A real team player. Good news is you still have Rask.

I think Thomas should have gone to the White house with his team mates.  I don't think league or team functions should be used as a soapbox to make political statements.  Thomas could have made a statement after the White house visit about his politial views.  Thomas will regret his actions. 

I know it's a free country BUT Thomas snubbed his team mates and he snubbed the league,IMO a black eye to the Bruins franchise.

Personally he made the right decision because he stood by his principles.  Tim Thomas won the Bruins the cup last year so he has all the right in the world to not go.  His job is not to shake people's hands but to play games in the NHL.  Also, if going to reply Thomas is just one person.. Well that one person stood on his head again and again.  If was any other goalie then Canucks would of won the cup.  Also, the media made field day cause their biased towards this president.  It's really not that big of deal.  Also, he states that both republican and democrats helped destroy this country.  He should know about hardship he grew up in Flint, Michigan for godsakes.

If you don't like the Commander and Chiefs politics then say it with your vote.  The Commander and Chief invited the team to the white house to accept an award.  Thomas may not respect the man, but he should respect who the man represents......The American People.  Thomas is a boob!!!

He was "INVITED" to attend, not ordered. An invite means you have a choice. 

Agreed, Sak.  I think it was a bad personal decision because he may never get the offer again.  However it is his choice to pass it up.

I am a Tea Party guy like Thomas appears to be, but I would drop just about anything to go and visit the President if invited. 

If it were me, I'd probably have gone as well. But I'm not Tim Thomas. It was his choice. Will he regret it down the line? Maybe. But again, it was his choice to do that.

One of the dumbest moves I have ever seen an athlete make

1/  He put himself ahead of the team.  This will eat away at many players throughout the season.
2/  He made a political statement out of a relatively a-poitical event.  Thomas may not want to answer any questions about it, but he brought up politics, and oposing media and fans will constantly question his politics now and not talk about his hockey playing.
3/  He's supporting a divisive position in the political landscape.  More than half of Americans in hockey playing states, and two thirds of Canadians will not support his political views, with many being vehemently opposed to them.
4/  Not visiting the white house is very unpatriotic and won't sit well with many Americans.
5/  He has given all oponents another weapon against him.  If I am the opposing media, fans, and players I would be constantly needling Thomas until he cracks, and then needle him some more

Where was all of this outrage from the media when James Harrison of the Steelers skipped the White House visit twice? How about when Mark Chmura of the Packers did the same thing? How about when Michael Jordan did?

This isn't even the 1st Boston athlete to skip the White House visit. Larry Bird, who is even more of a legend in Boston than Tim Thomas, skipped it with the Celtics in 1984.

Let's not all act like this is the 1st time it's happened. These guys are all Americans who are exercising their freedom to choose not to visit the White House. It will happen again.

BTW, Rask has been the better goalie so far this season.

Tim Thomas has been replaced by the Bruins arch-nemesis, Timmy Adventure.

Posted by SAKABAKBRG on 1/24/2012 12:09:00 PM (view original):
Where was all of this outrage from the media when James Harrison of the Steelers skipped the White House visit twice? How about when Mark Chmura of the Packers did the same thing? How about when Michael Jordan did?

This isn't even the 1st Boston athlete to skip the White House visit. Larry Bird, who is even more of a legend in Boston than Tim Thomas, skipped it with the Celtics in 1984.

Let's not all act like this is the 1st time it's happened. These guys are all Americans who are exercising their freedom to choose not to visit the White House. It will happen again.

Yep, but its a big deal cause its Obama!  The media is making this more of big deal than it really is.  I would defend Thomas 100 x over because its his right to not go.  Thank goodness we still have options in our country.

Posted by SAKABAKBRG on 1/24/2012 9:19:00 AM (view original):
If it were me, I'd probably have gone as well. But I'm not Tim Thomas. It was his choice. Will he regret it down the line? Maybe. But again, it was his choice to do that.

I agree.  A lot of us Canadians in here are sounding a bit commie right now and I ain't no damn commie!.  First, Thomas isn't in the military, so Obama isn't his Commander-in-Chief.  That would happen only if he were drafted or under Marshall Law.  Second, I know a lot of people, ESPECIALLY HERE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA who would love to throw an invitation from Stephen Harper right back in his face, so I find a number of these responses rather hypocritical.

Posted by mapleleafs4l on 1/24/2012 12:31:00 PM (view original):

Posted by SAKABAKBRG on 1/24/2012 12:09:00 PM (view original):
Where was all of this outrage from the media when James Harrison of the Steelers skipped the White House visit twice? How about when Mark Chmura of the Packers did the same thing? How about when Michael Jordan did?

This isn't even the 1st Boston athlete to skip the White House visit. Larry Bird, who is even more of a legend in Boston than Tim Thomas, skipped it with the Celtics in 1984.

Let's not all act like this is the 1st time it's happened. These guys are all Americans who are exercising their freedom to choose not to visit the White House. It will happen again.

Yep, but its a big deal cause its Obama!  The media is making this more of big deal than it really is.  I would defend Thomas 100 x over because its his right to not go.  Thank goodness we still have options in our country.

nailed it.

I find it hilarious people are upset he 'let the team down'.... I've skipped out on 'work events' before and im pretty sure my co-workers got over it.

NOPE

THEY STILL HATE YE

Posted by holer on 1/25/2012 1:58:00 AM (view original):

Posted by SAKABAKBRG on 1/24/2012 9:19:00 AM (view original):
If it were me, I'd probably have gone as well. But I'm not Tim Thomas. It was his choice. Will he regret it down the line? Maybe. But again, it was his choice to do that.

I agree.  A lot of us Canadians in here are sounding a bit commie right now and I ain't no damn commie!.  First, Thomas isn't in the military, so Obama isn't his Commander-in-Chief.  That would happen only if he were drafted or under Marshall Law.  Second, I know a lot of people, ESPECIALLY HERE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA who would love to throw an invitation from Stephen Harper right back in his face, so I find a number of these responses rather hypocritical.

If the invite came from Stephen Harper then Tim Thomas would have went..........