Tim Thomas responds to criticism


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By: Adam Gretz

The Tim Thomas White House controversy just won't go away, even though he wishes that it would.

After he refused to attend the Bruins visit to the White House earlier in the week, the Conn Smythe winning goaltender has drawn a flood of criticism from media, fans and even anonymous sources within the Bruins organization, referring to his decision as "selfish," as the Boston Globe reported on Tuesday.

Even though he said his Facebook statement explaining his position would be his only comment on the matter, it's been all anybody wants to talk about anytime he's been in front of a microphone or camera during the All-Star weekend festivities.

During his media availability on Friday, for example, he was asked if he wanted to see this all just go away.

“I think it should. I think it should," said Thomas. "I think it’s all media-driven right now. It has been from the start. Everything I said then was as an individual. It wasn’t as a representative of the Boston Bruins. All it has to do is with me. It’s separate from hockey. That’s my personal life. Those are my personal views. Those are my personal beliefs. It has nothing to do with hockey. It has nothing to do with this All-Star Game.”

Thomas did not join the Bruins on Monday and said later in the evening that it was his right as an individual to not go, a decision he made because he feels the Federal government "has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People."

The controversy that followed even led to speculation that maybe this could be the beginning of the end for Thomas' time in Boston, which seems pretty silly to think about. Of course, sooner rather than later Thomas and the Bruins are going to part ways, but that has more do with the fact he is 37 years old, only has one year remaining on his contract, and the team already has his replacement, Tuukka Rask, on the roster. Not because he skipped out on taking a trip to visit the President.

Thomas will also eventually get his wish, and this story will disappear. Perhaps as soon as the second half of the season starts up and he gets back into the crease and starts winning games again.

That always seems to put a pretty quick stop to a lot of controversies like this.

Photo: Getty Images

Previously at Eye On Hockey

Bruins honored at White House while Thomas declines
Thomas explains decision
Thomas Speculation starts

For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnHockey and @agretz on Twitter.

Tim Thomas responds to criticism

That is just ridiculous! I own my own company and I would never mandate that my employees do something based on my political views. I expect them to do their job, nothing more and nothing less. You just railroaded the entire American system!!! Each individual has an individual right to their views. I never want to live in a country where I am expected to have the political views of some affiliate organization. As a member of an organization, I am expected to act responsibly. Tim Thomas did. He explained his view. This doesn't hurt the Bruins in any way. Get over it!

