Jose Antonio Vargas covered the Washington Press Club Foundation dinner in the capital last night for The Washington Post, and the liberals were handing over the highest compliments to one honoree, long-standing leftist UPI reporter Helen Thomas, now a Hearst columnist and author of a book scolding the rest of the press corps for being Bush tools:
On behalf of the House of Representatives, we salute Helen Thomas," said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. "You could have gotten [this award] over and over again, Helen."
"One of the greatest reporters in the history of the republic," Kennedy called her.
This wouldn't be the natural match for Helen claiming President Bush was the worst president ever, would it? Vargas added:
She's been attending these dinners since the late '40s. She was president of the Women's National Press Club in 1959. "I've picked the greatest profession in the world," Thomas said. "There is nothing more indispensable to a democracy than a free press." Spoken like an old pro, still idealistic after all these years.















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And that's coming from one of
February 7, 2007 - 12:39 ET by mattmAnd that's coming from one of the greatest prosecution-avoiders in history!
Helen, not a reporter...
February 7, 2007 - 12:42 ET by Gary HallAnd I was going to get some work done this AM.... I don't understand how anyone can even imply that Helen Thomas is a reporter. Years and years ago, I give that she might have been referred to as a leftist reporter, but in the last 10 years or so... she is not a reporter. She is an opinionist, a columnist. She generally does not ask questions at a press conference, rather she expresses her view (with Republicans - it's a hateful - biggoted view) and demands that someone respond to her view. That is not reporting. Yeaaaaa!
Gary, Thomas asking Snow if he thought 'we' had a great...
February 7, 2007 - 12:46 ET by acaiguanaGary, Thomas asking Snow if he thought 'we' had a great turnout regarding the anti-war protest says it all.
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
oui Monsieur
February 7, 2007 - 12:56 ET by Gary HallOui Monsieur.
Let's see, Helen at a WH press conference... once again - you see, it's not a question - it's a spouting off.
But did, or would, Helen ask such questions of Bill Clinton (or any Democrat for that matter) And just how did Helen question Bill Clinton on his need for "Wanton Killing?"
What about it Helen? You have any desire to ask Bill Clinton about his "belief in killing?"
I'm pretty sure Helan Thomas is dead.
February 7, 2007 - 13:00 ET by acaiguanaI'm pretty sure Helan Thomas is dead.
She appears to be dead.
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
looks like it
February 7, 2007 - 13:19 ET by tumbler_2007I noticed that too, ACA. Helen's a fine example of the embalmer's art, all right.
Wereally needed to insist on
February 7, 2007 - 13:39 ET by Dan The Man 2Wereally needed to insist on a closed casket affair though.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
As well as a 'WARNING, GRAPHI
February 7, 2007 - 13:58 ET by FOXFANAs well as a 'WARNING, GRAPHIC PHOTO' to follow.
Ms. Thomas needs this warni
February 8, 2007 - 11:16 ET by motherbeltMs. Thomas needs this warning:
"Put down the lipstick, raise your hands, and slowly back away from it!"
If every pubic age male had t
February 7, 2007 - 22:12 ET by whitetopIf every pubic age male had to carry and look at a picture of Helen every day they would turn their hormonal energy to their studies and we would end up with a generation of very bright young men. Of course they probably wouldn't be able to procreate.
Snow to Thomas: "I'll as
February 7, 2007 - 16:40 ET by GalvanicSnow to Thomas: "I'll ask the President if there's enough funding in the Transportation budget to build a small bridge for you to live under."
Snow to Thomas: "I'll as
February 7, 2007 - 16:41 ET by Galvanic. . . and a goat!
...to eat, of course...."
February 7, 2007 - 18:27 ET by kathleenirish...to eat, of course....
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Snow to Thomas: "I'll as
February 7, 2007 - 16:41 ET by GalvanicSnow to Thomas: "I'll ask the President if there's enough funding in the Transportation budget to build a small bridge for you to live under."
"One of the greatest r
February 7, 2007 - 12:44 ET by Uncle John"One of the greatest reporters in the history of the republic"
ROFLMFAO!!!
"It isn't that Liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
I cannot believe that anyon
February 7, 2007 - 22:36 ET by motherbeltI cannot believe that anyone could take this woman seriously. She even admits she's not a reporter any more, so what the hell is she doing at press briefings? This is just one more instance of the President trying to do the kind thing (by letting her stay) and being spat upon in return. As Mark Twain said, "No good deed goes unpunished."
It's time someone told her that her welcome is worn out.
Wow - what an idealist to b
February 7, 2007 - 12:48 ET by Dee BunkWow - what an idealist to believe in a free press - that is such a rare sentiment. I'm being sarcastic of course. Thomas doesn't believe in a free press - she believes in a liberal press.
