DU's official "Thank you for 6 decades of covering the 10 Presidents, Helen Thomas"

[Hawkeye-X]

I have always liked Helen Thomas for her mind, and although the last "incident" is unfortunate, she has been in the business long enough. She is a legend, and I don't think any woman reporter would have the same integrity and bullheadness like Helen Thomas has ever done. I have read many of her reports for the last 20 years, and I admire her. She will be missed.

Hawkeye-X

[Catherina]

1. Thank you Helen! You are a giant among men. n/t

[xchrom]

2. Thank you Helen. Nt

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. You dont think "any woman reporter"would have the same integrity Helen has?

I think her integrity surpassed her colleagues both female and male

[Kitty Herder]

22. You noticed that dig at women, too, huh?

It was for that line that I unreced this post, though I do wish to thank Helen Thomas for here fine work.

[Hawkeye-X]

33. No dig intended - She is the trailblazer and have set the bar for reporting

for BOTH women and men. Some have matched her (people like Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite and maybe Peter Jennings)

[Heidi]

67. So why did you specify "woman reporter"?

I wanted to rec this thread, but. I won't because of that phrase.

[Donnachaidh]

71. uhh, because she IS one. DUH. n/t

[laconicsax]

141. And why does that matter? n/t

[Wizard777]

178. I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out why feminists aren't humanists instead.

[laconicsax]

189. That's got to be one of the dumbest things I've read in the last ten minutes.

I'll leave it to you to figure out why that is.

[Wizard777]

198. Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaa! I win!

:bounce:

[noamnety]

103. I could hazard a guess

I didn't read it as an insult, but there may have been some subconscious recognition that women take more shit than men in general for doing the same job - and when they are aggressive instead of playing the appeaser, the shit they get is tenfold. Because of that, it takes more bullheadedness and commitment to integrity as a woman to be that way, asking the hard questions, when you are in the public eye. I have more respect for a woman who puts herself out there like Helen has because I know the abuse she takes because of her gender is higher, and the support she gets from her colleagues is likely to be lower (fighting the old boys club, etc.).

[BlancheSplanchnik]

105. + 100 GAZZILLION n/t

[rucognizant]

281. Right on Target!

If you remain true to your principles, instead of caving and doing what society expects, ( from a woman) sooner or later you will take flack!
Been there I know!

[Hawkeye-X]

I should have said "star reporter" instead of woman reporter

Let me fully apologize to the other side of the gender for that oversight.

Hawkeye-X

[Donnachaidh]

70. where the hell is that a dig? Comprehension skills need an upgrade

Jeez Louise -- she *IS* a female reporter.

Personally, our sex does not have *any* other representatives that I can think of that has the integrity and chutzpah Helen has -- that will be sorely missed.

Wait -- Rachel Maddow is showing some spunk in reporting. But the rest? Meh. Talking heads too willing to worry more about how they look on-camera than actually having any in-depth knowledge about the copy they read.

[Donnachaidh]

73. Helen, go write that book exposing ALL the assholes railroading you out of Washington.

We'll send a copy of it, complete with a carton of K-Y, to Ari Fleischer.

[sabrina 1]

94. Thank you, I didn't see any dig either ~

Other than Rachel Maddow, I cannot think of another woman reporter, especially going back to the days when just being a woman made it difficult to compete in the world of journalism who compares to her.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

156. Naomi Klein is another great woman reporter.

Like Helen, she has courage and integrity. Christiane Ammanpour is a reporter with real physical courage and I've seen her tell the truth on CNN many times, an amazing feat in and of itself. I would put Thomas, Klein Ammanpour and Maddow up against any four American male reporters any day of the week. After Eric Alterman and Eric Boehlert, I'm just about out of gas for top flight American male journalists.

[Divine Discontent]

93. I'll rec it for you. I understand the thought, but really, the OP is supportive of her, so it isn't

a true 'dig', just an opinion about the lack of certain types of reporting based on what ones seen.

She was one of the best reporters, male or female.

[laylah]

186. OMG...ffs n/t

[uppityperson]

4. !

[niceypoo]

5. Thank you for always sticking to your guns and your convictions

Even if it meant being intentionally ignored by the likes of Scotty McClellan and Ari Fleischer.

[saracat]

6. Thank you Helen for bringing honestly to DC. It is now completely gone. You are a legend and a

great lady as well as journalist.

[Individualist]

7. Thank you Helen, for asking the tough questions of both republicans and Democrats.

[Frustratedlady]

8. Good-bye Helen. I hope you write a book on the last admin, at least.

I'm sure she could come up with a ton of info we've never heard about, after all the years she's been observing government.

I hope she lives long enough to do so, too! Go, Helen!

[Greyhound]

9. Thank you.

The irony of ending your brilliant career over speaking your mind is just not lost.

[malaise]

10. Thank you Helen

for always speaking the truth and remaining fearless to the end .
I love you sis! :hug: :applause:

[msanthrope]

11. Thank you Helen!!!! n/t

[leeroysphitz]

12. First Dan Rather and now Helen Thomas. I guess telling the truth just doesn't pay. n/t

[malaise]

20. Ding ding

but Bush can admit to lying about torture and all we hear are crickets.

[Dinger]

191. I'll Add Another Ding From Me:)

[laughingliberal]

254. I'll add mine to make 4 dings. nt

[readmoreoften]

31. +1

[WileEcoyote]

47. No CBS fired rather from right wing pressure

Thomas was fired for making comments that would have caused anyone to get the ax.

[sabrina 1]

95. No she wasn't. If that were the case every media personality

and every Republican member of Congress would have been fired for their bigoted remarks against Muslims. A double standard is why she has resigned.

The rightwing went after her viciously, even before this. But once she made this remark, the vileness of their attacks themselves, deserve to be condemned.

[leftynyc]

49. First Phil Donohue

who got sacked from MSNBC for being anti-war.

[Bozita]

74. and Ashleigh Banfield for speaking out in a speech at Kansas State U.

[leeroysphitz]

126. Very true. I remember that he had great ratings when they canned him. Very blatant. n/t

[harun]

84. Truth is so 20th Century.

[donquijoterocket]

130. when has it?

I'm trying to think of a time when her sort of honesty did pay.In this country that the wingnuts have created any opposition to their bed-time story du jour is seen as sacrilege.Honor has been commodified and assigned a dollar value, just ask the legislators on both sides of the aisle who are owed lock, stock, and barrel by AIPAC or some other special interest.I'm not sure there's any way to thank her for what she's been and meant to this country.So I guess many heart felt thank yous will have to do.

[laconicsax]

142. I must have missed the part where Dan Rather made overtly anti-Semitic remarks on the record. n/t

[Dr. Hemlock]

241. Dan...my man

His remarks weren't anti-semitic.......just fake..but
accurate. :toast:

[leeroysphitz]

275. I missed the part where Helen Thomas did. n\t

[laconicsax]

306. It was a small comment she made about Israeli Jews needing to go home to Europe.

I understand if you missed it.

[fascisthunter]

292. too bad your charge is a LIE

[laconicsax]

305. That Rather didn't make anti-Semitic remarks on the record?

[Individualist]

174. Sad but true.

[political_Dem]

214. +10000 Truth is not a part of the media. Might as well wear a black armband.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. Thank you Helen --

And I am sorry the bastards got to you. :(

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Yes, she did some outstanding work.

[AllyCat]

15. Thank you Ms Thomas. You are a legend.

[Taverner]

16. Can we send her flowers?

[Bitwit1234]

23. I was thinking the same thing I''' give 5 dollars the most I can afford

[avaistheone1]

48. I am in. I want to show her my support.

[Individualist]

179. I'd contribute

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8508215&mesg_id=8508215

[hlthe2b]

17. I thank her...

and I will continue to judge her by the entirety of a very exemplary career. I will be there to support her next efforts in life, whatever they may be. She will absolutely be missed.

[laughingliberal]

18. Helen will always be #1 in my book! nt

[Tailormyst]

19. Thank you Helen, for speaking truth to power.

[Greyskye]

21. I once wrote Helen a short email...

...during the Bush mis-administration, thanking her for her work on some particular issue.

She wrote back a short, obviously personal note herself, when there was obviously no need at all for her to do so.

What a gem. Her example will live on as an inspiration to many journalists for years to come.

Here's to Helen! :toast:

[madmax]

30. I received one also.

I was stunned. She is an amazing woman.

[sabrina 1]

267. I received one also. I will always remember that as I did not

expect it knowing how busy she was. She is a great lady and the WH Press Corps will not be the same without her. A chilling effect on free speech.

[Warpy]

24. Thank you, Ms. Thomas

You have more than earned a rest, but you will be sorely missed.

[leveymg]

25. Helen Thomas - one of the last real journalists in DC. She can't be replaced.

[Spheric]

26. Nope. They don't make 'em like that anymore. K&R

Thanks Helen.

