Helen Thomas is forced to retire

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeqb8h0I-Bg

n the world of political journalism, it's the end of an era: Helen Thomas has retired just months shy of her 90th birthday.

The longtime White House journalist has covered every president since Dwight Eisenhower and broke several barriers for female journalists but stepped down from her latest role -- a columnist for Hearst Newspapers -- in the wake of controversial remarks made in late May about the need for Jews to "get the hell out of Palestine" and return to Poland and Germany.

"Helen Thomas announced Monday that she is retiring, effective immediately," read a statement from Hearst Newspapers on Monday. "Her decision came after her controversial comments about Israel and the Palestinians were captured on videotape and widely disseminated on the Internet."

Thomas said in a statement that, "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.’’

The decision to retire came as Thomas faced rebuke from nearly every corner after video of her remarks during an interview with RabbiLive.com's Rabbi David Nesenoff emerged online late last week.

"Those remarks were offensive and reprehensible," Gibbs said during the Monday briefing, adding that Thomas's remarks "do not reflect certainly most of the people here and certainly not those of the administration." Thomas did not attend Monday's briefing and journalists, perhaps sensing the closing of an era, were spotted taking pictures of Thomas' empty front row.

Over the weekend, Thomas' agency dropped her as a client and a high school that had asked Thomas to speak at its commencement ceremony revoked the invitation. Such political bigwigs as Dana Perino, Ari Fleischer, Rep. Rick Lazio, Lanny Davis and Joe Lockhart denounced Thomas' remarks, as did many Jewish organizations.

During Thomas' fifty-seven years as a correspondent for United Press International, Thomas earned a reputation as a tough questioner willing to put the feet of politicians to the fire, while simultaneously becoming a whipping boy for conservatives who objected to her liberal viewpoints and, later, for her privileged position within the White House press corps (the middle seat in the front row was -- first by protocol and then by mandate -- designated for Thomas). She became the first female officer of the National Press Club as well as the first female member of the White House Correspondents Association and the Gridiron Club. When UPI was acquired by News World Communications, Inc. in 2000, Thomas resigned from the organization and later joined Hearst Newspapers as a columnist, where she covered national affairs.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0610/Helen_Thomas_retires.html

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I expect Thomas' views are fairly typical of someone from her generation. Of course it is right to question how relevant someone with those views is in the modern day. Probably best to retire.

[mawilson 2,133]

controversial remarks made in late May about the need for Jews to "get the hell out of Palestine" and return to Poland and Germany.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

She's a Lebanese Christian. The Jews would be the only people in the ME that would tolerate her. How ironic.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Ironically, the whole idea after World War II was to get the Jews as far away from Germany and Poland as possible. They all thought that once they are settled in Israel, the maxim out-of-sight, out-of-mind applies and everything would calm down.

As we all know by now, that turned out to be a huge misconception, as the creation of the State of Israel did not only cause problems with the inhabitants of that area, the Palistinians, who were forced to leave their homes and now are being a target for extinction, but basically all other nations in the Middle East as well, all of which would have long taken care of the problem themselves if it wasn't for the superpower USA.

The USA is Israel's only friend, and as long as it's Israel and the USA against the rest of the World, they can basically do as they please.

Most people believe that Helen Thomas spoke from her heart when she made those statements. Yet, she's old and smart enough to know that right or wrong means nothing if you are against the most powerful lobby in the World.

I only hope that one day there will be peace in the Middle East. Most likely it will not happen as long as Israel as an independent State as such exists. My prediction is that one day Israel will be forced to split in two nations, one for the Jews and one for the Palestinians. But since Israel, thanks to our taxpayers' money, is is the 3rd. most powerful military power on planet Earth, it's doubtful that any of us will be live to see it. It will take a very long time to happen, perhaps triggered by a final big standoff that will later be known as World War III.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Ironically, the whole idea after World War II was to get the Jews as far away from Germany and Poland as possible. They all thought that once they are settled in Israel, the maxim out-of-sight, out-of-mind applies and everything would calm down.

As we all know by now, that turned out to be a huge misconception, as the creation of the State of Israel did not only cause problems with the inhabitants of that area, the Palistinians, who were forced to leave their homes and now are being a target for extinction, but basically all other nations in the Middle East as well, all of which would have long taken care of the problem themselves if it wasn't for the superpower USA.

The USA is Israel's only friend, and as long as it's Israel and the USA against the rest of the World, they can basically do as they please.

Most people believe that Helen Thomas spoke from her heart when she made those statements. Yet, she's old and smart enough to know that right or wrong means nothing if you are against the most powerful lobby in the World.

