care about black people.

It's an American event, not a political event.
- MJL

Anything shown on TV involving the president is political.. intentional or not.

It's pretty evident that Thomas doesn't care about black people.
- KGBflyers10

Exactly

Anything shown on TV involving the president is political.. intentional or not.
- jak521

So if he's petting his puppy...am I supposed to vote Democrat in the next election because he likes puppies?

It's an American event, not a political event.
- MJL

I'm probably to the right of Thomas in my political views. That being said, I think Thomas should have gone because he is representing the Bruins and the NHL, not the Republican party.

Bull poop. He didnt take anything away from his team... people who are flipping poop on the guy took away from his team. If it was left alone and the media and fan bases didnt blow it up, would it have been a huge deal? Do you think today Chara or Bergy are sitting in their hotel thinking.. Dammit Timmy, you really ruined my day. You stole all of our attention? Come on..
- jak521

There were repeated statements from his team saying they were disappointed. Maybe they should take a page out of TT's playbook and not show up to the next game to demonstrate their disagreement with him.

It's pretty evident that Thomas doesn't care about black people.
- KGBflyers10

It's all Bush's fault. Or more apropos for this board, it's Bryzgalov/Shelley/Carle/Carter/Emigner/Biron/Richards/DryIsland/Refs/Stevens fault.

If I missed anyone than clearly it's Ben Franklin's fault.

Anything shown on TV involving the president is political.. intentional or not.
- jak521

I disagree. I'm not going to get into a political discussion.