[DearAbby]

27. Thank you Helen for your service.

:thumbsup:

[Arkana]

28. Last ten Presidents...fuck, she covered Eisenhower?????

:wow:

[DFW]

96. She sure did

My dad became a Washington correspondent in 1950. He accompanied Eisenhower to South America, and
was in Moscow for the famous Nixon-Khruschchev "kitchen debate." One of his first acquaintances in
DC was Helen Thomas.

Both past presidents of the Gridiron Club, they remained friends until he died 10 years ago.

[onpatrol98]

245. Great Info!

[madmax]

29. Thank you, Helen!!

Enjoy yourself - you've earned it. :hug:

[enlightenment]

32. Thank you, Helen.

For all the years of service and your unwavering integrity in the cesspool of Washington politics.

[Call Me Wesley]

34. Thank you, Helen. (nt)

[alstephenson]

35. Thank you, Helen.

For your tireless determination to get at the truth.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

36. Irreplaceable. She questioned one Sacred Cow too many.

[freddie mertz]

37. Thank you, Helen. You rocked the world.

[katandmoon]

38. K&R for Helen Thomas.

[bobbolink]

39. Your contribution to democracy is unprecendented, Helen.

I knew you wouldn't be there forever, but it hurts me to see you going in this way.

Have some good times!

[Whisp]

40. Always love you Helen....

and will miss your real journalistic pressing questions of Presidents.
You are the last one.

Peace be with you, dear Helen.

[Sinistrous]

41. Thank you for the many moments of discomfort

you caused the spinmeisters who have paraded through the White House press room.

[Lugnut]

42. Hear, hear!

Thank you, Ms Thomas.

[EFerrari]

43. Thank you, Helen.

[kgnu_fan]

44. Thank you, Helen, You have given me hope and courage

[Eyerish]

45. Thank you Helen!!

Please keep speaking the truth...

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dragonbreathp9d]

50. K&R Thank you Helen, for asking the tough questions

when no one else would

[mikelgb]

51. Present.

[nyc 4 Biden]

52. Thank You Helen! n/t

[sonias]

53. I love you Helen Thomas!

:hug: :yourock:

I don't like the way this is going. :(

[Kingofalldems]

54. I concur. Too bad I have to see someone trumpeting her demise

right here on DU. At least she did the right thing.

[Forkboy]

59. Many of those people don't even care about Israel. That's just a cover for the real reason.

She asked tough questions of the dreamy Obama Admin.

[saracat]

64. She asked tough questions of everyone. None will replace her.

[jotsy]

55. Agreed

May the might in your work ethic be mirrored many times over and soon, for the sake of us all.

Take Care and thanks for trying to see that those charged with taking care of us did so or faced tough questions as to why it wasn't the case.

[cate94]

56. Thank you Helen.

She is a real journalist, with real standards and the American people will miss her reporting.

[theFrankFactor]

57. Intellect, courage and candor are setting on the horizon...

The greatest minds of the twentieth century will be replaced with what?

[onestepforward]

58. Big thanks to Helen! n/t

[G_j]

60. thank you Helen!

:applause:

[FourScore]

61. It's time to write a book, Helen!!! nt

[Blue Owl]

62. She did JOURNALISM proud

The questions she asked were real questions that AMERICAN PEOPLE would ask -- not fluffy softballs invented by a corporate focus groups secretly designed to steer "public dialogue."

The way she is leaving is not befitting of her long and distinguished career.

[go west young man]

63. Thanks for showing em how real reporters ask questions Helen!

We love you! Forget the latest BS. Your entire career has been a great one. Cheers.

[Alameda]

65. Selam Habity wa Allah halik, you will be missed.

Thank you for all your years of work. I'm sure your voice has not been silenced yet. I wait for what new words you have to say.........I hope you have written, or are working on your memoirs!

[mikita]

66. thank you Helen n/t

[Gin]

69. Thank you Helen!

[Octafish]

68. I love you, Helen.

You are TOPS!

Go Tartars!

[madmom]

72. Thank You Helen for all you did, you will be missed!!!

[proReality]

75. Thank you, Helen!

We'll miss you.

[otohara]

76. Thanks Helen

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

I hope you enjoy your early retirement.

[abelenkpe]

77. She was great, but what exactly did she say?

Any info appreciated.

[condoleeza]

78. Here's a transcript

http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=118&x_article=1528

Helen's comments came as a result of the recent attack on the ship carrying peace activists and supplies to help the Palestinian people being held prisoner in what is THEIR land: http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/75-ninth-trip-to-gaza-in-may-2010
Nesenoff: Any comments on Israel? We're asking everybody today
Thomas: Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine.
Nesenoff: Ooh. Any better comments?
Thomas: Remember, these people are occupied, and it's their land, not German and not Polish.
Nesenoff: So where should they go? What should they do?
Thomas: They should go home.
Nesenoff: Where is home?
Thomas: Poland. Germany.
Nesenoff: So you're saying the Jews should go back to Poland and Germany?
Thomas: And America, and everywhere else.

Helen Thomas said: “I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.” (June 4, 2010)

My husband is a Jew. This will never end unless the Israelis recognize the rights of the Palestinians and sincerely try to find a peaceful solution. I wish I could say that I thought the Israelis have learned anything from the Holocaust besides hate. Sad end to an inspirational woman who has seen it all unfold, but she's not the first and won't be the last journalist who speaks the truth and pays the price.

They are raising a new generation of haters: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/poll-half-of-israeli-high-schoolers-oppose-equal-rights-for-arabs-1.264564

We all bleed red. Palestinians are people too. Where are they supposed to go if Israel keeps building on what is their land?

[truedelphi]

88. Lesson to be learned for all American journalists:

One nation can kill people, and reporters in another nation cannot call them out on it.

Even though the "other nation" really should be spending its 3 billion dollar a year donation to Israel, its Mid East ally and terrorist co-conspitator, on its own unemployed people.

Rather than the Israeli Defense Dept.

[uppityperson]

113. Thank you for posting the transcript.

I am tired of being told I'm anti-semitic for doing so, thank you for posting it also.

[defendandprotect]

140. Have a hard time finding any real fault with the sentiments in Thomas'

comments --

also understanding that it probably wouldn't have been the way she would have said

it had she had a chance to restate it.

And, also understanding the terrible violence and brutality we have seen from Israel

which I think is having a very strong effect on most of us -- those who have been on

Israel's side in earlier times and those who are just beginning to rethink their support

for Israel.

Whomever the original occupants of Palestine were they were all Arabs.

They were the same people. I think we have to rethink what was permitted here with

placing a homeland to restore "Israel" in Palestine and what is actually happening to the

Palestinians.

We all bleed red. Palestinians are people too. Where are they supposed to go if Israel keeps building on what is their land

This insanity on the part of Israel's hawks has to stop -- and America's financial support for

it -- and our supplying weapons for it -- also has to stop.

[laconicsax]

Would you feel the same way had she said...

What if she said that North American Christians should go back to Europe? After all Native Americans are occupied and it's their land, not European.

It was an idiotic comment.

[condoleeza]

147. Well, then, how far do you want to go back to settle scores?

[laconicsax]

152. It doesn't matter.

Racists in this country say that African Americans should go home to Africa.

Tell me how Thomas' remarks are any different from that sentiment.

Idi Amin expelled a number of ethnic groups and foreign nationals from Uganda after he seized power. It didn't matter how long or how many generations had lived.

Tell me how Thomas' remarks are any different from that sentiment.

[provis99]

161. that was one thing that Idi Amin was right about.

The whites and Asians in Uganda has been oppressing the natives for decades; typical imperialist pigs. Amin was right to throw them out.

[laconicsax]

187. I'm reminded of a saying having to do with babies and bathwater.

To punish an entire group for the transgressions of a portion of them and for the transgressions of their progenitors is reprehensible.

That you would say that Amin was justified in sending the military to slaughter thousands of people for their ethnic or national origin makes you little different than the RW morons who insist on profiling and killing Muslims because of Islamic extremists and the idiot supporters of the racist AZ immigration law. Sorry if that rubs you the wrong way.

No...wait. That's wrong, I'm not sorry. It's your reasoning, live with it.

[defendandprotect]

209. What in the hell do you think we've done in Afghanistan and Iraq. . . ?????

Other than to punish an entire group/nation for the alleged transgressions of

an alleged 19 highjackers -- the majority of whom were Saudis!!

How about had the world reacted to our dropping atomic weapons on Japan by bombing

the hell out of America and occupying us for a few dozen years?

[laconicsax]

250. That doesn't make it right.

Seriously? That's the best you can do? The US does it and the rest of the world doesn't do it back to us, so it's ok?

I must have missed the part where you explained how punishment by proxy and corruption of blood aren't damnable.

[laughingliberal]

255. +1 nt

[liberation]

176. Besides the obviously false analogy?

You do realize blacks were brought over to this country against their will, as slaves. And last I checked African Americans haven't taken over this country or its land (regardless of what freepers may think about finally having a non 100% white president). How you are equating the situation of African Americans with the Jewish diaspora back to Israel is beyond me really.

