Sounds like Helen has been spending her evenings listening to our beloved Mark...
Posted on 07/01/2009 10:05:50 PM PDT by FromLori
First the video, that led Thomas to go Nuclear:
Transcript:
Gibbs: “… But, again, let’s–How about we do this? I promise we will interrupt the AP’s tradition of asking the first question. I will let you [Chip Reid] ask me a question tomorrow as to whether you thought the questions at the town hall meeting that the President conducted in Annandale—“
Chip Reid: “I’m perfectly happy to—”
Helen Thomas: “That’s not his point. The point is the control–”
Reid: “Exactly.”
Thomas: “We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not– This White House.”
Gibbs: “Yes, I was going to say, I’ll let you amend her question.”
Thomas: “I’m amazed. I’m amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and—”
Gibbs: “Helen, you haven’t even heard the questions.”
Reid: “It doesn’t matter. It’s the process.”
Thomas: “You have left open—”
Reid: “Even if there’s a tough question, it’s a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”
Thomas: “It’s shocking. It’s really shocking.”
Gibbs: “Chip, let’s have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meeting. How about that?”
Reid: “Okay.”
Gibbs: “I think—“
Thomas: “No, no, no, we’re having it now–”
Gibbs: “Well, I’d be happy to have it now.”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern.”
Gibbs: “Which question did you object to at the town hall meeting, Helen?”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern. It isn’t the question—”
Gibbs: “What’s a pattern?”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern of controlling the press.”
Gibbs: “How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I’m controlling the press–poorly, I might add.”
Thomas: “Your formal engagements are pre-packaged.”
Gibbs: “How so?”
Reid: “Well, and controlling the public—”
Thomas: “How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they’re going to be called on. That is shocking.”
Gibbs: “We had this discussion ad nauseam and—”
Thomas: “Of course you would, because you don’t have any answers.”
Gibbs: “Well, because I didn’t know you were going to ask a question, Helen. Go ahead.”
Thomas: “Well, you should have.”
Reporter: Thank you for your support.
Gibbs: “That’s good. Have you e-mailed your question today?”
Thomas: “I don’t have to e-mail it. I can tell you right now what I want to ask.”
Gibbs: “I don’t doubt that at all, Helen. I don’t doubt that at all.”
After that Helen Thomas went nuclear with a report at CNSNEWS.COM:
Following a testy exchange during today’s briefing with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas told CNSNews.com that not even Richard Nixon tried to control the press the way President Obama is trying to control the press.
“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.
“What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them.”
Thomas said she was especially concerned about the arrangement between the Obama Administration and a writer from the liberal Huffington Post Web site. The writer was invited by the White House to President Obama’s press conference last week on the understanding that he would ask Obama a question about Iran from among questions that had been sent to him by people in Iran.
“When you call the reporter the night before you know damn well what they are going to ask to control you,” Thomas said.
“I’m not saying there has never been managed news before, but this is carried to fare-thee-well–for the town halls, for the press conferences,” she said. “It’s blatant. They don’t give a damn if you know it or not. They ought to be hanging their heads in shame.”
During today’s briefing, Thomas interrupted a back-and-forth between Gibbs and Chip Reid, the White House correspondent for CBS News, when Reid was questioning Gibbs about who was going to decide what questions would be asked of President Obama in a townhall meeting that was scheduled to take place in Annandale, Va., today.
Ah, shaddup Helen! Don't you know that this is what Mark Levin refers to as "The Obama Show?"
That's right, and here's your host, Robert Gibbs!
Now be quiet and follow the script, or you'll end up sitting in the back with Major Garrett!!!!
Helen Thomas and a coherent thought? - GAS!
Good for Helen.
Never thought I’d say that.
I despise that old bat, but she’s finally coming out of her kool-aid induced coma.
I’m guessing it’s been a long time since anyone called her “sweetie”.
Sitting in back with Chip Reid as well, from what I derived from the nervous laughter after Goibbels questioned his new seating arrangement.
Sounds like Helen has been spending her evenings listening to our beloved Mark...
Ok, who stole the troglodyte and replaced her with a real journalist?????
Mark Levin, I luv ya’, ya’ big guy! p.s. you’re handsome , too!
They don’t need you any more, Helen.
The time of the useful idiots is over.
Amazing how the slightest bit of journalistic integrity and objectivity from these flaming leftist Obama worshippers is considered “going nuclear”.
My take on the town hall meetings is that someone should pimp them. Hire an actress, create an identity for her, generate publicity in advance of a town hall meeting with the worst concoction of bad luck, ill health, accidents, job loss, bankruptcy, lack of insurance, mean doctors, etc., etc., etc. Get her into the town meeting audience - and you know that the Obama crew will fall for it like a dog on a bone. Then, figuratively, blow the whole thing up by exposing what an orchestrated fraud it (the promotion of such a major policy shift, in such a false manner) is by using a false plant. As Rush Limbaugh likes to illustrate absurdity by being absurd... someone should crash the Obama PR party.
Remember when this hit the news stands?
And guess who was banished from all airborne press meetings with 0bama the next day?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/obama-newyorker.html
0bama and his lackeys are the most VINDICTIVE, WORTHLESS and SPITEFUL BASTARDS that ever lived!!!!
Lol. And the veil falls away ever so slowly.
They used ya Helen..........and tossed ya away like a dried up old .......errr um. Never mind.
