Tim Thomas Snubs Obama
by Mitch Smith on Jan 23, 2012 7:03 PM EST
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PrintTim Thomas was the only Boston Bruin not to go to the White House to meet President Obama. This has caused a bit of upheaval in the hockey world, at least south of the border.
Puck Daddy has jumped to Thomas' defense and endorses him using the Bruins White House visit as an opportunity to make his own personal political statement. Thomas has an individual right not to attend if he doesn't want to but taking advantage of the team function at the White House to make his own political statement?
Good on Thomas for using this moment — where a professional sports team participates in what's both an honor for their accomplishments and a political photo opportunity — to make a political statement of his own. ~ Puck Daddy.
I completely disagree with this line of reasoning and I'll explain why after the jump.
Mixing sports and politics or religion for that matter is toxic. It is dumb. It sucks the fun out of being a fan of a team and should scare you to death if you want to articulate a political view in a religious atmosphere. I wish I never knew Tim Thomas' political leanings, I didn't before today.
Now I know that he never wanted to be a Goalie, he has always wanted to play Right Wing.
To suggest, as Puck Daddy does, that professional athletes should start advocating political positions is treacherous water to be in. Like taking LSD and going water skiing in shark infested waters while wrapped up in raw bloody T-bone steaks. Nothing good can come of it; although it may be amusing to watch from the boat.
Why?
Because fans are from all political spectrums and beliefs. Ultimately players like Tim Thomas play this game for us. Yes, professional sports are for you and me. The fans who pay the dollars, follow our team faithfully (see how I did that) and worship our favorite players (see how I did that again).
Somewhere in Boston today is a tormented Boston Bruin kid holding his Tim Thomas jersey and his faded Obama Hope T-Shirt crying. He is in a state of mental anguish. Now why would you want to do that to some little Boston Bruin fan?
Shame on you Timmy...
Professional athletes should be as neutral as possible on religious and political issues.
It is simply a prudent course of conduct given the diverse fan base. I have been biting my lip all through the whole Tim Tebow circus. As a sports fan it creates a sideshow to your own team and as much as such public displays of prayer may help Tebow personally, they must have distracted his teammates.
Can Tebow not silently offer up his prayer with out the big knee and thinker pose?
If he can't, well, it is a free country and let him go to it but it will not play out well when the Broncos start losing and the inevitable "God hates the Broncos" jabs start circulating at Denver fans.
God doesn't hate the Broncos, he is just a hockey fan.
Politics is just as treacherous an arena for an athlete to enter into. Canadians are largely oblivious to how explosive political debate can get in the United States. I was anyway, until I moved down here. The level of sophistication of political policy discussion plummets south of the border, plummets to levels that are very difficult for someone who is used to Canadian political commentaries and policy debates.
This isn't elitist from a Canadian perspective either, it is simply a cultural difference. The reality is that 48% of Americans did not even vote in the last Presidential election, they seem to have detached from their politics but those who have remained engaged have the debate on high volume and high rhetoric. Meandering into American political culture from another democratic country is shocking.
When you see two people screaming at each other and gesturing madly, you back away. In Texas you actually duck down and back away slowly and maintain cover.
Now Tim Thomas is an American, I can't imagine any Canadian hockey player snubbing the President of the United States, it simply isn't polite to refuse an invitation to someone's house. Especially one that we burned down back in 1814 during the War of 1812.
If Tim Thomas had been Canadian he would have likely bit his lip and accompanied his team to the White House regardless of his political leanings and there would be no story here today. He didn't and you know what? That is fine. What Tim Thomas did today is largely part of how many Americans define themselves and their freedoms.
Tim Thomas and Tim Tebow are Americans and they have the freedom to do what they want in thier country even when it strikes many of us non-Americans as tactless or as Quebecers might put it, a faux pas in Canadian culture.
It is not something I would personally have done, not something I advocate but they are not the first Americans, nor will they be the last to take their freedom and act as they are inclined to personally, regardless of the consequences to others.
They will act according to their own individual beliefs and Canadians may have a little trouble processing that but it is part and parcel of what it is to be American. Part of the significant cultural difference between the two countries, something that many overlook.
Tim Thomas goes on to post this comment on Facebook to explain his actions.
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. ~ Tim Thomas, January 23, 2012
So there it is.
The man has the freedom in his country to take a position and he has. For those who say that he is acting classless and without manners or respect for the Office of the President and so forth, I would respond that in America, Americans have the right to respect, disrespect or completely disregard their politicians and they are pretty passionate about it.
Tim Thomas did not spit on the President of the United States today. He did not walk into the Oval Office, drop his pants and defecate on the rug. He did not swear or yell at him, he refused to accompany his team to the White House and he made a political statement today on Facebook, which really is probably not that far off what many other Americans think.
Would most Canadians have done this? Probably not but Tim Thomas is not Canadian he is an American and in his country the balance between exercising individual freedom with tact and sensitivity to the feelings of others is not even on the radar.
These are two different cultures.