Good grief you just did not used fallacies in your post right there, you basically raped intellectual honesty.

[laconicsax]

182. We're not talking about first generation immigrants here.

The descendants of African slaves made the exact same decision to live here as the descendants of Jewish diaspora immigrants made to live in Israel.

Try this one (you may find it more apt).

Maybe Mexican immigrants should all go back to Mexico. This isn't their land, it's ours.

Sounds downright racist when you change "Jews" to "Mexicans," doesn't it?

[liberation]

197. If you have to go through a bunch of false analogies until you hit one that is remotely sensical

maybe you need to revise some of your positions.

In case you missed the irony in the analogy you were establishing at the end: the "Mexicans" are the "Palestinians," and the racist "Americans" are the "Israelis." See what happens when you use intellectual dishonesty led you to make lazy analogies?

Now try again, who knows maybe after a few tries you may actually establish an analogy which may be remotely apropos to the point you were trying to make.


For what it is worth, I still think that putting a shoe in a mouth is still a far less serious offense than killing an American kid in international waters. Which is what we stopped talking about when the media decided to shift the focus on the unfortunate words of a 90 year old woman with an impressive career. Pretending that Mrs. Thomas is some sort of racist monster, may have to do more with projection issues from some posters in this site, than Mrs. Thomas own faults.

[laconicsax]

265. Of course! I must be a virulent racist because I can identify racist remarks made by someone else.

You disgust me. That you had to resort to an ad hominem attack just speaks to the weakness of your position.

My first analogy was apt. My second analogy was a rewording of the first. The whole point is that a child doesn't choose where it's born. The following groups made no decision about where they grew up.

-The children of African slaves imported to North America.
-The children of first generation Israeli Jews.
-The children of Mexican immigrants to he US.

So you see, suggesting that one of those groups should "go home" is analogous to suggesting that any of the other groups just "go home."

Now that I've tied your shoes for you, would you care to re-evaluate your position, or do you intend to call me a racist again and thoroughly miss the point?

[liberation]

268. Since when pointing out logical fallacies is an "ad hominem?"

or are you just throwing all sorts of stuff to see what sticks? Thus the whole victim routine you just pulled?

Your analogies were not only wrong, they in some cases as I pointed out... totally negate your point. Get a grip. Or at the very least work on your comprehension skills.

Cheers.

[laconicsax]

308. Calling someone a racist to negate their position is an ad hominem.

You did this. You've continued to dodge the issue and now you have nothing hut insinuation and falsehoods.

Answer the question:

Explain which of these three groups chose the country in which they were born.

-The children of African slaves imported to North America.
-The children of first generation Israeli Jews.
-The children of Mexican immigrants to he US.

Bonus question: How can any of these groups "go home" to somewhere they have never lived?

I eagerly await your next evasion.

[defendandprotect]

221. Most of us understand that Mexicans lived on MUCH OF THIS LAND . . .

The descendants of African slaves made the exact same decision to live here as the descendants of

Jewish diaspora immigrants made to live in Israel.

You're really lacking in historical information --

however Africans enslaved here MADE NO CHOICE, either before or after they were brought here

and enslaved for hundreds of years -- and later suppressed with another 100 years of Segregation.Inc.

Neither did survivors of the Jewish Holocaust "chose" anything -- they were homeless post WWII.

Many, understandably, not wanting to return to their prior homes in Poland and Germany, etal.

America had already made her racism clear in turning around a boatload of Jews during the or just

before the outbreak of WWII.

And whatever land was given for a new "Israel" it has been exceeded -- wildly exceeded.

And that was done with Hebrew terrorism in fighting to create a Jewish state.



Try this one (you may find it more apt).

Maybe Mexican immigrants should all go back to Mexico. This isn't their land, it's ours.

Sounds downright racist when you change "Jews" to "Mexicans," doesn't it?

This isn't our land -- we stole it -- and we stole it from native Americans thru various

forms of violence, wars, genocide.

Mexicans were part of the native population on this continent --

California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado --

You might also recall the THEFT under cover of the Mexican War!

[condoleeza]

228. Beautifully said, defendandprotect,

We don't live in a world anymore where we don't hear the news {however censored and polluted it is} every day. When do we stop hating and just fucking move on?

[laughingliberal]

256. +1000 nt

[laconicsax]

257. Swing and a miss.

I'm frankly surprised that people can't differentiate between generations.

We have, in Israel, generations of Jews who were born there. Are they at fault for being the children of immigrants? Did they choose to be born there? Is it just possible that they didn't choose to be born in Israel, just as the children of African slaves didn't choose to be born here? Gosh! If it were then that would devastate your argument.

I'm also surprised that you think that I actually think that we 'own' this land. I guess you just have issues with understanding the difference between analogies and statements. If someone compares a statement to another, it's often called an analogy, which means that it is a comparison rather than a blind repetition of sentiment. In this case, I was comparing Thomas' anti-Semitic tripe to the racist anti-immigrant crap spewed by RW morons. Looks like you're 0-2 unless you consider twice missing the point a win.

As a side note to, you forgot the big one we stole--Texas. You know, that Mexican territory a bunch of American immigrants stole with the US government's blessing. This country has a very ugly past.

[liberation]

269. Wow. I don't think you grasped what the pervious person wrote at all...

Cheers.

[defendandprotect]

316. Agree: "This country has a very ugly past" . . .

I'm frankly surprised that people can't differentiate between generations.

We have, in Israel, generations of Jews who were born there. Are they at fault for being the children of immigrants? Did they choose to be born there? Is it just possible that they didn't choose to be born in Israel, just as the children of African slaves didn't choose to be born here? Gosh! If it were then that would devastate your argument.

Certainly Jewish DPs were not taken to Palestine against their will -- they welcomed the gift

of a place of refuge in Palestine. And, I'm sure their children also came to understand this

gift. There is now, however, Jewish immigration back to Germany.

There are now more Jews living in Germany than pre-WWII.

I'll post the link to my post on that below.

Nor were these immigrants held in conditions of slavery. They were free -- free to do whatever

they wished. They could study, enter professions, travel.



Africans enslaved here were captured and brought here against their will.

Their children and their children's children were enslaved here for more than 300 years.

Even 400 years later, African Americans were still held in Segregation here in the South.

Not free for 400 years and more!


Israeli descendants of Jewish DPs were free to leave Israel if they wished and had the resources

to do so.

At no time in hundreds of years were Africans here free to do so.

In fact, even moving from the South to more Northern cities entailed dangers for them due to

some states raising KKK groups.


I'm also surprised that you think that I actually think that we 'own' this land.

I think if you question the US government they will make clear that they "own" or control this

land -- and profit from its wealth of land and natural resources.

And if you could find a native American to question, they would confirm that for you!


Here's the link . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8512348&mesg_id=8517284

[defendandprotect]

208. America belongs more to the African enslaved here than it does to most

other of us --

Most of the Capital/Capitol was built by African slaves --

They knew farming -- and raised and picked "King Cotton" which created great

wealth for elites.

IMO, Thomas' remarks are different -- and I think it was her response to the

Israeli attack on the aid ship -- and the gross brutality of that event.

As I've said elsewhere, I think it has the power to harden hearts against Israel,

whereas previously we might have only been shocked and challenging their behavior

over last decade and more.

It's long past time for nations begin to act together to rein in Israel --

and especially for the US to stop financing their violence and to stop supplying

weapons for them.

[laconicsax]

262. If she can't tell the difference between the Israeli government and its people...

then what does it matter? Her comments were about the general population, not the agression of the israeli government.

It is unjust to punish a person for the crimes of their leaders.

[defendandprotect]

317. Hard to tell the difference these days . . .

Nixon armed right wing Fundamentalist Israel thereby changing the political

picture there -- and giving America a foothold in the ME -- and the MIC

another area to play in and arm.

Evidently, Israeli and US weapons production is so closely intertwined that

you can barely tell the difference between them.

We also store nuclear weapons in Israel.

After the assassination of PM Rabin who was again engaged in peace efforts, it

completely buried liberal, peace-loving Israelis.


IMO, Helen Thomas was directing her comments to those running Israel's government ---

and making decisions like the brutal attack on the "Aid" ship.


And didn't the British think that we had actually elected Bush to a second term!

Certainly dropping atomic weapons on Japan didn't do much for America's karma --

but I'm sure we would disagree with any retaliation against all Americans for that.

Though, that is exactly what America has done in Afghanistan and Iraq!

I think we have to presume that anti-war Israelis -- just as anti-war Americans -- are

being controlled by their own hawks/MIC.

[sabrina 1]

270. Actually I think she was reacting to the occupation of Gaza

as her remarks came before the attack on the Flotilla. Makes you wonder about the timing of the release of this now, although I doubt it will diminish the anger of the world towards Israel's attack on those ships.

