Governor Deval Patrick struck a disappointed tone yesterday as he commented on Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas’s decision not to attend a White House event earlier this week honoring the Stanley Cup champions.
“He’s a phenomenal hockey player, and he’s entitled to his views,’’ Patrick said. “But it just feels to me like we’re losing in this country basic courtesy and grace.
“I didn’t think much of President Bush’s policies - two wars on a credit card, prescription drug benefit that we couldn’t afford, deficit out of control - but I always referred to him as ‘Mr. President’; I stood when he came in the room,’’ Patrick said in his monthly segment, “Ask the Governor,’’ on WTKK-FM.
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“There are rules to live by, so I don’t want to make more of this than is deserving,’’ he said. “I guess I’d prefer to pay more attention and offer more commentary when there are acts of grace as opposed to the reverse.’’
After skipping the ceremony hosted by President Obama Monday, Thomas posted a statement on his Facebook page saying he was protesting a federal government that had “grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people.’’
Thomas was a conquering hero last spring after leading the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup in nearly four decades. But many fans denounced as selfish and ill-motivated his decision to stay away from the White House ceremony, saying that sports and politics, like church and state, should be kept separate.
Patrick also addressed other topics during the appearance and said it was a “happy coincidence’’ that he and Obama both focused on community colleges in their respective State of the State and State of the Union speeches this week.
He said he supports Obama’s call to raise the national high school dropout age to 18 years old and criticized the generous pay package received by former University of Massachusetts president Jack Wilson, who is receiving his presidential pay of $425,000 while on sabbatical this year.
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Patrick also said he believes Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray has answered all the questions about his high-speed rollover crash in November.
Noah Bierman can be reached at nbierman@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahbierman. Martin Finucane can be reached at mfinucane@globe.com.