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Helen Thomas: You Cannot Criticize Israel in the US and Survive
Plus: Helen Thomas Cries When She Learns Of President Obama’s Comments About Her
Former White House correspondent Helen Thomas has acknowledged she touched a nerve with remarks about Israel that led to her retirement. But she says the comments were "exactly what I thought," even though she realized soon afterward that it was the end of her job.
Former White House correspondent Helen Thomas has acknowledged she touched a nerve with remarks about Israel that led to her retirement, but she says the comments were "exactly what I thought." "I hit the third rail. You cannot criticize Israel in this country
and survive," Thomas told Ohio station WMRN-AM in a sometimes emotional
35-minute interview that aired Tuesday. It was recorded a week earlier
by WMRN reporter Scott Spears at Thomas' Washington, D.C., condominium.
Thomas, 90, stepped down from her job as a columnist for Hearst News Service in June after a rabbi and independent filmmaker videotaped her outside the White House calling on Israelis to get "out of Palestine." She gave up her front row seat in the White House press room, where she had aimed often pointed questions at 10 presidents, going back to Eisenhower.
She has kept a low profile since then.
"(It was) very hard for the first two weeks. After that, I came out of my coma," said Thomas, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon.
Rabbi David Nesenoff, who runs the website rabbilive.com, said he approached Thomas after he'd been at the White House for Jewish Heritage Day on May 27. He asked whether she had any comments on Israel.
"Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine," she replied.
"Remember, these people are occupied and it's their land. It's not Germany, it's not Poland," she continued. Asked where they should go, she answered, "They should go home."
"Where's home?" Nesenoff asked.
"Poland, Germany and America and everywhere else," Thomas replied.
"I told him exactly what I thought," she told Spears, who said during the interview that some accounts left off her reference to America. Thomas did not disagree.
"I was not talking about Auschwitz or anything else," she said.
"They distorted my remarks, which they obviously have to do for their own propaganda purposes, otherwise people might wonder why they continue to take Palestinian land," said Thomas. There was no explanation of whom "they" referred to.
When she soon began getting calls about her remark, "I said this is the end of my job."
She issued an apology, she told the radio interviewer, because people were upset and she thought she had hurt people. "At the same time, I had the same feelings about Israel's aggression and brutality," Thomas said.
Asked whether she's anti-Semitic, she responded "Baloney!" She said she wants to be remembered for "integrity and my honesty and my belief in good journalism" and would like to work again.
Spears said Thomas granted him the interview because the two had developed a friendship during previous interviews she had done with the station in Marion, some 70 kilometres north of Columbus, Ohio.
Their discussion also touched on current politics, particularly on women.
Thomas described Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as "a hawk." ''I thought women in politics would have more compassion, be more liberal," Thomas said.
As for Sarah Palin, Thomas said she believed the former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate was ambitious enough to run for president.
"That would be a tragedy, a national tragedy," she said, describing Palin as "very conservative, reactionary, unbelievable."
Asked about tea party-backed Republican Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell, Thomas responded with one word: "Frightening."
* * * * *
More from Mediaite:
Helen Thomas Cries When She Learns Of President Obama’s Comments About Her
While printed accounts of the 35-minute radio interview have focused on her inflammatory remarks, subsequent apology, and her opinions of flashpoint politicians Christine O’Donnell and Sarah Palin, they ignore a portion of the interview that packs an emotional wallop. Apparently learning of them for the first time, Helen reacts tearfully to a quote from President Obama.
Host Scott Spears informs Helen that the President called her remarks “offensive and out of line,” and a taken aback Helen asks “Through a spokesman?”
Spears responds that the President made the comment himself in a Today show interview. Here’s Helen’s gut-wrenching reaction:
Apparently, Helen was heretofore only aware of comments by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on the day of Helen’s retirement, which is where she gets the “reprehensible” reference from. Learning of the rebuke from the President himself obviously affected her deeply.
Here’s the President’s quote from that Today Show interview:
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Show AllThe scary part isn't that you can't criticize Israel in America, it's that the overwhelming majority of Americans, when made aware of that fact, shrug and say "Yeah, so?"
FREE AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY (DIRECT) DEMOCRACY
"Yeah, so?" is the response of the overwhelming majority of Americans to any international or military news. It is a problem for sure.
"Yeah, so? What's in it for me?" is the response of the overwhelming majority of Americans to.... everything.
Apathy rules.
that's stupidity, not apathy.
Helen Thomas went where others fear to tread. A lonely honest voice.
