Apparently Boston Bruins Tim Thomas hates "The Troops" - VIDEO
By: Cormac Eklof | Published Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 10:15 AM | Updated Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 10:15 AM
There is a great moment in the seminal mini-series ‘Band of brothers’ where Captain Sobel attempts to march past Captain Winters without acknowledgement due to his personal distaste for the latter. Winters stops him and says, with authority:
‘Captain Sobel, we salute the rank, not the man’.
Apparently Tim Thomas has never seen ‘Band of brothers’.
The Boston Bruins were bestowed the great honor yesterday of meeting the President of the United States at the White House yesterday, to celebrate their fine Stanley Cup victory last season. Tim Thomas, Bruins goalie extraordinaire, chose not to attend due to his political beliefs. Every single other Bruin attended, no matter what their beliefs.
This was a day to celebrate with his team mates. This was a day to enjoy the camaraderie that anyone who has had the luck of being on a team for any protracted length feels.
Instead Tim Thomas made a woeful decision and selfishly turned it into a day about him. Those same team mates had their day in the sun hijacked by someone ignorantly putting themselves first ahead of their band of brothers. That’s the worst thing you can do in team sports, put yourself ahead of your team mates. Not only did Thomas choose not to celebrate this fine achievement with his brothers, he stole the moment from them with his poorly thought out, selfish and ill conceived decision. He has insulted his team mates and he has insulted hockey. He has come out and said, 'My archaic, angry and divisive beliefs are bigger than my team mates and the game of hockey'. ------------------- Read more: More news on NHL from IrishCentral
------------------- Thomas made an enormous mistake in not attending, and he did so on a fundamentally simple principle. Respect is respect, respect shouldn’t be a variable in any situation. No matter who is sitting in the Oval Office, one should respect them. Choosing not to attend shows a simple lack of respect by Thomas. Lack of respect for the station of the President of the United States, lack of respect for his team mates, lack of respect for the game of hockey and lack of respect for the United States.
It should be noted that Thomas was a silver medal winner with the United States hockey team. If he wants to make a statement, well then give the medal back. If you disrespect the President of the United States, you are disrespecting the country as a whole, no matter what turgid, redundant political ‘spin’ you try to put on it.
There will be plenty of clowns who ignorantly blather ‘But hasn’t he got the freedom to do that, freedom of speech and so forth’ yes of course he does, but do so in a respectful and dignified manner.
Make no mistake, Thomas’s action is a despicable course.
One would assume Thomas is a big part of the ‘respect the troops’ ideology that is currently sweeping the States. If that’s the case, Tim Thomas has directly spat in the eye of all the armed forces of the United States. The President is the overall commander of those same troops, and Thomas has gravely disrespected the Office of the President.
To use the dangerous, vitriolic rhetoric of the right wing goons Thomas has now forever associated himself with, apparently Tim Thomas hates the soldiers of the United States. Those same ‘freedom fighters’ he would so quickly have you believe he worships. Well, it turns out he hates them. Hate the commander, hate the troops.
Tim Thomas has tried to pull a Captain Sobel. He has tried to march past The President of the United States without saluting. It is every single United States citizens duty to their country to take him to task on that. No matter what your particulat political beliefs, salute the rank, not the man.
Massachusetts is the home, the birth place, the origin of so much that is good in the United States 'set up'. Brilliant men and minds originated from there. Sadly today it is the home to a selfish, disrespectful, backward thinking goalkeeper who cares more about his stagnant political beliefs than camaraderie, honour, team and respect.
I watched Thomas for four years as a UVM season ticket holder. I played hockey in the minors myself During those four years, never a peep about politics.
Thomas has committed social suicide. Firstly his disrespect to his team mates, (only one of whom is American Steve Kempfer) Nineteen other Bruins of three different nationalities stood in suits and ties, and regardless of their political leanings payed respect. Thomas humiliated the Jacobs family. the general manager Peter Chiarelli. and Bruin president Cam Neely, not to mention Gary Betman and the NHL. Pro hockey is a business, and Thomas dealt his team and the NHL the worst possible publicity. He did not learn a lot of social tact at UVM . Don't hand me that crap about his right to his opinion. He totally ruined his team mates experience with this grandstand play. Tim Thomas's contract ends this year. Look for Tuuka Rask to get more playing time in the net. Thomas (Vesina Trophy and all ) will be gone next year..
