For those that don't know, Tim Thomas, known for his unreal saves as a cream of the crop goalie that plays for the Boston Bruins, didn't show up at the White House to meet Obama along with the rest of the team. This is his statement that he released a few days ago on why:
Quote:
"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.
"This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT"
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/tim-thomas-obama-snub-not-politics-party-free-233559431.html
Good for him. I don't understand how people are saying he selfishly put himself above the team and that it was disrespectful to the president. First off, NO collective solidarity is bigger than an individual's convictions, EVER. Secondly, what he brings to the team is strictly about hockey, nothing more nothing less. If he constantly missed practice and slacked off on the ice, then yes he is letting the team down since his skills are meant to serve the team. But his beliefs aren't meant to be beholden to anyone so it doesn't really apply outside of the ice. Thirdly, he wasn't going about this in an attention seeking way like Kanye West so if he really wanted it to be a publicity stunt he could've done something much crazier.
It's just one crap after another and I wish more people would see that it's bigger than just one man or one party.