Tim Thomas responds to criticism

Since: Oct 4, 2006	Posted on: January 31, 2012 11:16 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism I own my own company and I would never mandate that my employees do something based on my political views. How did the Bruins do that? They didn't....
Since: Oct 10, 2006	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:18 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism That is just ridiculous! I own my own company and I would never mandate that my employees do something based on my political views. I expect them to do their job, nothing more and nothing less. You just railroaded the entire American system!!! Each individual has an individual right to their views. I never want to live in a country where I am expected to have the political views of some affiliate organization. As a member of an organization, I am expected to act responsibly. Tim Thomas did. He explained his view. This doesn't hurt the Bruins in any way. Get over it!
Since: Oct 10, 2006	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:09 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism No, he Was invited and had a right to decline. This is just one more example of liberal bullying! You aren't required to go to the White House because you play hockey. He didn't want to go and that is his right. Let him be!!!
Since: Jan 11, 2007	Posted on: January 31, 2012 2:09 am Tim Thomas responds to criticism To the Timmy haters: It is true that 60% of the electorate in America want to wipe the slate clean, so to speak regarding the American congress. It is also true that the 'liberal media' is indeed liberal; this is easy to verify, and is in great part why Thomas is getting grief for expressing a polically unpopular viewpoint (i.e., conservative) in the public sphere. Most people have no issue with polical statement; but as a fellow conservative I get tired of "media accountability" when aimed at conservative POV's when the same accountability is lacking when either lib politicans act out, or most egregiously, when the 4th estate ignores its own liberal media bias. (See the conservative = wacko media frenzy around the Gifford shooting, etc.) There are many examples here. Simple question: why is it when someone slams Dubya or the "evil" banks, they get on the cover of Newsweek, but when you slam Obama, you're "selfish?" Total BS. Even MSNBC confirms a liberal media bias. REAL Libs let people have an opinion, and don't try to shut them up.
Since: Oct 4, 2006	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:21 am Tim Thomas responds to criticism Thomas has every right to decline Yes, and in true American fashion he exercised his right to be an idiot to the fullest.
Since: Jan 17, 2012	Posted on: January 30, 2012 11:22 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism Hockey Fan LA....you nailed it! My sentiments exactly! Thomas is a member of the Bruins, not an individual experessing his distaste for Government, both Republicans and Democrats! He should have attended as a TEAM MEMBER of the BOSTON BRUINS just as the rest of his teammates did.
Since: May 27, 2009	Posted on: January 30, 2012 9:02 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism I love how people are putting hockey before reality. Tim Thomas had an opportunity to protest in his way. He has a right as a human being to do so. There are going to be real problems in the U.S very soon. To the point where hockey will be the last thing on the minds of many. Maybe Thomas refusing to go to the white house will make some people read some articles about the federal reserve, to see what he is talking about. And in turn will show them how corrupt the system really is. Also I believe Thomas is one of two Bruins who are American, so of course the others won't understand. I applaud Thomas for speaking out!
Since: Dec 28, 2006	Posted on: January 30, 2012 6:39 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism Hockey Fan, because you employ someone does not give you the right to impose your political views on someone. It really shouldn't matter that they are athletes. If the Bruins donate millions to Nobama certainly does not mean that Thomas has to agree with their views. I was a union Republican that was disgusted with the leftward leanings of my union and was more than happy to tell them to get bent!
Since: Dec 28, 2006	Posted on: January 30, 2012 6:33 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism dynamos7, thanks for showing your lack of intelligence in your choice for President and lack of taste in women.....
Since: Aug 21, 2006	Posted on: January 30, 2012 4:44 pm Tim Thomas responds to criticism The Boston Bruins Tim Thomas has the right to decline the invatation. There have been other athletes over the years to decline believe it or not. I personally would not go. Thomas is right the government is out of control he is protesting in his own way. This should not even be a story.

To the Timmy haters:

It is true that 60% of the electorate in America want to wipe the slate clean, so to speak regarding the American congress.

It is also true that the 'liberal media' is indeed liberal; this is easy to verify, and is in great part why Thomas is getting grief for expressing a polically unpopular viewpoint (i.e., conservative) in the public sphere. Most people have no issue with polical statement; but as a fellow conservative I get tired of "media accountability" when aimed at conservative POV's when the same accountability is lacking when either lib politicans act out, or most egregiously, when the 4th estate ignores its own liberal media bias. (See the conservative = wacko media frenzy around the Gifford shooting, etc.) There are many examples here.

Simple question: why is it when someone slams Dubya or the "evil" banks, they get on the cover of Newsweek, but when you slam Obama, you're "selfish?" Total BS. Even MSNBC confirms a liberal media bias.

REAL Libs let people have an opinion, and don't try to shut them up.

Tim Thomas responds to criticism

I love how people are putting hockey before reality. Tim Thomas had an opportunity to protest in his way. He has a right as a human being to do so. There are going to be real problems in the U.S very soon. To the point where hockey will be the last thing on the minds of many. Maybe Thomas refusing to go to the white house will make some people read some articles about the federal reserve, to see what he is talking about. And in turn will show them how corrupt the system really is. Also I believe Thomas is one of two Bruins who are American, so of course the others won't understand. I applaud Thomas for speaking out!

Tim Thomas responds to criticism

Hockey Fan, because you employ someone does not give you the right to impose your political views on someone. It really shouldn't matter that they are athletes. If the Bruins donate millions to Nobama certainly does not mean that Thomas has to agree with their views. I was a union Republican that was disgusted with the leftward leanings of my union and was more than happy to tell them to get bent!

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