So if he's petting his puppy...am I supposed to vote Democrat in the next election because he likes puppies?
- KGBflyers10

Your not suppose to but some person will, as ridiculous as that sounds.

So if he's petting his puppy...am I supposed to vote Democrat in the next election because he likes puppies?
- KGBflyers10

You may not, but there are plenty of people out there who dont see policies, but personalities. Some people might not know what he stands for but see that he seems like he is a nice guy, and shares common interests.. and thats enough for them. Thats the sad reality of our country.

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.
- MBFlyerfan

If it was a Political event, Obama should have only invited the American players who are registered Democrats.

So if he's petting his puppy...am I supposed to vote Democrat in the next election because he likes puppies?
- KGBflyers10

If his strokes are broad and go with the grain of the fur, then yes.

I think this sums up this season so far:

Vort for Matt Carle 2012

Your not suppose to but some person will, as ridiculous as that sounds.
- stveshdy

Well, I like cats. So....

GO REPUBLICANS!

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.
- feelingkettle

They could have suspended him, but they said they respected his decision. If they were so adamantly in disagreement they could have forced him..

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

Neither do I want to get political, but I agree with Jak, especially in today's political climate. Its ALL about politics, it is all carefully arranged. And you can bet that his staff and handlers went out of their way to NOT appear political, and that in itself, makes it about politics. Because people just end up talking about how non-political it seemed.

Its a game like anything else.

Boston isn't part of America?
- Dkos

If the Canucks won the Cup are they being invited to the White House?

When the Celtics won the Championship Rasheed Wallace showed up at the White House, while George Bush was in Office.

Tim Thomas outclassed by Rasheed Wallace.

What a selfish douche Thomas is. He made the day about him, instead of his team.

If the Canucks won the Cup are they being invited to the White House?
- rockychocbill

No.

Neither do I want to get political, but I agree with Jak, especially in today's political climate. Its ALL about politics, it is all carefully arranged. And you can bet that his staff and handlers went out of their way to NOT appear political, and that in itself, makes it about politics. Because people just end up talking about how non-political it seemed.

Its a game like anything else.
- MBFlyerfan

Neither do I want to get political, but I agree with Jak, especially in today's political climate. Its ALL about politics, it is all carefully arranged. And you can bet that his staff and handlers went out of their way to NOT appear political, and that in itself, makes it about politics. Because people just end up talking about how non-political it seemed.

Its a game like anything else.
- MBFlyerfan

It's never been a political event. I don't understand how making a non political event look non political makes it political.

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

Sticking to your guns no matter what is being an idiot not a man. Sometimes a man has to "take one for the team". Sometimes a man has to do things he doesn't want to do. How can you make a decision without considering the consequences? As so many people have said already this event is not about the president or the current party in office or the government in general. It's just a way for the country to honor a championship team.

They could have suspended him, but they said they respected his decision. If they were so adamantly in disagreement they could have forced him..
- jak521

If they suspend him, they draw attention to it. They can respect his decision without agreeing with it, which is what the statements from the players and team said.

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

I dont care what the tradition is. If you dont believe in something then you can shouldnt have to be exposed to it just because people did it before you. There is a time and place to stick up for ALL your views, and its all the time, everyday. Otherwise your just another sheep being led to slaghter. You go time thomas.

Sticking to your guns no matter what is being an idiot not a man. Sometimes a man has to "take one for the team". Sometimes a man has to things he doesn't want to do. How can you make a decision without considering the consequences? As so many people have said already this event is not about the president or the current party in office or the government in general. It's just a way for the country to honor a championship team.
- Dkos

A guy throwing his personal beliefs.. not sport related, not job related... but core values and political beliefs.. out the window for other people... is not being an idiot. Its being faithful to yourself. That would be like telling a christian that he has to go to synagogue because the team was invited, and him turning it down because its not his religion. Thats a personal belief.

James Harrison didnt go because he didnt feel like it. Both when Bush or Obama were in office. Thats his decision.. good for him.

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

I dont care what the tradition is. If you dont believe in something then you can shouldnt have to be exposed to it just because people did it before you. There is a time and place to stick up for ALL your views, and its all the time, everyday. Otherwise your just another sheep being led to slaghter. You go time thomas.

If the Canucks won the Cup are they being invited to the White House?
- rockychocbill

Ryan Kesler would be.

*giggle*

If they suspend him, they draw attention to it. They can respect his decision without agreeing with it, which is what the statements from the players and team said.
- feelingkettle

Oh, and that would only further take away from the team.. Lose lose for them. What a jerk TT is.

I dont care what the tradition is. If you dont believe in something then you can shouldnt have to be exposed to it just because people did it before you. There is a time and place to stick up for ALL your views, and its all the time, everyday. Otherwise your just another sheep being led to slaghter. You go time thomas.
- RooNosHockey

No.
- MBFlyerfan

Of course not. My question was more rhetorical and in response to Dkos saying this whole White House thing was a tradition in "American" sports. Hockey is not an American sport. I think the better phrasing is "with American championship winners" (both team and individual). Sorry for the semantics.

Imagine if Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King had the courage that Tim Thomas had yesterday. The world probably be a much better place if they had just stayed home and wrote a column in their newspaper. I wish we all had the courage to stay home like Tim Thomas did when our beliefs are challenged.
- feelingkettle

Funny how easily liberals feelings are hurt...

Oh, and that would only further take away from the team.. Lose lose for them. What a jerk TT is.
- jak521

I don't have a problem with his beliefs. He can believe what he wants. I only have a problem with how he handled the situation.