I'm not saying he doesn't have the right to boycott. Just think it's childish. How not going is going to change the government is beyond me. I bet he was the kid who would take his ball and go home when he didn't get his way.
- Dkos

It's not childish. He didn't rant or rave about it. He has his beliefs, and instead of bending his beliefs like too many people do, he stuck to his guns when it might not be popular. I think its admirable. He wasnt afraid to take criticism for what he belives in. Good for Tim Thomas.

Might explain why he's so good at taking goals away from opposing players.
- hockeylover

and I'd still want him on my team.

I think Brind'Amour's overall game is a lofty goal for Couturier. And have to be careful to not underestimate how good Brind'Amour was offensively.
- MJL

Last word.

So Kaberle went to the White House and Thomas didn't.
- rockychocbill

Mentioned this this morning.

Not only does Tim Thomas skip out on cab fares by carrying a card that does not work he is unamerican!

and I'd still want him on my team.
- Dkos

This his totally hypothetical as this would never happen just interested to see what most folks would do. (and no NMC involved)

Boston GM calls up Homer and says, I'll give you Thomas for Bryz.

Do you do it?

This his totally hypothetical as this would never happen just interested to see what most folks would do. (and no NMC involved)

Boston GM calls up Homer and says, I'll give you Thomas for Bryz.

Do you do it?
- hockeylover

In a second. Two years left on his contract

edit: better than those commies we have right now

Flyers need to take advantage of a depleted Florida D-Corps

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...an-kulikov-out-6-8-weeks/

aside from reaffirming my belief that BMeltzer is the single best reporter to cover this team, I now know not to visit Gcobb.com
- JoeRussomanno

Why?

I didn't say they were ripping Leighton then. They were all clamoring for him to be crowned the franchise goalie.
- JoeRussomanno

Pfft. Reading comprehension.

It's not childish. He didn't rant or rave about it. He has his beliefs, and instead of bending his beliefs like too many people do, he stuck to his guns when it might not be popular. I think its admirable. He wasnt afraid to take criticism for what he belives in. Good for Tim Thomas.
- RooNosHockey

Imagine if Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King had the courage that Tim Thomas had yesterday. The world probably be a much better place if they had just stayed home and wrote a column in their newspaper. I wish we all had the courage to stay home like Tim Thomas did when our beliefs are challenged.

It's not childish. He didn't rant or rave about it. He has his beliefs, and instead of bending his beliefs like too many people do, he stuck to his guns when it might not be popular. I think its admirable. He wasnt afraid to take criticism for what he belives in. Good for Tim Thomas.
- RooNosHockey

He does have that right. But the problem is that he is making a non political event into one. That's not about politics. It's about an American tradition of having Championship sports teams visit the White House, to honor the team. There is a time and place to stand behind political views. And that isn't one of them. And that's all I'll say about that.

Imagine if Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King had the courage that Tim Thomas had yesterday. The world probably be a much better place if they had just stayed home and wrote a column in their newspaper. I wish we all had the courage to stay home like Tim Thomas did when our beliefs are challenged.
- feelingkettle

Tim knows the internet is serious business. It's the place to sway others' beliefs and persuade them via awareness.

Tim knows the internet is serious business. It's the place to sway others' beliefs and persuade them via awareness.
- Flyskippy

Yesterday, I was blind to the injustice of the world. But today, after reading his facebook post, it has all become clear.

Is my entire team going and is it a tradition for Professional American sports teams to be honored buy the Spice Girls? Will I be embarassing my team, league and country if I don't go? I my opinion being honored by the Spice Girls for winning the Cup would be just about as political a statement as being honored by the Prez. It's not a political thing. It's just a nice gesture that has become a tradition in American sports.
- Dkos

How exactly is Tim Thomas embarassing his team, league and country, by being man enough to make a decision (a tough one) that goes against many?

Tim knows the internet is serious business. It's the place to sway others' beliefs and persuade them via awareness.
- Flyskippy

TT badly missed the boat on this one.

Imagine if Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King had the courage that Tim Thomas had yesterday. The world probably be a much better place if they had just stayed home and wrote a column in their newspaper. I wish we all had the courage to stay home like Tim Thomas did when our beliefs are challenged.
- feelingkettle

If there is one thing Obama is good at its taking shots at people outside of his party. Tim Thomas not a fan, and many people know it. Him not going really isnt that big of a deal.. it happens.

