Media Bias Outrage of the Week - The Problem with Helen

Citizens Coalition for Responsible Media (CCRM) ^ | 11/18/2002 | Peacerose

[Peacerose]

The Problem with Helen

11/18/2002

I will risk being acused of being mean to old people now: Helen Thomas has become a doddering idiot. She has lost all good sense if she ever had any. And look out, she's getting crazier! Check out her recent comments at MIT:

"I censored myself for 50 years when I was a reporter. Now I wake up and ask myself, 'Who do I hate today?'"

What a lovely thought! Imagine a conservative pundit saying such a thing! Yet she goes on:

"I have never covered a president who actually wanted to go to war. Bush's policy of pre-emptive war is immoral -- such a policy would legitimize Pearl Harbor. It's as if they learned none of the lessons from Vietnam."...

"Where is the outrage? Where is Congress? They're supine! Bush has held only six press conferences, the only forum in our society where a president can be questioned. I'm on the phone to [press secretary] Ari Fleischer every day, asking will he ever hold another one? The international world is wondering what happened to America's great heart and soul."...

"Great presidents have great goals for mankind. During my years of covering the White House, Kennedy was the most inspired; Johnson rammed through voting rights and public housing; Nixon will be remembered for his trip to China and for his resignation; Ford for helping us recover from Nixon; and Carter for making human rights the centerpiece of foreign policy."

And finally, this gem:

"It's bombs away for Iraq and on our civil liberties if Bush and his cronies get their way. Dissent is patriotic!"

Should she really be allowed access to the White House given her state? Most definitely! Certainly no one takes her seriously! Think of all the good that her unusual outbursts are doing to sell President Bush's agenda! Let's all send Helen a nice note suggesting that she keep up the good work.

E-mail Helen Thomas

Read More Here:

MRC CyberAlert, 11/14/2002

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A Year's Worth of Delusions:
Watch Helen Get Crazier
by the Minute

"You people are acting like this is a conversion to democracy by the sword. How can you - I mean, are you going to kill all these people, to get democracy [in Iraq]?" - Hearst columnist Helen Thomas to Press Secretary Ari Fleischer at the October 2 White House briefing

"Beyond his [President Bush's] opinion that the world will be better off [without Saddam Hussein], did he present any concrete evidence of Iraq on the verge of nuclear planning, nuclear bombs, or any other thing that would really be different than what Israel has today?" - Question from Hearst's White House columnist Helen Thomas at the White House briefing, Sept. 4

"I think the chipping away of our civil liberties is unprecedented. Even in World War II, I never saw anything like that in Washington or any of the wars. I think that people are standing mute, and I remember the rabbi in the March on Washington program. He said that the greatest sin of all in the Nazi era was silence. He had been in a concentration camp for many years. People have got to, they must speak up now or forever hold their peace." - Hearst White House columnist Helen Thomas on MSNBC?s Donahue, July 22

"Compared to his son, Bush 43, he [former President George Bush] was much more knowledgeable about all things in the country, domestic and foreign policy, and he took a much more moderate approach. Bush 43 is really an ultraconservative. He follows in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan [more] than his own father. He's a neophyte in foreign affairs, totally reliant on hardline advisors. He has a way to go. He's a work in progress." - Hearst columnist and longtime White House correspondent Helen Thomas comparing the two President Bushes in a WashingtonPost.com online chat on June 26

"Ari, the President claims he's compassionate, but he's on the warpath against Iraq, Iran, North Korea, the Philippines, and this new report he would use nuclear weapons whenever he gets the urge. Is he trying for dictator? How can anyone feel safe with this kind of militarism?" - Helen Thomas at a White House briefing, April 1

"Ari, does the President think that the Palestinians have a right to resist 35 years of brutal military occupation and suppression?" - Helen Thomas's question to White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, April 1

"President Reagan turned the country to the right. There was a Reagan revolution, a very conservative revolution, and it was social Darwinism. If you can't make it, tough. I mean, he did not believe in social welfare and, but at the same time, he did build up our military. He had a secret plan to spend one trillion dollars on new arms when he came in...."
"Clinton, I think his heart was in the right place. He certainly built up a great prosperity and surplus, balanced the budget, I think that he had great ideals, but, of course, he tarnished the White House with his liaisons and, but eventually, you know, every President, time is the great healer, and every President looks better in retrospect, so I think that he has a legacy that will be worthwhile." - Hearst columnist Helen Thomas speaking at a March 3 Newseum session shown by C-SPAN on March 4

"Ari, what makes the President - I'm taking note of his wide-swinging threats in speeches recently. What makes him think that he has the right to go into a sovereign country and bomb the people?" - Hearst White House correspondent Helen Thomas questioning White House press secretary Ari Fleischer at Dec. 5 briefing shown live on cable news channels

Media Bias watchers will recall that Media Research Center awarded her the Bring Back Bubba Award for 2001(for the Best Journalistic Lewinsky):

"Throughout the eight years that he was in office, President Clinton warned us that the next great menace was international terrorism....

