Boston Bruin Tim Thomas steps in it again

[LiberalLovinLug]

"....On Wednesday, Thomas’ Facebook page again created some news, as the Bruins’ goaltender issued an unsolicited statement in support of Catholics.

“I Stand with the Catholics in the fight for Religious Freedom,” Thomas wrote, followed by a quote from Martin Niemoller.

“In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist,” Niemoller’s quote begins. “Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.”

It’s likely Thomas is referencing the ongoing debate regarding the Obama administration’s decision to require religious organizations — like hospitals and schools — to provide free birth control to employees. The decision has been opposed strongly, with Christianity Today writing an open letter that used the same Niemoller quotes to illustrate its point...."

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/02/08/bruins-thomas-declares-he-stands-with-the-catholics-in-the-fight-for-religious-freedom/



So making available birth control is .....denying freedoms?

This follows his public snub of President Obama at the traditional meeting at the White House for the winning Stanley Cup team. The reason he gave for this?
“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,”



A multi-millionaire teabagger professional sports star. What is particularly appalling is his co-opting of Neimoller's famous quote which spoke about the creeping fascism of Nazi Germany.....to criticize a freedom of choice issue, on the side of NO choice. Not to mention the veiled implication of the present federal government with Nazi Germany.

This story is an example of how insidieous this poisonous fear based idiocy can spread to all professions and incomes.

[KansDem]

1. "Free?"

It’s likely Thomas is referencing the ongoing debate regarding the Obama administration’s decision to require religious organizations — like hospitals and schools — to provide free birth control to employees. The decision has been opposed strongly, with Christianity Today writing an open letter that used the same Niemoller quotes to illustrate its point.

Isn't this coverage part of the employee health insurance policy?

[rurallib]

2. yep - and most of the affected institutions already provide it

in their employee package. Or so I have heard.

[KansDem]

4. So CBS Boston isn't truthful in its coverage of this...

It should print a "correction" stating BC is part of the employee insurance policy and as such isn't "free."

[southernyankeebelle]

6. If they do print a correction you won't find it on the front page. You'll find it in very small

print on the 4th or 5th page.

[LiberalLovinLug]

12. I found it also a bit of a predicative opinion...

to state his purpose was "in support of Catholics" as opposed to NOT supporting birth control coverage.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Clue to Tim

Institutions don't have freedom...human beings do...like the freedom to have BC covered in one's health insurance policy. Love the guy's goaltending skillz...not impressed with his political acumen.

[hughee99]

15. Don't agree with Thomas at all,

but is it really "freedom" to have the government require a private company pay for BC if you want it. Don't get me wrong, I think insurance companies SHOULD cover it (and financially, it's probably in their best interests to do so. What does a child cost compared to BC?), I just don't think this sort of thing falls in the "freedom" category.

[Old and In the Way]

16. Is it freedom when a private company can force you not to have this coverage?

BC has been readily accepted as a legitimate item for coverage...and why not? Insurance companies much prefer to negotiate the volume purchase of pills than pay the costs of having babies. What this private company (or religious institution) is doing is taking away that right to this coverage...forcing the woman/family to pay the $600-$1200 costs per year to get it. You are presently free to exercise the right to use BC or not....allowing a private institution to dictate what it will allow in it's policy is a limitation on that choice. Another reason to get a single payor public health program for all Americans...so our freedoms aren't taking a back seat to the 'freedoms' of a corporation.

[hughee99]

19. The private company can only refuse to pay for it.

Allowing a private institution to dictate what it will offer IS how business works. I can't buy porn at Walmart, though they do sell other movies. I can't buy Limbaugh, Beck, or O'Reilly books at my local bookstore, though the owner does sell other books, she won't carry these.

Although I believe this is a legitimate function of government, It doesn't fall under the "freedom" category IMHO.

[Old and In the Way]

24. I'm sorry...I just don't have the same 'free-market' idealism when it comes to healthcare.

I can live with private institutions deciding what products they will and will not sell. But people can't shop for health insurance coverage without changing jobs...and in a dismal economy, who is going to do that? Readily covered services offered universally should not be left to the whims of a private company/religious institution. Especially if said company/institution is taking tax dollars to provide healthcare services.

What do you know....http://www.democraticunderground.com/101612823 yet another good reason to tell the Catholic Church to stuff it. Or maybe we start taxing them as business, then we can offer to subsidize the BC for people who want and need it. Win!

[hughee99]

25. In this case, though, the problem isn't the insurance company.

I'm sure those same insurance companies that probably provide services (Blue Cross, for example) provide BC to other clients. The employers may even have to ASK the insurance companies for a choice of plans that don't offer it. The insurance company is likely NOT the problem here, it's the employer. In any case, I agree that insurance companies should offer BC. It may be a matter of commerce (which the government certainly has a role in regulating), but not "freedom".

[Drale]

5. Thomas is a true moron

he's lucky he's a good goaltender because I doubt he's smart enough to support himself any other way.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. I am a staunch Bruins fan....and Thomas is on my shit list. Like Curt Schilling...

Another right wing megaphoner. I just can't stand athletes who take pride in showing their ignorance by shilling for the right wing (shilling? no pun intended, really!)

[LiberalLovinLug]

13. As a staunch Canucks fan I appreciate your candor.

[Darth_Kitten]

17. Go Jets Go!

[NRaleighLiberal]

21. I am nothing if not honest!!!

[Initech]

8. Is he channeling his inner Glenn Beck here?

[hifiguy]

9. He's stopped too many pucks with his head.

That much is clear.

[Dawson Leery]

10. Go back to your menial work, it's all you are capable of.

[sharp_stick]

11. This dipshit needs an elbow to the head.

Brad Marchand is back, he's pretty good at head shots.

Maybe they can get Chara to run him into the glass divider to shut him up.

[Jello Biafra]

14. Tim Thomas better be more concerned with the New York Rangers this year than this stuff...

Tim might be looking at early tee times if he's not focused on winning another cup....

[bongbong]

18. Explanation for his idiocy

He must've played a lot of hockey when he was younger without a helmet.

[TroglodyteScholar]

20. Before I read this I didn't know who Tim Thomas is.

Tomorrow I'll forget who he is. I can't understand why anyone should care what he thinks at all. Does some random hockey player *really* have standing to tell anyone how this country ought to function? Pssht.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

22. Shut up and stop the puck, Tim (n/m)

[JI7]

23. HAHAHAHHAA , what a fucking dumbass