The issue is the Tim Thomas incident of a couple weeks ago, the one where he decided to play hooky rather than visit the President in the White House. I know he had a reason for his decision, one that would excuse his absence, but I vehemently disagree with the way he went about making such a strong political statement. Let me start with the timing. 2012 is an integral year for this country being that we are mired in a global economic crisis, surrounded by social uprising, and in the midst of one of the most polarizing elections in our lifetime. In his official statement made on his Facebook page, Thomas says,
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.
If he is so concerned with the current political portrait, why is this the first anyone’s heard of such beliefs. Although I can’t consider myself a true hockey fan, I do follow sports more closely than most. Not once during Thomas’s tenure in Boston, and especially since his rise from obscurity, have I heard any political musings from the decorated goalie. I couldn’t tell you if he leaned left, right, or swung both ways. All of a sudden, at a team event, where he was only one of two players born in the U.S., he decides to make a civil inaction? Wouldn’t it make more sense to perform an action of community service that would shed some positive light on his and many other American’s beliefs? This comes off as whiny, selfish, and ignorant; three words I never would have used to describe Tim Thomas as recently as two weeks ago. He chose all of this while his team was sputtering into the All-Star Break on its worst stretch since the opening of the season.
Maybe he didn’t realize how big of a soap box he has been provided since winning Lord Stanley’s Cup? Bruins’ President, Cam Neely came out after the incident and made public the fact that the team had known about Thomas’s intentions for three months leading up to the visit. Obviously they discussed the potential fallout while trying to talk him out of it. I’m sure his teammates knew about it as well. I just find it hard to believe that Thomas would have willingly done this had he known how far he would fall from grace, but in this case is ignorance a valid excuse? His teammates were obviously affected by this. Some were more personally insulted than others, but there’s no doubt the decision was a distraction. "I don't agree with his political views but I'm not going to let this affect our team," one player said. Others were less supportive,
"As an organization we were honored by President Obama's invitation to the White House.
It was a great day and a perfect way to cap our team's achievement from last season. It was a day that none of us will soon forget. We are disappointed that Tim chose not to join us, and
his views certainly do not reflect those of the Jacobs family or the Bruins organization. This
will be the last public comment from the Bruins organization on this subject."
I think this is a wonderful country. It's done so much for us, so I think that's why we were so
thrilled to go because we obviously have a different viewpoint”.
Clearly Thomas’ actions divided his team and created a disturbance that disrupted the flow of the hottest team in hockey. The effects were felt through all levels of the organization and shown a dark light on his legacy. More than most, I appreciate those who stand up against political oppression, but Thomas did it in a way I cannot agree with. Hopefully he will consider his timing and tact the next time he makes such a bold move. I will leave you with one more quote from another Bruin, one that I WOULD agree with,
"Everyone has their own point of view and that's the country as well, right? Just because you disagree with or have a different viewpoint with somebody, it's not our job to look down and be harsh toward that person. It's their view, their choice. You can completely disagree with it, but in this country you have to respect it."
