Helen Thomas is such a wonderful national treasure. What a lovable curmudgeon. She gives the White House hell in her new book,
WatchDogs Of Democracy, as is reported in an
exlusive Raw Story expert from the book.
In new book, White House reporter Helen Thomas calls Bush press secretaries robots spouting nonsense Raw Story's investments in expanding staff and moving upscale seem to be paying off, as they bring us tantalizing tidbits from pages 36-37 and 52-56. The book will hit bookstores June 15. You'll have to go over to Raw Story, because this is such an exclusive, I have to obey fair use guidelines more strictly. But here's a couple paragraphs as an appetizer.
The Bush-2 spokesmen were predictable and Orwellian. They lived in fear that there would be a news leak, which made Bush apoplectic, not the first president with such a reaction. Fleischer and McClellan marched in lockstep in the most secretive administration in modern history.
Ari Fleischer Laughed Off Podium
I don't want to appear to relish in other folks dispair, however, I have to admit that I find it comforting, and even funny, to hear the White House Press core wasn't always the complacent bunch of accomadating lapdogs as they have often appeared to be.
But even Fleischer realized he had overstepped his bounds when he told reporters that some in the White House were noting their comments and they should "watch what they say."</</p>
Reporters practically leaped out of their seats
"What did you say?" they demanded in chorus. Looking abashed, he quickly left the podium. Sometimes he was even laughed off the podium, but not often. Fleischer was articulate and had perfected the proverbial game of ducking and dodging when questions became too tough.
Helen Explains How She Became Persona Non Grata To Bush2 Administration
A few months back when President Bush finally called on Helen Thomas after a reported several year freeze out I was curious as to what it was she did to achieve her special status. We discover that here.
I endeared myself to President Bush-2 and his press secretary when Bush dropped into the pressroom a couple of weeks after taking office in his first term. He dutifully went down the line of reporters in the front row, where I had retained my seat on the basis of seniority. They were the regulars for the national television networks and the wire services, Associated Press and Reuters. Each of those reporters asked about Bush's top-priority tax cuts.
When the new president got to me I asked, "Mr. President, why don't you respect the wall of separation of church and state?"
It was as if I had physically struck him.
He drew back and said, "I do," to which I responded, "If you did, you would not have a religious office in the White House. You are secular?"
"I am secular," he insisted.
A few hours later, I received a telephone call from Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who said, "What's the idea of blindsiding the president?" I responded that I had asked a legitimate question.
I was soon to become persona non grata in the eyes of the Bush administration as I committed many more "heresies" with my questions, columns, and opinions.
Scorn For Fleischer and McClellan
Helen has positive things to say about some others and is very fair. But given that I can only share one more little block, I thought this audience would appreciate her scorn for the Bush 2 deceptions around the war in Iraq, as well as some criticism of her colleagues and congress. Here, we join Helen quoting Ari Fleischer from his book:
"I said from the White House podium on many occasions that we knew Saddam Hussein possessed chemical weapons. I said we knew Saddam possessed biological weapons," Fleischer continued in his book. Any remorse at the falsehoods? Hell, no. After blaming faulty intelligence and some other world leaders who thought Iraq possessed the doomsday weapons, Fleischer said, "The Bush administration may have been wrong about Saddam's capabilities, but we weren't wrong about his intentions."
Mind reader Fleischer said that Saddam was simply "biding his time" before confronting the West and Israel with the deadly weapons. Nice going, Ari. It certainly set the tone for press secretaries anointed to warm up the crowd for war.
Fleischer and McClellan obviously did not see themselves as public servants. Nor did they aspire to such a delusion. McClellan was unflappable in defending the indefensible at times. I am, however, critical of the media for taking too long to challenge the administration on the war, to ask the tough questions, to stop accepting at face value the administration's stands on war justification, human rights, and international cooperation, including violations of the Geneva Convention.
But, then, in bashing the press, I come down even harder on Congress--the people's representatives--who cared more about reelection than opposing the madness of an unprovoked war.
All this would be sophistry if it did not carry such a terrible human price. To dismiss months of deception with Fleischer's explanation is disgraceful.
Conclusion
Yes, it was and still is disgraceful. But notice how much easier it is to hear such an indictment from little Hellen, who looks like everyone grandmother. If she were larger, she would be accused of being a an angry left wing bully, or idealogue.
But, instead, because she fulfills the archetype of "everyone's loveable grandma," she can tell us things we might refuse to hear from someone else.
