Show some love to Helen Thomas. The feisty broad has been around since before most of you were born. And although I doubt she would take your charity or your pity, I know she would appreciate your love.
What am I talking about? Why the White House black list of reporters.
Dana Perino, Tony Snow, Scott McClellan (anyone else?) all seem to get a type of soup nazi attitude when they stand behind the podium. Ask a tough question... "NO SOUP FOR YOU." Ask a potentially embarrassing question... "NO SOUP FOR YOU." Ask a question that doesn't lead them to a talking points memo... "NO SOUP FOR YOU."
So as we all know and have read and seen on television, Helen Thomas had the temerity to ask Perino "how many more people we kill?" This is in response to Perino explaining away something embarrassing/inconvenient. And Perino response was a simple "I'm going to move on." Which is roughly defined in the WH dictionary as "NOOOO SOUP FOR YOU!!!"
So here is my brilliant idea.
If Perino chooses you for the next question... stand up and give the opportunity to Helen. If Perino won't answer Helen's question... ask it again yourself. If Perino won't finish Helen's discussion point... don't let her dismiss it, continue the discussion. If Perino starts to cry... take some video.
Now I realize their are still a load of Jeff Gannons in the crowd as well as huge ego-maniacs in the room so it may or may not work. But I also think that you can only point to the same few people in the room so many times before it approaches absurdity. "Jeff you had a question. Yes, Jeff in the front row. The guy from Talon News, your question is? Mr. Gannon you turn. O.K. Jeff you needed some clarification." You get my point.
No one wants to be blacklisted but if you are all blacklisted all the better. Its kinda like grade school. One kid in detention sucks. A whole lot of kids in detention is a party.
I know the reporters read this blog. Heck even Helen probably does. Let me know what you think.
Oh... and Helen... I love you.