Jun 11, 2010
What Was She Thinking?
Helen, Helen, Helen. What were you thinking? While I’ve previously given you kudos for more than capably doing your job, I have to say that your forced retirement is for the best. By the way, what were you doing commenting on the Israel situation anyway? Aren’t you supposed to report the news, not be the news? Sad, sad, sad. No coffee for you. On the upside, you can focus on what inevitable will be books and movies in your future.
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I was disappointed, too but I have to say it totally reminded me of my sweet Grandmother, who usually subscribed to the "if you can't say something nice…" policy, and her inability to censor her comments and opinions the older she got. I am still shocked at her response when she found our her grandson was going to marry "a catholic girl." (spoken with venom) She grew up in an era when Catholics and Protestants were not supposed to like or trust each other, let alone intermarry. Things that are SO not an issue anymore and are politically incorrect and I have to wonder (and worry) what kinds of gaffs I will be blurting out in my senior years!
First, I believe she wasn't thinking. We've all said things we shouldn't have and regretted it later.
I kind of agree with Betsy. I was disappointed in her comments too. Being that her parents are Lebanese immigrants, I guess I can understand where the emotion of her comment came from, but it was still very vitriolic.
Now, the comment has no business in any journalism environment, but I'd note that Helen Thomas was a columnist – a writer of opinion – not a reporter, and had been since joining Hearst.
It will be interesting to see if the White House Correspondents' Association will allow another columnist to have the access Thomas had.
And to think she was born in good 'ole Kentucky. For someone who seemed so in touch with journalism and advocacy of women, I just hate that her last claim to fame is so disasterous. You're right – stay tuned for the next steps by the WH Correspondents' Association.
Good point about the age factor. I can't imagine will come out of my mouth as I get older because I'll no longer care about being PC or quiet-lipped. Helen's comments now make me question her objectivity over the years in reporting on the Middle East, considering her anti-Semetic remarks. You can think it, but don't say it, for goodness sakes. Thanks for your comments.
I'm sorry, comments like this can not be excused with age. She should know better. Certainly, we have all had to endure the outbursts of the elders in our lifes (the youngsters, too, for that matter). Anti-semitic comments like this are inexcusable.
Good point Abbie (about the youngsters too). I just can't imagine what she was thinking – she's old enough to know better.