Politics and Hockey

Tim Thomas wasn't the first and he won't be the last.

Remember NFLer Mark Chmura declining to visit the White House in '97 because of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal? Steelers linebacker James Harrison skipped the White House twice, the second time because he "didn't feel like it's that big a deal."

So it's not a cultural catastrophe that Thomas, the Boston goaltender, snubbed President Barack Obama on Monday while his Bruins teammates journeyed to Washington.

And of course, he shouldn't have been forced to go, nor should the Bruins suspend him for deciding his personal political beliefs superseded being part of his team on that day, nor should this impact in any meaningful way his status as a starter in the NHL all-star game this weekend.

The only salient point, really, is this; Thomas' decision, while presented as somehow moral or above politics, was simply political in nature. That's okay, too. He's entitled to that view in a democracy. But to present this as somehow a decision borne of a conscience is misleading.

For the NHL, it's a visit from the polarized and fractured U.S. political spectrum, a world in which some - including Tea Party Tim - believe only they are representing political and governmental values that truly reflect the essence of the U.S. Constitution and the founding fathers.

Everyone else is wrong. Every other political belief is wrong.

So Thomas, a disciple of the odious Glenn Beck, decided he shouldn't go to the White House because Obama, and he suggests, the Republicans have made government too big and are endangering the life, liberty and freedom of ordinary Americans.

Which, like it or not, is a fair stand to take.

Problem is, the visit to the White House isn't a political moment. It's a moment for citizenship. The President, elected by the people and for the people, represents the people when he honours sports teams. Presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, have been doing it for a while now.

So Thomas, while a reasonably thoughtful athlete and quite likely well-meaning in his intent, simply got a little mixed up. He thought he was snubbing Obama, specifically, and the federal government, in general, but what he was really doing was snubbing the very Constitution he and his ilk insist only they understand and interpret correctly. Every NHL game in the U.S., these days, honors American soldiers, who are fighting overseas ostensibly to protect the Constitution and the country. If Thomas, who didn't mind playing for the U.S. Olympic team, were to be consistent, he'd have to snub them, as well. But he won't, nor should he.

Again, this is the U.S. political landscape these days, fraught with extremism with little room for dialogue and compromise. Thomas just got caught up in it and made himself the story instead of his team on Monday.

Plus he missed a chance to demand to see Obama's birth certificate. You didn't think they'd given that one up yet, did you?

 

Comments

[Chig]

Agree with you. 100%. Love the ending.

[Shavik]

The problem is Mr. Cox, Libertarians don't really believe in citizenship, at least not the way the rest of us do. And that is not a fair stand to take.

[skyhawk]

I thought it was all about the "office" ? When that dunce G.W.Bush was president,all you ever heard from that pervert O`Reilly at Fox "News" was people "denegrating"the office,and it "wasn`t about the man,it`s about the office".Well,which is it ? Obama`s started less wars,and killed most of the bad guys in the wars that Dick Chenney and Karl Rove started for that poor dunce. And Thomas idols are GLENN BECK ?!? And a bunch of slave owning white guys who had a few ideas for their day,but do nothing but cause continuous problems in this day and age. Glenn Beck`s so nuts even that low life Rupert Murdoch took him off the air.And Rupert Murdoch`s responsible for hacking into the e-mail of Fox`s favorite go-to-phrase..."the heroes",soldiers.And Beck was to crazy for even THAT low life scum bag. Thank god Thomas is American.Any other country would be embarrassed if one of their sports role models treated the American President like that. By the way Timmy,now that we see how smart you are,you DO know that some of your heroes owned human beings.They were called slaves.And they wrote that centuries old paper everyone insists to this day is still such a great idea .Which i guess is why there`s such hate for the last dozen years or so for your government by it`s own people. The USA has become a big,powerful joke on steroids to the rest of the world.I can see why.With idiots like Thomas admiring Glenn Beck and slave owners,no wonder

[Robert Leeson]

Well said all around. I have no problem with him snubbing Obama it's his right to. Though he should've had Glenn Beck do it for him on his show...that would have been highlight reel stuff on the Daily Show, although it's not like Jon hasn't enough fun with the Republican primaries...but Glenn Beck is gold.

[Alex Nosal]

I have but one problem with the article when the author states... "Every NHL game in the U.S., these days, honors American soldiers, who are fighting overseas ostensibly to protect the Constitution and the country". American soldiers are NOT fighting to protect Americans or the Constitution. They're fighting because they joined the military to find work. The wars have nothing to do with liberty, the Constitution or protecting Americans. Instead the wars have everything to do with serving the interests of a tiny group of wealthy individuals with a warped sense of justice and a complete disregard for humanity.

