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he shouldn't have been forced to go, nor should the Bruins suspend him for deciding his personal political beliefs superseded being part of his team on that day, nor should this impact in any meaningful way his status as a starter in the NHL all-star game this weekend.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

[Nerd]

Mr Cox,

Who made you the arbiter of decorum? When Obama lied about blocking the NDAA - that's the "indefinite detention without process" act - and then went and passed it, that's fair cause to boycott the event, I believe. You know, all Obama did there was destroy the last protections for civil liberty in America. The same president who also authorized the assassination of an American citizen without process. Surely you'd think that Obama, who has in a very short period, begun to copy the acts of Hitler, would be deserving of more support, right? Well some of us would disagree with this. And all the articles decrying such a faux pas, written by all the apologists and self-appointed guardians of that status quo, won't change our minds.

[Slovak]

Cox, you completely misunderstand what Tim is trying to achieve here. He like a growing number of Americans are waking up to the fact that the system is bought and paid for by the mega banks. Republicans and Democrats are just two heads of the same ugly monster with monetary and foreign policy never changing from administration to administration. This attack on freedom, civil liberties and America's wealth is epitomized through the bought and paid for Wall Street presidency of Barack Obama. No free pass for the Republicans, who he admonishes for their serial hypocrisy in terms of growing government to astronomical proportions both at home and abroad. Whether it be Bush, Obama or whatever big government stooge is in office, his statements indicate that his actions would have been the same. Tim Thomas could not have done anything more "American" than do what he did today. He is not trying to polarize the electorate through the non-existent left-right paradigm, but rather wake people up to the fading liberties and freedoms guaranteed to him under the constitution the American people fought and died for.

[ravgames]

It always makes me laugh when sportswriters, especially Canadian ones, write articles that have anything to do with American politics. Your socialist slip is showing, Damien.

[AJ]

Well said.

[robert freedman]

Damian,
You are entirely correct- Tim has every right to make an ass of himself in the way he did. His loss. He can stay in his little crease as long as he wishes.

[Neil]

The team was honored by the president of the united states for winning the stanley cup....even if the president doesnt know a thing about hockey and had to read his statements that were prepared for him by his staff, its still a pretty decent honor to be a part of a team that is honored by the President.

I feel that Tim Thomas has a right to have his political beliefs and make his own decsions on his personal beliefs, however this was about the Boston Bruins, The NHL, the game of hockey being recognized in the United States.

I am sure that thomas doesnt know Obama, and Obama likley has no clue who Tim Thomas is, or who half the guys are on any hockey team......its one of those moments in life where everyone invloved benefits from the opportunity....

Tim Thomas was wrong in boycotting this visit, it was a team event....you would think that being the star on the stanley cup winning team that you would wanna be a team player, when the presidents acknowledges your achievements!!

Grow up Tim!!!

[Matt]

Returning to my earlier comment, Thomas probably mentioned both parties to save some face (not to mention that the Tea Party is a quasi-independent party aligned with the Republicans).

Still it was a classless move by Thomas altogether. Not because of the politics but because he compromised this moment for the rest of his team.

[Nev]

I strongly disagree with your article. This is nothing more then a ploy to rack up voted for Obama. I would also have avoided the president if I thought he was making wrong decisions for the country. The president blatantly stomped on the constitution when he listened to an external source (UN) rather then consulted with state reprasentatives before invading Libya.

If Tim thinks what the president stands for is not something he can then Tim should have the right to decline a trip to the whitehouse.

[byron]

Right, a famous, well respected figure making a "point" at a highly publicized event won't have any effect and won't influence anyone's opinions. Of course not. History has never shown that to happen. Of course, it wouldn't make fans of Tim Thomas who perhaps are Obama supporters question their support just a little. And perhaps a significant number of people rethinking their opinions, if even just a little. Of course just a little bit of change isn't worth pursuing. Change happens overnight, and without effort. Tim Thomas should know that activism works best when you get permission from others to make your point and don't ruffle any feathers.

[James]

I agree entirely. But I'd add a point: Thomas' actions were not just a snub to the President, but a snub to his teammates. They were, as a group, receiving recognition for their accomplishments--accomplishments which were, by the way, largely achieved thanks to Thomas. In doing this, he's decided to put his own political views above the team's well-deserved, collective recognition. If I were a teammate of his, I'd be pretty disappointed in his selfish act.

[eddie]

Damien: Tim should be commended for his principle/stand--if the 'Tims' of the world don't stand up to this America-destroying president then who will? Also, the tone of your writing is insulting i.e. "odious Glenn Beck", really? Glenn Beck has many supporters and is also much revered!