SeamusMartin | Jan 25, 2012, 05:50 PM EST
I don't care a bit about Obama. However the "Tea Party" is a very divisive group of the Republican Party. Alone are good people, but put them in a group and you get herd-poisoning and they'll follow any fascist leader. Mr. Smith did the wrong thing with his absence. His team was being honoured and he should have been with his team.
PhlutiePhan | Jan 25, 2012, 11:09 AM EST
I disagree with the comment about Obama commanding a Brownie troop. Hitler had his Brown shirts and Obama has his Brownies. His entire strategy is based on the 99% black vote and the independent woman who is against the family structure. Why wouldn't he target the Brownies? Also, Tim Thomas wears a Bruin uniform and not a USMC one. There is a big difference in expected loyalty. Ooh-rah.
BigDaddy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:31 AM EST
btw Cormac...If you really believe what you wrote, I would have to guess that a family member owns IC. Who else would hire someone that so obviously missed the point to work for them? Or are you part of the "even the dim bulbs get to go on the Christmas tree" program?
BigDaddy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:27 AM EST
Hello Sue. Thanks for nailing what the others who attack TT fail to see. It is both funny and sad to see people here express outrage at Thomas for expressing his disappointment at what his government has done to his country. Stupid people expressing thoughtless POV is to be expected; thoughtful people expressing their POV are to be scorned. We have Rupert Murdoch to thank for that, don't we? FNC tells stupid people their POV is valid while the RNC pays people to go to websites and denounce people who speak out against the propaganda of the RNC. Way to go Sue! Nice to know that not all believe everything they are told.
hooligan6a | Jan 25, 2012, 10:25 AM EST
Good for him. He stuck to his principles. By the way, Obuma could not command
a Brownie Troop.
fireplug | Jan 24, 2012, 11:44 PM EST
Wow what a stretch you made in your headline, it's nothing of the sort.
It's the news press who made a big story about this story not Tim. There is a long list of sport stars who didn't vist the White house when there teams won their champion games. Here when the Boston Red Sox won the world series player Manny Ramiers and GM Theo Epstien plus team owner John Henry all skiper the Whits house invite but for some reason it wasn't made a big deal of. A bunch of Nascar drivers last year also skiped the invite too. So do all who skip the invite "Hate the Troops'? This has to be the most misleading headline I have ever seen your editor must have been on holiday for you to get this 1 into print...
tophyk128 | Jan 24, 2012, 04:35 PM EST
I'm an American and I've been hearing from right wing nut jobs in the states about how we have lost all of our freedoms the past four years. The last time we lost any freedoms was when George W Bush enacted the Patriot Act back in October 26, 2001. Suewislon you’re a bleeping idiot, Tim Thomas is a disgrace.
Ratslayer | Jan 24, 2012, 04:27 PM EST
Timmy Thomas is a TRAITOR. Hey Timmy The Teabagger, keep looking over yer shoulder.
suewislon | Jan 24, 2012, 12:44 PM EST
Wow.. you certainly don't understand where he's coming from. This was not about the troops.. this is about how US citizens are losing their Constitutional rights and freedoms... and how we're slipping into a dictatorship. I applaud Tim! He stood up for what is right. It would have been nice if you had posted his statement. He said, and I 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."
Nicomax | Jan 24, 2012, 12:26 PM EST
Not sure we need to have all these championship teams gather at the White House, but if its done, then showing up and keeping your mouth shut is the best option. How many members of winning teams, let's say the Patriots over the past several years, could have said "no way will I greet George Bush?"
