The System Sucks and I am So Concerned...

[bljones]

That I am Going to Skip my one Opportunity to meet POTUS and tell him how I Feel. and Instead issue a clarifying statement with Random Capitalization to make perfectly Clear how Grave the situation is.

Tim "Who are you again?" Thomas. Dude, you're a goalie. That's like being a drummer who can almost skate.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXas your writer apparently.

Gratutitous negative comment about forum member removed

Here's Cathal Kelly's very funny take. This guy and Rosie DiManno are the only reasons to read The Star.

Kelly: What Barack Obama didn

[kd3pc]

I think he should be commended for being himself.

I sure would not attend if I were asked, something about hypocrisy really gets my goat.

Good on Tim Thomas

[killarney_sailor]

I think he did pick the wrong forum for it, but I certainly agree that he has the right to his views. In general, I would very much like to see professional athletes more involved in the societies they benefit so richly from. I think Bill Bradley was a pretty good senator and we could do with more like him who are prepared to offer their skills and reputations for public service.

[knothead]

If we're going to ridicule the man for his convictions, we should at least quote his statement accurately.

“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”

Wow, seems like a real wacko huh?

[BentSailor]

I thought you were trying to cool things down a notch, CnC?

For what it's worth, have you ever seen bljones hold back on his beliefs/principles - even if it means going out on a limb and exposing himself to personal ridicule (I mean, it's not like anyone really holds THAT back in here)?

We've already got enough guys who troll for the attention in the forums, let's not add another to the list.

On the subject, minus personal digs, I honestly don't see the issue. Some pro athlete decided his political beliefs were best represented by not visiting the White House. Aside from the really poor grammar (US education & athletes - is anyone surprised?), it's a mountain out of a molehill.

Seriously, there are hundreds (thousands) of people who would do the same thing across the USA - they simply don't play sport at a professional level. This wouldn't be news if a mechanic, doctor, financial manager, etc did it - why the hell is it news when some guy who plays hockey does?

[chrisncate]

Originally Posted by BentSailor

I thought you were trying to cool things down a notch, CnC?

For what it's worth, have you ever seen bljones hold back on his beliefs/principles - even if it means going out on a limb and exposing himself to personal ridicule (I mean, it's not like anyone really holds THAT back in here)?

We've already got enough guys who troll for the attention in the forums, let's not add another to the list.

On the subject, minus personal digs, I honestly don't see the issue. Some pro athlete decided his political beliefs were best represented by not visiting the White House. Aside from the really poor grammar (US education & athletes - is anyone surprised?), it's a mountain out of a molehill. Seriously, there are hundreds (thousands) of people who would do the same thing across the USA - they simply don't play sport at a professional level. This wouldn't be news if a mechanic, doctor, financial manager, etc did it - why the hell is it news when some guy who plays hockey does?

Who said I was toning anything back? I just used an old Jedi mind trick on Bl in the Hannity thread to shut down an argument I was to bored to continue on with. I'm surprised it even worked, frankly...

And as far as this thread goes, it's tacky to use another poster (BWalker in this case) in an op as the butt of a joke. That alone warrants a thread closure, imo.

[rbrasi]

This reminds me of when former Packers tight end Mark Chmura elected to not visit when Clinton was President on the basis that he (Clinton) was morally bankrupt. Then, Chmura ended up facing charges for banging a 17 year old in a bathroom at a house party. Jocks and politics don't mix.

[bljones]

Originally Posted by chrisncate

And as far as this thread goes, it's tacky to use another poster (BWalker in this case) in an op as the butt of a joke. That alone warrants a thread closure, imo.

Quit being a passive/aggressive sniper. if you don't like it, report the thread, whiner.

Isn't it time for you to take your bitter self out of here again?

[bljones]

If you're passionate about your belief that the United Sates is busted, and you really care about change, you don't miss an opportunity to take it right to the guy at the top and tell him what you think.
That's protest. That's making your voice heard.
Opting out of an opportunity to tell the man what you think is about as much of a protest as not voting.
Apathy is not the same as protest. Neither is posting on Facebook.
He missed an opportunity, and by doing so has allowed the story to be reframed, leading to very funny columns by funny sports writers, in which, knotty, the man's statement is linked, if one cares to actually follow the link posted.

[chrisncate]

Originally Posted by rbrasi

This reminds me of when former Packers tight end Mark Chmura elected to not visit when Clinton was President on the basis that he (Clinton) was morally bankrupt. Then, Chmura ended up facing charges for banging a 17 year old in a bathroom at a house party. Jocks and politics don't mix.

Why does everyone get so bent out of shape when someone stands up for what they believe in? So the guys a sporty spice with a political opinion, so what..

?

Where does this attitude come from that anyone speaking up about something they believe in makes them suspect themselves, and that they are presumed to be insincere or something.. ?

Is it just the message itself (in this case), or what?