[defendandprotect]

318. Thank you for the correction . . . didn't understand that . . .

and I've come to this discussion late --

Meant to go back to the video because I've been wondering if we've heard what

others had replied to that question?

Yes -- of course she would be talking about Gaza -- and that remains primary,

even after the attack on the Aid ship.

[condoleeza]

215. Helen has NEVER been a racist, give me a break

Your response to this is exactly what keeps this kind of hatred going generation after generation.

Jesus, just give it a rest. This country has been founded upon and pretty much run upon finding someone to blame for all it's ills. I don't know how old you are but I fought for civil rights in the 60's. At some point we just need to step back and stop feuding over what grandpa did and who died because of it, and I know it's hard to do that, I'm still pissed off, but if ever there was a
"people" that ought to know that ethnicity is a killer, it's Israel.

We now are blaming Mexicans and any other immigrants for what's wrong with this country and what's wrong with this country and every other fucking country is that corporate interests run the world and if you can't see that, then I can't help you.

Helen has been a hardworking journalist all her life, ending her career like this, for me, is a nightmare, as she has always been the one to ask the hard questions and now that voice is gone. She was pissed off, I've been there and said things that if they were quoted online and went viral would sound like "something somebody who has an agenda would go off on".

Helen is a Goddess. I'm sorry she's leaving her career like this. You should be damn grateful that she was at her job all these years.

Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Hitler, how many fuckers names do we have to bring in here to make a point? Shit happens and I am just as sick and disgusted as you are that any innocent people have to die for corporate interests and I've been fighting this since 1966. The Israeli's don't care about anything but survival and they have shown NO evidence since Carter's Presidency of even trying to pretend anything else.

My husband is a Jew, not all Jews support this mindset. My fiance died in 68 in Vietnam, I'm still missing him. Life goes on, what are you doing to make it better?

[laconicsax]

260. She just happened to make a racist remark.

Honestly, I could care less about her extensive CV. The issue isn't one of is she qualified to report, it's whether her comments were over the top inappropriate. No amount of ad hominems and appeals to emotion can change that. What she said was disgusting and that she's paying a price for it is her problem.

To clarify, I don't care what you've done, I don't care who your husband is, or what he thinks. They are immaterial to this discussion.

What astounds me is the sheer number of people willing to whitewash the whole thing because she was a fantastic journalist. There's no such thing as a get out of jail free card--actions have consequences.

[sabrina 1]

271. She made a political remark, NOT a racist remark.

What do you call criticism of the Bush administration's policies? Is it racist when other countries slam this country for their treatment of the Iraqis?

Stop being silly. The Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians is a crime. That's what she was talking about. And if anything is racist, that certainly qualifies. Not all Israelis, because just like anywhere else, there are racists and then there are many decent people. Like the tens of thousands of Israelis who marched in protest of the attack on the humanitarian ships last week. Clearly there are many Israelis who do not share your views that Israel is somehow exempt from responsibility for their actions.

So stop treating Israel differently to the way you would treat other countries under the same circumstances. They are grown ups who need to start answering for their actions, just as we expect of anyone else. I will say it again, but the demands that Israel be treated differently when they break the law are discriminatory and I've been pretty stunned to see this especially coming from people who claim to abhor that type of discrimination.

[kenfrequed]

284. Agreed.

I would and have held my own nation to a higher standard. I have spoken out when the US acts in a way against what is right and protest whenever and wherever I see injustice. So my responsability first is to what my nation does.

But has our nation not spoken out against international crimes and the deeds of other nations? How can we judge those that are not our allies internationally and take action and not look completely hypocritical if we cannot speak to our allies honestly and openly?

I prefer France or England to Israel. At least they tell us when we are doing something wrong.

[laconicsax]

307. There's a difference between the Israeli governmet and its people.

Her comment wasn't political--it wasn't about policy or the Israeli government. It was about Jews living in Israel. Saying that 'the Jews should go home' is about Israeli Jews, not the Israeli government, and guess what, they're Israeli, so they ARE home.

What's funny is that by refusing to understand the difference, you're putting words in my mouth. I don't support the criminal govenment of Israel. I do support the right of its citizens to live freely without people like Helen Thomas teling them to go home to somewhere natural-born Israeli citizens have never lived.

Imagine if you will that an Argentinian journalist said that American Christians should go home to Europe; that they're occupying Native American land and don't belong here. Would you feel that said journalst was criticizing Ameican government policy?

[sabrina 1]

309. In response to the last part of your comment, it would depend

very much on the journalist, what I knew about him/her as a person. I don't generally let angry remarks influence me too much depending on the source. I've told many people I love to 'go home' when I was angry amongst other things, but I know and they know the difference between frustration and anger, and a real desire to never see someone again.

This whole thing was fueled by Fox News and by that paragon of virtue, Ari Fleischer, so forgive me if I see it as a tempest in a tea-cup.

As far as your last analogy, Americans have been told to leave this country and go home if they find it so distasteful to allow other immigrants in. In fact, I've seen it said right here, that they are occupiers and have no right to stop others from living here, or to treat Native Americans they way they do. Everyone knows that cannot happen. It is a rhetorical remark to make the political point that either you treat people like human beings or you will not have the support of people of conscience.

When Israel starts treating the Palestinians like human beings, no one will be angry enough to make such suggestions. But Israel and anyone who cares about them should worry when they see the amount of support Helen has received from across the International and national, and political spectrum. Except of course from the rabid rightwingers, like Ari Fleischer and the Fox contingency. Even from friends. They should think about that rather than lashing out blindly in a state of denial.

Israel has angered many of its friends, starting with the invasion of Lebanon, then Gaza and its brutal treatment of Palestinians. I would completely understand such anger directed at this country as a result of our own treatment of blacks and other minorities, and especially Native Americans. We have a sad history of human rights abuses. To deny it is to continue on that dark road. Friends tell you when you need to change course. They don't encourage to keep heading for an ice-berg.

Israel should not be treated any differently than any other country when it comes to human rights abuses if they are to be considered a member of the civilized world community. They have done much wrong, THAT is the source of the anger, NOT anything else, including race. To deny that is to be blindly and dangerously loyal to a government that is opposed to all the principles we as progressives claim to uphold.

There is nothing racist about standing up for human rights, against even one's own government when necessary. Helen's remark was a rhetorical, political statement, nothing more and nothing that many others have said, even israel's best friends although they may have said it a little more carefully.

[laconicsax]

310. Helen Thomas should go home to Lebanon.

I just made a rhetorical, political statement about the US government's Afghanistan policy.

[sabrina 1]

311. She's heard that before, lots of times. And it was mild

compared to the death threats she received for standing up to Bush. I never heard her complain about it though.

But again, like so many others your analogy fails. Is she imprisoning Americans on their own property, denying them basic human rights? If that were the case, I would have no problem with anyone telling her to go back to Lebanon, or to hell or anywhere else. But she's not, is she?

I guess you are supportive of collective punishment so long as it's being done by someone you support.

Here's an analogy for you. What if Palestinians were imposing a blockade on Israelis, denying them basic human rights, after having killed over a thousand of their citizens, would you be defending them as you are defending a blockade the entire world has now called 'unsustainable'? Even Netanyahu appears to be getting the message http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8510901

[laconicsax]

312. I must have missed the part where I defended the Israeli blockade.

Oh, that's right. It was in your own mind because you prefer to post before thinking.

Remind me again how attacking (verbally) Israeli citizens is the same as attacking the Israeli government. That's the whole basis for your argument--that her remarks, directed at the Israeli people were actually about the Israeli government. I thought that most people who oppose the Israeli government's criminal behavior understood that criticizing the government is not the same as criticizing its people. You can't have it both ways. Either criticism of a government is the same as criticism of its people, or it isn't.

Even though I'm sure you'll be unable to understand this bit because you're blinded by your own preconceptions, here's where I stand on the Israel/Helen Thomas issue:

The government of Israel is, without a doubt, criminal and a flagrant human rights violator. Their action in Gaza is unconscionable and their response all rocket attacks is about as close to "defending themselves" as the 9/11 attacks were about "defending Islam from the West."

What Helen Thomas said was stupid and bigoted. It's a sad way to end a lengthy and notable career. Her career does not absolve her.

[sabrina 1]

314. Her remarks were aimed at the Gaza situation. She talks about

policy, not individuals. Her remarks were made from frustration at a situation that has frustrated most of the world. She is not so stupid as to have meant those words literally. And EVERYONE knows that. It was rhetoric, and has been taken way out of proportion by those with a vested interest in getting rid of her. Like Ari Fleischer and the rabid right Fox contingency.

But it's sad to see progressives jump on Ari Fleischer's bandwagon, so intent on going after this women, they forgot all about this man's treasonous behavior towards this country, helping him to make a mountain out of mole-hill in comparison to the serious issues that they do not want to talk about. With Helen gone, they will have nothing to worry about. The war machine can grind on without a single voice asking the questions we the people came to depend on Helen to ask.