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this is rubbish
Athletes should not be politically neutral. This is how we as a society idolize (and teach our children to idolize) athletes like michael phelps or Michael Vick because don’t know anything about them, their beliefs or values. Then when the story breaks, we blame the athletes for letting us down as role models when they may not have even asked to fill that role.
I completely disagree with Thomas’s political leanings or tebow’s religious evangelism, but I respect them for being so transparent and honest. Even more so, I respect their right to voice their opinions. If you suggest that Thomas remain silent about his political ideas, then you should also decry Muhammad Ali for protesting the Vietnam War or protest the civil rights appeal during the Mexico City Olympics.
Thomas is not a hockey playing robot. He is a human with his own set of ideals, beliefs and values.
by logancouturesteeth on Jan 23, 2012 9:22 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions 2 recs
American right? Look no problem, I get where you are coming from.
Think of it as an employee of a company. Say you work for McDonald’s do you advocate your political beliefs while on the job or in your McDonald’s work uniform? No and why is very simple to understand.
Part and parcel of being a professional athlete is being a role model whether you want to be or not. The vast majority of athletes do NOT express a political view and the reason why is they become that guy at the party, it leads to awkward.
Now you claim my view is “rubbish” but fail to explain why the vast majority of athletes are silent on political issues. You may want to give my article another read. I do not condemn Thomas for doing it, in fact his action is completely understandable in American culture.
Consider contributing to Wiki if you can. It has come a long way since its inception in quality and its founders have resisted attempts to commercialize it. Lets keep it alive with a few dollars each.
If McDonalds sent me to an opposing political party for the day
when I was with the other party, I would definitely complain…and I bet I would win in court if I got fired. Being a role model means having well thought out ideas and a strength in your convictions…not sucking it up just so other people won’t complain about it.
The reason most athletes don’t express those views is either because they don’t share them, or they’re not put in a position to have to.
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Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Say you work for McDonald’s do you advocate your political beliefs while on the job or in your McDonald’s work uniform? No and why is very simple to understand.
Actually in every company I have worked for there have been political discussions between the groups. Not formal discussions, but especially during election year people will be discussing their views. So to answer your question, yes. Yes I do advocate my politcal beliefs while on the job. Yes I support those who wish to do the same. And yes, I’m an American and proud of it.
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Do you advocate your political views to the customers of your company while on the job? I’m sure the other Bruins players and so forth are aware of where he stands. That isn’t really the point.
I pulled this off a message board discussing the TT issue. I think it is fairly concise and to the point.
1) the US constitution sets forth a radically different system of governance than Canada and other Constitutional Monarchies (or governments like France and Germany for that matter) that split the Head of State and the Head of Government responsibilities. In the US the President acts as both (although elements of the Head of Government role are shared by Congress).
It’s pretty clear that events like these fall under the Head of State role. This role is largely a figure-head (in Can. the Governor General/Queen) and presides over banquets and gives awards, acknowledges achievement in arts, sport, military etc; and has the pride of the nation vested in the office.
One of the benefits of a Constitutional Monarchy, or a system like Germany, or Israel, is that one can honor one’s country via the figure-head without engaging in questions of the politics of the day.
In the States, when an event like this is held the Government acts in this capacity… blurring the lines. TT is clearly unable to disentangle the various roles a President of the US is designed by the constitution to play, or refuses to acknowledge this distinction.
2) So far I haven’t heard anyone suggest TT can not hold or express his political opinions. That is not the issue. The issue is whether he chose the appropriate venue and target for his protest. I would suggest he did not. The venue is off because it was clearly an apolitical ceremony and the target is off because the President was acting as Head of State.
The issue of a democratic marketplace of ideas is hardly hindered by respecting appropriate venues and targets for political expression.
3) It does not to me show great moral or political courage to protest an inappropriate target at an inappropriate venue. If Lucic (from BC) refused to attend because of the on-going soft-wood lumber trade disputes between Can-US (primarily a BC issue), that would be as absurd and dickish as this performance.
4) The question of “nonpartisanship” seems like a dodge. The issues of the expansion of executive power (in both CAN-US) and the expansion of deficit spending and the debt are hardly partisan issues viewed from cold, objective reality. What is partisan is WHEN people decide the deficit or executive power are serious problems and WHO is in power when these objections are raised.
5) I think it is both disrespectful to his team and his country to act in such a petulant manner. He should take to the streets and the polls to loudly and creatively express his political frustrations.
AND, he should stand with his teammates, look his Head of State in the eye, shake his hand and receive the pride and honor of his country (ie. it was not his government that was honoring him, it was his State).
Consider contributing to Wiki if you can. It has come a long way since its inception in quality and its founders have resisted attempts to commercialize it. Lets keep it alive with a few dollars each.
by Mitch Smith on Jan 25, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Tim Thomas looks ridiculous.
Let’s break this down:
1) I know nothing about American politics. I do know (now) Thomas is a “staunch Republican.” I don’t see why a Republican can’t meet a Democrat President. Would he have pulled this same stunt if a Republican was in office? Doubtful.
2) I don’t believe his flimsy excuse that this isn’t about sides, but about government as a whole- if this was anti-government, then why does he support one party?