Helen Thomas will be gone by September.
You bought the B.S. and ended up with a mouthful of sh*t and buyer’s remorse, Helen. Still feeling all Hopey/Changey?
Probably sooner lmao
The media CREATED this monster called Obama - so they should be the first to work towards his destruction..
Only by succeeding can the media earn back ANY trust..
At present they have ZERO credibility...
I’m not impressed by Mr. Thomas’ rant. I didn’t see her giving anyone heat during those staged “town hall meetings” during the presidential campaign.
Sleep in that bed, Helen. You helped to sell it.
Don't be fooled. She's only jealous that it wasn't she, who got called to attend the town hall meeting and ask some scripted question herself.
They've all known, and been participating in this liberal propaganda crap for way too long, and they don't like some newbie nudging in on their action.
...someone thaw the Devil. Me and Thomas just agreed on something...
Oh you mean that woman who claimed to be homeless and living out of her car?
Come to find out that she’s a real estate investor:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2192181/posts
I had to see what Barry’s Huff Post said about it and dang, it isn’t on their site.
I’m shocked
Did Garrett get sent to a corner for asking a less than flattering question?
Why hasn't the press reported this.......oh yeah.
They'll toss Helen a bone, and she'll go quietly under the bed and chew on it.
Not really.
IIRC, I heard Dick Morris say on Fox News a while ago that the news media not only gave Bill Clinton some questions in advance, but let the Clinton team select which ones they wanted.
If true, certainly the Marxist Obama administration rates the same courtesy, n'est ce pas?
Is HT really "shocked"?
Nah
It's just an act.
.
Actually, Helen, I think you are sounding a bit, just a tiny bit... racist. So you just think about that, and take a long time to consider how you might make amends. For now, Helen, we need for you to return your press pass. We'll call if Barack requires your services again.
She will be getting an Email account now.
That is a much better video thanks that smug pig gibbs I wish I could reach through the computer and slap his face.
Helen, and others like her, are yesteryear's liberal
dragons, with minds of their own.
Time now to indoctrinate the young and trainable.
Time to do some shedding as that old skin is not
needed any longer.
JJ61
Well, well. The old bat has some principles. Good for her.
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day and on July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.
On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.
When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said "Praise the Lord." And when the young leader said, "I will be for change and I'll bring you change," everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"
But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.
Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?
Would we?
Manuel Alvarez Jr. Sandy Hook.
I'm surprised he didn't say, "Helen, let me be perfectly clear."
Give 'em hell Helen (Was she around with Truman?)
Helen Thomas Wiki page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Thomas#Obama_administration
On July 2, 2009 Thomas, as a member of the media, actually gave the White House some push back. This marks the first time that an American media member has stood up to the regime. Although openness and honesty was their promise, this White House actually scripts the questions that the press can ask. Until now, no member of the press corp has ever questioned this practice. It is believed this is because the press is blinded by their adulation of this President. Popular “tough” questions from the American media for President Obama so far has been, “boxers or briefs?” “How is your new dog?” “Who will win a basketball game?” Real important stuff.
The whole lot of them are pompous asses.
The White House press room has traditions going back roughly forever, of opening and closing presidential news conferences with the wire services, AP and UPI. One asks the first question and the other closes with “thank you, Mr. President.” A similar protocol takes place with WH press briefings.
Thomas was the UPI White House correspondent for decades, so would have been called on according to that protocol, and that is also why she had that front row seat for all those years. Calling on her was not the choice of any White House, they were merely following tradition.
When UPI was bought by a group related to the Rev Moon, she retired from UPI. As a courtesy to her, personally, she was able to retain a front row seat except for a period during the Bush-43 Administration.
So, while the WH and she all knew that she would be first called, it is extremely unlikely that any WH press secretary ever called her beforehand to suggest what the line of questioning might be, as happened with the Huffington Post reporter.
It’s really a very different scenario. In this case, Helen is right. And you don’t know how much it hurts to say that!
I wonder if you could say the same thing about a love child between Helen and Mr. Levin.
Chilling letter. Thanks for posting it, Hildy.
How about this?
On July 2, 2009 Thomas, as a member of the media, actually gave the White House some push back. This marks the first time that an American media member has stood up to the regime. Although openness and honesty was their promise, this White House actually scripts the questions that the press can ask. Successful radio host Mark Levin has sarcastically referred to the White House press meetings as "The Obama Show" simply because Robert Gibbs assumes complete control of the discussions, while expecting the media personnel to follow a carefully written script. Hence, Dr. Levin references these Q&A sessions as something of a poorly assembled televion show, with Obama being the primary subject of discussion.
Until now, no member of the press corp has ever questioned this practice. It is believed this is because the press is blinded by their adulation of this President. Popular “tough” questions from the American media for President Obama so far has been, “boxers or briefs?” “How is your new dog?” “Who will win a basketball game?” Real important stuff.
I’m no Helen fan, but Gibbs was obnoxious and condescending to her.
It was already gone, oh well I tried...lol
Wikipedia = Obamadrones.com
The man needs a script....He needs to know whats coming... no surprise questions please.
“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.
Sometimes it takes the very young or the very old to state the obvious truth.
The arrogance of that AH at the podium was spectacular.
same here and good for her- if she could only stand up and shake a bony fist at that TOTAL SLEAZEBALL GIBBS
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