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Helen Thomas recalls 45 years - calls * the worst president in History

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merh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:28 PM
Original message
Helen Thomas recalls 45 years - calls * the worst president in History
Journalist recalls nearly 45 years as White House correspondent
By: Robert Cristo, The Record

LOUDONVILLE - For 57 years former White House reporter Helen Thomas had a front row seat to history unfolding before her eyes, but she said the current administration is making her wish she was blind.

Thomas, who spoke at Siena College's First Woman President symposium Friday, also had plenty to say about serving as a White House correspondent for United Press International. Not all of it was encouraging.

"This president (Bush) doesn't think he has to answer any questions. ... He even says (during press conferences) this is scripted," bemoaned Thomas, 83, who gave up her reporter job to become a syndicated columnist two years ago and routinely trashes Bush on economic and military policy in her columns.
"He stopped taking questions from me," she added with a laugh.

She dubbed the war in Iraq "spreading democracy at gunpoint," calls Bush "the worst" president in American history, and blames Congress for not standing up to Bush on many issues along with the media for failing to ask the tough questions she never shied away from.

(snip)

http://www.troyrecord.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14087628&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=7021&rfi=6
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bryant69 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:29 PM
Response to Original message
1. It's clear that this president has decleared war on the press.
He sees them as teh enemy.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com
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merh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:32 PM
Original message
How about this obvious, yet gutsy statement?
""Since September 11 (2001 terrorist attacks), reporters have been afraid to ask (tough) questions because they were afraid to be called un-American or unpatriotic, but (even when they do) the president doesn't answer them anyway," said Thomas, who added she believes reporters are beginning to get back to asking more hard-hitting questions."

You tell 'em Helen!

Though I don't agree with her statement that they are "beginning to get back to asking more hard-hitting questions."
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NVMojo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:47 PM
Response to Reply #1
6. from the results of the Italian reporter rescue, apparently so ...
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gordianot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 12:13 AM
Response to Reply #1
22. They only declare war on those they do not own.
Which is becoming fewer and fewer every day.
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Lone_Star_Dem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:32 PM
Response to Original message
2. I love that lady.
"Our lives and futures are in the president's hands," she said. "Great presidents don't have to be macho, just great human beings."

I couldn't agree more.
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kris10ep Donating Member (114 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:40 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. What the White House press should be.
Such a great lady. Thanks for posting.
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ClintonTyree Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:41 PM
Response to Original message
4. And HE thinks just the opposite..............
he considers himself "Lincolnesque" and a President that will go down in history as THE one that changed the world forever. He may be correct, but not for the reasons he's thinking. In my opinion, history will be VERY unkind to the little chimp and he will join the ranks of the worst, if not THE worst of all time.

The god damned press corps, no better than a bunch of eunuchs, had BETTER start asking the tough questions again. Not that it will do any good, the little dictator thinks he's above answering questions from the people.
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cornermouse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:43 PM
Response to Original message
5. I blame Congress too.
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merh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:52 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. and SCOTUS
The founding fathers created the 3 branches to try to prevent just what is happening to our country today. How were they to know that all 3 of the branches would reject the constitution, turn their back on the citizens and abandon their responsibilities?
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fooj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:53 PM
Response to Original message
8. The man has absolutely NO integrity whatsoever. What kind of
President arrogantly announces at PRESS CONFERENCES that questions are "scripted"? Then it isn't a press conference, is it? As for Thomas...I love her indominable spirit! Give 'em hell, Helen!!!

Hi Merh!:hi: Happy Sunday!
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merh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 03:56 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Hello fooj
:hi: I hope you have a good Sunday too!

Thank God for patriots like Helen Thomas! :hug:
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fooj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 06:16 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. Amen to that!
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
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peacetalksforall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 04:18 PM
Response to Original message
10. Pick a reporter...any reporter...and compare the person to Thomas..
Edited on Sun Mar-06-05 04:18 PM by higher class
I'll pick Mara Liason...

