2011-12 NHL Season

[IceCap]

The internet. Communication can be weird like that

Anyway the Leafs blanked the Islanders. Given how close to the playoff/not playoff divide that they are it's nice to see that they haven't completely imploded yet.

[Sport]

This strengthens my "hockey goalies are headcases" belief.

Just to play the position you have to be a little goofy. To say, "no, I don't want to be one of the most graceful athletes on the planet. I'd rather stand in the same spot, wear bulky equipment three times as expensive, and get hit with a hard rubber object." you need to be a little off.

The two goalies on my high school team were easily the two weirdest guys on the team. Weirder even than my teammate who married an escort at age 19 he met on craigslist.

[Morgan33]

No one is arguing about his right not to go, other have done it in the past and more will in the future, but actions do speak louder than words, and quite frankly, Thomas's inaction is more cowardly than bravery.

(and for the record, I'm NOT apologising for my prior quotes)

Exactly what was cowardly about what Tim Thomas did? The cowardly thing to do would be sacrifice his principles and go along with the herd mentality like the rest of the Bruins. Thomas stood up for his beliefs and is facing media scrutiny and a possible suspension (how ridiculous would that be). Seems like the exact opposite of cowardice to me.

I don't see where this ever became about his politics. The issue is not his beliefs, the issue is that Tim Thomas decided Tim Thomas was bigger than the Boston Bruins 2011 NHL Championship Team. It's not about the president. It's about Thomas being a ing jerk.

I guess exercising your first amendment rights makes you a jerk... Some things are bigger than sports and you should not be forced to flush all your principles down the toilet for a team photo op, something that in the grand scheme of things means absolutely nothing.

[IceCap]

Just to play the position you have to be a little goofy. To say, "no, I don't want to be one of the most graceful athletes on the planet. I'd rather stand in the same spot, wear bulky equipment three times as expensive, and get hit with a hard rubber object." you need to be a little off.

At some point you need to grow another head and drink a cinderblock of orange juice.

[Morgan33]

As far as not going, yeah, that was also a dickish move. One of the founding notions of a representative democracy is that, regardless of who's in power you respect the office. You don't get to call the government illegitimate because the guy you didn't vote for happens to be President. Even if you hate his guts you still respect the office, and you're supposed to acknowledge the sitting President as the legitimate head of state until the next election. Thomas spat in the face of that tradition.

Respecting the office and bowing down to someone he is opposed to in principle are two very different things. He does not have to partake in a pointless photo op, that is his RIGHT. This is a right that can NOT be taken away and if it is, America is no longer a Democracy.

Sorry but that is the truth.

[IceCap]

As far as not going, yeah, that was also a dickish move. One of the founding notions of a representative democracy is that, regardless of who's in power you respect the office. You don't get to call the government illegitimate because the guy you didn't vote for happens to be President. Even if you hate his guts you still respect the office, and you're supposed to acknowledge the sitting President as the legitimate head of state until the next election. Thomas spat in the face of that tradition.

Respecting the office and bowing down to someone he is opposed to in principle are two very different things. He does not have to partake in a pointless photo op, that is his RIGHT. This is a right that can NOT be taken away and if it is, America is no longer a Democracy.

Sorry but that is the truth.

America has never been a democracy. It's always been a republic. A representative, indirect democracy.

[DEAD!]

No one is arguing about his right not to go, other have done it in the past and more will in the future, but actions do speak louder than words, and quite frankly, Thomas's inaction is more cowardly than bravery.

(and for the record, I'm NOT apologising for my prior quotes)

Exactly what was cowardly about what Tim Thomas did? The cowardly thing to do would be sacrifice his principles and go along with the herd mentality like the rest of the Bruins. Thomas stood up for his beliefs and is facing media scrutiny and a possible suspension (how ridiculous would that be). Seems like the exact opposite of cowardice to me.

He had an opportunity to meet the president to show his displeasure with him and the direction he's taking and chose not to. You can stand up for your beliefs AND talk to the president. That would have taken far more courage than bunkering down in a hotel room and make a facebook statement.

[charger77]

As far as not going, yeah, that was also a dickish move. One of the founding notions of a representative democracy is that, regardless of who's in power you respect the office. You don't get to call the government illegitimate because the guy you didn't vote for happens to be President. Even if you hate his guts you still respect the office, and you're supposed to acknowledge the sitting President as the legitimate head of state until the next election. Thomas spat in the face of that tradition.

Respecting the office and bowing down to someone he is opposed to in principle are two very different things. He does not have to partake in a pointless photo op, that is his RIGHT. This is a right that can NOT be taken away and if it is, America is no longer a Democracy.

Sorry but that is the truth.

America has never been a democracy. It's always been a republic. A representative, indirect democracy.

Yes!

[Kevin W.]

This strengthens my "hockey goalies are headcases" belief.

Just to play the position you have to be a little goofy. To say, "no, I don't want to be one of the most graceful athletes on the planet. I'd rather stand in the same spot, wear bulky equipment three times as expensive, and get hit with a hard rubber object." you need to be a little off.

The two goalies on my high school team were easily the two weirdest guys on the team. Weirder even than my teammate who married an escort at age 19 he met on craigslist.

Well, yeah, all you heff to do is point to Bryzgalov.