Consider all that Helen Thomas has done for journalism and she makes one gaff (legitimate or not) and she's forced to resign. On the other hand, look at all the incendiary and racist comments coming out of the neocons on Fox and other media and at worst, they issue apologies and all is forgotten.
The difference in treatment shows how much power AIPAC and Israel have over our country.
Yes, Progressive and yet.....Obama still has no character. I would say it is how much power our politicos *give* AIPAC. I hold elected officials responsible for their own behavior and the choices they make.
Agree, ultimately, it is the politician's responsiblity and they can't use excuses.
Nevertherless and even so, AIPAC has power because does cajole politicians into policy decisions. Because our politicans have self-interest over public interest, they allow (give) AIPAC power because otherwise they could shrug off any pressure and not worry about reelection and serve the public. But since that is not the case, AIPAC does have power, just like a drug dealer over an addict.
Indeed....But an addict has a much better excuse! And these guys have money to boot! I am sorry Progressive 101, and do appreciate your posts...But regarding our sleazy and corrupt politicos - i'm not gonna cry myself a river for them!
"...she makes one gaff..." the fact that what she said is even considered a "gaff", shows how completely the Israeli propaganda machine has engulfed the world. When we must find ways to avoid the truth in order to survive, we have reached the end.
I apologize to Common Dreams. Mea culpa. Thank you CD for publishing the rest of the Helen Thomas interview where like I said in another post further down the thread, that I thought you edited out Obama's remarks where he threw her under the bus and she called his remarks " reprehensible". Yes, they failed to report the emotional wallop of Obama's words when he called her remarks, about Israel, through a spokesman, " offensive" and " out of line". Helen, you are 90 years young and one of the last of the real MSM reporters that was not afraid to speak truth to power and you proved it by criticizing Israel, even though it cost you your job.
In this case, as in so many others so far in this administration, it is OBAMA who is offensive and out of line.
Helen Thomas has, over many more years than this president, PROVEN what it truly means to serve this country, the way it deserves to be served – with Honesty.
You were a small but brilliant light of hope during the Bush-ages, Helen, but now the president of Hope™® & ©hange has snuffed out that light.
Thank you for all you've done for us! Keep the light shining!
–SS
"the president of Hope™® & ©hange"
yes we con!
yes we con!
Israel's regime is criminal at its core.
Relying on a "heritage" of persecution, they sell themselves as victims
with every incidence of their own brutality.
It is emblematic of all the lies and deceit enveloping congress and our nation,
that a woman journalist of Helen's singular credentials would bear the consequences
for telling the plain and simple truth.
Thank you, Helen.
You are remarkable.
So the progessive viewpoint is the elimination of Israel and not a two state solution?
No, the viewpoint of the US and Israel is to eliminate "Palestine" and create a Jewish Supremacist state called Israel that incorporates ALL of former British Mandate Palestine with NO sovereign state for Palestinians. Get with the program, are you not paying attention? After all Moshe Dayan said years ago that the Palestinians will live like dogs and those that will leave will leave. Is that clear enough for you?
the progressive viewpoint should be "correct the wrong, which is the imperialist idea that the state of Israel be created in Palestine."
ONE STATE in Palestine in which all inhabitannts are equal will be the most ideal, practical, and popular solution to the historical wrong.
those who don't like that may and will leave.
In 1948, 700,000 people had to be dislodged so the illegal state of Israel could be created.
This 62 yo. crime should be very clear to you, either you're a progressive or a conservative.
Bravo Helen Thomas. To hell with Obama and war lords everywhere.
Rick Sanchez criticized Jon Stewart, a jew, and now he's gone too. Have we become the United States of Israel? It appears so. Israeli hegemony over the U.S. appears complete.
Maybe I haven't been paying attention but, name someone who has been forced to resign because they were misquoted by the Jewish community.
Now name people who have been opposed by the Jewish community who have later had their names withdrawn from U.S. nomination.
Now name an illegitimate occupier of Palestine.
Now name the person/s who were misquoted or maligned and compare them to the illegitimate occupier and ask yourself who has credibility.
Helen Thomas is one of the heroic figures of our era. There are so few people in public life who have honesty and courage. She was one of the last. There are now no US Senators who are honest and courageous. Maybe a couple in the House. No one in the administration who is honest and courageous. No one in the Pentagon who is honest and courageous. For honest and courageous journalists, you have to look in the UK not the USA. How did this happen? Why has America so completely and uniformly become a nation of dishonest and cowardly people?
