Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins) Boycotts visit to White House

[v2kai]

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/01/26/joe-oconnor-why-tim-thomas-was-right-and-we-were-wrong/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/reaction-to-tim-thomass-white-house-boycott/article2312836/



Thomas explained his absence in a short posting on his Facebook page, writing: “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.”

:thumbsup:

[desi112]

Its a team game .... all i gotta say.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by desi112
Its a team game .... all i gotta say.

I didn't realize they were playing hockey at the White House. What exactly is your point? It isn't like he won't play for someone because of their political stripe. If he doesn't want to go to the White House, good for him - it's his decision.

[jdmXSI]

Originally posted by desi112
Its a team game .... all i gotta say.

At the end of the day it is only a sport. There are alot more pressing issues in America right now and I applaud Tim Thomas for using his fame directly or indirectly for standing up for what he feels is right.

[Tik-Tok]

Isn't he one of only two Americans on the Bruins team? :rofl:

[desi112]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
Isn't he one of only two Americans on the Bruins team? :rofl:
yes

TT is known to be a me first type of guy, thats why the rumors are whirlwinding after this action of his of a trade.

Bruins ownership is not very happy.

[hurrdurr]

Good on him

[Tram Common]

Not sure how I feel about this...

... he doesn't represent all of the Bruins and their fanbase, he's paid by that organization to be part of "the team" ... acting out like this as an individual just makes the rest of the team look bad.

... not sure... :dunno:

[sputnik]

I don't blame him.

[masoncgy]

Apparently the guy isn't allowed to stand up for what he believes in.

Who gives a shit? It's his choice.

[Quiet10]

His own choice and I applaud him for making it for the reasons that he did, but it seemed poorly timed to bring it out to the media the way he did. "I will give you the reason why I am not going to the whitehouse later on my facebook" or something to that extent.

Just overshadows the fact that the rest of his team went and wanted to go because they saw it as a great opportunity.

He could have not attended and then told media later after his team already visited or just not said anything at all.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[CMW403]

I think he's a dum bass.

Who cares about his fucking political stance, he's paid to keep a piece of tar out of a large basket. He only did this so he could make the news and people like you guys would "OMG I APPLAUD HIS INDIVIDUALITY" like a bunch of hipsters.

If he was truly opposed to the current government he would have taken this opportunity to voice his opinion IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST.

[Mibz]

Originally posted by CMW403
he's paid to keep a piece of tar out of a large basket. You should make a thread where we dumb down everybody's occupations.

[HyperZell]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
First and foremost, he is a hero for playing so well and costing Vancouver the cup...


Fixed it for you.

[hampstor]

I've got mixed feelings about this too.

On one hand, good on him for sticking up for his view on Government.

On the other hand, he's there to represent his city, his team, and the NHL.


Originally posted by HyperZell


Fixed it for you.

:rofl:

[leftwing]

Originally posted by Mibz
You should make a thread where we dumb down everybody's occupations.

hahahahah

On topic,

Im kind of undecided on the 'issue'. On one hand, good on him for 'standing up for his beliefs' and making his own choice. On the other hand, it's a team game and I don't believe that by attending the ceremony anybody was endorsing the Obama government at all. They wanted to commend the Bruins on their accomplishment and it was kind of selfish to not go. I personally would of went, no matter how much I was against the 'man'.

[CapnCrunch]

He slept in, couldn't get there in time, so made this up to get out of a fine from the team.

You heard it here first.

[masoncgy]

^ Wouldn't it just be easier to say that then? lol.

[kenny]

USA: Where there is Freedom of Speech and Expression. Just don't say or do anything that doesn't fall in line or they will crucify you.

Back in 1957 President Truman (Dem) refused to go on a ride at Disneyland (Dumbo ride) because it went against his personal beliefs. Guess what? People probably laughed back then. Today it would be front page news and be a huge scandal.

[CanmoreOrLess]

Timmy Thomas v Alexander Ovechkin, battle of the most self-centered in the NHL today. No one looking up to these players as team players, Thomas will be sold off before July 1 and Ov will never win a cup.

*I like Boston as a team, always have, douches not so much.

[zipdoa]

Originally posted by Mibz
You should make a thread where we dumb down everybody's occupations.

Hahahahaha you have just been on FIRE lately.

[spikerS]

I have to applaud TT for doing this.

I don't think there is anything in his contract that states he has to attend the white house, as I doubt this would be considered a community event or anything, nor would I think that he is being paid by the team to attend. With that in mind, that leaves him open to allow his personal beliefs to come into play, and he chose to exercise them. Because he is a extremely well known player, it would raise some serious questions as to why he is not there. He chose to put it on facebook, whereas I hardly think him or the team calling a press conference for it would be idiotic on so many levels.