To see Ari Fleischer, who belongs in jail for his treasonous acts against THIS country, dare to criticize a woman whose shoes he is not fit to wipe, is unbelievable. But he is smiling, along with Rove and Bush, who themselves could not get rid of her or silence her. It took a progressive administration to do that.

[laconicsax]

315. Prove it.

When did she explain that? All I've seen is people desperate to absolve her of any wrongdoing parse her words.

The rest is a bunch of red herrings.

Ari Fleischer isn't the issue here.
His arguably treasonous behavior, isn't the issue.
Helen Thomas' efficacy as a correspondent isn't the issue.
That Ari Fleischer criticized Helen Thomas isn't the issue.

For someone so allegedly concerned with intellectual honesty you sure use a lot of fallacies to distract from the issue at hand.

[defendandprotect]

319. I think she was very specifically talking about those who control the government ....

it's fairly obvious to most of us that the hawks are in charge there --

just as they are in charge here -- MIC. And that the last PM who tried to work

for peace was assassinated for it by those interests.


I also think that Helen was trying to draw a parallel in pointing to the reality

that Palestine is the Palestinian homeland. These are the native dwellers.

How often does someone in America on the right suggest to someone on the left that

"if you don't like it, leave!"---????

It's an expression of exasperation -- and I think we are all feeling that with Israel's

behavior in Gaza.

Also remember that right wing Americans will still suggest to African Americans here

that they should "go home!" -- yet those alive now were all born here.

Also, ironically, it seems many Jews are immigrating to Germany --

and that Israel has been lobbying Germany to try to stop it!



Imagine if you will that an Argentinian journalist said that American Christians should go home to Europe; that they're occupying Native American land and don't belong here. Would you feel that said journalst was criticizing Ameican government policy?

That's a rather poor hypothetical question . . .

First, I don't quite understand why we don't all feel that way -- that it should be given

back to the native American! If your "American Christians" were occupying native American

reservations, I would presume that it was inspired by US government policy, in fact.

Not unlike the Church schools which were put in place by our government to destroy the

traditions and culture of the native American in kidnapping their children!

They were run by the Mormon Church -- the most notorious of them -- and by the Roman Catholic

Church. And, yes, children in those schools were harassed, kept from speaking their own

languages, dressed in European garb --- and often sexually abused, beaten, murdered, etal.



Here's the link to the info on immigration--

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8512348&mesg_id=8517284

[notadmblnd]

297. She said the Israelis should get out of Gaza. She did not say Jews should get out of Israel

if the recent settlers in Gaza are coming from Poland or Germany, I believe she was saying that they should go back. For you all to use her poor choice of words and twist them into something else, says more about you all than Helen. Not many people from Germany, Poland or the US today who are immigrating to Israel currently, are direct victims of Nazi Germany's death camps.

Israel today has the same problem that Hitler did. He needed land for Germany's people. Israel needs land too. Hitler's Germany decided to get rid of the Jews first. Israel has decided to get rid of the Palestinians first. I really don't think that Israel's quest for lebensraum will end in taking over the West Bank and Gaza.

[defendandprotect]

320. Interesting insights . . .a lot of transfer of wealth involved, as well ....

:)

[defendandprotect]

206. I happen to frequently say exactly that right here on DU . . . .

. . . and I certainly don't see anything the Christian "conquerers" and "destroyers"

did here to be something to celebrate!!

Presume we can still talk about the "G" word vs the native American --

the Papal Bulls which called for the enslavement of the native American or their death --

and same for Africans enslaved here.

And it would be "idiotic" to presume anything else other than this is native American land

which we took with violence -- despite reports of a $24 exchange for Manhattan Island!!



We all have to stand against violence -- no matter who is doing it -- and that includes

Israel.

And the "destroyers" haven't stopped with simply destroying this continent in 500 years . . .

they've come quite close to destroying the planet!

[Jade Fox]

169. good post nt

[struggle4progress]

205. The mistake is this: after WWII, people fled Germany and Poland for a reason;

and quite a few people still don't want ever to set foot in Germany or Poland; Poland was a center of the Shoah, in part due to anti-semitism there, and there were several massacres in Poland AFTER the war. Helen ought to know that history and ought to be sensitive enough not to suggest folk should go back to Germany and Poland. I think, given her Lebanese family background, the significant Palestinian presence in Lebanon, and the Israeli's contribution to the smashing up of Lebanon, her personal sympathies are natural, but the actual statement was still a real gaffe

[defendandprotect]

234. Perhaps Helen was drawing just that anology in saying this . . .

We all bleed red. Palestinians are people too. Where are they supposed to go if Israel keeps building on what is their land

We cannot have sympathy for those persecuted by Hitler because they were Jewish and understand

their need for a homeland, without also understanding the parallel in the violence against the

Palestinians by Israel -- and the need for the Palestinian people for a homeland.


And, since Helen's husband is Jewish, I think she understands all of that history quite well.

[laughingliberal]

259. Bravo! nt

[elias7]

213. "Whomever the original occupants of Palestine were they were all Arabs."

You don't know what you're talking about...

Your bias is showing if you have a hard time finding fault in her comments. I love HT but her comments were totally inappropriate. If you can't see that then you're just as much a knee-jerk as you accuse pro-israelis of being.

[defendandprotect]

231. Were they former Germans and Polish immigrants?

[DissedByBush]

222. I've always wondered the point in time

When people say "go back," what point in time are they talking about? Populations and religious dominance have been pretty fluid over the last few thousand years.

If we go back to a certain very long time span, we need to tell the Arabs/Muslims to get the hell out of the Jewish homeland.

Despite the Palestinian Muslims teaching their kids otherwise, the Jews had a kingdom in Palestine over 1,600 years before Islam came into being.

Now we know that soon after coming into being the Muslims conquered and ran the area for most of the next 1,400 years.

However, the base population for modern Israel started in the settlements of Jews from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Here's the kicker: The Jews bought the land from the Ottoman empire. It's theirs, purchased from the last known authoritative Muslim caliphate.

In other words, "This will never end unless the Israelis recognize the rights of the Palestinians"

This will never end unless the Muslims recognize the Jews have any right whatsoever to live in the region, or to live at all for that matter.

[defendandprotect]

237. While this wasn't addressed to me, I'd just comment on ....

my understanding of who the Palestinians were . . .

they were all one race of people --

this is different from Muslim/Hebrew --

Arab is a race, at least as we most recently identify these peoples/?

Hebrew is a race in a stretch -- Afro-Asian is the basis of language as I recall.

It might just be more accurate to cover what I am trying to convey to say that the

people of Palestine were all SEMITES...

Arabic, the main unifying feature among Arabs, is a Semitic language originating in Arabia. From there it spread to a variety of distinct peoples across most of West Asia and North Africa,<12> resulting in their acculturation as Arabs, or Arabization, often though not always, in conjunction with Islamization.

Same people, eventually separated by religions --

[onpatrol98]

248. I was thinking the same thing???

"Despite the Palestinian Muslims teaching their kids otherwise, the Jews had a kingdom in Palestine over 1,600 years before Islam came into being."

I was thinking the same thing and wondering, gee, my history is waaaay off, judging from the Helen Thomas comments and some of the comments on DU.

We need real history again. Heck, its hard to know what's real anymore. As Americans, we digest so much spin and ideology on a daily basis that the truth kind of simply disappears if it doesn't support our ideology.

I appreciated the way that she gave "ALL" presidents a tough time.

[defendandprotect]

300. Certainly, the original occupants of Palestine . . . .

were not recent immigrants from Western Europe . . .

The point we are trying to get to is: Shall the British Crown now deed some land

in Palestine to the Palestinians so that they have a place to live?

The people native to Palestine were Semites -- later separated by religious differences.

[Tumbulu]

79. Thank you Helen (nt)

[kimi]

80. Thank you Helen.

I always looked up to you and always will.

[mimitabby]

81. Helen you are the greatest

I might have said the same thing!!

[madrchsod]

82. helen ..you will be missed.

[GentryDixon]

83. She is what we are lacking in the

"so called" news media forced on us today. She was never afraid to ask the tough question, which is why Junior shoved her back to the end of the pack. Chickenshit that he was, he dared not call on her because he knew she would expose his blatant lies.

[SusanaMontana41]

85. What a lousy way to end a great career.

We'll miss you, Helen, during the press conferences. But you still can raise your voice. We need you, and we'll be listening.

[harun]

86. Thank you Helen!

[mrarundale]

87. She's Right! Netanyahu is MIT grad & his dad Cornell Professor

Israel just seems like a US base in the ME to me...(Which is NOT the fault of the many Jewish families who moved there, it's a political thing not a religious one)

Another one bites the dust... I loved Helen Thomas, remember when DU sent her roses? NO WONDER we never hear the truth about anything!!!!! The way it gets twisted!

