By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Bruins goalie Tim Thomas elected not to visit the White House with his Boston Bruins teammates, telling The Associated Press that it was in protest.

“I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people,” Goalie Tim Thomas said in a statement. The decision to stay away, Thomas said, “was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country.”

Even though he doesn’t agree with what the current administration is doing, should he have gone? 94 WIP’s Michael Barkann says he should have, telling a caller “there’s a reason they call him the most powerful man in the world. Any President of The United States, not just the current President of The United States. It’s interesting to consider what Tim Thomas did. But I think it’s an honor to do anything with the President of The United States and why you would decline that is beyond me. To me, you’re asked, you go.”

When the question was posed on Twitter, there was mixed response.

@ShazamOMG: Very disrespectful. He dishonored his team mates. And shows a lack of respect for the office of the Prez.

@cosmcsptfr: Lost opportunity to have a discussion with our President. Between this and the water bottle incident Lost all respect.

@thisisdavem: nothing wrong with TT skipping it, it his constitutional right as an American citizen

So what do you think, should Tim Thomas have gone to the White House? Let us know in the comment section.

LISTEN TO MICHAEL BARKANN AND IKE REESE DISCUSS TIM THOMAS:

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