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.
- tyanderson

Damn Communists!

(okay, I'm done )

Damn Communists!

(okay, I'm done )
- Mr_Clean

Hahah! Listen, at the end of the day, I'm all for Thomas speaking his mind. I just think it's funny that we're going to see fans/media talk about what a wiener Thomas is because they don't agree with his actions or views. Yet, we wonder why athletes don't open up and let their personalities show. Okay!

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.
- tyanderson

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.

lol
- Mr_Clean

Yeah ... Let me know if there's any big words in there you need me to sound out for ya

Personally, I don't think it's all that big of a deal. I don't even understand why any Championship team has to meet the President, why was the tradition started in the first place? Am I supposed to believe that Obama has true knowledge of any sport whatsoever? Or any President for that matter. More often than not it's an awkward event, with many fake smiles and even more fake laughs. The teams may as well meet with the writers on the Presidents staff, and shake their hands... They are after all where the current President in office gets their info and opinions on said Championship team!

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.
- JEFF SPICOLI

You have no idea what a communist is.....haha...so dumb!

You have no idea what a communist is.....haha...so dumb!
- james

That depends on which definition he subscribes to. FOX News defines "communist" a little different than you and I probably do.

Damn Communists!

(okay, I'm done )
- Mr_Clean

Thomas is racist.

100% support & respect what Thomas did. It was not "classless"... It was not "selfish"... Anyone who labels his decision as such needs to sober up, give their head a shake, and get educated.

This self indulgent, superficial, politically driven "photo op" is of no real importance... Get over it.

That depends on which definition he subscribes to. FOX News defines "communist" a little different than you and I probably do.
- Jeffmt

True that. We have all the things he describes in Canada (currently in Australia, same here as Canada), and I would say none of those things he decribes are communistic. But FOX News would say they are. Mehh, FOX News is for the simple minded, much like Tim Thomas I see....I kid I kid.

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.
- tyanderson

We "get it." Hopefully everyone else will start to as well.

I doubt anyone aside from Ricky Bobby Dupont and Butterball Haggerty will try to run Thomas out of town ... Those two self-aggrandizing (frank)s see a chance for the spotlight and run with it. Anyone who follows the Bruins with regularity knows not to put much stock into anything those two hardon's say.

Timmy is a great guy, and his decision today has nothing to do with being a good teammate or keeping the biscuit out of the basket. If anything, I hope this sheds light for some of the myopic dolts who think "It's all good." Ask someone in Flint how the Wall Street bailouts have helped them, and they'll tell you that it's far from "all good."

Hmmmmm ... What would happen if every team who won a championship had the opportunity to shake the Pope's hand and some decided to opt out? Would those individuals be accused of disliking God??

Ridiculous ...

Yeah ... Let me know if there's any big words in there you need me to sound out for ya
- JEFF SPICOLI

Thanks Professor SPICOLI, I'll keep that in mind...

Hahah! Listen, at the end of the day, I'm all for Thomas speaking his mind. I just think it's funny that we're going to see fans/media talk about what a wiener Thomas is because they don't agree with his actions or views. Yet, we wonder why athletes don't open up and let their personalities show. Okay!
- tyanderson

This I can agree with! A very unfortunate double standard

Hmmmmm ... What would happen if every team who won a championship had the opportunity to shake the Pope's hand and some decided to opt out? Would those individuals be accused of disliking God??

Ridiculous ...
- JEFF SPICOLI

Uhh, quite possibly. There are people who don't believe in God, you know...

They're called Communists

Had Thomas himself been invited and turned it down is one thing. To use a forum that was presented to the Bruins is something else. He isn't Rosa Parks. He's a rich white guy. He hijacked the focus away from his TEAM to be a selfish grandstander.

you can pass it off as patriotism if it's convenient for you (all bruin apologists) but this clearly wasn't the forum to make this statement and personally I think he went too far.

If Obama comes to a game will Thomas refuse to play?

I agree with TT on this one the US government is getting out of control pandering to big business and sticking its oversized head into places it doesn't belong. Look at SOPA as an example good for Thomas to have the courage to show he disaproves of the system.

100% support & respect what Thomas did. It was not "classless"... It was not "selfish"... Anyone who labels his decision as such needs to sober up, give their head a shake, and get educated.

This self indulgent, superficial, politically driven "photo op" is of no real importance... Get over it.
- DrChristianTroy

I agree to an extent....He has every right to make whatever statement he wants, but if I'm a member of a team, and there is a team mandated function, I would be there for my team. He could still make his political beliefs known, and he could still be a member of whatever party he wants, but I think I might be offended as a teammate.

Kudos to him...ballsy move, but not the move I would peronally make.

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.
- JEFF SPICOLI

Canada's most right wing government, the conservatives, are a lot more left wing than your current government and we seem to be doing just fine. We're considered an economic star in the world and lead America in several important fields such as healthcare, employment rate, crime prevention, gun control and human rights. Aren't you guys like close to 15 trillion in debt..........

where were all these gun toting right loving people during the bush years when he was sending people off to die, and every move he made was for his wallet and his big business friends' wallets? .... oh yeah, burning dixie chicks CD's because they spoke their mind, i forgot.

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.
- JEFF SPICOLI

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.

i swear, the right wingers have the memories of goldfish.

where were all these gun toting right loving people during the bush years when he was sending people off to die, and every move he made was for his wallet and his big business friends' wallets? .... oh yeah, burning dixie chicks CD's because they spoke their mind, i forgot.
- zedniksghost

NASCAR was on that day.

I feel like my wife just caught me looking at the waitress's T and A.

I am about to defend Thomas.

I feel he should have gone to be a good team mate, but both the US and Canada have fought wars to give us the freedom to vote and to make the choice to decline the President of the United States invitation.

It took guts to make the stand and I applause his courage.

We should not let life define our choices, but let our choices define our life, and TT did that in spades. When there is an issue that bothers us and we do not speak out or make a stand we cheat ourselves and no one else.

He obviously felt strong enough with his beliefs he had to not go. And that is his democratic right.

That's it, I go back to hating TT and no long defend him.

And if the criticism continues I got a bad feeling in July he could quote Patrick Roy,

I can't hear you with 2 Stanley Cup Rings, one in each ear!


Confused Canuck Fan
Caighil

Pretty much see this as a non issue. He disagrees with his government. Wouldn't be the first guy. Is he a villian for not showing up? (As some other blogs would have you believe) Nope. Is he a hero for making a statement of his political beliefs? ( as this blog would have you believe) nope. ( unless of course you think 30 something white millionaires need a stronger voice in USA) . As it's been said before It is what it is, drop the puck let's play some hockey.