BOSTON — A Boston Bruins goalie’s decision to skip a White House ceremony with President Barack Obama because he believes the federal government is “out of control” points to a growing lack of courtesy in the country, Gov. Deval Patrick said Thursday.
Patrick, a Democrat, was asked about the controversy Thursday during his monthly “Ask the Governor” program on WTKK-FM. He didn’t directly criticize goalie Tim Thomas, but suggested that the snub showed disrespect toward the presidency.
“He’s a phenomenal hockey player and he’s entitled to his views,” Patrick said. “It just feels like we are losing in this country basic courtesy and grace.”
The governor said while he strongly disagreed with many of the policies of former President George W. Bush, a Republican, he was always respectful when they met.
“I always referred to him as Mr. President, I stood when he came into the room. There are rules to live by,” Patrick said.
The ceremony on Monday was to honor the Bruins for winning the Stanley Cup last season, their first championship in 39 years. Thomas was named the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup finals against the Vancouver Canucks.
Thomas explained his choice in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,” he wrote.
Thomas blamed all three branches of government and both political parties.
“This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country,” he said in the statement, adding that he did not plan to speak further about his decision.
Did Governor Patrick make any statments when noted Bush critique Theo Epstein did not go to the White House with the Red Sox after the World Series Win in 2007?
No he did not.
But Obama is your friend a fellow Democrat so of course you have something to say right Governor.
I think its kind of funny that an American excercises his right to say he wont go to the White House in a protest of how the federal government is being run and gets criticized for it.
I hope all the players from Canada, Finland and the Czech Republic and Russia had a great time with Obama that day.
“Patrick, a Democrat, was asked about the controversy Thursday during his monthly ‘Ask the Governor’ program on WTKK-FM.”
You beat me to the Epstein bit.
Coupe Deval never seems to express an opinion on anything except on this, taxing candy and soda among other silly things. Sure didn’t have anything to say about the Lt.Governor’s totaling the state car at 5am in his jammies or the Greenway Conservancy’s scandal. Nope, not a peep..
Why is it now a slap to not go to the white house. This young man is just living up to his beliefs. He didn’t slam the office or the man. He slammed the system.
The governor, on the other, hand has to be respectful in the arena he’s in. If he’s not respectful he will get slapped down. That’s how politics are played.
Big difference!!!
Now see, I thought High Sticking was rude.
It was VERY rude! I have lost all respect for Thomas.
So now people can’t express their political opinions in public? A shining example of elitism and disdain for personal freedom lies in this statement by a “democratic” politician.
Hey Gov. Patrick – keep you fascist butt out of Maine please – we have enough elitist politicians here, please be kind enough to vacation elsewhere.
Do you have any respect for Obama (remember the “special olympics remark on late night tv?”)
Was that rude?
oh please!
What he should have said was Government has become out of the peoples control into control by corporate cash and now threatens the peoples rights, liberties, and properties. Then I’d agree with what he said.
by people’s properties, do you include their money that Obama wants more of?
When Tim Thomas stops performing in goal we will need a new goalie. I do not look to Tim Thomas for political guidance. Its none of my business whether Tim goes to Washington. Its not Governor Patrick’s either.
Some athletes don’t wish to viewed as role models. As a great player Mr. Thomas is viewed as a hero to many of our youngsters. I cringe when I hear adults call our President, Obama, Mr. Obama, or anthing less than President Obama. I didn’t vote for him, but I respect the office of the President of the United States enough to have given my right arm to make that trip to the Oval Office. You can disagree with someone’s views wothout being rude. Make a sign and stand out front with the 99 percent crowd or any others that happen to be protesting on a particular day. Tim, remember what happened to the Dixie Chicks?
You can respect the office of President without having ANY respect for the person who currently inhabits that office. Why should Tim Thomas take time away from his family and friends to meet someone he doesn’t want to meet and has no respect for, just because he was invited?
I was once faced with a similar situation when, back in 1976 I was working for the summer in Alabama. A couple of co-workers and I were in the main lodge of the state park where we were staying, watching the summer olympics on their big TV, when in wheels George Wallace, shaking hands with everyone in sight. Virtually everyone in the room (5 or 6 people) rushed over to shake his hands or pat him on the back and you could tell he liked the attention. I had read enough of his disgusting racist actions and words so I had less than no respect for him and wanted nothing to do with him, so I sat still and kept watching the olympics and I’m pretty sure he noticed. Was that wrong or rude of me? If it was rude of me to somewhat conspicuously remain seated, watching TV rather than jumping up to shake the hand of a vile racist person just because he happened to have been governor of Alabama? I don’t think so. I think that all racists should be ostracized and told at every opportunity how wrong they are and that was the only way I’d ever begin to be able to communicate that to this particular racist.
In this Obama/Thomas case the issue isn’t racism, but doesn’t Tim Thomas have every right to passively protest what this President stands for just as much as I had a right to passively protest what George Wallace stood for? Neither of us got in anyone’s face or shouted loudly or occupied anyone else’s property. As a form of protest or expression of our views, we just chose to not accept an actual or implied invitation to meet or shake hands with someone whom we would rather have nothing to do with which is not even close to being in the same category of rudeness as occupiers (BTW, where have they gone, LOL?) or any number of other protesters we hear about every day.
I’m not sure a chance encounter with George Wallace can be compared to this situation, but you do, and I respect yor very well written comment. Thank you!
sniffle, sob, wait a minute while I wipe the tears from my eyes caused by reading
you post.
LOL
Mr Loose Change Obamaroid gets the respect any War Criminal would get.eh?
Looks like the people in Australia got a jump start on Maine voters and taxpayers, eh?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/australian-pm-julia-gillard-forced-to-flee-mob-at-australia-day-event/2012/01/26/gIQA2WnFTQ_blog.html
01/26/2012 Australian PM Julia Gillard forced to flee mob at Australia Day event
also see
Oh Oh…..
http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2012/01/protesters-disrupt-nm-legislative-dinner/2139366
Protesters disrupt NM legislative dinner
01/26/12
Legislators say protesters disrupted a conservative group’s
private dinner at a Santa Fe hotel and a female guest of a lawmaker was
injured.
The disruption came Wednesday after members of the
Santa Fe’s version of the national protests against Wall Street
demonstrated outside the El Dorado Hotel.
Rep. Dennis Kintigh, a Roswell Republican and retired
FBI agent, said four to six protesters entered the dining room during a
dinner sponsored by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a
corporate-backed conservative nonprofit.
Yo Duval- Message to Duval and all the other hacks intent on making life miserable for voters and taxpayers
Thomas is the canary in the birdcage in your political mine.
Bringing politics into sports is not needed by anyone, Thomas made a stupid mistake that does not help his cause in any way.
Mr. Gov. you work for and are accountable to the taxpayers…..Mr. Thomas does not and is not….please get to work on something a little more pressing……respectfully and thank-you sir……
You go Timmay! Your role model status went up in my family. You stuck to your guns and did not compromise your beliefs to satisfy the will of others…..