Tim ThomasCould you turn down an invitation to go to the White House to meet President Barack Obama? Goaltender Tim Thomas did when the president invited the Boston Bruins over to honor their 2011 Stanley Cup Championship. What makes it even more sad is that Thomas is one of only two Americans from the 2011 winning team, and he opted not to go.
Most people have seen this in one of two ways: You could see it as 1) a statement on the importance of freedom of speech or 2) as a completely egomaniacal, classless move on Thomas's part. I fall in the latter camp, even though Thomas laid out all of his reasons on his Facebook page last night.
Here's Thomas's statement:
I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.
This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.
Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. 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 only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT
I understand that Thomas didn't want to pose all happy and smiley next to a politician whose philosophies he doesn't agree with. You have to give the guy props for not wanting to look like a hypocrite. He's standing up for what he believes in and is a refreshing reminder that we do live in a free country.
However, I do feel like as an American, he ought to respect the office and what it represents, regardless of who's in it. He could have voiced his dissent via social media yet still made the effort to meet the president and show he's the bigger man and proud to be an American. At the very least, he could have showed up to represent his team and honor his country, the same country which gives him the freedom to voice his concerns on a social media platform in the first place.
This move, to me, just seems childish and classless.
For Tim and everyone else who missed it, here's Obama honoring the team:
What do you think of Tim Thomas refusing to meet Barack Obama?
Image via Dan4th/Flickr
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Comments 9
Some background: I am a Bruins season ticket holder and have always been a huge supporter of Thomas. However, I have now lost all respect for him. Before I go any farther, I would feel this way no matter who is in the White House. This was not the time and the place to do this. Tim Thomas was not invited to the White House, the Bruins were. If this was an individual invitation and he declined because of the statement he issued, I would have no issues whatsoever with his decision. However, in my opinion he has let his team down. I also would not have had a problem if he had attended and simply did not shake hands with the President. It comes down to an issue of respect: for the Office of the Presidency, the Bruins organization, the NHL, and for himself as an American. Again, I feel that it is is his right as an American to make this statement but I think he handled it very poorly. It is very sad to me that the Bruins were honored yesterday and all that is being focused on is Thomas's poor decision. So to end, get Tuuka in net and win the cup again.
I think that Vanessa and Dawn are missing something. He is a member of a Team. It is part of his job responsibility to attend functions such as this. In fact it is part of his contract and he is in violation of his contract. However, team management has decided not to fine him or suspend him. I would be very curious to know if Vanessa and DAwn would feel the same way if this was a Republican President. As I said, this is not the issue of who is in office it is an issue of respect for one's team and for the Office of the President.
I am so tired of this "respect the office of the president" crap. Obama does not respect the office, he has done everything in his power to denigrade it.
Mr. Thomas said that this has nothing to do with party politics, and I take him at his word. Likely, he cleared it with his team and management. And honestly, he is proving that sometimes there are things more important than "the team" - standing up for what you believe in. And if he believes that going to the White House compromises his convictions and values, than good for him for taking that stand.
Billsfan, I said in the first post that I would not. I don't care who is sitting in the office. As I said I have no problem with him taking this stance but I do not feel that this was the appropriate way to do it. And to show all of my cards, I am a supporter of the President and I disagree with what you have said. I do think that the Office of the Presidency needs to be respected. Whitebreads, you and I will have to disagree on this. I am now of the opinion that Tuuka should get all of the net time (he does have better numbers). Again, Billsfan, I would be saying the same thing no matter who was in office.