I cannot imagine the nerve of those people complaining that Tim Thomas chose to demonstrate his right to freedom of expression by not attending the White House gathering. His expression of displeasure with the direction of the Country was a non threatening peaceful expression of his political beliefs. From Ghandi to Martin Luther King freedom of peaceful expressions of political beliefs have been lauded by most. Just because Tim Thomas is a Hockey Player I guess he loses his right to be a member of a free society. What fools these complainers are.

Tim Thomas is certainly not the first athlete or celebrity to decline an invite to the White House. There have been numerous instances of this type of action occuring in the past, so he should not be singled out with this article, editorials and opinion pieces. As many have already stated, he is free to express his political beliefs with retribution. What sets this episode apart is the tone of this article and others related to Thomas's decision. I would venture to state that if Thomas had declined a political photo-op with a President other than Obama, the Globe would have lauded his decision as worthy for a 'Profiles in Courage' award.

Five million per year sure can buy a lot of freedom! I'd like to see what he'd be doing if he was not a gifted goaltender? Hello, and welcome to Wall-Mart? Most of us cannot imagine what 5 mil even looks like! Does that much money fill up a room? Two rooms if we're talking $1 bills? Crazy!

Tim is a guy with morals who does not want to be seen in the company of Chicago pol's who have turned this county into a welfare state. It might look bad to other honest people and he don't want to tarnish his image. Tim is a hero in my book he stood up for his principles, he had better things to do.

Thomas has no class and a neanderthal sensibility. Would you skip a family Christmas or thanksgiving because you knew some of your relatives were Democrats? Would you refuse to shake hands, or have a drink with an Obama supporter? this guy is truly a 1 percenter who doesn't understand the American system and way of living. Good thing he isn't in the military, he'd probably refuse to work with members of his team because they had the wrong politics. NO CLASS.

When Hollywood actors and actresses eschew their goo-goo political pontifications and stick to acting is when Thomas should get out of the "long-running debate over the melding of sports and politics."

Last April we all came together to cheer the Bruins - young and old, men and women, rich and poor, Democrats and Republicans. The team visit to the White House was a celebration of that unity. Tim Thomas chose instead to highlight the petty politics that divides us. Shame on him.

I'd like to see more explanation of the sentence that describes "Thomas as a me-first maverick who often puts himself ahead of the team." There's no further information, no source, not even an indirect reference to sources inside the team. That's big bomb to throw. I don't recall as many complaints when Theo Epstein skipped the White House visit after the 2004 World Series. Come to think of it, there weren't many complaints when he did the same thing after the 2007 Series. Is that because he's the GM not a player? Or is it because the Globe agreed with skipping a President Bush visit. Thomas' explanation (which was fairly confusing) seems to focus on the government in general, rather than President Obama. It's tough to say this was an anti-President Obama message. But it sure looks like it was. I think this comes down to "respect the office, not the man" and he should have gone. Having said that, it's his right to skip it.

It would be one thing if this "opinion" that he has a right to express showed any signs of intelligent thought, but all he has to say he learned from the nattering nabobs of negativity on hate radio and Fixed News. Memorized slogans merely reaffirm that everybody the right to his own stupid opinion. He brings disgrace to Boston, the Bruins and to the game of hockey itself. He needs to stop blocking shots with this head.

Please reprint the Editorials that The Boston Globe wrote when Theo Epstein and John Henry did not attend the White House when President George W. Bush honored the Boston Red Sox "teams" in 2004 & 2007 respectively. That request being made, I think all should attend. It's no more a political event than the pardoning of the Thanksgiving Turkey or the lighting of the Christmas Tree. In this day of technology these participants have many venues to express their viewpoints and opinions. President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill, after differing all day at their jobs would now and then get together for a drink at the end of that day. They managed to separate their work and play. People, please be civil. No personal attacks. Thansks Tim, and all the Bruins, for a great season! Good luck this season. For what it's worth, I'm Tip to Tim's Reagan.

