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Helen Thomas decries lack of outrage over Iraq (MBA)
The Winchester Sun ^ | 04/28/2006 | By LIZ MAPLES

Posted on 04/29/2006 6:28:38 AM PDT by oxcart

Legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas has sharply questioned U.S. presidents for 46 years, but when she spoke at Centre College Thursday, she had a question for the American people.

“Where is the outrage?”

The subject of that outrage, Thomas said, should be the war in Iraq and President George W. Bush.

She made a plea for peace and suggested Bush do as President Lyndon Johnson was advised in Vietnam, “Declare a victory and leave.”

Thomas, a Winchester native, said she was glad to come home to find the word “liberal isn't demonized” here.

The 85-year-old was quick on her feet, passing out wit and witticism to a packed house at Weisiger Theatre. She was invited to be the sixth speaker in the Press Distinguished Lecture Series, named in honor of Kentucky civic leaders O. Leonard and Lillian H. Press.

Thomas has covered every president since John F. Kennedy, who she said was her favorite. She started in Washington D.C. as a copy girl making $17.50 a week and worked her way up to a position at United Press International, which she kept until 2000. Thomas still works as a White House correspondent for Hearst Newspapers.

“There is truth in the papers,” she said. “It's in the comic strips.”

Each president, she said, has come with his own disdain of the press. Kennedy said as president he was reading more and enjoying it less. What Johnson said about the press was “unprintable,” Thomas said.

When President Reagan was told a press helicopter in Honduras had been fired upon, he said, “There is some good in everyone.” President Clinton was asked why the press corps followed him on his morning jogs and he said they just wanted to see him drop dead.

After razzing both presidents and press, Thomas answered questions.

Asked who was her favorite president and why, she said Kennedy because he knew the difference between war and peace.

Asked if there was ever a justifiable reason for America to go to war, she said conflicts should be resolved through the United Nations and non-violent pressure. Thomas agreed with the decision to invade Afghanistan but said that bombing Iraq has just been on the agenda of neo-conservatives to secure oil and posturing in case of a third World War.

Asked what has been Bush's greatest accomplishment, she quoted Eisenhower, who on the occasion of being asked what policy decisions then Vice President Richard Nixon participated in, said, “Give me a week and I'll think of something.”

She was asked if the media is doing its job, a reference to an earlier comment Thomas made about how the press hadn't asked hard questions after 9/11 because they feared being called unpatriotic. Thomas answered the question by saying, “I think the media is coming out of their coma.”

Asked if there was anyone in the political arena today with the same qualities as Kennedy, Thomas said, “No.” She said presidents come into themselves once they are in office. “There is no such thing as an instant president.”

Asked who she thought would get the Democrat and Republican nominations for president in 2008, Thomas said Hillary Clinton and John McCain. She added that she is always wrong.

Asked if bloggers have had any impact on journalism, she said there has been a tremendous effect, putting some politicians out of business. However, she said, “We have reached the stage where everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist. ... It's very frightening.”


TOPICS: Extended News; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: barking; beyondredemption; blahblahblah; moonbat; saddamssupporter; uglierthansin; wickedoldwitch
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To: oxcart

As the country goes to see United 93, I have the same question for the nation.


81 posted on 04/29/2006 11:12:06 AM PDT by Wiseghy ("You want to break this army? Then break your word to it.")
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To: oxcart
“We have reached the stage where everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist. ... It's very frightening.”

Boo!

Skank.

82 posted on 04/29/2006 11:16:35 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
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To: Popman

83 posted on 04/29/2006 1:24:20 PM PDT by mcar
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To: CurlyBill

Is there a car in that picture?


84 posted on 04/29/2006 2:10:51 PM PDT by Popman ("What I was doing wasn't living, it was dying. I really think God had better plans for me.")
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To: mcar

Very good!!!


85 posted on 04/29/2006 2:11:31 PM PDT by Popman ("What I was doing wasn't living, it was dying. I really think God had better plans for me.")
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To: Popman
Is there a car in that picture?

What car? I don't know what you're talking about.

86 posted on 04/29/2006 3:51:33 PM PDT by CurlyBill (Democratic Party = Surrender Party)
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To: I still care

Thanks. Now I remember it.


87 posted on 04/29/2006 4:43:59 PM PDT by doug from upland (Stopping Hillary should be a FreeRepublic Manhattan Project)
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To: oxcart
She added that she is always wrong.

...ain't that the truth.

88 posted on 04/29/2006 4:49:39 PM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: Thebaddog
Can you name one democratic president in the last 46 years that she has treated the way she treats W? Is she married? She needs someone else to push around.

The only men brave enough are winners of the Medal of Honor, and they are all too patriotic to put up with Helen's crap.

89 posted on 04/29/2006 6:16:51 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: toomuchcoffee

Kennedy told at least a couple of close friends that he got terrible headaches if he didn't have sex at least once a day.


90 posted on 04/29/2006 6:24:00 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: I still care
"Remember... for it is the doom of men that they forget" - Merlin, from Excalibur

Great movie.

91 posted on 04/29/2006 6:25:54 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: P-40
It must be sad to live so long you get to see yourself become irrelevant.

Nah. Becoming irrelevant isn't the sad part. The sad part is trying to hang onto it with your fingernails.

92 posted on 04/29/2006 6:34:55 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (TRY JESUS. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.)
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To: Mr. Silverback
The sad part is trying to hang onto it with your fingernails.

That reminds me of some Hollywood actors and actresses that try and be a big shot long after their services are no longer needed. And the funny thing is, so long as one changes with the world, they stay relevant for the most part.
93 posted on 04/29/2006 7:50:25 PM PDT by P-40 (http://www.590klbj.com/forum/index.php?referrerid=1854)
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