A Murdoch-FOX and the new NPR shill...she concocts oooooodles of words to praise Bush. And concocting serious expressions to accompany the praise.
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merh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 05:04 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. How about bushbot sawyer who lives in a realm between 2 worlds
liberal hollyweird and supposed investigative journalist. She was once thought of as a hard hitting journalist, but now she is a wishy washy talking head that does puff pieces for the master, disney, and continues to kiss poppy's and his son's ass! Between her and charlie gibson fawning over the weed and the gop, GMA is nothing more than a sick excuse for a news program.
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DeepModem Mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 09:44 PM
Response to Original message
13. kick
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humanriteswritlarge Donating Member (52 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 10:01 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. Americans who used to demand honesty
Although they were not reporters, I wish we had more outspoken women like Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm. They were tough.
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DeepModem Mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 10:17 PM
Response to Reply #14
17. Indeed, humanriteswritlarge -- welcome to DU!
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paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 10:03 PM
Response to Original message
15. Helen Thomas
:yourock:
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solinvictus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 10:17 PM
Response to Original message
16. Integrity..
Helen Thomas has it, most others don't.
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RevCheesehead Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 10:38 PM
Response to Original message
18. I miss Sam Donaldson.
He never let Reagan get away with shit. "Now hold on, Mr. President," was not just a follow-up, it was a challenge. (it was also the title of his book).

When Sam and Helen teamed up, Republicans squirmed. It was a thing of beauty.
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bpilgrim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 10:40 PM
Response to Original message
19. she is simply the BEST!
and spot on, the WORST president, EVER!

peace
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tsuki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 11:03 PM
Response to Original message
20. Gutsy, but always the lady. Ann Coulter is a drunken slut by comparison.
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jdj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-05 11:06 PM
Response to Reply #20
21. please don't even mention them in the same sentence
Coulter is an opportunistic paid mouthpiece, paid to say things that if a man said then he'd be punched in the mouth.

Helen Thomas is a real reporter.
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nookiemonster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 07:16 AM
Response to Reply #21
30. Hold up!
Doesn't the Adam's Apple show her "true" gender.

I'd pop her, er him, in the mouth. LOL.
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elshiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 02:44 AM
Response to Original message
23. Helen Thomas has got some guts.
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Catherine Vincent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 02:51 AM
Response to Original message
24. Oh my!
The freepers will be gunning for her with that comment about their beloved chimp.
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TXDemGal Donating Member (600 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 03:24 AM
Response to Original message
25. When you're right, you're right
And I don't mean ideologically. I love Helen T.!!! :loveya:
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Skittles Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 05:41 AM
Response to Original message
26. Helen Thomas is a national treasure
yes INDEED :thumbsup:
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ebayfool Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 05:55 AM
Response to Reply #26
27. She sure is a national treasure - emailed her after she called them out ..
@ the missing 9 gazillion bucks in Iraq & told her so (along w/a few judicious references to her spine & wishing more in the press room had one like hers!). She answered (my first fan letter, how cool was that!?) & said it was good to know she has a friend when she's in the lion's den. We should clone her!
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Skittles Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 06:27 AM
Response to Reply #27
29. she replied to me too
I think that's what keeps her so mentally spry - that gal doesn't miss a trick; she is always on the go!
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Libby2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 06:09 AM
Response to Original message
28. Yes, he hates reporters
yet they still kiss his ass.
He made that well known before he was selected when he called Clymer an asshole over an open mic.
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Catfight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 08:56 AM
Response to Original message
31. Bush hates a free press and he hates American Constitution. I have
no idea why he swore to uphold the Constitution when his actions have shown time and time again, his loathing of the document that is all American. Helen Thomas was doing her job, wish we could say that about the current pseudo-journalist these days. They're just propagandist with pens.
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GoSolar Donating Member (295 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 10:08 AM
Response to Original message
32. Ms. Thomas,
Thanks for your integrity.
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medeak Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-07-05 02:33 PM
Response to Original message
33. Thank Helen by buying her memoirs
entertaining quick reading and where she originally called *ush "worst president"
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