[defendandprotect]

239. Completely agree with you . . . .

and one step on the road to what you describe was Nixon's arming of

right wing Fundamentalist Israelis, thereby eventually burying the peace-loving Israelis.

When Nixon took office -- with his anti-Jewish feelings well known and later

shockingly preserved on White House tapes -- many wondered about how he would treat

Israel. IMO, what he did created a strong foothold in the ME for the US in Israel.

And that we have been working that angle every since.

Of course, we saw peace efforts always -- until the final effort by PM Rabin and his

assassination by the right wing. See: "Murder in the Name of God" --

Certainly Netanyhu is well known to have been pushing for that --

After the 2000 W-appointment to the White House, it took only a wink between Bush and

Sharon to begin new violence by Israel -- almost a decade ago of this "full scale war"

by Israel on Palestine. And, that's what the UN calls it.

[Laughing Mirror]

89. Thank you for always speaking up, Helen

When no one else would.

[SoxFan]

90. Good riddance

Her comments were sickening and inexcusable. If they came from Britt Hume, you'd all be up in arms.

[liberation]

97. Projection being what it is...

[goldcanyonaz]

116. Thank G-d for a voice or reason around here. She disgusts me.

[liberation]

117. "Reason" obviously does not mean what you want it to mean...

[HEyHEY]

261. And you disgust me

[TwentyFive]

91. Thank you, Helen Thomas. You are a HERO for speaking truth to power. n/t

[GoldenOldie]

98. Thank you Helen Thomas

for reporting and covering the world stage events,for decades, with the skill and integrity of the now long lost journalist. As an old-timer myself, I can fully comprehend the frustration you must feel as the world problems that you lived and reported, during our youth, are still unsolved and in fact have become only larger. We as a Nation and civilization have learned nothing from our past and those with the lust for greed and power have used our ignorance to prevail. I do not agree with nor approve of your statement, but I do understand, therefore I can forgive.

[Bluebear]

92. Probably the last of a breed that is no more. Thank you, Helen.

[road2000]

99. A rose for Helen...

who was never a shrinking violet. You go, girl; write a book, please.

[Bodie the Dog]

100. Thanks, Helen, and UP YOURS, White House Correspondents Assoc.

Thanks, Helen. Your "obituaries" in the mainstream press keep complimenting you on your ability to ask the tough questions of all sitting presidents, like that is something special. Why is it so notable that you ask tough questions? Isn't that the role of the White House correspondent? Shame on the White House Correspondents Association for taking the time to slam you for your recent comments, while remaining silent about the whore slipped into their midst, Jeff Gannon! Actually, since they're whores, too, I guess their silence on that matter makes sense.

Thanks, Helen.

[Carolina]

101. K&R!

[Jack Rabbit]

102. Thank you, Ms. Thomas

http://the-basket-case.net/images/temp/valentines/2%20dozen%20roses%20$99.99.jpg

[Name removed]

104. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[awoke_in_2003]

106. sadly there is no one to replace her...

the press corps is nothing but a bunch of sycophantic stenographers.

[Paper Roses]

107. Thank you Helen, who can fill your shoes? No-one I can think of. n/t

[CreekDog]

108. She seemed to get the part about Jews just coming from Poland and Germany wrong

i mean, that's a pretty massive mistake to make.

maybe her work wasn't that stellar after all.

[liberation]

118. Speaking of getting things wrong....

[CreekDog]

155. she certainly said it as if most of them came from there

and probably the worst possible example for her to give to complain about them coming from somewhere (as if it were for no good reason).

:wtf: :banghead:

[liberation]

181. Yes what she said was probably stupid and she handed some people a talking point in a platter

and some of you are running with it.

She is also of Lebanese ancestry, thus she may feel this is at a personal level. But obviously from some of the replies in this forum, only Jews are allowed to feel righteous anger.


Last I checked Mrs. Thomas was guilty of putting her foot in her mouth, which given her decades long career of being on the right side of things, it seems such a minuscule error as to be laughable when some try to make this her legacy. When she kills an American kid in international waters, then yeah... maybe I can understand all your faux indignation.

[CreekDog]

238. my step grandmother told me when i was 10 that if only Hitler had finished what he started...

she's never said anything like that since.

did she just accidentally stick her foot in her mouth and she's not a bigot?

telling people of a certain ethnicity or religion to go somewhere else is not a "lapse" it's evidence of a sick mind that needs help.

i don't particularly care if she was good at her job if this is how she really thinks --she's not my plumber or gardener, she is in the business of fairly reporting and helping people understand the news.

it's a big deal that she thinks Jewish people belong in certain places and not others --especially since Ms. Thomas is here in the USA and not exactly where her ancestors are from (her standard not mine --I like having people of all backgrounds in every corner of the world).

[liberation]

302. Huh? Good grief, Argumentum ad Hitlerum, really? Well, let's get Godwin's out I guess...

I don't particularly care what your grandma did or did not say, because besides the fact we don't know your grandma's track record, there is not a public record of her saying that, and more importantly... there is no public record of her apology. Which is what Helen Thomas did.

She did put her foot in her mouth, she is almost 90 years old and of Lebanese ancestry, so yeah... Israel's actions may hit very close to her heart. After an stellar half a century career, I am pretty sure she earned a bit of slack.

It doesn't matter, as I said... she slipped at the end, and like true hyenas some were out there waiting for any grain of sand to be turned into a mountain to throw her under the bus. Congrats there is your mountain, enjoy it.


I am still of the opinion that killing a 19 yr old American kid (together with a bunch of kids from other countries) in international waters is a far graver offense, than an old lady saying something off color. Spare me the selective outrage. OK?

[CreekDog]

303. Yes, I think my step grandmother is bigoted

If saying that Hitler should've finished the "job" leaves you needing more evidence...you're nuts.

And as for Godwin's law, you're exactly right --I never should've brought Hitler into a conversation about Jews and Germany/Poland and the existence of Israel (not that the historic mistreatment and attempted genocide of Jewish people is a proper justification for Israel's existence and certainly not a justification for Israel's treatment of Palestinians! --In case someone thinks I believe that it is justification).

But anyway, back to the point about Hitler. Mea culpa!!!

I have to remember not to bring up Hitler when speaking of Jews coming from Germany/Poland (sic).

Obviously such a connection is just a red herring. Thanks for the clarification. :sarcasm:

[Enthusiast]

144. No, her work was stellar. nt

[Tx4obama]

207. She said the occupiers should go to: "Poland, Germany, America, and everywhere else." n/t

[CreekDog]

235. why? because that's where she thinks Jewish people belong?

you're not helping her, by the way. :eyes:

[Tx4obama]

247. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE OCCUPIERS.

Just like if folks came here and occupied the USA, we be saying "LEAVE AND GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!"

[CreekDog]

251. here we go

this topic is like flypaper for people like you.

[awoke_in_2003]

109. sadly there is no one to replace her...

the press corps is made up of a bunch of sycophantic stenographers

[BlancheSplanchnik]

110. kick n rec for Helen Thomas.

one good thing -- just because people who tell the truth get canned doesn't stop more people from telling the truth.

and she could write a book....ha, maybe she will.




rec #199...that's kind of fun :)

[MissDeeds]

111. Love you Helen

You have fought to keep generations of policy makers honest, and your service, integrity and dedication is your legacy. Thanks for a job well done. I look forward to your next venture.

:hug: :patriot:

[theHandpuppet]

112. Love ya, Helen!

:hug:

The rest of 'em ain't fit to kiss your toes.

[dghll]

114. Thanks Helen, with respect

[RoccoR5955]

115. K & R Thank You Ms. Thomas. You are a true gem! n.t.

[UndertheOcean]

119. Yes , thank you Helen. Have a wonderful retirement.

[secondwind]

120. Helen epitomized feminist thought and she was outspoken WAY BEFORE it was acceptable.

[axollot]

121. She asked the questions we were asking. Someone needs to do it. n/t

[stuntcat]

122. ((Helen T.))

:thumbsup: :hug:

[JohnnyLib2]

123. Yes, thank you. You covered every president in my voting lifetime.

Truly, the end of an era.

[onecent]

124. I love you Helen!!!!!!!

[Mosaic]

125. A real asset, she'll be missed

I've always admired her for speaking truth to power. She will always be a wonderful example of a real journalist doing their job. As religious nuts everywhere celebrate, the reality based community can celebrate an awesome career for one of the country's finest. Enjoy retirement Ms. Thomas!

[PassingFair]

127. Well done, Helen. I will remember you for more than a one-liner.

You should hear some of the crazy shit my 84 year-old aunt comes
up with!

Apparently, Muslims who recoil from drawings of the Prophet
are not much different from Jews who fear criticism of Israel.

We are not allowed to talk about it, apparently.

As an atheist with no dog in this race, I would
like to see an even-handed approach to a modern-day
solution to this centuries old problem.

[Gemini Cat]

128. Thank-you Helen Thomas

Thank-you for six decades of outstanding journalism.