[zpqmaowl]

Never thought I'd see someone posting from a suite being this thrilled about a free McFlurry.

$27 tickets on StubHub.

[NEW.ERA]

Never thought I'd see someone posting from a suite being this thrilled about a free McFlurry.

$27 tickets on StubHub.

27 bucks for a Suite? At Staples Center?

All the suites here are bought, and I think if you want one it costs upwards of 12K. (Could be way off though) I have my little cheap seats at the Dome and I like them.

[RedSox44]

No one is denying that Thomas has the right to not go to the White House, nor should they.

It's his comments afterwards, which cause more questions than answers and has even been rebuffed by prominent New England conservatives, that has people in a tizzy.

As a progressive, I disagree with Thomas' assertions about the government, but I also support his right to hold those opinions - no matter what I think of them.

Unfortunately, it seems I'll start to look at my team's starting goalie and one of my favorite players in the NHL in a slightly different light.

[maz]

As an American, you just don't refuse an invitation to the White House. It is an honor.

And as a teammate, you don't stay back while your team visits the White House.

He does not HAVE to go to the white house, he is a sovereign individual and if he does not agree with the current administration (NDAA, SOPA, wars without approval from congress, etc) he has the right to decline the invitation. That is what being an american is about... I'm surprised a Canadian has to go on here and educate you about it.

You had me until right there when you became insulting and condescending.

He has a right to not go to the White House, yes. You have the right to do a lot of things, but just because you can doesn't mean you should. That's the man who is running your country. You show some damn respect and show up when you're invited. Obama doesn't even have anything to do with what Thomas is talking about - he's the lesser of all the evils in DC, if an evil at all.

Politics and sports belong in their own places. You also do not abandon your team because of politics because, as I said, they are separate. He was a huge part of that Stanley Cup winning team, and where is he when the President is honoring them?

He has a right not to go, I'm not denying that. He has a right to his beliefs, I know that. I agree with him, but I'd still show up if I was invited to the White House and go with my team, because otherwise you just look like a major dick, for lack of a better term.

But I guess since I'm an American I don't know anything.

--

In other news, after getting suspended for a dirty hit, Alex Ovechkin opts out of the All-Star festivities he hardly deserved to be in. He really showed us!

[Kevin W.]

Saying that he has to go if he's invited is just your opinion. There's no law against turning down an invitation from the President. Thomas isn't the first to do so and he won't be the last.

Pardon the cliche, but it's a free country.

[maz]

Saying that he has to go if he's invited is just your opinion. There's no law against turning down an invitation from the President. Thomas isn't the first to do so and he won't be the last.

Pardon the cliche, but it's a free country.

I said all of that. I was clarifying by giving my reasoning as to why he should, and why it makes him look bad if he doesn't. Actually read the post next time.

[Kevin W.]

No, he doesn't look like a major dick at all. It's well within his rights to do so, just as voting is voluntary. He's not breaking any laws.

I bet you're just mad because he turned down President Obama. You'd probably give him a free pass if he turned down President Bush.

[maz]

No, he doesn't look like a major dick at all. It's well within his rights to do so, just as voting is voluntary. He's not breaking any laws.

I bet you're just mad because he turned down President Obama. You'd probably give him a free pass if he turned down President Bush.

I. Did. Not. Say. He. Was.

I explicitly stated that yes, it is well within his rights to turn down an invitation. And no, not even Bush.

[Kevin W.]

You're certainly raising a stink as if he broke some law. As I said, he's not the first person to turn down an invitation from the President and he won't be the last. It happened. It's in the past. Get over it.

[DEAD!]

How do we get out this?...

... ok Ovechkin had decided not to play at the All-Star Game, says he doesn't deserve it... and probably right.

[Morgan33]

America has never been a democracy. It's always been a republic. A representative, indirect democracy.

Agreed though Tim Thomas still has the right to refuse the invitation regardless and shouldn't be judged or called derogatory names.

He had an opportunity to meet the president to show his displeasure with him and the direction he's taking and chose not to. You can stand up for your beliefs AND talk to the president. That would have taken far more courage than bunkering down in a hotel room and make a facebook statement.

Actions DO speak louder than words and the action of not attending has spoke volumes. Just look at this thread. I don't see how attending the event and telling Obama personally what he thought (as if they would even allow that, I mean c'mon!) would bring the same kind of attention to this issue.

You had me until right there when you became insulting and condescending.

He has a right to not go to the White House, yes. You have the right to do a lot of things, but just because you can doesn't mean you should. That's the man who is running your country. You show some damn respect and show up when you're invited. Obama doesn't even have anything to do with what Thomas is talking about - he's the lesser of all the evils in DC, if an evil at all.

Politics and sports belong in their own places. You also do not abandon your team because of politics because, as I said, they are separate. He was a huge part of that Stanley Cup winning team, and where is he when the President is honoring them?

He has a right not to go, I'm not denying that. He has a right to his beliefs, I know that. I agree with him, but I'd still show up if I was invited to the White House and go with my team, because otherwise you just look like a major dick, for lack of a better term.

But I guess since I'm an American I don't know anything.

Rights are pointless if you aren't going to use them. What you are saying is he has the right to not attend the white house but should never use it . Obama has everything to do with what Tim Thomas' statement was referring to, he signed the NDAA. If that's not an out of control government I don't know what is.