The BS Suspension Thread

[wafflecombine]

Let me start with this: I respect the fact that Thomas is very engaged in U.S. politics. More people need to take notice of what our leaders do. They also NEED to vote, but that is another thread sometime else.

Bottom line however, Boston love them or hate them (really, really hate them) were invited to the White House as Stanley Cup champs and ambassadors of the game. This could have been a big thing for the game. But rather than being a team and ambassadors of the game, Thomas, whether he intended it or not, made the event about him. I really disagree with the choice he made. Being a champ and public figure means sometimes you put away your princess outfit, put on the big boy pants, smile and suck it up for the cameras.

This was a big PR fail for the Bruins IMO. Not just in the media and amongst fans, but also within the NHL boardrooms. You can bet that Bettman was uhappy with this outcome.

[rats19]

Well said waffle...

[Cornuck]

After reading this:

“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,” Goalie Tim Thomas said in a statement. The decision to stay away, Thomas said, “was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.”

I have to say that I support his decision. The longer we accept the current situation as 'business as usual', the worse it will get.

[mathonwy]

In one's lifetime, how often does one get a chance to actually make the world (or at least North America) listen to an opinion they may have by making a grand gesture? (excluding blowing up buildings)

Never is the answer.

This was Tim's once in a lifetime chance to express his displeasure with the public governance system and he took it. So he was a poor ambassador for the NHL... Boofuckinghoo. Bettman is a billion times worse. Does the NHL really need the US govt approval? Nope. They need ESPN's approval. Who really cares about the US govt. Did he make the day about him? Yeah, he kinda did but who the fuck cares. Good for Timmy. I as a hockey fan don't get a flying fuck about Timmy not going to the White House because it's about choice and he chose not to go.

The NHL will be JUST fine. It's a massive entertainment corporation that will still exist long after Timmy's retired.

As an individual living in a really fucked up democratic economy, Tim exercised his right to choose to not go to the White House. I applaud his strength to do it and he's always going to have a great story to tell his grandchildren where he gave the big FU to Obie in 2012.

[Orcasfan]

That little FB explanation by Thomas was BS. He made it sound so "reasonable". The guy is a fan of Glen Beck - you know, that crazy, racist, right-wing nut! So, you can guess what his real motivation was! And, I guess this is an opportunity for some of the right-wingnuts to line up behind their boy, Timmy! At least we get to see another, very unappealing side to Thomas.

[damonberryman]

That little FB explanation by Thomas was BS. He made it sound so "reasonable". The guy is a fan of Glen Beck - you know, that crazy, racist, right-wing nut! So, you can guess what his real motivation was! And, I guess this is an opportunity for some of the right-wingnuts to line up behind their boy, Timmy! At least we get to see another, very unappealing side to Thomas.

WTF? This guy Thomas is nuts. I live down here in this crazy place and while he is right about the state of things and he has the right to say it, the tea party and Beck are pure whack jobs who need to be taken out in the street and put down like mad dogs before they kill the planet. Like most of his political peers in the tea party he is in favour of restoring America to the time of Fess Parker playing Davy Crockett. The America he and they talk about NEVER existed. They started off as traitors to the Crown, sat back while my grandmother lost four brothers in WW1, then came in and claimed credit. That is how they do it. They are the home of lies and myths about themselves. I love the American people but the evil shits who really run the place are not ok. The same ones who made fortunes off WW2 with lend-lease while the Empire died along with 25 million Russians and then...you guessed it...claim they won it. They are the same bunch who think in Dominoe theories about SE Asia and the ones who lied about Iraq and WMD. They sell life as a cartoon where other countries and people are not real. They will say Asians do not value life like they do and they will help anyone as long as fossil fuels are involved. Apparently they invented Democracy, you know, the Greek word meaning rule of the people? Greek, not English. The Magna Carta never existed and they think their shit does not smell. As far as I am concerned TT has the right to his opinion but he needs to thank Canada, Australia, NZ, India, Nepal, Russia, Poland and many others as the Yanks sat on their ass while the death camps ran and any competition for world supremacy was destroyed in beating the Axis. Also he is a Bruin and therefore he is a stupid piece of shit.