How exactly is Tim Thomas embarassing his team, league and country, by being man enough to make a decision (a tough one) that goes against many?
- jak521

He brought attention to himself and his political views when it should've been a day of celebration for his team. And I don't get when people call what he did being a man or admirable. He didn't stand up for his beliefs, he avoided someone who he disagrees with on a day that wasn't about politics. That's not admirable to me. I'm sure he could've said something to the president like an adult instead of avoiding the situation.

He brought attention to himself and his political views when it should've been a day of celebration for his team. And I don't get when people call what he did being a man or admirable. He didn't stand up for his beliefs, he avoided someone who he disagrees with on a day that wasn't about politics. That's not admirable to me. I'm sure he could've said something to the president like an adult instead of avoiding the situation.
- feelingkettle

How exactly is Tim Thomas embarassing his team, league and country, by being man enough to make a decision (a tough one) that goes against many?
- jak521

It's not a tough decision, nor is it really a decision. The Obama administration, like other administrations before, decided to honor a championship team. The President of the United States bestowed congratulations upon the Bruins for their achievement. There was nothing overtly political about this event until Thomas decided not to come. He should have just gone and shut his mouth and enjoyed the spotlight. Instead, he took the "high road" by exercising his right as an American not to come. In doing so, he took the spotlight and honor of his team, and turned it into a mess.

It was very selfish, whether he intended it to be or not.

If there is one thing Obama is good at its taking shots at people outside of his party. Tim Thomas not a fan, and many people know it. Him not going really isnt that big of a deal.. it happens.
- jak521

Pretty sure all the statements I've read from players and the team were stating their disappointment that he wasn't there. So maybe it was a bit of a big deal to the team. Like MJL said, there is a time and place for political discussion, but yesterday was not one of them. He could not see past disagreements and chose to avoid the situation and post something online, drawing attention to himself instead of his team. I wouldn't want anyone doing this under Bush, either. I don't care about hockey players' political beliefs. I like them because they're good at hockey.

It's not a tough decision, nor is it really a decision. The Obama administration, like other administrations before, decided to honor a championship team. The President of the United States bestowed congratulations upon the Bruins for their achievement. There was nothing overtly political about this event until Thomas decided not to come. He should have just gone and shut his mouth and enjoyed the spotlight. Instead, he took the "high road" by exercising his right as an American not to come. In doing so, he took the spotlight and honor of his team, and turned it into a mess.

It was very selfish, whether he intended it to be or not.
- KGBflyers10

Why?
- Boyer83

Not sure which part about my comment you needed explanation on but I'll give you a slightly detailed explanation.
Bill just gives analysis not funny satirical remarks. If I want to hear that crap which the guy from gcobb.com said I'll go to a taproom, Barbershop or gulp tune into WIP. I'm sorry but I can't see why someone needs to rip the guy because he has a personality or watches something on TV other than whatever mainstream garbage is continually shoved down our throats further diminishing our limited intelligence.

Tim knows the internet is serious business. It's the place to sway others' beliefs and persuade them via awareness.
- Flyskippy

I can't speak for Tim Thomas obviously but why go to the white house and speak his mind and cause even more hand wringing than to not go and temper the indignation by some people.

If I had that opportunity I probably get escorted out by the secret service for politely telling the president what I think of his presidency.
Besides if Tim Thomas starts pinning down Barry all he has to do is smile and move on. It's not like he is going to get the presidents full attention so they can debate policy.
What happens if a Canadien team ever wins the cup again? This nonsense that it's an american sports tradition is bullpoop IMO. I'd rather stay home with the family.

Sorry my Canadien friends couldn't resist. I really was rooting for Vancouver last year.

He brought attention to himself and his political views when it should've been a day of celebration for his team. And I don't get when people call what he did being a man or admirable. He didn't stand up for his beliefs, he avoided someone who he disagrees with on a day that wasn't about politics. That's not admirable to me. I'm sure he could've said something to the president like an adult instead of avoiding the situation.
- feelingkettle

Sure its about politics. Everything that takes place in that building is about politics. He campaigns every single second he can. Tim Thomas has followers.. and is pretty active politically.. If it wasnt about politics it would have been a closed to the media thing. Instead, every single person who watched it and is a fan of hockey saw the president start making funny jokes about Brad Marchand, or Zdeno Chara.. and for the people who may not have more knowledge in the political world, they see him (mr obama) and they say.. wow he's a cool dude.. he's funny.. he likes hockey.. and they remember that.

He does have that right. But the problem is that he is making a non political event into one. That's not about politics. It's about an American tradition of having Championship sports teams visit the White House, to honor the team. There is a time and place to stand behind political views. And that isn't one of them. And that's all I'll say about that.
- MJL

well said.