I say good for him!

[Mar]

Originally posted by Mibz
You should make a thread where we dumb down everybody's occupations.
I get paid to flip 1s and 0s in a virtual environment.

This guy just became my new favourite player, finally someone who's not afraid to say what they think regardless of what people will think of them.

[mark4091]

Good for him.


:thumbsup:

[max_boost]

Originally posted by Mibz
You should make a thread where we dumb down everybody's occupations. Keep up the good postings bro. :rofl: :thumbsup:

[Ryan Shawcross]

Originally posted by kenny
USA: Where there is Freedom of Speech and Expression. Just don't say or do anything that doesn't fall in line or they will crucify you.

Back in 1957 President Truman (Dem) refused to go on a ride at Disneyland (Dumbo ride) because it went against his personal beliefs. Guess what? People probably laughed back then. Today it would be front page news and be a huge scandal.

What kind of drugs are you smoking? Personal beliefs? Truman refused to go on the ride because the elephant is the symbol of the GOP, just like the donkey is the symbol of the Democrats. Some people's children. Christ.

[broken_legs]

Originally posted by hampstor
I've got mixed feelings about this too.

On one hand, good on him for sticking up for his view on Government.

On the other hand, he's there to represent his city, his team, and the NHL.



:rofl:

He is representing the large portion of the population that are citizens of his country, the city of Boston, and fans of the NHL, that have the same views as him.

[WhippWhapp]

I like it, good for him!

[lasimmon]

Originally posted by broken_legs


He is representing the large portion of the population that are citizens of his country, the city of Boston, and fans of the NHL, that have the same views as him.

Wong. Most of boston really did not like the fact he didn't go.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by masoncgy
^ Wouldn't it just be easier to say that then? lol.

Read the last part of what I wrote.


Hint: He made up the story so he wouldn't get fined by the team.

[Antonito]

Originally posted by CMW403
Who cares about his fucking political stance, he's paid to keep a piece of tar out of a large basket. He only did this so he could make the news and people like you guys would "OMG I APPLAUD HIS INDIVIDUALITY" like a bunch of hipsters. People care enough about them that the White House takes the time to make a publicity stunt out of their appearance to gain brownie points.

Good for Thomas for turning the situation around on them

[ekguy]

Originally posted by Tram Common
Not sure how I feel about this...

... he doesn't represent all of the Bruins and their fanbase, he's paid by that organization to be part of "the team" ... acting out like this as an individual just makes the rest of the team look bad.

... not sure... :dunno:

Still has the right as an individual to stand up for what he believes in. Maybe if more americans tried standing up for whats right the US wouldn't be such a fail nation.

[ZEDGE]

He turned this into something about him and not his team. As far as I am concerned he is a douche bag. Keep your political views to yourself, this was a slap in the face to his team mates. This was not the time to make some political statement.. :thumbsdow



Originally posted by CanmoreOrLess
Timmy Thomas v Alexander Ovechkin, battle of the most self-centered in the NHL today. No one looking up to these players as team players, Thomas will be sold off before July 1 and Ov will never win a cup.

*I like Boston as a team, always have, douches not so much.

Bingo

[hampstor]

Originally posted by ZEDGE
He turned this into something about him and not his team. As far as I am concerned he is a douche bag. Keep your political views to yourself, this was a slap in the face to his team mates. :thumbsdow



Bingo

I actually happen to agree with some of the shit TT was saying. However if you are invited to represent your employer, and you pull the stunt he did, you'd better start looking for a new job. You're there to represent your employer, not yourself.

[ZEDGE]

Originally posted by hampstor


I actually happen to agree with some of the shit TT was saying. However if you are invited to represent your employer, and you pull the stunt he did, you'd better start looking for a new job. You're there to represent your employer, not yourself.

Yes, but this has nothing to do with what he thinks about his government. This was a team event, not some grandstand for him to show up his teammates. It put his teammates and the Bruins organization in an awkward position. Very selfish.

[max_boost]

Originally posted by hampstor


I actually happen to agree with some of the shit TT was saying. However if you are invited to represent your employer, and you pull the stunt he did, you'd better start looking for a new job. You're there to represent your employer, not yourself.

Interesting. My simple mind never thought of it from this point of view. I guess I'm just as selfish as TT!

[kenny]

Originally posted by Ryan Shawcross


What kind of drugs are you smoking? Personal beliefs? Truman refused to go on the ride because the elephant is the symbol of the GOP, just like the donkey is the symbol of the Democrats. Some people's children. Christ.

