Jordan Martinook out for a while....
It is supposed to simply be a visit to the Office of the President, first and foremost, and the individual in office for these events is really just a custodian for a tradition. In that sense, I'd rather not see a player decline for a political reason, as it's making what shouldn't be a political event into one. On the other hand, the current president has made it clear that he'll turn anything he can into a political battle, and certainly has politicized the event, so it's understandable that some may not want to partake until it returns to its original standing. Unfortunately, it's really a lose-lose situation until then.So the Blues visited the White House today. Thet are getting carved by some in Canada with Damien Cox leading the charge. He is undoubtedly an idiot but how do you American Folks feel about it? Personally I think it needs to be looked at as a visit to a distinguished institution rather than a political visit to current Pres. Should Pro Leagues end this practise or watch annually as players choose by if they like the President?
So the Blues visited the White House today. Thet are getting carved by some in Canada with Damien Cox leading the charge. He is undoubtedly an idiot but how do you American Folks feel about it? Personally I think it needs to be looked at as a visit to a distinguished institution rather than a political visit to current Pres. Should Pro Leagues end this practise or watch annually as players choose by if they like the President?
Whether you're Tom Thomas or the lady's soccer team, I think you're selfishly taking a fun tradition (and a cool experience) and deliberately making it all about you because you can't get over yourself. I'd basically go to the White House if I had won Cup, no matter who was there. It is completely apolitical to me, and should be to anyone who isn't more invested in playing the team sport of politics. The world has plenty of avenues for people to virtue signal already.
It's like if a Manitoba-born player refused to accept the Cup from Bettman because he cannot get over himself.
Well, sure. No body should be made to go. It just outs you as a small person if you disrupt a long-standing tradition for no real reason.It..... a...... choice.
That’s one if the foundations the country was built on.
If I were in the same position to go I wouldn’t give a damn what anyone else thought.
Is a Captain taking the Cup from Bettman not optional? I mean, I assume you're still a Cup-winner and grt your name on the Cup as a Stanley Cup champion. Taking the Cup is just a photop tradition, right?How is accepting the cup anything like refusing to go an optional PR stunt?
Is a Captain taking the Cup from Bettman not optional? I mean, I assume you're still a Cup-winner and grt your name on the Cup as a Stanley Cup champion. Taking the Cup is just a photop tradition, right?
I'm not at all. Damian Cox, LeBron, and Tim Thomas all have freedom of speech. Noone has to go to anything.
You don't have to go to your sister's New Year's Eve party if you don't like your Xmas presents. It just makes you petty.
You don't have to go to your friend's wedding if you hate his wife-to-be. it just shows you think your emotion is more important than the wedding.
It just shows you aren't emotionally mature when you make your public "brave moral stand" over an event you already admit is inconsequential. So brave.
Well, sure. No body should be made to go. It just outs you as a small person if you disrupt a long-standing tradition for no real reason.
People are always free to follow their own counsel. That's what liberty means. And people like Cox will rant if you go, and I'll laugh at you of you don't. That's also part of the liberty thing.
You think a single person is going to change their vote based on Tim Thomas's appearance (or not) with Obama for a photo op? It's not a political stunt. "Tim Thomas is in this photo shaking hands with Obama. I think I'll vote for that guy." Give me a break. It's just a fun tradition.
It's not. That's why I said: "No body should be made to go."Stop acting like it’s some sort of obligation.
It isn’t.
It's really transparent when you acknowledge that yes, people have a right to free speech but they should actually behave in a way that fits my norms.
No. I said, people who make a long-standing tradition about themselves instead of a meaningless photo-op are vain.
They are obviously allowed to go or not as they choose.