All those in the inner circles of Washington, DC and those who believe in high professional and ethical standards in journalism should rejoice that Helen Thomas has announced her immediate retirement. Her presence as the most senior member of the White House press corps has been a sore embarrassment for way too long. Her constant mindless hectoring of Presidents and their spokespeople, her outspoken advocacy of some far left agenda positions, and her clearly anti-Semitic views have long been brushed over by this image of her being the “tough old dame” in a sea of wishy-washy media drones. Give her credit. She is who she says she is. She has openly admitted her political leanings as if it weren’t clear how she’s reacted to those she’s queried.
She clearly reached the point of no return when she blasted Israel going as far as to call them occupiers of Palestine, in her words demanding Israeli’s “get the hell out of Palestine," and adding they should "go back home to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else."
Her inflammatory comments were spoken on the occasion of a celebration of Jewish Heritage at the White House on May 27th. Once video transcripts of her tirade surfaced, the outcry became louder and more intense.
Her comments went as far as to cause a terse rebuke from the White House Correspondents’ Association, whose President, Ed Chen issued the following statement on the matter:
"Helen Thomas' comments were indefensible and the White House Correspondents Association board firmly dissociates itself from them. Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trail blazer on the White House beat."
Despite her obvious shortcomings, Thomas enjoyed a privileged position in the White House press room, with the premier front row seat. All the while, her status as a reporter was a stretch at best since she resigned from UPI in 2000 when it was purchased by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s media conglomerate, News World Communications, Inc. She was hired by the Hearst organization as a columnist.
Despite her bigoted comments leading to her demise, she will surely be showered with accolades blazing the path for a strong presence for women in journalism and her courage to ask tough questions. Truth be told, was she the mover who helped set such things in motion or was she just riding the tide?
Surely, her professionalism has been questionable for most of her tenure. Were her hard questions a matter of journalistic intensity or a mean spirited attempt at having an ax to grind?
The Washington Press Corp is a better institution without her, and that’s not saying much.
She clearly reached the point of no return when she blasted Israel going as far as to call them occupiers of Palestine, in her words demanding Israeli’s “get the hell out of Palestine," and adding they should "go back home to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else."
Her inflammatory comments were spoken on the occasion of a celebration of Jewish Heritage at the White House on May 27th. Once video transcripts of her tirade surfaced, the outcry became louder and more intense.
Her comments went as far as to cause a terse rebuke from the White House Correspondents’ Association, whose President, Ed Chen issued the following statement on the matter:
"Helen Thomas' comments were indefensible and the White House Correspondents Association board firmly dissociates itself from them. Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trail blazer on the White House beat."
Despite her obvious shortcomings, Thomas enjoyed a privileged position in the White House press room, with the premier front row seat. All the while, her status as a reporter was a stretch at best since she resigned from UPI in 2000 when it was purchased by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s media conglomerate, News World Communications, Inc. She was hired by the Hearst organization as a columnist.
Despite her bigoted comments leading to her demise, she will surely be showered with accolades blazing the path for a strong presence for women in journalism and her courage to ask tough questions. Truth be told, was she the mover who helped set such things in motion or was she just riding the tide?
Surely, her professionalism has been questionable for most of her tenure. Were her hard questions a matter of journalistic intensity or a mean spirited attempt at having an ax to grind?
The Washington Press Corp is a better institution without her, and that’s not saying much.
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