Fans interviewed by whom? The left leaning Globe? Not exactly an honest appraisal or story. Way to go Tim. This is a fabricated story dreamed up on Morrisey Boulevard.

He should have a beer or better yet, a cup of Tea with Pres and discuss...

This is absolutely disgusting and insulting not only to the President but to sport fans and the people generally. Politics and religion have no place in sports. Pray in private. Keep Your politics to yourself and friends. I have no use for this man who has taken the pleasure from the Bruins Stanley Cup. He's an embarrassment to the team.

The word on the street is that Thomas' statement was written by Elbows Wychulis, a lone member of the Tea Party in Burlington, Vermont. My suspicions were raised when I first read the statement, since Thomas' isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer!

Gee, goalie Tim Thomas did not consider shaico before deciding to avoid Barack's campaign photo op with the Boston Bruins. shaico and other obvious Democrats think nobody can ignore their always professing commander-in-self-heroism. Yes, being invited to the White House is an honor, but there is no law or social behavior rule that says one has to accept the invitation. The Bruins can dump Thomas from their team tomorrow, or could have the day before the scheduled visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - how would that influence his choice? All these whiney sports groupies need to get their stuff together and worry about the next 2011-2012 season game rather than the 2010-2011 championship. Move on, folks.

Get over yourself. While you are working on that, do some research. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer?? Tim runs a separate business (A hockey camp for kids) that is very successful. Although I doubt he did, I don't care if he received "talking points". You could use some before you eschew facts in favor of reading the BS you write.

I don't know you but I sure do like the way you think!!!

"We don't mix politics with hockey. In this dressing room here, our job is to win hockey games and win hockey games as a team. That's what we are.'' The one exception is Tim Thomas because Tim puts himself over the team in all things. How many friends does Tim have on this team with his selfish attitude.

And you bring disgrace to Norsemen. Your commentary belies the avatar. Free thinkers applaud the actions of one man whose will to say "no thanks" is both gutsy and clear.

Check out www.timthomashockey.com This preceded his fame. I hope he triples his money this year. He works hard and has the stones to stand up for what he believes in. Do you?

Every kid in this state could learn something from the warnings of Tim Thomas...

"Thomas described his absence as a protest against government encroachment, saying the federal government had 'grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people.'"______________ This reflects much more on Thomas's mental instability than on anything else. I don't begrudge him the right to separate himself from his team, nor to express his thoughts in a civil way. I'm just saying that doing so reflects poorly on himself and the Bruins. He appears to be a paranoid nut in the mold of Glenn Beck who happens to have lightning fast reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Which of his rights and liberties are threatened by the federal government? And property? The US has one of the lowest tax burdens in the developed world, third only behind Mexico and Chile. But if that's how he feels, he's more than welcome to express himself. Anyone who wins the Stanley Cup has earned the right to make a fool of himself.

He can believe and express whatever he wants, that is our right here. However, Thomas was not "doing what was best for the country" and anyone who thinks that should have their head examined. He's a hockey player. It was about the Stanley Cup. A visit to the White House. Any athlete who does this (including ALL who have done the same, regardless of which party they "protest") likewise puts himself above his teammates. If wants to make a political stand (his "right"), he can quit his $5 million dollar a year job (his "opportunity") playing a game and run for office (his "liberty"). Oh, and maybe he sell whatever owns (his "property") to finance his run.

One conservative man expresses himself in a peaceful manner and the Left goes berserk. Free speech only for those who agree with the liberal point of view. Spare me the hypocrisy.

Kids - especially little kids who need heroes, can certainly understand things like a puck going into a goal. Or a good save, in the case of Thomas. But kids do not understand the workings of government, and should not be exposed to the prejudice and bitterness of adults. Teaching kids that "the government" is bad or evil or wanting to take away their liberties and property is confusing and can be scary for kids. They should actually be taught that the government is useful and that civic involvement (including the importance of being proud to be American) is paramount. Kids don't have the context or experience to even understand concepts like liberty or property other than in the most basic forms. What you suggest is actually abusive, especially when the adults giving the advice don't understand the concepts themselves.