The coming out of Helen
February 7, 2007 - 13:10 ET by SportPoliticsThe coming out of Helen:
Once a respected hack, Helen left years of veiled fake news reporting behind by entering the communication revolution that already exposed Cronkite as a flaming leftist, and that's the way it is. Now this new reporting, out in the open, has assumed the we were always correct then as we are now flavor of Helen's self proclaimed "straight copy".
The future is David Gregory, who smells death in the chair, and has jockeyed for the next coronation, do we get to hear the mushing blessing from the war leader herself ?
" Our job is to oppose government, and by giving our peoples political party stance on all issues as factless and vague, we do that by telling the American people these truths."
And what you described about
February 7, 2007 - 12:50 ET by HumanEventsAnd what you described about Helen Thomas, Gary, is exactly why Teddy considers her one of the greatest "reporters".
Good thing she never got into a motor vehicle with you, eh Ted?
Getting praise from the Swimmer would wound me more than any criticism. Yuck!
This is good for my Helan Thomas Mouse Pad and Lingerie line.
February 7, 2007 - 12:51 ET by acaiguanaThis is good for my Helan Thomas Mouse Pad and Lingerie line.
:-)
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
I was hoping for a non-image
February 7, 2007 - 12:59 ET by FastEdI was hoping for a non-image of your comment, but my mind when blank, sensory overload, trying to remove those thoughts. But, I'm wondering if water world ted would have said the same had she done her job and investigated the tedsters midnight drink-drive-dunk two-step?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
You misspelled it's name. I t
February 7, 2007 - 19:56 ET by Dad GummitYou misspelled it's name. I think you meant "Hell-in" Thomas, right?
"A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left"- Ecclesiastes 10:2
helen is wrong. there is some
February 7, 2007 - 13:03 ET by buddychelen is wrong. there is something more "indespensable to democracy than a free press". it is an impartial free press.
Ted's been on the sauce too l
February 7, 2007 - 13:30 ET by iveseenitallTed's been on the sauce too long. I also hear he's having an affair with Helen. Keep it quiet.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
The amazing thing is that Ted
February 7, 2007 - 13:44 ET by Dave RThe amazing thing is that Ted has enough brain cells remaining intact to compose a complete sentence. Kind of makes you wonder how many off-the-radar liver transplants this guy has had. :-^)
I hate newspapermen.....I regard them as spies.....If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast. -William T. Sherman
And actually Ted has had trou
February 7, 2007 - 14:05 ET by HumanEventsAnd actually Ted has had trouble composing a complete sentence. Recall in 1994 when the Swimmer was scampaigning for his re-election with the Great Stainmaker. This was his "Is this Clinton country?!" speech. (Amazing how everything always has to be about Bill and Hillary even though Bill was supposed to be scampaigning for Ted). In heaping praise on Billy boy, Mr. Chappaquiddick said, "We're gonna start with the next bluh bluh bluh!"
HE
February 7, 2007 - 14:13 ET by Dave RThere was also the hilarious episode where Ted confused Obama and Osama. That was one of the funniest things I have ever heard.
I hate newspapermen.....I regard them as spies.....If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast. -William T. Sherman
You mean BORAT Osama?"A
February 7, 2007 - 19:58 ET by Dad GummitYou mean BORAT Osama?
"A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left"- Ecclesiastes 10:2
You mean BORAT Osama?"A
February 7, 2007 - 19:58 ET by Dad GummitYou mean BORAT Osama?
"A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left"- Ecclesiastes 10:2
Which raises the question, wo
February 8, 2007 - 01:23 ET by Del DolemonteWhich raises the question, would any of our contributors here from the left side of the aisle who regularly assault the incumbent President for "murdering" the English language explain why it's OK for Chappaquidick Fats to do the same? And remember, he did run for President once, so would have been the leader of the free world...
And before you answer, also tell us why it's OK for a Nobel Peace Prize Winner named Jimmy Carter to pronounce "nuclear" the same way Shrub does? I guess some people are more equal than others (sorry, Mr. Orwell!!!)
Del D
February 8, 2007 - 01:42 ET by misterbillBut, can't you see? The fat murdering toad from Massachusetts is not responsible. He has destroyed every brain cell he ever had. Restorative justice says we must forgive him and let him walk our streets in freedom.
It is unclear why Jimmuh and GW say nucuelar. I do not believe it is lack of intelligence.
dave r....now if "the
February 8, 2007 - 01:28 ET by ww thumperdave r....now if "the swimmer " could just get a head transplant.....one with a brain in it this time!.......... ww v Being "Politcaly Correct" with ISLAM will distroy America......V
I think that the reporter lef
February 7, 2007 - 15:04 ET by indianaconservativeI think that the reporter left out part of the quote.
"One of the greatest reporters in the history of the republic, that has served since Abraham Lincoln" .
There, that's better.