Wow cookie for you! I had no idea what the elephant represented. I mentioned that he was a Dem for no reason. :rofl:

[Marsh]

He's an idiot, just go to the White House if you get invited. And besides hes a goalie, does any even give a shit what he thinks? On the same level as football place kickers imo

[dirtsniffer]

:facepalm:

[SKR]

Originally posted by hampstor


I actually happen to agree with some of the shit TT was saying. However if you are invited to represent your employer, and you pull the stunt he did, you'd better start looking for a new job. You're there to represent your employer, not yourself.

Always represent yourself.

[jdmXSI]

Originally posted by SKR


Always represent yourself.

+1:thumbsup:

Probably the truest thing I have seen in along time.

[sputnik]

Originally posted by hampstor


I actually happen to agree with some of the shit TT was saying. However if you are invited to represent your employer, and you pull the stunt he did, you'd better start looking for a new job. You're there to represent your employer, not yourself.

No employer should EVER force their employees to attend a political (or religious) event.

[hampstor]

Originally posted by sputnik


No employer should EVER force their employees to attend a political (or religious) event.

I agree - an employer should NEVER force an employee to attend a political/religious event, especially if it is out of scope for their job.

I've been sent by employers to political events to represent the company on multiple occasions. I attended and represented the company despite being at events for political parties I disagreed with. There were times I declined to go for various reasons, including where I strongly disagreed with representing the company at said political events. Those times, I declined and simply said I already had plans that evening etc.

Had I, as a representative of the company, said, "I'm sorry, I can't go to this event to represent the company because political party X are causing the decline of Canada" to the public media, I would've been looking for a new job. I have no right to speak on behalf of the company beyond what I was sent there to say.

What I think he should have done:
1) Stay home saying he was unable to attend because his son/daughter/wife/himself/dog was sick
2) Separately, without linking it to the invitation, make the statement that the US gov't is broken (IMHO it is broken).

[SKR]

Originally posted by hampstor
Had I, as a representative of the company, said, "I'm sorry, I can't go to this event to represent the company because political party X are causing the decline of Canada" to the public media, I would've been looking for a new job. I have no right to speak on behalf of the company beyond what I was sent there to say.

What the fuck is this craziness? You tell your company you're not going, you tell them to go fuck themselves, and you go work somewhere else.

As for Thomas, there are 29 other teams that would probably like to have a 4 time All Star, Jennings winner, 2 time Roger Crozier winner, 2 time Vezina winner, Olympic silver medal winner, Conn Smythe winner, and Stanley Cup winner. All awards that he won in the last 4 years. If the Bruins don't like it they can go eat shit.

[ZorroAMG]

Some of you need to get your backbone re-inserted if you are going to attend an event that conflicts with your personal beliefs/morals just because a company (or even fucking worse a team that plays a silly GAME) tells you to.

Someone else said it earlier...REPRESENT YOURSELF at all times. Don't make up some stupid story about being sick, it makes you look like an idiot. Stop being such fucking puppets.

[HyperZell]

Originally posted by Marsh
And besides hes a goalie, does any even give a shit what he thinks? On the same level as football place kickers imo

http://operatorchan.org/k/arch/src/k226390_Full%20Retard.jpg

[hampstor]

Originally posted by SKR


What the fuck is this craziness? You tell your company you're not going, you tell them to go fuck themselves, and you go work somewhere else.

As for Thomas, there are 29 other teams that would probably like to have a 4 time All Star, Jennings winner, 2 time Roger Crozier winner, 2 time Vezina winner, Olympic silver medal winner, Conn Smythe winner, and Stanley Cup winner. All awards that he won in the last 4 years. If the Bruins don't like it they can go eat shit.

To be clear: if I'm strongly against an event, such as meeting Obama - I don't go. I don't air my reason publicly.

[sputnik]

Originally posted by hampstor


I agree - an employer should NEVER force an employee to attend a political/religious event, especially if it is out of scope for their job.

How is visiting Obama at the White House in the scope of playing on a hockey team filled with Canadian and European players?

You have to realize that the US in the midst of an election and if Tim Thomas doesn't want a picture of him smiling and shaking hands with Obama, he shouldn't be forced to do it and the rest of the world should respect his decision.


Originally posted by hampstor
I've been sent by employers to political events to represent the company on multiple occasions. I attended and represented the company despite being at events for political parties I disagreed with. There were times I declined to go for various reasons, including where I strongly disagreed with representing the company at said political events. Those times, I declined and simply said I already had plans that evening etc.

How spineless of you.


