Bruins Goalie Disses Obama ... Over Size of Government

(Newser) – All-star goalie Tim Thomas skipped out on a visit to the White House with the rest of his Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins yesterday, snubbing President Obama's offer of congratulations because he's not happy with the size of the federal government. "I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People," he wrote in a statement posted on Facebook and the Bruins website. "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."

For that reason, he continued, he exercised his "right as a Free Citizen" to skip the White House visit. He added that he blames both parties for the country's current situation. Thomas was one of just three players missing; one of the others was injured and the third no longer plays for the Bruins, CNN reports. Team president Cam Neely posted his own statement, noting that the team was "honored" by the invitation and "disappointed" at Thomas' choice. "His views certainly do not reflect those of the [Bruins owner Jeremy] Jacobs family or the Bruins organization," Neely concluded.