I only hope that one day there will be peace in the Middle East. Most likely it will not happen as long as Israel as an independent State as such exists. My prediction is that one day Israel will be forced to split in two nations, one for the Jews and one for the Palestinians. But since Israel, thanks to our taxpayers' money, is is the 3rd. most powerful military power on planet Earth, it's doubtful that any of us will be live to see it. It will take a very long time to happen, perhaps triggered by a final big standoff that will later be known as World War III.

Bob,

Actually the "current" issue began in 1918 and was a major issue prior to World War 2.

The whole goal is to have two nations. Hence the pullout of Gaza in 2005 by the Israelis. Peace will never occur with Hamas in power. As I've said, with Fatah there is a chance. Look at Egypt, even they have been afraid of Hamas. Most western nations have Hamas on a terrorist list of some type.

Also Israeli's military doesn't even show in the top ten combat forces, unless you consider its nuclear weapons which it never has used despite being in quite a few conflicts.

Edited June 7, 2010 by Sousuke

[IndigoSkies 168]

lol

Edited June 7, 2010 by IndigoSkies

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

lol

?

[JohnSmith2007 353]

?

Totally ignorant remark he later thought better of.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bob,

Actually the "current" issue began in 1918 and was a major issue prior to World War 2.

The whole goal is to have two nations. Hence the pullout of Gaza in 2005 by the Israelis. Peace will never occur with Hamas in power. As I've said, with Fatah there is a chance. Look at Egypt, even they have been afraid of Hamas. Most western nations have Hamas on a terrorist list of some type.

Also Israeli's military doesn't even show in the top ten combat forces, unless you consider its nuclear weapons which it never has used despite being in quite a few conflicts.

How so? What happened in 1918 where you would suggest that as a turning point in History?

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/brits.html

The US is currently the only nation to have released a nuclear weapon during a conflict.

Edited June 7, 2010 by ##########

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

How so? What happened in 1918 where you would suggest that as a turning point in History?

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/brits.html

The US is currently the only nation to have released a nuclear weapon during a conflict. conflict.

My percentage might be off slightly, but prior to 1918 the Jewish population was something like 8%. The migration really began at this point.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

My percentage might be off slightly, but prior to 1918 the Jewish population was something like 8%. The migration really began at this point.

1919 Versailles Peace Conference decides that the conquered Arab provinces will not be restored to Ottoman rule.

First Palestinian National Congress meeting in Jerusalem sends two memoranda to Versailles rejecting Balfour Declaration and demanding independence.

Chaim Weizmann heads Zionist delegation at Versailles Peace Conference.

Emir Faisel wrote a letter to Felix Frankfurter supporting Zionism, “We Arabs...wish the Jews a most hearty welcome.”

That's when Palestine "officially" became a British problem, I guess.

[Dan J 277]

Bob,

Actually the "current" issue began in 1918 and was a major issue prior to World War 2.

The whole goal is to have two nations. Hence the pullout of Gaza in 2005 by the Israelis. Peace will never occur with Hamas in power. As I've said, with Fatah there is a chance. Look at Egypt, even they have been afraid of Hamas. Most western nations have Hamas on a terrorist list of some type.

Also Israeli's military doesn't even show in the top ten combat forces, unless you consider its nuclear weapons which it never has used despite being in quite a few conflicts.

I think Hamas will continue to have power as long as Isreal does not make concrete steps toward peace. Hamas is really powered by popular support, and they get a lot of support in Gaza as they are often seen as the only option to improving their own lives. Its doubtful that most of the people that support Hamas in Gaza really support all of its rhetoric. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

I think Fatah and Isreal should move forward on creating a two state solution regardless of the participation of Hamas. If they can create a path toward peace, Hamas over time will probably loose support as an alternative has been provided.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I think Hamas will continue to have power as long as Isreal does not make concrete steps toward peace. Hamas is really powered by popular support, and they get a lot of support in Gaza as they are often seen as the only option to improving their own lives. Its doubtful that most of the people that support Hamas in Gaza really support all of its rhetoric. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

I think Fatah and Isreal should move forward on creating a two state solution regardless of the participation of Hamas. If they can create a path toward peace, Hamas over time will probably loose support as an alternative has been provided.

I'm sure deep down Fatah would agree as well. For all of those saying that the US only supports Israel, its important to remember that the US also gave Fatah funds and aid.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Racist White Christians gave the land that is now Israel to get the Jews out of Europe and to stop them from blowing up good British citizens. They still want to control things there, and even what is allowed to be said about it. I'm no fan of Helen Thomas, but few Arabs, Christian or not, have forgotten what really happened, even if people in the US have the luxury of denial.