Originally posted by hampstor
Had I, as a representative of the company, said, "I'm sorry, I can't go to this event to represent the company because political party X are causing the decline of Canada" to the public media, I would've been looking for a new job. I have no right to speak on behalf of the company beyond what I was sent there to say.

What job do you have that you are required to attend political functions on behalf of your company?


Originally posted by hampstor
What I think he should have done:
1) Stay home saying he was unable to attend because his son/daughter/wife/himself/dog was sick
2) Separately, without linking it to the invitation, make the statement that the US gov't is broken (IMHO it is broken).

1) Freedom of speech not good enough for you? So instead you have to lie?

2) Oh right, because that isn't completely obvious. That is like calling in sick from work on Monday and then on Tuesday posting Facebook pictures about the drunken stag you went to in Vegas last weekend. COMPLETELY unrelated.

[sputnik]

Originally posted by hampstor


To be clear: if I'm strongly against an event, such as meeting Obama - I don't go. I don't air my reason publicly.

However as you stated earlier the ONLY reason you don't air your reason publicly (or even directly to your employer) is out of a fear of getting fired.

Tim Thomas could care less about having to find a new team so he has the freedom (and spine) to say what he wants without being a slave to his employer like you are.

[ZorroAMG]

Originally posted by hampstor


To be clear: if I'm strongly against an event, such as meeting Obama - I don't go. I don't air my reason publicly.

You're also not famous so your point is moot. Public figures (celebrity or otherwise) HAVE a reason to air stuff publicly.

[hampstor]

Originally posted by sputnik


How is visiting Obama at the White House in the scope of playing on a hockey team filled with Canadian and European players?


It isn't - where did I say it was?



You have to realize that the US in the midst of an election and if Tim Thomas doesn't want a picture of him smiling and shaking hands with Obama, he shouldn't be forced to do it and the rest of the world should respect his decision.


I wouldn't either, and no where did I say he should be forced to do it.



How spineless of you.


I express my views independently of my employer. My views do not reflect on them, I'm there to represent my employer, not my personal views.




What job do you have that you are required to attend political functions on behalf of your company?


Part of jobs I've previously had involved government relations where I had to attend events of all the main political parties. I don't agree with them all, but I still went to express our issues.



1) Freedom of speech not good enough for you? So instead you have to lie?


Freedom of speech? Nowhere did I say that TT, or myself, can't have an opinion. I'm GLAD he expressed his opinion. I still believe it's in bad taste, and wrong for him to link it to a team invitation.



2) Oh right, because that isn't completely obvious. That is like calling in sick from work on Monday and then on Tuesday posting Facebook pictures about the drunken stag you went to in Vegas last weekend. COMPLETELY unrelated.

Not quite - it's calling in sick to work and saying 'I don't like work'. No posting of pictures about your partying on the day off.

[hampstor]

Originally posted by sputnik


However as you stated earlier the ONLY reason you don't air your reason publicly (or even directly to your employer) is out of a fear of getting fired.

Tim Thomas could care less about having to find a new team so he has the freedom (and spine) to say what he wants without being a slave to his employer like you are.

That's right - that's why I haven't done it yet. Even if I didn't have to worry about the job, I would still think doing it that way would be in bad taste.


Originally posted by ZorroAMG


You're also not famous so your point is moot. Public figures (celebrity or otherwise) HAVE a reason to air stuff publicly.

Edit: (reworded to be more direct with your comments) Yes, I'm not famous (thankfully). I don't believe my point is moot though.

Agreed - celebs/famous people do have a reason to air this publicly and often I'm glad they use their status to bring awareness to issues. However, sometimes, they abuse it, are wrong, or do it in a way that's in bad taste.

[codetrap]

Originally posted by sputnik
How spineless of you.

What job do you have that you are required to attend political functions on behalf of your company?

1) Freedom of speech not good enough for you? So instead you have to lie?


This made me laugh.. freedom of speech. Riiiiight. When you're on the job, you don't have freedom of speech at all because you're representing the company you work for. Don't think so? Take a look a JustGo or the other cop on the forum. EVERYONE takes their littlest personal opinion, no matter how much of a disclaimer they put in front of it as "this is the party line"...

And it's not spineless. It's using your fucking head to live up to your responsibilities, it's also called not shitting on the hand that feeds you. There's a world of difference between saying, "Sorry, I won't do that.", and saying "Fuck you man, I ain't shaking hands with the antichrist, you're all fucking crazy! I'm gonna tell the whole world about how fucking crazy I think you are for even asking me to think about it!"

[googe]

Tim Thomas is an idiot, to be sure (he is a tea partier and glenn beck fan), but even more stupid is people giving a shit if he skips a political event. At least he has a bit of integrity, unlike the spineless sheep in this thread ;)