Shrapnel - 1/24/12
by Matt Wagner on Jan 24, 2012 7:23 AM EST
in Shrapnel
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PrintWell, the good news is that Umby is back.
And...um. Yeah.
In addition to our recap, check out the takes from DBJ and Puck-Rakers. I think we're all on the same page.
On the other hand, misery LOVES company, and yesterday had no shortage of that around the NHL. Let's start with Alex Ovechkin, who was shanabanned for three games, not including the all star festivities, though there's talk he could miss those, too. The NHL is already naming ASG replacements. Anyone wondering if Rick Nash will get a call tomorrow?
Over at CBJ Pucks & Stuff, there's an interesting piece of history from the earliest days of the team, and Carry The Flag has their next prospect review going.
The other big piece of NHL news actually came off the ice, as the Boston Bruins visited the White House, as traditional for Stanley Cup champions....except that Tim Thomas chose to skip the trip. Thomas is a very staunch Republican who appears to have not wanted to meet with President Obama out of his political beliefs.
Reactions were all over the map, ranging from anger, to disappointment, to shame, to acceptance. If I may step on a soapbox...this sort of event is not about a politician looking for an endorsement. It's the highest office in the country recognizing the reigning champions and giving them a tribute. It would be one thing if Thomas had refused to speak at a political rally, or if the team had been invited to the Democratic National Convention. (Or, for that matter, if a player with firm Left views refused to appear at a Republican event), but this was about an honor for the team. Respect the office even if you don't agree with the man, show up, eat a canape, and at least appear in the photo op, even if you didn't want to shake the man's hand.
Over at Heart of a Jacket, Alison is getting her Office Space on, while Crimespree Hockey wonders if Goon will actually be a good movie for hockey's current climate.
Is Dale Tallon trying to repeat history? If LTL is right that the Jackets' front office is currently a joke, is anyone laughing? Did the Philadelphia Flyers bet on the wrong horse in goal? Are General Managers as tough as in the old days? Who will save the Wheeling Nailers? And the most important question of all...is Jimmy Howard secretly Detroit's enforcer?
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Tim Thomas is an asshat
I’ve long believed this, even if I respect his goaltending ability.
“This was not about politics or party…”
Umm, except that the two paragraphs above in your statement were ALL about Politics, and are clearly partisan. I’m sure Obama was going to use that chance to shackle your civil liberties, Tim. Douche.
Writer for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets blog
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"I will say anything to be funny, often in the most horrible situations, which is one reason [a] good [woman] so far [has] been very sorry on occasion to have married me." --Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Thomas
I thought what Thomas did was bad-ass. And really, it’s easy to say “he should have just sucked it up and gone”, but if you believe something that strongly, they’re going to make a story out of it no matter what. If he went, it’d be “Oh, Thomas didn’t shake the president’s hand! Why’d he even bother going?” and we’d just be back to square one.
I’m absolutely apolitical, so I don’t necessarily share his beliefs. I just think politics are something else for people to argue about, so I can see why this might have pissed people off who are strongly leaning toward one party or the other. But this makes me respect him even more. It’s easy to forget athletes are humans, too, and while they are definitely there mainly to entertain us, they also have a say in their own lives. I don’t care what his reasoning is…he stood up for what he believed in, and I think that’s awesome.
TT
This whole thing seems to be larger than it should have been. The guy didnt want to go, he doesnt have to. He has the right not to go. I really dont care his reasonings for going, whether its political or not. Its an honor to go to the White House and be addressed by el presidente, but you do not have to accept it.
As long as his teammates accepted his action of not going, I dont think him not going should be an issue. And after all Thomas has done for that group, they should be fine with it. I mean, they would not have been standing in that position if it werent for Thomas.
Agreed
And from a few posts that I read, his team knew well in advance his positioning, and that he wasn’t going, so it’s not like it’s going to mess with the team chemistry. I agree, as long as they are fine with it, who are we to judge? And from all the accounts I read, the team did know, and approved of his absence.
by Toxichighway on Jan 24, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
The problem I have with Thomas’ decision is that it was a very selfish move. The White House invite is a TEAM honor. The Boston Bruins were invited, not Tim Thomas and a bunch of other guys. For most of the Bruins, this day should have been a celebration and a unique experience that they would remember for the rest of their lives. Instead Thomas put his own political views in front of his teammates. Instead of reveling in the day, most of the Bruins spent the day answering questions about Thomas and what they thought of his decision, etc. I bet there are more than a few guys pissed off about that. Not a smart move to screw with the locker room dynamics of a juggernaut.
I should reiterate
I don’t care if Thomas thinks the president is a Kenyan Socialist Muslim terrorist; you’re not going to the White House to endorse his presidency. You’re going because your team is going and its what EVERY AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM HAS DONE SINCE FOREVER.
What really bothered me (because Thomas isn’t the first athlete to do this) wasn’t even so much that he skipped it, but that he made a statement in which he got on a political soapbox and then turned around in the middle of the statement and said, “But it’s not about politics!” Sure it is. If you’re going to make a stand, at least have the convictions to say why you’re doing it.
Writer for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets blog
Follow me on Twitter
"I will say anything to be funny, often in the most horrible situations, which is one reason [a] good [woman] so far [has] been very sorry on occasion to have married me." --Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
And further
I’ve thought TT was an asshat for a long time. He got away with murder in the playoffs last year, especially in the Finals. Just because he’s Tim Thomas he’s allowed to slash any/everybody that comes near his crease? Maybe my beef is more with officiating (Helloooo, Dorse Interference Call!), but Thomas seems to have no qualms about playing dirty in his own crease, and that drives me nuts.
Writer for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets blog
Follow me on Twitter
"I will say anything to be funny, often in the most horrible situations, which is one reason [a] good [woman] so far [has] been very sorry on occasion to have married me." --Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Why would he?
If he gets away with it, why would he alter his game? Personally, I think he’s the most entertaining, and flat-out exciting player in the NHL. I’m not bashing your views of him, because we’re all entitled to our own. I’m just saying of course he has no qualms about playing dirty in his own crease, because that’s always been part of his game.
I think it’s ridiculous that more goaltenders don’t protect their crease the way Thomas does. Does he embellish sometimes? Sure, but who doesn’t? It’s all part of the game, and if the calls keep going his way (agreed the Dorse call was ridiculous), then he has no reason to change his game. Personally, I love it.
by Toxichighway on Jan 24, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
I have no problem with a goalie protecting his crease. I just personally feel that TT takes it to a whole other level that’s a bit over the line.
Writer for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets blog
Follow me on Twitter
"I will say anything to be funny, often in the most horrible situations, which is one reason [a] good [woman] so far [has] been very sorry on occasion to have married me." --Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Ho-hum
So Thomas didn’t go to the White House. So f***ing what? The whole thing has been blown out of proportion. But, then again, what else can you expect from a country which treats a celebrity’s latest divorce/sexual escapade/running off the mouth without engaging brain as news? Or which considers an actress who played a farm wife a legitimate witness on farming problems for Congress (Meryl Streep testifying about Aylar?) Maybe if The Multiracial Toothpick (I refuse to call anyone of African descent black when said person has a white parent!) wasn’t such an anti-American socialist idiot, sports figures wouldn’t refuse to meet him.
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