"He also brought unprecedented prosperity to our nation, and because of that, President Clinton [she meant Bush] can use the surplus Mr. Clinton left behind to pay for many of the nation's needs in this time of crisis....

"This lecture series is about the human spirit. To me and millions of others, President Clinton has always personified that. He is the man from Hope, and that is what he has given us, hope. We miss him. Thank you, Mr. President."
-- Former UPI White House reporter Helen Thomas introducing Bill Clinton at an Oct. 9, 2001, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives lecture shown on C-SPAN

[Peacerose]

Citizens Coalition for Responsible Media (CCRM) is the Free Republic Network media bias chapter. You are invited to visit our web site at www.fairpress.org.

[Peacerose]

Flag!

[Slipjack]

All she has ever been was a Babbling Idiot Mole, thats been a Thorn in every Good Persons Side for Socialist DemocRATS... ….

[RAT Patrol]

ROTFL! I love this approach. My "thank you" has been sent!

[VRW Conspirator]

DO NOT be critical of this woman! Give her enough rope. Then when everyone has had their share of Helen Thomas, point to the bias in the media. < /rant >

[Peacerose]

Oh, dear! I don't mean to criticize this sainted feminist pioneer! I'll mail her some more rope right away!

[Mr. Bird]

Bush's policy of pre-emptive war is immoral -- such a policy would legitimize Pearl Harbor. It's as if they learned none of the lessons from Vietnam."...

What the hell is she talking about???? It's sort of funny.....

[Alex Murphy]

Bump

[Khurkris]

One should always treat their elders with some respect....but some elders do make it very hard.

helent@hearstdc.com

[Defiant]

It is a little known fact that Helen Thomas is an Arab, same as Marlo Thomas, and that explains a lot about her world view.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"He follows in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan [more] than his own father."

Thank Heaven!

[bert]

I sent her a note.

It is really sad that a liberal who slurps up the self esteem compliments doesn't realize it's all just a lie to make an ugly old woman have some miserable excuse to live.

Ari knows and twists the knife in her sagging breast.

[Freemeorkillme]

Gently, but firmly FReeped. Such hatred, such bitterness.

One would think she started the school of the Politics of Personal Destruction.

Interesting to hear of her Arab descent as well which really puts the treachery in perspective.

[islander-11]

I did my part - here's my e-mail:

Dear Ms. Thomas:

Thank you for taking these bold stands concerning the President. As you recently stated, "Dissent is patriotic." I agree. America is a great country and your right to act like a clueless escapee from an assisted living facility is protected by our beloved Constitution. Long may you babble - hey, wait a minute, you've already been babbling for a long, long time. How about you realize that President George W. Bush and his fine staff are working tirelessly to protect us all from Muslim savages who wish us dead.

If I were Ari Fleischer, I'd get caller ID to save myself from your daily dose of idiocy.

Sincerely,

Islander-11
Proud Member - Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy

[SteveH]

I sent her a message telling her to keep up the good work for the progressive cause. (Note: I am paraphrasing myself here, using different words than what I said in the message).

I reiterated the righteousness of her cause.

Although I used no foul language, it should have been fairly suspect that I was in fact being sarcastic and saccharin.

Whoa! About an hour or two later, I got a friendly response from her actually thanking me!

I sometimes have gotten the sense of slipping into a Twilight Zone world in the past few months. It sure is clear to me that liberals have lost touch with reality to the point that they no longer recognize rational argument or satire when they see it.

I would laugh except that it seems so pathetic and so dangerous.

[Landru]

I find it more than just interesting this old bag has mistaken Dubya's courage, resolve, & commitment to protect this nation's people as, "...a president who actually wanted to go to war."

So, "Who's paying this old bag's salary?" would be my first question if there were someone, anyone I could ask.

NO; don't tell me!!

...surely *not* The Associated Press.

[LisaFab]

"Where is the outrage? Where is Congress? They're supine! Bush has held only six press conferences, the only forum in our society where a president can be questioned. I'm on the phone to [press secretary] Ari Fleischer every day, asking will he ever hold another one?

What about her beloved "Man from Hope" who, while under investigation AND with our soldiers in the field, did not hold a press conference for TWO FREEPIN' YEARS????

Sorry for shouting, but this pompous, doddering windbag gets to me.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Dear Helen:

[small voice in the wilderness]

It's such a pity that in the winter of her life her heart is icy, her brain is barren, and her looks are brutal. She has such little time left to figure things out and yet she spends these precious moments blathering, blabbering , and bloviating without ceasing. Life is short, Helen, get a clue before it's too late.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Yep.