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

It's about an athlete opening his mouth about a subject he probably doesn't know a lot about, evidenced by a complete lack of logical rationale for what he did.

Agreed, I don't have a problem with his stance, i just think he would have been better served just saying that he wouldn't go and it was no one's business why.
- habby

This

It's about an athlete opening his mouth about a subject he probably doesn't know a lot about, evidenced by a complete lack of logical rationale for what he did.
- John Jaeckel

Yup, just pure rhetoric right from the tea party play book.

It's about an athlete opening his mouth about a subject he probably doesn't know a lot about, evidenced by a complete lack of logical rationale for what he did.
- John Jaeckel

He's not allowed to say the real reasons why.

agreed, who cares, i respect thomas even more now really, shows he is a real leader and isnt afraid to stand up for himself.

he couldve came out and said some examples of how corrupt the government really is(which they always have been) and how they spend 400 million a day on a war that only lines gov officials and friends of theirs pockets while poverty and homelessness run rampant in their own country.

politicians are the biggest crooks out there. good on timmy t!

(ps. yes i know i cant spell)
- jessup07

Is Thomas *really* doing this for poverty and homelessness?

I thought it was because he was a libertarian... You know, an advocate for pay-no-taxes, laissez-faire capitalism with no social security net.

For all you know, he's just another rich guy who doesn't like paying taxes and wants to be able to drive without a seat belt.

you're invading other countries for their natural resources.Everyone else knows it but you.Thomas probably Knows it.whatever bud
- jaredwildzee

Easy there! That's an over-simplistic view

Is Thomas *really* doing this for poverty and homelessness?

I thought it was because he was a libertarian... You know, an advocate for pay-no-taxes, laissez-faire capitalism with no social security net.

For all you know, he's just another rich guy who doesn't like paying taxes and wants to be able to drive without a seat belt.
- Mr_Clean

I bet that was his plan all along when playing in Finland for a decade.

It's about an athlete opening his mouth about a subject he probably doesn't know a lot about, evidenced by a complete lack of logical rationale for what he did.
- John Jaeckel

And add to that, an athlete who plays in buildings around the NHL, many of which were subsidized or paid for by government with taxpayer revenue. Maybe he should refuse to take the ice in Glendale or in Boston against the Coyotes since government money keeps that team afloat? Or in Florida where Broward County helped pay for the stadium? Stand on that well-thought out principle baby, be consistent! Oh wait though- government (city of Boston) bonds helped pay for the TD Garden, doh!!!!!

I bet that was his plan all along when playing in Finland for a decade.
- Cape Breton Bruins

Yeah exactly!

Some patriot he was... Abandoning America in her hour of greatest need! If he were running for President, people wouldn't vote for him because they would accuse him of being a closet Socialist, having played in a socialist country for so long

(I only wrote the second part because I have no idea what your comment was supposed to mean)

Yeah exactly!

Some patriot he was... Abandoning America in her hour of greatest need! If he were running for President, people wouldn't vote for him because they would accuse him of being a closet Socialist, having played in a socialist country for so long
- Mr_Clean

Touche.

Touche.
- Double_A

Well, whatever the case may be, he's still a helluva goaltender

But be careful. Political factionalism may be just about the only thing that could stop the Bruins from repeating this year

Yeah exactly!

Some patriot he was... Abandoning America in her hour of greatest need! If he were running for President, people wouldn't vote for him because they would accuse him of being a closet Socialist, having played in a socialist country for so long

(I only wrote the second part because I have no idea what your comment was supposed to mean)
- Mr_Clean

lol

It means he wasn't exactly filthy rich until maybe three years ago.

Well, whatever the case may be, he's still a helluva goaltender

But be careful. Political factionalism may be just about the only thing that could stop the Bruins from repeating this year
- Mr_Clean

We have that Socialist basketcase Tuuuuuuka there to take arrrr jobs.

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

he took this time to make a political staement...period. He has a right to do it but what he realy did is take the moment away from his team and placed it on him. Shame on him. By being a member of "the tea party" says it all about maiking a political statement.

and if i were a team mate i would be pissed that he took their moment away.

And add to that, an athlete who plays in buildings around the NHL, many of which were subsidized or paid for by government with taxpayer revenue. Maybe he should refuse to take the ice in Glendale or in Boston against the Coyotes since government money keeps that team afloat? Or in Florida where Broward County helped pay for the stadium? Stand on that well-thought out principle baby, be consistent! Oh wait though- government (city of Boston) bonds helped pay for the TD Garden, doh!!!!!
- clarkey

Bravo. Well said.

Maybe since he's made so much money his relatives who receive medicare, social security and possibly welfare checks should stop taking them. On principle.

Easy there! That's an over-simplistic view
- Mr_Clean

Even my friends in the military say they don't know what they're doing over there.

And add to that, an athlete who plays in buildings around the NHL, many of which were subsidized or paid for by government with taxpayer revenue. Maybe he should refuse to take the ice in Glendale or in Boston against the Coyotes since government money keeps that team afloat? Or in Florida where Broward County helped pay for the stadium? Stand on that well-thought out principle baby, be consistent! Oh wait though- government (city of Boston) bonds helped pay for the TD Garden, doh!!!!!
- clarkey

Why can't he be just a dumb pro athlete who thinks he knows what he's talking about, feels passionate about it but at the end of the day he's not the brightest bulb? who cares?

The whole visit the president thing is stupid.

Even my friends in the military say they don't know what they're doing over there.
- jaredwildzee

They may not, but to imply all Americans are imperialists is a bit of an overgeneralization, wouldn't you say?

Bravo. Well said.

Maybe since he's made so much money his relatives who receive medicare, social security and possibly welfare checks should stop taking them. On principle.
- John Jaeckel

looking way too far into this.

anyone heard a thomas interview? he's not a rocket scientist. that's for sure.

They may not, but to imply all Americans are imperialists is a bit of an overgeneralization, wouldn't you say?
- Mr_Clean

wait until we take manitoba

wait until we take manitoba
- Fountain-San

*starts stockpiling hunting rifles*

*starts stockpiling hunting rifles*
- Mr_Clean

looking way too far into this.

anyone heard a thomas interview? he's not a rocket scientist. that's for sure.
- Fountain-San

This ... I'm guessing he's a total kook off the ice, but he has every right to be a kook and a passionate one. I certainly hope his teammates don't hold it against him, they don't seem to hold it against Ference.

Great game on Sunday, when the game when to the shootout I knew it was over and not in the manner I was rooting for.

I saw today that TT declined to go to the white house. HAHAHA!

Good for Tim T.

Like Barry actually watches hockey or actually cares. Why should anyone feel obligated to attend a fake staged press and photo op?

Why is the president so special? It's not like any of the recent presidents abide by the law and should be afforded respect.

If a sports figure chooses to not attend a white house function then so what. Time to practice what you preach. If we are for freedom and liberty then give the guy credit for actually having principles. Not like Barry has any.

I am a canadian, Vancouver Canucks fan. I have enough to hate about this team as it is. But until today I always had the upmost respect for Tim thomas. What he achieved last year was beyond incredible, and though he beat my home team, I elnowledged his brilliance and accepted it as an incredible feat.

However, Tim Thomas is an American first and a republican second. He was not going there to listen to to Obama sling his democratic point of view. He was Invited because Barack Obama wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him on his incredible achievement. And at the same time managed to hypothetically say that he is above the team.

At that point to Thomas it was no longer about the team, it was about himself and that is what angers me the most.

Tim Thomas is an incredible talent and I would welcome him with open arms if he ever decided he wanted to come to the west coast. But after this I'm quite comfortable in saying I have lost all respect fOr this Individual.

He's putting himself before the team. Its just plain wrong.