She stayed in the Lincoln Bed
February 7, 2007 - 15:39 ET by GalvanicShe stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom when it was still referred to as "The First Room On The Left When You Take a Right at the Top of the Stairs."
What a babe, she should try o
February 7, 2007 - 16:47 ET by Clear thinkerWhat a babe, she should try out for American Idol.
Just occured to me.... didn't she start the 'Liars Club'?
I think even Helen Thomas wou
February 7, 2007 - 18:30 ET by kathleenirishI think even Helen Thomas would shy away from being designated, "the greatest" at anything by the likes of Ted K. The greatest murdering senator, the greatest traitor, the greatest alcoholic, womanizing blimp...
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Here's my 2 cents on this one
February 7, 2007 - 19:04 ET by PeskyDaneHere's my 2 cents on this one. By the very nature of the job, reporters can not be "great." While some of them take considerable risks - such as reporting from a war zone or (once in a great while) exposing organized crime, they are in the end, merely scribes. Regardless of how they view themsleves and how inflated their egos get, they are not, to paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, in the arena. They simply jot down the activities of those in the arena.
As a society we have allowed them to become way too powerful. While taking very few risks themselves, they see themselves as policy shapers - something for which they are grossly underqualified. One of the problems is that everyone wants desperately to matter. And of course, they don't matter. But they've duped enough of the public into thinking that they do matter. Sad, isn't it?
That being said, it would be nice if, as a society we could one day get back to a point where Wolf Blitzer is back to taking dictation, and Madonna is dinning in the kitchen with the rest of the servants.
Ernie Pyle is the greatest reporter of the past 100 years.
February 7, 2007 - 19:07 ET by acaiguanaErnie Pyle is the greatest reporter of the past 100 years.
QED
It is more than insulting to have Teddy Kennedy insult Ernie Pyle's memory with such statements for a third rate news hack like Helan Thomas.
I'm saddened by this.
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Very true, ACA
February 7, 2007 - 19:14 ET by tumbler_2007He definitely was, the best of the century just past.
I was born in Albuquerque; where Ernie worked for a time. He loved our city, and our citizens were damn proud of him. My Junior High School was --are you ready?
Ernie Pyle Junior High School. --It was there I tasted my first tumblerful of whiskey. I was 13; a teenager. Twelve-year olds aren't allowed any alcohol in Albuquerque.
OK, having worked in the rese
February 7, 2007 - 20:01 ET by PeskyDaneOK, having worked in the reserve center in Queens, NY named after him, I am willingly going to the woodshed on this one, with some qualifiers. Ernie Pyle was a great American. While his passion for the printed word was wonderful, his actions were clearly a part of the war effort. He gave us heros - the information he sent back from the front lines was designed to bolster moral both in-theater and at home. That being said, there ARE reporters in Iraq and Afghanistan who file on the heroic deeds on our brave infantry and marines. It is so sad that in the last five years I have seend countless "experts" waxing eloquent with the talking heads, but I have yet to see a single silver or bronze star recipient interviewed by little Katie, Brian Williams, etc. If I missed it, someone please tell me.
To your original point - yes Ernie Pyle was great. Even back then, he stood head and shoulders above most. For example: While Patton was often his own worst enemy, the reporters and pundits who tried to trip him up and get him fired (thus depriving us of our best field general) were disgraceful.
Calling Mike B., Calling Mike B.
February 8, 2007 - 00:24 ET by tumbler_2007Pesky Dane;
Just for the benefit of Mike Bozo; who attempts to make me the racist instead of himself, because I once said the word "Jap" in this blogsite, and not maliciously; -- of course, hit below the belt at tumbler; can't let him talk about racists--
Ernie Pyle's fine coverage of the war in the Pacific, I own the book, Ernie Pyle, Last Chapter is a treasure of great war correspondence. In these stories, he and every other U.S. marine/sailor, be it grunts or brass repeatedly refer to the enemy as JAPS. Everyone in the world did. Japs was synonymous with our foes in the Pacific Islands campaign, and nobody said it for racist motive, he was the enemy. Period. For me to have referred to them as anything but Japs would be to spit in Ernie Pyle's face. He who was so distinguished an American newspaperman and who died in Ie Shima hit by a Japanese machine-gun bullet in his left temple, April 18, 1945-- Was this great man a racist because he used the word Jap? NO? Then neither is the tumbler. I'm proud to call Ernie Pyle my Home Boy, coming from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a great man.
That is the most flattering p
February 7, 2007 - 19:53 ET by Dad GummitThat is the most flattering picture I've seen of her. I hope she never gets her ruby slippers back!
"A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left"- Ecclesiastes 10:2
Reason For Wart
February 7, 2007 - 22:16 ET by acumenI love the on-screen caption in the picture; 'Reason For Wart'
"I've picked the greates
February 8, 2007 - 00:36 ET by bigtimer"I've picked the greatest profession in the world," Thomas said.
LMAO!
'Nuff said.......as they say.