[Vinca]

129. I'll miss Helen. Maybe she'll write another book.

I suspect she's one of those people who will be miserable "retired."

[eilen]

137. Maybe she will be a regular columnist/blogger on HuffPost.

Or Politico or another venue. I would love that.

[Cass]

131. Helen, thank you for your decades of work in journalism.

Many of the so-called journalists today could learn a lot from you.

I hope you will consider publishing your memoirs. I will miss you.

[dana_b]

132. She will be missed

she's the only one that I can think of off the top of my head who really holds the administrations' (all of them) feet to the fire.

[tazme]

134. wrong place

[Malikshah]

133. Thank you Helen. Keep up the righteous work. You're bigger than all your

detractors combined and a million times more gracious.

[amyrose2712]

135. I'll add my thanks too.

[Duval]

136. Another much needed voice gone. :( Helen Thomas, thank you.n/t

[tazme]

138. just one aw-shit

One aw-shit of that magnitude and you're out of the closet with your racism and down the crapper. No amount of previous
good-doing will erase it. Its how each of us would be remembered if we did the same in front of a camera.

Really too bad, I used to admire her.<

[mdmc]

139. thank you for standing up to the -----

she is a good women fo'sho..

[Enthusiast]

143. When Helen was asked how far to

the left her politics were she responded "As far as you can get." And I love her!

[Lena inRI]

145. So AIPAC/Israel celebrate your demise, Helen, so quick their rebuke. . .

. . .but Mr. Ari Fleischer, you may have successfully gotten Helen fired (forced retirement) but you will never be able to fire the truth.

Helen Rogers, "the face that launched a thousand AIPAC propagandists" while Israel gets away with 9 Gaza aid flotilla murders.

Enjoy your retirement, Helen, knowing full well that many of us get what you've been asking all these years.

Poetic justice will be your ultimate vindication.

Helen, go into peaceful retirement knowing you are loved and respected for all that you did in the name of truth.



:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Lena inRI]

183. Editing too late so . . .

. . .I correct myself. Helen Thomas, not Rogers.

Good grief! Where the heck did that name come from. . .oh yeah, I used to work with a Helen Rogers. . .yikes!

:rofl: :silly: :rofl: :silly: :rofl:

[sabrina 1]

272. Ari Fleischer. Traitor, who outed an American

spy. Then ran to rat on others to save his own sorry rear end. This is what happens when criminals like him are not put where they belong. Does he think people have forgotten his treason? We still do not know how many Americans may have died as a result of his treasonous acts.

How dare he of all people even speak Helen's name, he is not fit to wipe her shoes.

[nadinbrzezinski]

146. Indeed

her last comments were unnecessary, but Helen ENJOY retirement... you earned it.

[southmost]

148. Thank you Helen!

[IndianaGreen]

149. K&R

The last of a generation of journalists that included Walter Cronkite.

:kick:

[DoBotherMe]

150. Helen keep telling the truth

and helping people think. Don't quit doing what you do ... please! :hug: Dana ; )

[ejbr]

151. thank you helen! n/t

[yellowwood]

153. This Is Just a Diversion

Notice that all of this flap over WORDS has swallowed the story of the real event.

[JonLP24]

162. This should be an OP

I didn't consider that at all and I notice we haven't talked about the incident very much but there has to be at least 50 Helen threads.

[Michigan-Arizona]

225. Very true yellowwood! n/t

[Desertrose]

154. Thank you for so many years of integrity & work, Helen.

I admire your courage to "just say it" when "it" - whatever "it" may be - needs to be said!
You rock, woman!!!!!

[lunatica]

157. Helen, thank you for keeping them honest!

[Admiral Loinpresser]

158. The White House press corps is now

officially not worth the powder and shot it would take to blow'em to hell.

I wish instead of resigning, she had just told Ari to answer one of her questions about the Iraq invasion and THEN she would be willing to resign. Ari Fleischer is a bald piece of right wing shit.

[tbyg52]

159. You will be missed. nt

[ProgressOnTheMove]

160. Thank you Helen. *salutes* A woman of substance a salute to her career overall.

[shirleym]

163. Waiting for your book that will probably have to be published in China. nt

[ElsewheresDaughter]

278. sad but true^

[nannah]

164. sad to see her go...

her perspective on the israeli situation is unlike that of most people. she was part of the before, during, and after of the creation of the israeli state. i think i read that her family is from lebanon. and so she knows, feels, and understands the middle east in ways that are very different from those more detached by years and geography. i wish her peace and comfort.

[Martin Eden]

165. Richly Deserved Thanks! ... K&R, n/t

[prairierose]

166. Thank you, Helen for your many years of service...

for your integrity and for letting the American people know what they they needed to know. Thank you for asking the hard questions as long as you could. You will be missed.

[Rhiannon12866]

167. Thank you, Helen

For your intelligence, courage - and perseverance. You witnessed history and helped shape it. We will never see your like again. :hi: ;(

[Scurrilous]

168. K & R

[femrap]

170. I wish she wouldn't go.

I'd rather like living in Germany or Poland.

[eleny]

171. Thanks to Helen for all her good work over the decades

[liberal N proud]

172. Time for a personal Helen Thomas encounter

Long but the whole story leads up to our Helen encounter.


It happened on one eventful trip to DC during the Clinton years. Our visit started out with us picking up our friend who worked at a government office south of the Mall. As we were driving across the mall, I mentioned that the President was on Capitol Hill. He was there telling Rostenkowski it was time to step down. My wife thought we should drive up there. How stupid could I be, I did it.

We drove up and right past the POTUS limo. I commented that there it is as we past, knowing better, I did not stop. She insisted we circle the block, dumb, dumb, dumb. I did it, my daughter (6 at the time) missed it. My wife makes me stop the care and tells be to circle one more time, no problem. As I come around again, she flags me down right next to the limo. Stupid! I didn't see the light of day for a few moments, one officer finally said you can't stop her to which I said tell her, and I am out of here. My wife managed: to convince a Secret Service agent to let my daughter stand by the limo and get her picture.

The next day we went back to capitol hill to visit Senators and Representatives. We went to Senator Bond's office as we lived in Missouri at the time. An aid took us to meet the Senator on the step of the Capitol. He was having a press conference with Donna Shalala HHS secretary. Following his press conference we met with him and Donna.

Donna Shalala asked us if we were going to visit the White House. No we didn't have passes and had not written ahead for them. She got on her cell phone and made some contact and got us a VIP tour of the White House. We did not get to meet the Clinton's though, that would have topped it.

Now to the Helen Thomas part:

Following our visit to the White House, we just exited the gate and were walking along the north fence. My wife said that can't be, it was. We met Helen Thomas on the sidewalk in front to the White House, introduced ourselves and had a friendly conversation with her. Our 6 year old was quite impressed.

We talked with her for 5 - 10 minutes, it was quite interesting how friendly she was.

[BumRushDaShow]

173. Hear hear! K&R

:kick:

[Wizard777]

175. We Love You Helen!

[rainy]

177. Thanks Helen. I know what you were trying to say, Israel is an occupying

power so they need to leave since they stole their country from Palestine people. If they wanted to make a country they could have just started moving there, make friends with the people there and not kick them off their land, bulldose houses etc....Too bad what you said was not the way you intended. If what you said was not about the "beloved" Israel no one would have cared.

[howaboutme]

180. PLEASE write a book Helen

Tell us the inside stories that Americans don't know. Tell us how the media really operates and how certain stories are buried and others pushed. Tell us your opinion on the War on Terror and the Middle East and a corporate controlled media and America. Tell us the inside stories on our government and leaders. Be careful too.

The news cycle is a 24 hour blip in the night. If you write a candid book on this and of your life it will live on forever. It will be a lasting legacy to you and to the USA. The media and the government can't shut you up.

Don't let a candid misplaced statement allow your legacy of honesty and candor to be destroyed.

[Dinger]

192. I Agree 100%

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8508755

[howaboutme]

199. Yes I hope she would consider it

I hadn't seen your post but will K&R it. She has much incite and insider knowledge on the corporate media, government and on many Presidents and especially our lobbyist controlled government. It would help to blow the whistle on the corruption and insider BS that goes on which would enlighten the USA minions and sheeple.

I agree that she needs to watch her back. It could be a blockbuster and it could be more than enlightening.

[Berserker]

184. I am

57 and I am so impressed with all you have done. Outstanding job kicking ass all these years. I would like to give you a great big Berserker kiss.

[Blue Diadem]

185. I admire Helen too.

I hate to see her leave.

[Dinger]

188. Happy to K & R This Hawkeye

Thank you:)

[Mad_Dem_X]

190. A legend. She'll be missed greatly.

:patriot:

[Synnical]

193. LOVE YOU, Helen

Please start a blog! We need your voice!

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

Gladly kicked and recommended.

[ProudDad]

194. Thank you, Helen

The ONLY voice asking the tough question...

The rest of those stenographers to power are wimps...

