Ty Anderson: Separation of Skates and State: Thomas 'snub' is nonsense

Why would you start another one? I regrettably just finished reading that last gongshow.

Absolutely classless behavior by Thomas. Bruins management all feel pretty disgraced at this moment.

Hey, have all the problems you want with government...I get that. Thomas is a fool if he thinks he only represents himself at times like this. It was a BRUINS meal with the President to honor what the BRUINS did. Thomas's action was completely selfish and disrespectful to everyone else on the team and their fans.

F Thomas. Classless move.

The only thing this draws attention to is his petulant behavior.

Good for Thomas; think what you want, he stuck to his guns and I'm glad he did.

Totally agree, Thomas is a stand up guy and doing this has only reinforced that to me. Maybe you dont agree with his politics, but he has a right to make this decision and nobody has the right to say otherwise. It was a hard choice I'm sure, but the most important choices usually are the hardest. I guess a lot of people would rather he become a sheep and play along, but that's not what makes countries like the US and Canada great. It's standing up for what you believe and not being afraid to do unpopular things if it's what you believe.

I commend him for sticking to his guns, but he took focus away from what was supposed to be a team event.

He made his choice. Free country and all that

I've got nothing but support for a guy who acts on principles (even if those principles are based on something as silly as tea party politics) but if you're going to stand up and publicly make a point, then you have to expect and accept that criticism is going to come your way. Thomas is fully within his right to express his political beliefs but if he's going to do it in such a public manner then he's fair game. I'd draw the line at bringing his family into it. Anyone even mentioning his wife or children doesn't deserve to have an opinion.

I've got nothing but support for a guy who acts on principles (even if those principles are based on something as silly as tea party politics) but if you're going to stand up and publicly make a point, then you have to expect and accept that criticism is going to come your way. Thomas is fully within his right to express his political beliefs but if he's going to do it in such a public manner then he's fair game. I'd draw the line at bringing his family into it. Anyone even mentioning his wife or children doesn't deserve to have an opinion.
- Jeffmt

Yeah, Dave Hodge pulled a real slimeball move and mentioned how his three kids all have names that begin with a K -- making a subtle yet obvious KKK reference. Embarrassing.

He mentions his decision was not about politics but makes a political statement about his views on modern government.

Yeah, Dave Hodge pulled a real slimeball move and mentioned how his three kids all have names that begin with a K -- making a subtle yet obvious KKK reference. Embarrassing.
- tyanderson

Dave Hodge makes a lot of slimy comments. He spends far to much time with Steve Simmonds and Damian Cox who are also morons.

Ty Anderson: Separation of Skates and State: Thomas 'snub' is nonsense
- tyanderson

The whole thing is rubbish, both from Thomas' end and those of his critics.

Thomas should have made his absence less politically charged so it didn't distract from what the day was really about: The Boston Bruins' amazing accomplishment.

His critics are just taking it too far.

Sidenote: Clever title

He mentions his decision was not about politics but makes a political statement about his views on modern government.
- AlexF

So he doesn't believe the U.S. should have a President?

Respect!

Yeah, Dave Hodge pulled a real slimeball move and mentioned how his three kids all have names that begin with a K -- making a subtle yet obvious KKK reference. Embarrassing.
- tyanderson

Lots of people give their kids names starting with the same letter. I haven't heard (or read?) the comment but I'm betting it's another example of a sports "journalist's" futile attempt at humor. Someone needs to tell these guys that they don't all have to be comedians. If he said that then he owes Thomas a huge public apology.

The Tea Party is a bunch of nuts. Lighten up Timmy

An interesting perspective:

Then I decided to break it down like this: What if Slovakian Zdeno Chara or Canadian Patrice Bergeron or German Dennis Seidenberg decided to take a similar stance in protest of the United States' involvement in the Afghan war or for one of President Obama’s domestic policies? How would you feel if an athlete with a foreign citizenship playing in a professional sports league based in New York City for an American hockey team, while taking up U.S. residency paying taxes, made a similar statement? Personally, I would be irate and furious. Tim Thomas doesn’t deserve an exemption because he’s American.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...blockID=636864&feedID=695

He has the right to not go, and I have the right to call him an ass. This country is divisive enough. Thomas should stick to stopping pucks while he is still playing hockey and worry about politics after he retires.

This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the problem with his statement. Thomas either shows a complete lack of awareness, or was trying to cause a political stir. Saying he is speaking as an individual makes it a selfish thing, where he is making the situation about himself. This was far from a political event, and was meant to celebrate the team. He made it political and about himself.

If he wanted to make it a political statement, he should have owned up to it being one. That would have been better. It still has to be annoying to his teammates, but at least he is being honest about it.

Politics and religion have nothing to do with professional sports. What Timmy did today was his choice ... the choice that the founding fathers of this country instilled upon the people. It was 100% American.

It's comical to see asshats like Kevin Paul Dupont rant and rave about Timmy's decision. You don't like freedom, STFU and GTFO. I hear North Korea is beautiful this time of year.

And just because Thomas snubbed Maobama doesn't mean he dislikes his country so don't even go there. Plenty of people love America, but hate the direction that Socialists like Obama are taking it. It is more patriotic to America to voice displeasure with the administration... their choices to bail out crooks on Wall Street while industrial cities like Flint, Michigan that our country was built upon continue their spiraling decline... than it is to act like a sheep and be herded into a room so that a politician who is a major part of this problem can have a photo opportunity.

(frank) that.

I praise Timmy for what he did today. Reminded me that even though the government owns our banks and wants universal health care and supports general communistic ideologies, that our basic rights still hold true. And that, people, is American.

The Tea Party is a bunch of nuts. Lighten up Timmy
- Cheeseballin

No kidding. I thought the founding fathers based government on compromise. Pretty sure the tea party make it their credo not to compromise on anything. I think TT is a great goalie but I'd prefer he left his political views to himself.

Politics and religion have nothing to do with professional sports. What Timmy did today was his choice ... the choice that the founding fathers of this country instilled upon the people. It was 100% American.

It's comical to see asshats like Kevin Paul Dupont rant and rave about Timmy's decision. You don't like freedom of choice, GTFO. I hear North Korea is beautiful this time of year.

And just because Thomas snubbed Maobama doesn't mean he dislikes his country so don't even go there. Plenty of people love America, but hate the direction that Socialists like Obama are taking it. It is more patriotic to America to voice displeasure with the administration... their choices to bail out crooks on Wall Street while industrial cities like Flint, Michigan that our country was built upon continue their spiraling decline... than it is to act like a sheep and be herded into a room so that a politician who is a major part of this problem can have a photo opportunity.

(frank) that.

I praise Timmy for what he did today. Reminded me that even though the government owns our banks and wants universal health care and supports general communistic beliefs, that our basic rights still hold true. And that, people, is American.
- JEFF SPICOLI

lol

How fitting is it that Boston plays at Washington tomorrow? Think Thomas gets the start?

How fitting is it that Boston plays at Washington tomorrow? Think Thomas gets the start?
- canadianpenfan

If Obama's attending it'll be Rask in net.

If Obama's attending it'll be Rask in net.
- AlexF

I think it'll be Rask regardless

Politics and religion have nothing to do with professional sports. What Timmy did today was his choice ... the choice that the founding fathers of this country instilled upon the people. It was 100% American.

It's comical to see asshats like Kevin Paul Dupont rant and rave about Timmy's decision. You don't like freedom of choice, GTFO. I hear North Korea is beautiful this time of year.

And just because Thomas snubbed Maobama doesn't mean he dislikes his country so don't even go there. Plenty of people love America, but hate the direction that Socialists like Obama are taking it. It is more patriotic to America to voice displeasure with the administration... their choices to bail out crooks on Wall Street while industrial cities like Flint, Michigan that our country was built upon continue their spiraling decline... than it is to act like a sheep and be herded into a room so that a politician who is a major part of this problem can have a photo opportunity.

(frank) that.

I praise Timmy for what he did today. Reminded me that even though the government owns our banks and wants universal health care and supports general communistic beliefs, that our basic rights still hold true. And that, people, is American.
- JEFF SPICOLI

Right on, JS. I was so bothered by guys like KPD and others talking about what a selfish move this was and all this nonsense. Thomas exercised his right as an American, and a person that's sick of how this country is being run. That's his choice, and god damnit it's a beautiful one, for sure.

Also, I totally thought of the Michigan connection as well. That's a state that's been absolutely ravished by the hard economic times, and there's no doubt in my mind that Thomas is bothered by that. He's a prideful guy, he loves where he's from -- and he makes it known. Good for him.

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.