Here is another "victim" that criticized Israel.
http://mycatbirdseat.com/2010/10/dr-sniegoski-joe-sobran-martyr-for-truth/
She issued an apology, she told the radio interviewer, because people were upset and she thought she had hurt people. "At the same time, I had the same feelings about Israel's aggression and brutality," Thomas said.
----------------
Less than four days later, Israeli commandos attacked people on board Mavi Marmama, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, killing 19 civilians and wounding 80 others.
The terror raid took place in international waters, some 65 kilometers off Gaza coast.
Israeli special forces first raided the biggest ship ‘Mavi Marmara’ of the Flotilla. They opened fire on hundreds of civilians on board, killing and injuring dozens of people. The ships were then seized and taken to Ashdod port in Israel.
One of the killed aid workers was an American citizen, a teenager murdered by 5 Israeli bullets, four to the head and one in the chest at close range:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060301931.html
President Obama called Ms. Thomas's remarks about Israel's aggression and brutality "offensive and out of line".
aglebert ,my friend , I can not agree more,as like you say' they might not all be Zionist's, but you take your life.. carreer in your hands, when you for a moment forget, utter a true fact about Israel, or ask the wrong question, or like in 9 out of 10 cases ,'you actually ask a question about Israeli crimes.
But it's getting worse instead of better in Britain,...as the BBC' has been brought onboard now, regards Israeli Lobbying Power,and Media cowardice,or is it just' Journalisic cowardice,one does'nt know no more.
Ilan Pappe: on being an "Enemy of the State of Israel"
http://www.zcommunications.org/enemy-of-the-state-of-israel-by-ilan-pappe
The Israelis have accomplished what few countries have ever done. They are able to justify murder, with little outcry, by simply citing their victimhood.
The beauty of truth radiates from her face.
Who is Congress listening to?
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/whoiscongresslisteningto.html
Helen Thomas is one of the heroic figures of our era. She had courage, honesty, and determination to do her job well. There are few left in US public life with courage, honesty, and determination to do their jobs well. Certainly there are none in the Bush and Obama administrations. There are none in the Senate. None in the Pentagon. For journalists with courage, honesty and determination to do their jobs well, you probably have to go to the UK or to the internet. Certainly there are none in the standard US broadcast media. How could it have happened that America has come to such a situation? We have liars and self-serving careerists in all positions of power. And the population of the USA is comfortable with this.
I see that some fool has "flagged" this comment. Or, maybe it is a "flag" of truth, righteousness and reality? Good comment and thank you for it.
And beyond criticism of Israel, try to get a word out about US funding of Israel.
I was impressed to find at the Oct. 2 rally in DC a group focused on that one issue. In addition to having a table, they were bold enough to circulate through the crowd, and people were listening. I was particularly interested in seeing this activity because in the DC demonstrations revolving around our invasion of Iraq anyone who dared offer any comments about that funding or ask for action was hotly silenced --- by the people who were marching against the Bush administration. But a different group of people showed up for the Oct. 2 march, one perhaps more receptive.
Ilan Pappe: on being an "Enemy of the State of Israel"
http://www.zcommunications.org/enemy-of-the-state-of-israel-by-ilan-pappe
So Obama throws another one under the bus for telling the truth. Rev. Wright, Van Jones, Shirley Sherrod, now Helen Thomas.
Is anyone surprised? Obama's an embarrassment not only to the Black race but to every other race, including many in the animal kingdom.
As for Israel, it's an illegal, terrorist state run by ethnically-motivated murderers and financed by YOU, American taxpayer. A stain on the map of the planet.
True, but do not forget that he threw millions of his misguided but well meaning supporters under the bus and then backed up over them! The consummate con man is what I called him in the last election, but now he is no longer consummate, but just another crooked con man. Only the most politically, sophomoric still support Obomba. He has shown his ugly spots to many and is no longer a Wolf in Sheep's clothing, but just another war mongering, MIC Wolf.
Then crucified Crist for doing nothing wrong , just telling the truth. Where is the justice.
Fantastic News - Israel loses
Charges dropped against French anti-Israel campaigners see:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/146750.html
To anyone that reads this and isn't really sure why talk of Jews or Israel seems to be such a big deal. I recommend the documentary film "Defamation" by Jewish-Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir. It's on Netflix (available in streaming last time I checked). Very illuminating.
It is not out of line to send our military to the Mid east to kill and be killed, but it is out of line to make a statement based on rational thought informed by facts over the course of many decades. President Obama, you are out of line.
"If racist Israeli Jews are not willing to live as equals with the Palestinians, then they should get the hell out of Palestine".