[earth mom]

195. Thank you so much Helen! This country has lost one of the last truthful reporters!

You will be greatly missed-more than you'll ever know! :grouphug:

[Libertas1776]

196. Thank You, Helen!

Thank You, Helen! A legend who will never be replicated.

[alittlelark]

200. Thank You.

[LaStrega]

201. I want a photo of her flipping the bird. nt

[Dinger]

203. She Should Copy The Johnny Cash Flip To The Establishment

I'll try and find it . . .

[LaStrega]

229. HA! Awesome. nt

[bigwillq]

202. Thank you, Helen.

K and R

[diane in sf]

204. Thank you for all your great questions Helen, time to link up with a new bureau!

[jwirr]

210. Thank you, Helen, we are going to miss you.

[CLANG]

211. easy rec for me

Thank you, Helen!!

[KoKo]

212. Thank you Helen...We will always remember your courage in our times of darkness here on DU

ROSES TO YOU HELEN. We will always remember you with ROSES here on DU. Those of us who remember your heroism and sent those ROSES will NEVER FORGET YOU!

:applause: for all those years you fought to get the truth out. You are a beacon of hope and your voice and actions will live on in newer generations!

[cwydro]

216. Yes

[KoKo]

217. Another great BIG RED ROSE for HELEN!

[political_Dem]

218. Brava, Ms. Thomas. A job well done. Reporting will not be the same without you. :(

[dflprincess]

219. Thank you Helen

you are one of the last true journalists and you will be missed.

[John Kerry VonErich]

220. I'm sorry to see you leave under these conditions, Helen.

You were terrorized into retirement.

[polly7]

223. I have always loved reading anything about her.

Gutsy journalist who should be an example for all.

(edit for typo)

[Wizard777]

224. For a Special Lady Helen Thomas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VflKiZzb4h4">Silence Like A Cancer Grows. Thank you for many decades of speaking up and speaking out.

:applause: :headbang: :yourock: :headbang: :applause:

[Xavyman]

226. Helen belongs in the hall of fame of journalism

For her courage and her intelligence, and for being a hard-core progressive.
God bless Helen Thomas.

[mzmolly]

227. Proud to add my name in thanks. That doesn't mean that I agree

with her controversial comments, but the outstanding body of her work can't be denied. I hope she'll enjoy her retirement to the fullest! :) Edited to add that I disagree with your controversial comments about "woman reporters" as well Hawk, but I still like ya.:hi:

[suffragette]

230. Thank you Helen!

UPI reporter Helen Thomas interviews President-elect John F. Kennedy at Georgetown University Hospital, during Kennedy's visit to his wife, Jacqueline, on Dec. 1, 1960.

[cwydro]

232. Kicking this...

[Douglas Carpenter]

233. kick and recommend!!

[handmade34]

236. I Love you Helen!

[rpannier]

240. Christiane Amanpour

I think she has as much integrity
She's as dogged as Ms Thomas but in a different way

[slipslidingaway]

242. Thank you Helen! n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

243. Sorry Helen...

You can't be an anti-Zionist in a business dominated by Zionists, but you sure gave us a hell of a ride.

I'm looking forward to a book and movie. WHO oh WHO will play you?


:patriot:
Salute!

[Lena inRI]

287. Marisa Tomei as the younger Helen. . .

. . .and Helen Thomas herself for the ending of film.



Marisa Tomei, one spunky Helen Thomas she would be!

:fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump:

[MrMickeysMom]

304. Yes, that would work! n/t

[tomm2thumbs]

244. Wow - huge outpouring

I guess Democrats understand the big picture of people's lives aren't to be judged soley by one minute of emotion - sounds like Democrats are good at marriage.

:)

[bluestateguy]

246. I will say thank you

I can't let one stupid statement detract from a great career in journalism.

[PM Martin]

249. k/r

[Techn0Girl]

252. I can't condone what she said and am saddened to see someone like her having said it ....

But with that said I can forgive her, accept her apology and chalk it up to an especially severe Senior moment.

[rumpel]

253. I can not even imagine a WH press corps without Helen...

:(

Thank you - many a times you asked the questions I wanted to hear answers to...

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

258. one of a kind, we'll see you at helenthomas.org

the pressers will be dull as heck and who will hold administration accountable?

[TexasObserver]

263. Net recommendation: +420 votes (Your vote: +1)

[opihimoimoi]

264. me too...she is an ICON and them pubs taste blood by whining shit to bring her down

they are not fit to carry her bags.

[ClayZ]

266. ((((( Helen Thomas )))))

I will miss you!

[SemperEadem]

273. Thank you, Madame, for your courage and individuality.

There is not enough of it in our profession these days.

[mfcorey1]

274. I am so happy to see this thread.

In the midst of all the political uproar, the fact that this woman has been one of few who have made journalism what it should be , is lost. Every outlet has subscribed to "hate Helen mania". She might have had a flub, but in her journey to this point she has been a voice and a source for information that talking heads in today's electronic and print media can never reach. Take your well earned rest, Helen. I am not a cheerleader of your last controversial statement, but I am a cheerleader of efforts at making information available to all as one of this country's top journalist.

[XanaDUer]

276. "Any woman reporter"?

Veronica Guerin lost her life due to her journalistic work.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

277. She has been there to see/report it all as it was happening for 60 yrs and

has earned the right to her well educated opinion after 90 years of living. I will miss her feisty Lebanese ass. May the goddesses continue to bless her semitic heart.

[BridgeTheGap]

279. If she blogs, they will come...in droves. She's earned the right to stick her foot in her mouth

at least once!

[orbitalman]

280. Deservedly... me too. nt

[Joanne98]

282. Thank you Helen. Now you have time to write a book!

[Lost4words]

283. K & R!

[peacetalksforall]

285. Thank you Helen for every time you shook up a Press Conf with a truthful question. You were

water and manna among many shills. Many reporters shrinked when you asked because they knew they should have been asking the same pointed question. Yes, a question can have truth in it, because we know too many of the questions were set ups, plants, and most likely arranged in advance.

A maverick reporter you were because truth in this country is a precious item.

[bdamomma]

286. thank you Helen, you never stopped fighting for us all!

going to miss you sitting in the front row.

[AnArmyVeteran]

288. She was the only WHPC member who asked tough questions. Now it's all wimps...

BTW, almost all of the media only played part of her response. Thomas said for the Jewish people to go home. She mentioned Germany, Poland and America. Thomas was not suggesting they go back to Nazi Germany and be exterminated. Germany isn't Nazi Germany any longer.

But NO ONE can ever say anything about Israel without being labeled as an anti semite. When people hear the world 'Israel' they go into a stupor filled with all kinds of religious hocus pocus and lose all rationalization. Face it, Israel is NOT God's chosen country. That is pure fable and idiocy. People there are fighting and dying over a bunch or rocky hills and 'holy' sites. Good grief! How can anything be 'holy' if it causes so much hatred, division and killing? Would any 'loving' god want people to live in fear, starve to death or kill over something in the material world?

Every shrine (all built by men) should be bulldozed to end the reasons for the division and violence.

Helen Thomas wasn't advocating the extermination of the Jews and anyone who thinks so is a fool. It's sad how the only person on the White House Press Corp who has been the voice of the people was forced out. She was the only person who spoke out strongly against Bush's wars and if the rest of the WHPC had followed Helen Thomas' example those wars would never have been fought.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

289. "woman reporter"

OMG HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!111

[annm4peace]

290. Thank you Helen, and look forward to more of your writing and speaking

We will not forget who attacked you.

You have said what many Jewish people feel and some have also said. Get the hell out of Palestine.


You speak for many many many of us and when asking questions as a reporter you often ask the questions we want to know.


Corporate power is frightened of you, and now we see the White house is frightened of you.

We look forward to seeing what you will write.

[bobburgster]

291. Good for you Helen!

Honesty.

[fascisthunter]

293. thank you Helen

and thanks for pissing off the right wing.

[valerief]

294. Brava, Helen!!!! nt

[Tarc]

295. This is, sadly, what happens when you tell the truth about Israel

A shame.

[baldguy]

296. +1000

[mulsh]

298. Thank You

for being an honest to god journalist in a sea of stenographers. thank you for expressing your opinions, no matter who's ox is gored. These are especially rare qualities lately and you will be sorely missed.

[Tripmann]

299. Thank you Helen. The lone voice in the press core speaking truth to power.

[era veteran]

301. A Sweet Kentucky Girl

she may have not been, she always asked the tough questions. What she said was backwards though, She could have asked about the Palestinians rooted from their homeland and cast into camps so old Europe could feel better about the Holocaust, but she didn't, she started at the end of that argument with the 'send them back' statement. Regardless on how people feel about the ever ongoing strife in the Middle East the Palestinians were fucked over in 1947. Winchester Ky's loss was the countries gain. Come home and relax.

[branders seine]

313. Thanks again Helen.

I wish even one more member of the chattering class had half your guts.

:toast: