Tim Thomas: You Let One Through, Dude

To be a top goalie in the NHL, you have to be quick----and fearless. Pucks are flying at you rapid-fire and even with a mask and pads, a hard rubber disc hitting ANY part of your body has got to smart.

For the Bruins’ Tim Thomas, his refusal to join his team at the White House yesterday may have been fearless, but it wasn’t smart.

Here’s a quick overview:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkeTAKxsCyk

By now, virtually everyone has heard of Thomas, his snubbing of the Presidential ceremony that recognized the World Champion Boston Bruins—and his “reasons” for doing so. Unfortunately, they ring hollow, revealing a self-centered, pampered athlete who has the mistaken notion that anyone cares about his views re: the government.

Talk hockey, Tim and we’ll listen. Expound on matters outside your expertise and we’ll collectively yawn.

Let me see if I got this right: Thomas declined to appear with his team because he is upset with the U.S. Government. The politicians are cheating us, the system is corrupt and the problem is independent of party or individual. In short, it didn’t matter if a Democrat or a Republican was the Chief Executive. He was not going to take part in any ceremony held by a representative of a government he holds in contempt.

He had the right to say what he said.
He had the right to avoid the ceremony.
His assessment of the situation may also be dead-on.

Unfortunately, none of that matters.

In choosing to grandstand and draw attention to himself, he cheated his teammates out of the full measure of attention and honor they earned with their Stanley Cup win.

Selfish and rude, that’s what it was.

If the problems of our government are to be solved, you can be certain that the method to do so will involve committed individuals who will work WITHIN the system. It will not be changed by those who choose to hurl verbal bombs without even the suggestion of a solution.

In the NHL, there are plenty of players who hail from Russia and other formerly (or currently) communist countries. Maybe Tim Thomas should seek these individuals out and ask them about THEIR country—and its government. This country—and its government—“awful” as it is, has treated Mr. Thomas pretty well.

In a culture where athletes are glorified—and showered with untold riches, fame and recognition, Tim Thomas has been the beneficiary of these uniquely American opportunities. The working middle class gains entertainment from sports (at no small cost, I might add)—and they collectively finance the extravagant lifestyles of these prima donnas, elevating their status and influence far beyond what would be reasonable to expect.

Scientists, teachers and social workers often toil in obscurity, barely making ends meet.
Athletes and entertainment stars are obscenely compensated—and worse, their opinions are often sought out on moral, social and political issues for which they have no expertise whatsoever.

Just to be clear: Tim Thomas’ sole job responsibility is to keep a puck from getting past him and into the goal. Without a doubt, he may be the very best in the business at this task. It’s worth a Stanley Cup—and an MVP trophy.

What it DOESN’T qualify him for (in my opinion) is the right to ruin the experience of his teammates at the White House. He knew that his “statement” would be a distraction, that it would create controversy and that it would draw attention away from the TEAM and instead, direct it to HIMSELF.

Bad form, crappy timing and exceedingly bad manners.

I’m still a Bruins fan, but no longer a Tim Thomas fan.
You let a big one through, dude.


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