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Tim Thomas Explains Why He Passed On The White House, And The Reaction Helps Show What’s Good About America

As you probably know, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas decided not to participate in the team’s White House visit honoring their 2011 Stanley Cup win. Earlier this evening, Thomas released a statement explaining his decision. Here is that statement:

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

Thomas is an avowed Glenn Beck fan, and the statement above is right on Tea Party message. You could make a drinking game out of it – “government…out of control,” “Constitution,” “Founding Fathers,” “both parties.” Not that this is surprising: Bruins president Cam Neely acknowledged Thomas skipped out on the invite due to “political beliefs.” Nor was the reaction surprising – many defended his decision, many others condemned it…and you can bet that whether or not someone liked Thomas’ decision was based on whether or not they liked his politics.

And as far as that decision – yes, Thomas had every right to do it. It’s also true that the event suddenly became more about his skipping out than the Bruins’ honor, but if Thomas felt it was the right thing to do to make this personal stand, then more power to him – again, his right. Just like it’s everyone else’s right to question that decision. There were the aforementioned reasons – people disagreeing with his politics, and that it took away from the Bruins’ big day. And there’s also that, well, Thomas didn’t have any specific reason – just the overall sense that the country has lost its way.

But that’s the great thing about all this – Thomas did what he believed what was the right thing to do. He was free to do it. Some applauded that decision. Some denounced it. Others were uneasy about, or unsure of, what exactly Thomas was supporting, but defended his ability to do it. All were free to express that opinion, and did so.

In a way, the reasoning behind Thomas’ snub – essentially that the country is getting away from what the Founding Fathers intended for it – disproved itself thanks to that freedom of expression. That’s a good thing – maybe some of the founding principles of the good ol’ U.S. of A. aren’t doing so badly after all. For helping illustrate that, maybe we should all be glad Thomas did what he did.

Plus, it could be worse. At least he’s not Luke Scott.

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