3) Thomas’ stunt took one innocent invitation and blew it out of proportion. I don’t think Obama, or any knowledgeable person, believes that the whole Bruins team voted Democrat. This is just some sort of tradition, one that’s basically meant to be a nice PR move. That’s it. There doesn’t have to be an added meaning to it. I may not be a fan of Harper, but I’d accept an invitation if he so offered. Why not? Suddenly my political views will stop me from meeting or speaking with others who don’t share my views? That’s always a great method…
You have been banned from Stampede Blue.
You apparently aren't interested in commenting on the Colts, but instead just want to take shots at editors for how we manage our blog. Thus, you're now no longer welcome.
by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 23, 2012 10:06 PM EST reply actions
This is just about the dumbest thing you can do as an athlete
He’s a hockey player. I don’t even want to know what he thinks about football, let alone government. I don’t want to hear James Watson’s thoughts on feminism; I don’t want to know Albert Pujols’ thoughts on religion; and I didn’t want to know Pete Palmer’s thoughts on McCarthyism.
Before, I just thought of Thomas as an inexplicably good goalie. Now I wonder how he squares his free education at a public university, his union membership and his place of work being a publicly-funded arena with Glenn Beck being his personal hero.
by Hawerchuk on Jan 23, 2012 10:31 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
DGB said it best
wondering whether he’ll be on the owner’s side at the next CBA talks
I write everywhere. You're probably better off following me on twitter
I'm a little confused by the article
You say:
Puck Daddy has jumped to Thomas’ defense and says fine with him skipping out. Right conclusion but wrong argument
and then appear to argue that it wasn’t fine for him to skip out.
I’m fine with what Thomas did although finding out he admires Glenn Beck means I’ll choose another goalie next time I play NHL12.
Yes, I suppose that isn’t all that clear. I may reword that.
Right conclusion in the sense that if he doesn’t want to attend fine – whatever – free country, wrong argument to that conclusion in the sense that he makes a public political statement to justify it. Just don’t attend, call in sick to work.
I don’t think it is that big a deal if Thomas skips the White House function but making a political argument as justification for doing it is controversial. Understandable in America perhaps but a very avoidable can of worms.
Puck Daddy appears to actually endorse Thomas making this political statement which I think is not cool.
Consider contributing to Wiki if you can. It has come a long way since its inception in quality and its founders have resisted attempts to commercialize it. Lets keep it alive with a few dollars each.
by Mitch Smith on Jan 23, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
It's pretty much impossible for him not to make a statement once he decided not to go
Otherwise the media creates the statement for him. At least this way he can state his reasons in his own words.
Not a fan of calling in sick. If we’re going to allow him the right to decide for himself we shouldn’t expect him to have to lie about it.
by Alex Hemsky on Jan 24, 2012 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Am I the only person who thinks the whole “professional sports teams going to the White House” is a dopey thing in the first place?
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
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by poploser on Jan 24, 2012 12:09 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Probably simpler to ask: “Is there anyone who doesn’t think professional sports teams going to the White House is a dopey thing in the first place.”
by Alex Hemsky on Jan 24, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
No Puck Daddy
“Making a political statement” would be taking this unique opportunity to actually voice displeasure to the man in charge (regardless of how much control he truly has over the current state of affairs). Kind of a laugher to think you’re launching a political crusade by sitting at home on your ass and posting on Facebook. That’s the true American way, Mitch: shut down communication, be passive aggressive, and make the occasional verbal snipe in the comfort of your own bubble. We don’t debate in this country, we hit and run.
"You can't polish a turd." -- George Carlin
Co-Manager at Arctic Ice Hockey
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 24, 2012 12:27 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Slowly learning Ben, I came from a family that often discussed politics at the dinner table. Lively and playful conversations on whatever the social issue was of the day. My parents didn’t use them to ingrain a belief system but rather to get us talking and thinking and see all the shades of gray.
Kind of a Socratic approach at dinner.
I was so excited when I first moved to New York, to America, the world’s most famous democracy. Disappointment would be an understatement on the political front. I have since stopped even trying to discuss politics with anyone, although it is a shame because how else do you learn new things.
Consider contributing to Wiki if you can. It has come a long way since its inception in quality and its founders have resisted attempts to commercialize it. Lets keep it alive with a few dollars each.
by Mitch Smith on Jan 25, 2012 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
Given how polarised American politics are
It would be fun to see teams to become liberal and conservative teams and to polarise the fans exactly the same way.
If I was running one of the New York teams (that wasn’t the Rangers), I’d be sorely tempted to announce that it was a conservative, Christian team that was going to have prayers before games and try to “clean up sinful New York City”. It would be a minority view (and let me just point out here that I’m a Liberal Democrat) but it would build a loyal fanbase that would stick with you regardless of success on the ice.
My only issue with his statement is...
…that the “This was not about politics or party…” line sounds like BS, intended to make him sound more reasonable and therefore deflect criticism of the action. It’s funny how so many anti-government Americans are absolutely fine with the government if it’s their own party in power.
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