"Mother of Tough Questions" Helen Thomas

[CityZen-X]

Last night on PBS "Now" Bill Moyer's interviewed Helen Thomas the reigning queen of the White House Press Corps. At the lead of the interview they showed a video clip of BuSh*t's very first question & answer session with the press. The Resident Evil called on Thomas and she asked: "Mr. President, why do you refuse to respect the wall between church and state, and you know that the mixing of religion and government for centuries has led to slaughter?"

You should have seen Dumbya's reaction! I mean his eyelids fluttered as if he were a robot on the verge of total shutdown, and his whole head was in a state of convulsions!
They didn't show his response to the question, but Thomas stated that ever since that day she has been assigned to the back of the press room, and that she has not been called on for any questions by the Resident! Now this is a journalist that has always sat in the front row, and has always been called on first for questions by the past president's going back as far as Kennedy, I believe.

Also during the "Now" interview she stated: "What I have seen is that 9/11 made us (press corps) roll over and play dead. Everybody's afraid to rock the boat. You're un-American. Segues into a war, once again, you're not supposed to, you know, jeopardize the troops, and so forth. So I think the press has been in a coma but they're coming out of it."

My question to you DU'ers is, has anybody seen any examples of this White House Press Corp "coming out of it?" It sure would be encouraging to say the least.

[aquart]

1. I love that woman.

She answers her email, too.

[CityZen-X]

2. What Is That Email?

[goddess40]

3. Helen's email

Helen Thomas' email address: [e-mail]. She appreciates encouraging comments as she says she doesn't get many. Let her know how much you like her.

[CityZen-X]

5. Thanks Goddess40

Will do, I will always support a true jouralist. Mir!

[Ilsa]

4. She responded back to me as well.

A very sweet lady, she carries a tremendous burden of responsibility of being one of a few left that are willing to ask the risky questions. She'll appreciate a nice note.

[Cleita]

6. Too bad it takes a plus eighty-year-old woman to show the

likes of Wolf Blitzer and company how to be REAL journalists and what REAL reporters are supposed to do.

[RapidCreek]

14. yep it is sad when a little ole lady has more stones than

the entire male ensamble of the whitehouse press corps. I really admire her....evidently one of the last of a dying breed....What is that breed called? Journalists.

RC

[CityZen-X]

15. Your Waters

are the still of certainty, RapidCreek!

[LibertyorDeath]

7. Isn't she great ! We need more like her.. I sent this...

Dear Ms. Thomas, I recently enjoyed hearing you speak your mind on the excellent show PBS "Now" what a breath of fresh air you are in these troubled times. In my short life time I can't think of a more critical time for the American media to speak truth to power. Thank you for your honesty and courage and for all the "tough" questions.

Your move to the back row at press conferences should tell Americans all they need to know about the current state of the nation and it's leader.

Sincerely

[nostamj]

8. missed NOW, damnit!

hope to catch a repeat. Helen T. is the best.

and it is TRUE, she really reads and answers emails. i've had a couple of brief, but genuine, replies too.

[CityZen-X]

10. Read The Transcript

Read the transcript of the show. The context of the whole show is worth anyones time, but if you want to get to Queen's Thomas interview just scroll to it.

http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcipt303_full.html

[Wapsie B]

9. Oh baby!

What I wouln't give to see Helen locked in a room with chimpy for a Q&A session. That woman kicks :kick:

[Merlin]

11. The new Presiden'ts first move will be to place her in the front row again

It will be great to hear her say "Thank you Mr. President" again at the conclusion, as has been the tradition. She is the Dean of the Washington press corps and should be treated as such. She is a great reporter, in the traditions of Edward R. Murrow. And she is fearless.

God Bless Helen Thomas!

[Blue_Roses]

12. what a coward

Bush is to put an 80 year-old lady in the back of the room because he is afraid of her questions. Paul O'Neill is right...he is a puppet

[CityZen-X]

13. Puppet To Puppets

What does that say for the other so called journalist's in that room? This 80-year old women makes them look like Chimp Chumps who can't see the truth beyond their BMW's! These Chumps are traitors to the principals of what was once regarded as a free press.

[calimary]

16. Helen Thomas was rightfully the Dean of the White House Press Corps.

She has covered every president since Kennedy. It fell to her to open AND close every presidential press conference, with her opening question, and her final "thank you, Mr. President."

To see her relegated to the back of the bus like that is a tragedy, a travesty, and a near-crime. It is an ABSOLUTE journalistic crime that none of her colleagues rose to her defense when she was "demoted" like this. What a slap in the face. And NOBODY stuck up for her. NOBODY. Bunch of spineless schmucks. I know some of those spineless schmucks. Every time I see Mark Smith of the AP sitting there simpering, waiting for the crumbs to fall his way from His Lordship's table, I want to vomit. I used to work with that guy. And Wendell Goler of Pox "News" - SHIT! He should be ashamed of himself. When he was at the AP, he was pretty good, and he had integrity, plus he played a pretty good bass in the AP band. Probably was eager to get that elusive TV job, so he jumped ship. These guys WERE good reporters, at least when I was working with them, and they were plenty respectable and knew their stuff. What they've become since then is just beyond belief. And certainly not mentionable on the air!!!

But it's just a HUGE disappointment. THEY are a huge disappointment. They are among many who should know better!!! And all the others there, too. NOBODY stuck up for Helen Thomas. NOBODY. And none of them is even halfway worthy to touch the hem of her garment. It's just shameful and disgusting. Makes me glad I'm a FORMER reporter. I wouldn't want my name associated with what passes for "news" coverage now. NOBODY stood up for Helen Thomas. NOBODY. They should be ashamed. Especially since a little old lady HAS proven to the world she's got more balls than the whole lot of 'em put together. She still does. And they still don't.

When I see 'em wake up, I'll sit up and take notice. Until that time, they completely disgust me.

The posters above are correct. BY ALL MEANS, email Helen Thomas and let her know she still has plenty of support. She DOES get lots of hate mail. She's responded to me as well, when I've emailed her. She is one great lady, and a national treasure. Plus, she can report and interview circles around any of these poseurs who grovel at bush's feet these days. If there's a hell for journalists, it's gonna be mighty overcrowded...

[Karenina]

18. Yes!

What YOU said, Calimary!!! :toast:

[JohnOneillsMemory]

17. Met her at an airport gate, we mourned the Bill of Rights. Noble woman.

I flew out of Oakland, Ca on an early morning flight a few months ago. I recognized her at the gate when she went to the counter and waited for her to finish her 6:30am breakfast muffin.

I approached her and told her how much I admired her career and principles. She beamed like a grandmother meeting a new grandchild. We chatted for about 10 minutes and commiserated over the Bush* administration's religious wars and destruction of the Constitution.

I told her a story about doing a concert in a large rural Virginia regional middle school that had 'God Bless America' and other religious slogans all over the place. I transcribed the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution on a bunch of the school's chalk boards to illustrate the intent of seperation of church and state. She loved this story and I could tell the Bill of Rights meant the world to her.

I carry a pocket version of the US Constitution when I travel so I asked her to sign it. She was almost teary eyed as she did so.

It was great to meet a real journalist of the old school.