[moe green]

If I really believed that Thomas would have stood up GW Bush as easily as Obama I would have respected his decision. Now that I learn he is a moronic Beck supporter I have lost any respect for his decision. Doesn't he realize the Tea-baggers are just ultra republicans?

Anyway, nicely and diplomatically put Mr Cox.

[moe green]

@James Johnson: Stupidly put. You must be a tea-bagger too.

[byron]

Right, a famous, well respected figure making a "point" at a highly publicized event won't have any effect and won't influence anyone's opinions. Of course not. History has never shown that to happen. Of course, it wouldn't make fans of Tim Thomas who perhaps are Obama supporters question their support just a little. And perhaps a significant number of people rethinking their opinions, if even just a little. Of course just a little bit of change isn't worth pursuing. Change happens overnight, and without effort. Tim Thomas should know that activism works best when you get permission from others to make your point and don't ruffle any feathers.

[Alex Anderson]

If you can't even shake hands with a guy, how can you have a dialogue and come to any kind of consensus? That's the trouble with extremists. It's never about what's actually best for the constituency, it's about what they think is best and they aren't willing to compromise. Thomas is a fool.

[CORRY]

This is a president that supports indefinite detention.Congress and the President has over stepped the rule of law.I bet manly a handful of people at the white house even know who 3 people on the Boston Bruins are.

[tanner546@hotmail.com]

Honestly, who cares what Tim Thomas think. He is the epitome of 'dumb jock'. His idol is Glen Beck? Oh Man!!! That just about says all there is to say about this guy. Obama on the other hand is a doctor and a man of intellect. Perhaps Thomas should explore why someone who is his intellectual superior thinks differently than he does and be open to not being a complete stereotype of a jock.

[loyalweremain]

This is why I prefer the Canadian system where the "head of state" is apolitical. You makes an excellent point, Damien. As for the anti-Fox News Channel rants, I am glad Beck is gone - I never was a fan. As far as I know, he is relegated to talk radio on satellite radio. O'Reilly is another matter. Shavik, in what way is he a pervert? That is a strong word. I have watched his program from time to time and while I don't agree with everything he says, most of the time he appears quite sane and sensible. I have heard him be just as critical of Republicans as Democrats. I downloaded his book on Lincoln and it was a good read. I am a centrist politically, and am greatly concerned about how the political dialogue in North America - both in the USA and Canada - has become so vitriolic. Using terms like "pervert" for Bill O'Reilly is way over the top. Calm down and take a deep breath. It will do us all some good!

[80s Leafs]

I didn't realize it was Obama's job to pump up Tim Thomas's tires....

If the "anti-French" Newt Gingrich becomes Prez, will guys like Patrice Bergeron boycott the next time?

[Peter Wloch]

and you Mr. Cox get to say something political because...uhhh...no one cares and few are going to excoriate you 'cuz you just writw about sports, you don't have to get out in front of thousands of fans waiting for the red light evaluate the last, salient column you have written.
Mr. Thomas put something on the line. and it wasn't his collection of signed hockey cards
The number of sprots morons who are making a big deal of this is stupefying.
Strving for athletic excellence is noble. Mr Thomas has in no way sullied this nobility.
The media continues to sully itself.

[Pierre Béchard]

You wrote that "He's entitled to that view in a democracy". What democracy? It hasn't existed in years in the US and disappeared 5 years ago in our own country.
Not surprised that Thomas plays on a team full of goons.

[wkr]

So Thomas is against the leftist concept of government expansion. Fair enough. I suppose another extremely leftist concept, such as trade unionism, as in the NHLPA, is perfectly legitimate in his perception. Oh, but I'm sure that different, of course. Cox has it right, this is nothing more than another "do as I say, not as I do" moment from someone who believes that he's above it all.

[Peter Waal]

You went too easy on him, Damien. Whatever his feelings towards the man, snubbing the Office of the President was a classless act, unbecoming of a professional -- in any line of work. The only charitable thing I can say about it is that it's clearly the action of a man who is not paid to think.

[David Miles]

Congratulations Mr. Thomas on following your conscience. Obviously was a very important gesture for you. Please realize, it was you that turned this little affair into a political issue and not the other way around. Someone who sees a political motive in a rather light and innocent get together that many Presidents before Obama have had to endure, might also see a political agenda in the daily weather reports. Lighten up.

[Steve C.]

Good one Damien. Thomas has made a fool of himself, and let's hope he hears it at the Allstar game.