I'm trying to learn from Helen how to do this better, perhaps, all progressives can. Our role, as a group that is almost by definition encouraging our society to move forward -- to be more intelligent, responsible, compassionate, wiser, consscience, nurturing, fairer, and wiser -- we consistently appear to be criticizing the shortcomings or "others," even though most of us recognize our own needs for improvement and our shared collective culpability in our current state of affairs.
Where most might see things more "as they are" we tend to see things "as they should be."
But, then sadly, often when we are merely intending to share a more positive vision of possible futures, ego dynamics come into play, where others may have the impression we are being arrogant, shrill, angry, critical, unsympathetic etc. And therefor, tune us out.
Isn't it sort of curious that the right wing, and even some "pseudo" moderates are attempting to position "progressives" as marginal, angry, wingnut ideaologues?
What could be further from the truth? I thought it was sort of obvious to anyone who looked carefully, that we are actually represtatives of the best most noble center of our human aspirations for goodness? How could such a misperception arise?
So to me, the Helen Thomas is more than just an inspiring and heart-warming story of personal courage as a woman, as a short person, as a person of age, and all the other ways of interpreting the generic tale of the "herioc triump of the unlikely underdog."
But she also hold insights into to how to slip past the usual defense mechanisms we all have to protect us from messages we do not want to hear.
So, I can't wait to get this book.
And how wonderful is it to have such an strong courageous and intelligent woman leading the White House Press Corp with 46 years of experience in the White House press press room. In a day when so many talking heads seem to be chosen for appearances as much as anything else it is so inspirational to see someone still making such a strong contribution well after the age were traditional expectations are that you should retire.
By the way, I sent Helen a copy of the DailyKos poll I put in the article I did here in the winter when she humbled Bush by asking 'why he really took the country to war in Iraq.' Over 2000 of you agreed with the statement of how wonderful she is and how much we love her. She sent me back a thank you email saying it is "so good to have so many friends here." I should have shared it with you earlier. I see if I can get it. Maybe we can rerun the poll again and I can think of some better questions than "how much to you love Helen Thomas?" A whole lot, tremendous amounts, or to the max?
I have to admit, she has such an unbelievable history of intelligence that I don't want to appear like a fluff-ball. So let me think on it for a bit. If you read this before I put up the poll please check in later.
By the way, sorry to have been absent from my own diary yesterday on the chemical industry's inappropriate lobbying of the EPA. Someone spilt something into the back of my monitor which I am still trying to "smoke" out. So I was out of action all day. Thanks to all of you who held down the fort for me, and sorry I didn't get action steps up. I'm going to ask Elise is I can get her to include some links to the obvious next steps for those of who all who are willing to help us raise our country's awareness of these critical environmental issues.
But today I want to luxuriate in a more upbeat feeling of gratitude and appreciation of Helen Thomas. Isn't is great to have some pleasant and upbeat news to report on for a change?
PS: Here are links to two other recent Helen Thomas diaries I did recently.
26. Helen Thomas's Bush Question Reduces Bill O'Reilly To A Limp Puddle of Impotent Rage
29. Helen Thomas Delivers President Bush Another Knock Out Punch In Her Column Today
(Diaries, All Topics)
posted by Lolligolli on 03/22/2006 18:06:51 PDT
177 comments ( new)
PPS: Last Poll Results Sent To Helen
Gosh, I remember this being winter was it really only from March 22? How far has Bush fallen from then. Hounddog wrote a diary suggesting that magic moment will go down in history as the Tipping Point in the Fall of the Bush 43 Administration.
Here' a copy of the old poll. I'm still trying to think of one to add here.
And go Helen Thomas. Thank you for your service to our country, and your courage, toughness, and honesty. You're on a roll and you should keep punching until we all get some straight answers.
Poll: Which is your favorite Helen Thomas question or statement?
To Bush: Why did you really go to war? 6%
To Bush: Iraq didn't do anything to our country. 2%
To Blitzer: Come back. All is forgiven. 5%
About Pentagon: From Vietnam they learned not to show us photos, or give reports of body bags. 0%
To President when rambling about Afghanistan: I'm talking about Iraq 11%
And Speaking of Vietnam does anyone see a light at the end of the tunnel. 0%
All of the above: Helen Thomas is a great American hero and should be honored and congratulated for her service to our country and the world. 69%
None of the above: gosh it's embarassing that Helen should pick on the disabled in public. 3%
Votes: 2025