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Hostile tone (Helen Thomas Alert)
Washington Times | 12/10/01 | Greg Pierce

Posted on 12/10/2001 3:36:53 AM PST by Lance Romance

Hostile tone
     "At Wednesday's White House press briefing former UPI reporter Helen Thomas demanded to know what makes President Bush 'think that he has the right to go into a sovereign country and bomb the people?'" the Media Research Center (www.mrc.org) reported.
     "As the senior White House correspondent Thomas, now a columnist with Hearst Newspapers, gets the first question when she attends briefings, which isn't very often anymore," the MRC's Brent Baker wrote.
     "On December 5, she took advantage of her privileged position to pose this question to Press Secretary Ari Fleischer: '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?'
     "Fleischer was baffled by her hostile tone: 'His threats?'
     "Thomas: 'Any country. Yes, he's —'
     "Fleischer: 'Would you like to be more specific?'
     "Thomas: 'Does he think he can go beyond Afghanistan or anywhere else?'
     "Fleischer responded: 'The president has made it clear to the American people that the United States, in the wake of an attack on our country, will defend itself. And as a result of defending ourselves, you can see what is happening in Afghanistan. The president has said that this is a war against terrorism because terrorists continue to pose a threat to the United States and to others around the world, and that he is involved in phase one of defending this country against terrorists, and he will continue to do so. Major.'
     "Thomas, raising her voice to cut off CNN's Major Garrett: 'What gives him the authority to go into other countries and bomb them, which is what he is threatening to do?'
     "Fleischer tried again: 'The right as the commander-in-chief to protect and defend the American people.'
     "The real wonder is why the White House still provides press credentials to such a political activist," Mr. Baker opined.


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To: oyez
I think we need to mess with her head and put her into a briefing with Rummy - let's she how she's walking after that experience!
21 posted on 12/10/2001 4:21:41 AM PST by Clintons Are White Trash
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To: ConservativeyetHotChick
Okay,Helen,I think its time for your nap.
22 posted on 12/10/2001 4:22:58 AM PST by cardinal4
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To: oyez
I can't remember MS Thomas harassing the Clinton administration.

That's because she was down on her kneepads the whole time--worshipping, adoring, and probably servicing The Sink Emporer, if you know what I mean. ("Hey babe-uh, yuh know ahv never trahd it with a broad who took out her dentures!!!")

23 posted on 12/10/2001 4:25:27 AM PST by RooRoobird14
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To: YaYa123
Why doesn't one of the DC Freepers apply for a WH press pass? What a way for Dubya to insult the WH Press Corps!
24 posted on 12/10/2001 4:25:48 AM PST by an amused spectator
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To: Lance Romance
Did she ever ask that question of Bill Clinton?
25 posted on 12/10/2001 4:27:31 AM PST by Kermit
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To: Movemout
" If the questions are inappropriate then do not answer."

Yet once again I contradict myself. I mean that one should answer, even inappropriate or wrongly phrased questions, by identifying the illogic or inappropriateness of the question. The probing of the press is nearly always self serving. If a member of the press can inadvertently cause an admission of commission of perceived wrongdoing, or omission of responsible action by a public official, then a feather of achievement may be added to one's cap as a journalist. This is a logical outcome of our system of free speech. I find it to be acceptable when the objective is truth and not support of a liberal or conservative objective. Most often it is support of a liberal cause. How unfortunate that is.

26 posted on 12/10/2001 4:34:07 AM PST by Movemout
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To: Lance Romance


27 posted on 12/10/2001 4:36:35 AM PST by KS Flyover
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To: KS Flyover
Whoa!!! Those 2 noses in one shot can ruin a person's breakfast!!! LOL.

Mutual admiration of two 'has beens'. How disgusting!

28 posted on 12/10/2001 4:42:02 AM PST by LADY J
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To: Fintan
The right as the commander-in-chief to protect and

Didn't look but I 'spect it's more of a presidential duty than right...
29 posted on 12/10/2001 4:44:29 AM PST by sasquatch
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To: YaYa123
Ellen Ratner is a classic. She claims she lives in DC, but has a "summer place" in Maryland because she won't have her official residence in a state that has the death penalty.
30 posted on 12/10/2001 4:45:24 AM PST by MindBender26
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To: KS Flyover
We know what the stain on the blue dress was. What is that somewhat oval shaped white stain on the shoulder of the black suit? And why are they looking so...satisfied? So fond, so reminiscing?
31 posted on 12/10/2001 4:48:02 AM PST by ChemistCat
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To: Lance Romance
What makes a senile old relic think she has the right to pose as a journalist?
32 posted on 12/10/2001 4:54:10 AM PST by Mamzelle
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To: KS Flyover
KS, just a quick question. Is that a white stain on the right shoulder of impeached former president clinton's suit coat?

If so, I don't care to hear how it got there.

33 posted on 12/10/2001 4:56:05 AM PST by EODGUY
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To: winin2000
May 17, 2000

Helen Thomas, the veteran White House correspondent, has announced her resignation from United Press International, at age 79. The announcement comes a day after UPI's sale to News World Communications, founded by the Rev. Sun Moon and parent company of The Washington Times. Thomas was known for her no-nonsense questioning of presidents and press secretaries during her 57 years working in Washington for United Press, which hired her as a $24-a-week radio script writer during World War II. "Helen is truly a legend in her own time," said UPI chief Arnaud de Borchgrave. "She has outrun the best of them because she is the best of them." She has said she has no plans to retire and hopes to continue covering the White House.

Guess not.

34 posted on 12/10/2001 4:57:10 AM PST by #1CTYankee
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To: ChemistCat; KS Flyover
CC, I was writing while you were posting. I was hoping that the while stain was evident to all and not just a monitor problem.
35 posted on 12/10/2001 4:59:43 AM PST by EODGUY
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To: candyman34
" requires a lot of ass kissing or she feels hurt rather easily "

That is the definition of a LIBERAL.

Compare this characteristic to hitlary, bubba, barbara - the whole hollywood crowd, the kennedys, they all the same. Must be the drugs!

36 posted on 12/10/2001 5:03:55 AM PST by DrJasper
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To: EODGUY; ChemistCat
Well, it's about the same height as ol' Helens' nose.

Maybe they were slow dancing and she sneezed.

37 posted on 12/10/2001 5:04:53 AM PST by KS Flyover
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To: Lance Romance
The old bird needs her medication.
38 posted on 12/10/2001 5:06:06 AM PST by Doctor Freeze
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To: KS Flyover
Aha, the old Helen Thomas lugee defense.

I can see why she would have to stick her nose in the pervert's armpit while dancing, just to make room for others on the dance floor.

39 posted on 12/10/2001 5:10:51 AM PST by EODGUY
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To: MindBender26
"...After the first few of what was to be many glasses of wine,..."

..." By the time we finished, she had probably gone through more than a full bottle of red wine herself..."

Excuse me? There are only 4 glasses of wine in an ordinary bottle of wine.

She's a dirty, liberal b*tch....but let's not paint her as a boozer, okay?

Just trying to keep things honest in here, that's all.

40 posted on 12/10/2001 5:11:59 AM PST by DCPatriot
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