[Fred]

After reading this:

“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,” Goalie Tim Thomas said in a statement. The decision to stay away, Thomas said, “was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.”

I have to say that I support his decision. The longer we accept the current situation as 'business as usual', the worse it will get.

To me if the man has such strong political feelings, he can make his position known at any time in the good old Republican manner. He can buy a full page space of the NY post or the paper of his choice and make his position clearly and a great deal more precisly. That's the Republican or American way if you have money you buy what you need.

This was a sporting exercise for and about the team one for all and all for one when every one puts aside their own personal agendas and does what is needed to make the team better and stronger...he apparently missed that memo

[Cornuck]

Also he is a Bruin and therefore he is a stupid piece of shit.

And really, that is the bottom line. Let's not lose focus here.

[tantalum]

This wasn't a political event in the least...until Tim Thomas decided to make it one. It's clear that from the comments of his team mates and the organization that they do not appreciate nor support his actions. For that reason alone he is an idiot for not putting his big boy pants on and acting like a grown up. And there are a whole host of other reasons that have to do with respect, being an ambassador for the game, thinking the Tea Party actually wants smaller government and more freedoms etc that make him an even bigger idiot.

You know what makes a better statement? Going to the party and making it clear you are only doing so because it is a celebration of his team and the accomplishment. Heck at the same time you can even let it be known you don't agree with the politics in Washington. Show up and have the dialog.

Much of the problems in Washington stem from the exact same stunt Thomas pulled. Sulk, complain, don't show up and shut down any sort of conversation you could have had by doing so. It's how Congress in this country has dropped to an 11% approval rating since the mid-term elections. It's all fine and dandy to have different ideas and want to change things...it's quite another to simply not have the conversation because you don't like the guy. And that's what the Tea Partiers have done since they got to Washington. Refuse to participate in the dialog and pull stunts they think will help them.

[dhabums]

After reading this:

“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,” Goalie Tim Thomas said in a statement. The decision to stay away, Thomas said, “was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.”

I have to say that I support his decision. The longer we accept the current situation as 'business as usual', the worse it will get.

I don't get the connection. He is not going to the White House because of both parties? Maybe he should boycott the game in Washington tonight.

--

Apparently Thomas is a full fledged KKK supporter too.

[dhabums]

Also he is a Bruin and therefore he is a stupid piece of shit.

Although totally redundant, still worth mentioning and quoting.

[Potatoe1]

I could care less what Tim Thomas believes or does outside of the hockey rink. That said I love the fact he did this because it's just one more log on the big pile of crap the Bruins have thrown at the league this season.

Keep it coming Bruins, by the time the playoffs roll around the league is going to be so sick of you there is no way they could stomach a re-peat.

[coco_canuck]

I could care less what Tim Thomas believes or does outside of the hockey rink. That said I love the fact he did this because it's just one more log on the big pile of crap the Bruins have thrown at the league this season.

Keep it coming Bruins, by the time the playoffs roll around the league is going to be so sick of you there is no way they could stomach a re-peat.

Yup, I wasn't as incensed by Thomas' decision as some were, but I found his explanation to be both laughable and painfully inadequate unless his sole purpose was to create a shit-storm and gain publicity for his political view.

He's not the first athlete or team manager to skip the White House event, but to making it into a political firestorm is incredibly selfish, and like you say Tater, all it does is add another log to the fire that is the increasingly detestable Boston Bruins.

[Fred]

Lets just hope that the officials in the SC ( assuming we make it that far ) are strong union members and democrats to boot

[Potatoe1]

Lets just hope that the officials in the SC ( assuming we make it that far ) are strong union members and democrats to boot

Why are you assuming the Bruins will be in the final?

I think the league would love to see the Rangers in that spot, and a Rangers team getting favorable calls probably wins in a series with the Bruins.