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seagreen | Jan 26, 2012, 09:39 AM EST
I watched Thomas for four years as a UVM season ticket holder. I played hockey in the minors myself During those four years, never a peep about politics. Thomas has committed social suicide. Firstly his disrespect to his team mates, (only one of whom is American Steve Kempfer) Nineteen other Bruins of three different nationalities stood in suits and ties, and regardless of their political leanings payed respect. Thomas humiliated the Jacobs family. the general manager Peter Chiarelli. and Bruin president Cam Neely, not to mention Gary Betman and the NHL. Pro hockey is a business, and Thomas dealt his team and the NHL the worst possible publicity. He did not learn a lot of social tact at UVM . Don't hand me that crap about his right to his opinion. He totally ruined his team mates experience with this grandstand play. Tim Thomas's contract ends this year. Look for Tuuka Rask to get more playing time in the net. Thomas (Vesina Trophy and all ) will be gone next year..
SeamusMartin | Jan 25, 2012, 05:50 PM EST
I don't care a bit about Obama. However the "Tea Party" is a very divisive group of the Republican Party. Alone are good people, but put them in a group and you get herd-poisoning and they'll follow any fascist leader. Mr. Smith did the wrong thing with his absence. His team was being honoured and he should have been with his team.
PhlutiePhan | Jan 25, 2012, 11:09 AM EST
I disagree with the comment about Obama commanding a Brownie troop. Hitler had his Brown shirts and Obama has his Brownies. His entire strategy is based on the 99% black vote and the independent woman who is against the family structure. Why wouldn't he target the Brownies? Also, Tim Thomas wears a Bruin uniform and not a USMC one. There is a big difference in expected loyalty. Ooh-rah.
BigDaddy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:31 AM EST
btw Cormac...If you really believe what you wrote, I would have to guess that a family member owns IC. Who else would hire someone that so obviously missed the point to work for them? Or are you part of the "even the dim bulbs get to go on the Christmas tree" program?
BigDaddy | Jan 25, 2012, 10:27 AM EST
Hello Sue. Thanks for nailing what the others who attack TT fail to see. It is both funny and sad to see people here express outrage at Thomas for expressing his disappointment at what his government has done to his country. Stupid people expressing thoughtless POV is to be expected; thoughtful people expressing their POV are to be scorned. We have Rupert Murdoch to thank for that, don't we? FNC tells stupid people their POV is valid while the RNC pays people to go to websites and denounce people who speak out against the propaganda of the RNC. Way to go Sue! Nice to know that not all believe everything they are told.
hooligan6a | Jan 25, 2012, 10:25 AM EST
Good for him. He stuck to his principles. By the way, Obuma could not command a Brownie Troop.
fireplug | Jan 24, 2012, 11:44 PM EST
Wow what a stretch you made in your headline, it's nothing of the sort. It's the news press who made a big story about this story not Tim. There is a long list of sport stars who didn't vist the White house when there teams won their champion games. Here when the Boston Red Sox won the world series player Manny Ramiers and GM Theo Epstien plus team owner John Henry all skiper the Whits house invite but for some reason it wasn't made a big deal of. A bunch of Nascar drivers last year also skiped the invite too. So do all who skip the invite "Hate the Troops'? This has to be the most misleading headline I have ever seen your editor must have been on holiday for you to get this 1 into print...
tophyk128 | Jan 24, 2012, 04:35 PM EST
I'm an American and I've been hearing from right wing nut jobs in the states about how we have lost all of our freedoms the past four years. The last time we lost any freedoms was when George W Bush enacted the Patriot Act back in October 26, 2001. Suewislon you’re a bleeping idiot, Tim Thomas is a disgrace.
Ratslayer | Jan 24, 2012, 04:27 PM EST
Timmy Thomas is a TRAITOR. Hey Timmy The Teabagger, keep looking over yer shoulder.
suewislon | Jan 24, 2012, 12:44 PM EST
Wow.. you certainly don't understand where he's coming from. This was not about the troops.. this is about how US citizens are losing their Constitutional rights and freedoms... and how we're slipping into a dictatorship. I applaud Tim! He stood up for what is right. It would have been nice if you had posted his statement. He said, and I 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."
Nicomax | Jan 24, 2012, 12:26 PM EST
Not sure we need to have all these championship teams gather at the White House, but if its done, then showing up and keeping your mouth shut is the best option. How many members of winning teams, let's say the Patriots over the past several years, could have said "no way will I greet George Bush?"