[Brian Murphy]

Mr. Cox please stay out of politic's and write about what you proclaim to know-and by the way your claim of citizenship-Thomas was the only American on the team-so was it for WORLD citizenship???

[Matt]

I guess you didn't read his statement. He said he's against BOTH political parties. That probably would have helped before writing this article.

[David Morton]

Brilliantly put.

[Toby Buckets]

Let's not forget that the reason presidents invite star athletes, is that it's a good photo opportunity for the president. The objective is to make presidents appear to care about regular things, like sports, not just selling the country off to corporations.

[Lewis McClain]

You sound like a true Socialist media type Damian...Obama receiving the team is a political move. So why not boycott it if you believe otherwise. I am on Thomas's side on this one.....

[Steve]

A LIBERAL writer from a LIBERAL newspaper doesn't agree. Wow! What are the chances?

[CaligulaJones]

Oh no, Mr. Cox, you've missed the memo: the new normal was created when a supposedly apolitical page stood up in the House of Commons with a sign that castigated the current government, and was praised by the left for being such a brave little brat.

Something tells me your column would be much different if the president were George W. Bush and the no-show was protesting the Iraq War...

[Mike Robinson]

The visit to Obama is no less a political moment than an article deriding the act appearing in a sports blog by a sports columnist. If it was his democratic right and not worth mentioning, why mention it at all? While it should be noted that Thomas was the only American-born player on that cup-winning team, I'm surprised there was only 1 player amongst the lot who were brave enough to use their celebrity to make a valid statement of concern for the country they play in. Now, the whole team refusing - that wou'd have been something to write about.

[SJ]

I actually am proud that Tim Thomas stood up for what he believes. The White House is a political movement. In no way am I comparing Obama to Saddam Hussein but if Saddam Hussein honored a team for its achievements, would you go?

Kudos to Mr. Thomas for being the 1%!

[Phil]

Sorry Damien, some of us believe that the majority of politicians are nothing but suckers on the teat of the taxpayer. They are entitled to their "entitlements" while we, the average citizen, have to pay for their excesses. I have no respect for politicians in general and would be a hypocrite to go to any function such as the White House. It all a photo op for more votes, whether it is Bush, Obama, Martin or Harper. Political parties have made a mockery of democracy, and I for one will not support them, I sense I am not alone. I applaud Mr, Thomas for his stand.

[The Bobinator]

Anyone who takes Glenn Beck as a reliable source is mentally challenged.

[99% of the people for the people]

I couldn't stand George Bush but if he came up to me and offered to shake my hand, I'd accept because it's a classy gentleman move. The 1%ers want their own little cushy world surrounded by an army of minimum wage workers at their beckon call.

[Bob]

Pretty sure he would have attended in GWB days. Is the problem really America or people like Tim Thomas IN America?

[Stephen Barber]

You said,
"So Thomas, a disciple of the odious Glenn Beck, decided he shouldn't go to the White House because Obama, and he suggests, the Republicans have made government too big and are endangering the life, liberty and freedom of ordinary Americans."..... Obama is a democrat.

I assume that is actually meaning that Thomas is complaining all-government.
Thomas is correct and kudos to TT for making the point and using the opportunity to do so.

It is refreshing to see an athlete take a look at the world around themselves.

In the NHL, both Red Kelly and Frank Mahovlich became politically involved...

[James Johnson]

Tim Thomas is an American and has every right to demonstrate his views on the political landscape in the US. A Canadian columnist has no standing in American politics. Obama,s presidency is a detriment to the free world, including Canada, both economically and strategically.

[gary a]

if g.w.b was still in office would he still not good i doubt it..he let his teammates down by not being with his team at a team function

[Tim]

Dear Damien,

I don't normally read so many of the comments. I guess I had no idea of what kind of uneducated crap you had to deal with after writing each article. While I don't always agree with you, I respect your writing, and I believe (as someone who lives in the USA) that you got this bang on, and that you really gave Thomas a fair shake.

[NJD]

Come on Timmy. Admit it. Didn't want have your picture taken with Obama or shake his hand.

[Foxy]

Classless move, Thomas.
The day was supposed to be about your team, not your political views.
Respect is in such short supply in America, as the Republican Primary race so clearly demonstrates.

[Al M]

Does it really matter though?I don't think this was a political event. It was a courtesy invite from the President of The United States to hinour their win.Thomas is probably exploring the possibility of running for office as a Republican in the near future. It was poor judgement on his part. Very undiplomatic indeed.