Tim Thomas declines White House invitation

[RoadToad]

Do you have an equal problem with "entertainers" mixing entertainment and politics. They make political statements all the time.

I understand where you're going with this, but be FAIR.

Later,

Geo

I don't particularly like it when "entertainers" (movie stars, rock stars or whatever) start spouting off about politics, either, but I see it as a different situation. I mean, if it had been just someone asking him what he felt about it, fine, let him make all the political statements he wants. People are going to take it with a rock of salt, anyway, just like they would from an entertainer. I just feel like the event should have been about sports, and sports alone, and that him going would not have meant even tacit approval of Obama's politics. Then again, I guess Obama probably used the occasion to make some kind of political statement, so fair is fair.

[GeoFisher]

I don't particularly like it when "entertainers" (movie stars, rock stars or whatever) start spouting off about politics, either, but I see it as a different situation. I mean, if it had been just someone asking him what he felt about it, fine, let him make all the political statements he wants. People are going to take it with a rock of salt, anyway, just like they would from an entertainer. I just feel like the event should have been about sports, and sports alone, and that him going would not have meant even tacit approval of Obama's politics. Then again, I guess Obama probably used the occasion to make some kind of political statement, so fair is fair.

The Oscars should be about the MOVIES and MOVIES alone.
The Grammies should be about MUSIC and MUSIC alone.
The Tonies should be about BROADWAY and BROADWAY alone....
The Peoples Choice Awards should be about ..................

You get my drift.......your stance is very, hypocritical.......at least in this case.........

Later,

Geo

[roadrunner]

I respect him I think it is time to stand up for what we believe; it is a shame the entire team did not turn down the invite.

[RoadToad]

The Oscars should be about the MOVIES and MOVIES alone.
The Grammies should be about MUSIC and MUSIC alone.
The Tonies should be about BROADWAY and BROADWAY alone....
The Peoples Choice Awards should be about ..................

You get my drift.......your stance is very, hypocritical.......at least in this case.........

Later,

Geo

Not sure what you're saying is hypocritical. I'm just saying that, as I originally posted, I really thing this whole thing should have been about sports, and sports only, and I don't like the fact that Thomas made it about politics, BUT (and I'm not even sure if he really did this or not), knowing Obama, he himself may have used the event to make political hay, and if he did, then I'll give Thomas a pass, because the event had already been politicized.

Yes, you're right, the Oscars, Tonies, those things shouldn't be about politics, either. But if entertainers or sports figures are asked about their political views, which they ARE all the time, I don't have a problem with them answering. It shouldn't happen in the setting of one of those awards ceremonies, but if they're just being interviewed, that's fine.