Yesterday the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins made their appearance at the White House. One of only three US players on the Bruins, Goalie Tim Thomas Skipped the ceremony:
“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”
Was the “independent” professional athlete making a statement for better Government? Not so much:
Thomas is a staunch Republican and actually mentioned “Glenn Beck” as the person he’d most like to have dinner with in the Bruins 2011-12 Media Guide.
This story sounds strangely familiar to Wisconsin Sports fans, doesn't it Mark Chumura?
I am sure that with about 30 seconds of digging, some local columnist will be able to point out the incredibly hypocrisy of Mr. Thomas also. I still can’t believe that there are people in this country who still take Glenn Beck seriously.
Well, he is a hockey player and they are the most undereducated of all professional athletes. I suspect a significant number of them are functionally illiterate. Clearly he’s taken too many pucks to the head which explains the Glenn Beck fixation. Hockey players like to play hockey, drink beer and fight, not necessarily in that order.
Really Gareth,
You think NASCAR drivers are more educated? or are you against calling them athletes?
maybe a little snark
I think there are smart athletes and dumb athletes in every sport(witness the debacle of a love fest for Joe paterno now) but what Gareth was getting at was do not take a big serious “independent” stand then bring up Glenn Beck…kind a blows your credibility out of the water.