WHO IS TIM THOMAS?

I’ll tell you who Tim Thomas is.  He’s a professional hockey player, hmmm … why did I almost write ‘hockey puck’.  He’s a newsmaker – ‘snubbed the White House' - the headlines report.  I never heard of him before.  Today, tho’ he’s secured a corner of the national stage for a few hours.

Who has snubbed the White House?  I did the search.  It seemed to me it’s happened a lot since January 20, 2009, when Barack Obama took the Presidential oath of office on the Capital steps there in Washington, DC.  Yes, I’m race sensitive, not at all race fixated, just race sensitive.   I say, “understandable”.  I was born and educated when segregation and discrimination was the law of the land, either overtly or subtly.  The struggle for Civil Rights was just gearing up during my college years.  I overcame what was - to be who I am - a teeny bit flawed.  When my President, these days, is snubbed, I’m nauseous and my back rankles. He is there by the vote of the people after all. (And, I welcome your ‘search’.  You may be surprised to see where my political preferences rested.)  I have digressed. 

Who has snubbed the White House before Mr. Thomas?   Then Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison in 2006 snubbed Bush’43 and Obama, as well, in 2009; Dan Hampton a former Chicago Bear also snubbed the White House last fall.  So Tim Thomas joins a small class, one I do not appreciate.  My pollyanna personality thrives on ‘doing the right thing’ or graciously being absent.  Making a political speech to decline an invitation extended by the President of the United States to visit the house that belongs to all of us, irks me.  

Tim Thomas could have gone, as a member of the celebrated winning team, I wish he had been there.  He could have posed with his victorious team, looking proud and smart. He would have been able to bring to small children his first hand view of this government of ours in action.  Using his free speech he could prominently display the group photo and use the experience to awe and inspire our youth and their involvement in government to make this land of ours the grand America he envisions.   Perhaps his visit to Washington would have done much to impress his little fans to VOTE as soon as they can, for whomever they want to contribute to the decisions that form the quality town, city, State, or America they prefer.  Unlike competitive sports, the VOTE tally determines the winner of the prize.