Helen Thomas Expressed Obama's True Sentiment About Jews? Possibly

Helen Thomas' Words, Barack Obama's Policy


Most Americans are outraged at Helen Thomas' culturally and ethnically based anti-semitic biases, said with seemingly complete sobriety and coherence this past week to a rolling video camera. But if Americans are honest, they would have to admit that the current administration's policies, positions, and preferences towards Israel come scarily close to agreement with the disgraced columnist for Hearst newspapers.

This is particularly so in recent weeks.

It is one thing for a journalist with ethnic origins from the middle east to advocate over and over again across many administrations for the elimination of the Israeli state. It is another matter altogether for the first President in perhaps two generations to make the case that Israel should be left defenseless, so as to allow her enemies eliminate her.

One is nothing more dangerous than rhetoric that only weak-minded people would absorb. The other is a dangerous position towards one of America's most important allies, in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods on the globe.



One makes a statement to a camera, knowing and understanding that what she is saying is being recorded, and will likely be revealed. The other has been running anti-Israeli subterfuge for the entirety of his time in office, and while intending to keep his bad behavior from coming to light, was unable to prevent things like making Israel's elected Prime Minister wait for hours unattended in a White House meeting room.

Helen Thomas has often held, and even on occasion been cited spouting the view of terrorist groups, specifically Hezbollah, a group that has been and is currently still on America's terror watch list. Barack Obama has at every opportunity expressed dissatisfaction on Israel's domestic policy, even wishing to tell them where they may or may not build homes. He has done this while mostly ignoring terror threats from other noted terror states who have never relented from their promise to wipe Israel off the map.

Helen Thomas regularly and dishonestly made up facts to support her questions that were more statement of opinion concluded with question marks. Barack Obama demands answers of Israel on moves they make to prevent groups from shipping dangerous weapons across open waters directly into Gaza and thus giving the terrorists ability to aim and fire on Israeli towns.

President Obama condemns the lack of international alert to Israel's right to board hostile vessels in waters off their shore. Helen Thomas condemned the right of Israel to shoot back at terrorists who were lobbing missiles into their territory from Lebanon (her nation of origin).

Both have been largely silent on the disgusting video display of the animals attacking Israeli Defense Forces, brutalizing them with clubs, sections of pipe, and knives.

Both have also been silent on the administration's position on a United Nation's resolution that was passed late on a Friday afternoon (thus avoiding much media scrutiny) in which for the first time ever, the American administration took the anti-American view siding against Israel and calling for the tiny nation to eliminate their nuclear weapons.

Weapons that have kept the peace in the middle east for several decades, never once having been fired.

President Obama has treated Prime Minister Netanyahu appallingly. Multiple times. His efforts to handcuff the most significant ally we have in the region have caused the Israelis to realize that we might not be their best friend these days. His constant suspicious judgement of those who are on our side has perhaps helped them understand that they may need to be more vigilant, understanding they may have to go the fight for freedom alone.

Yes, after the immediate aftermath of the flotilla attacks, the administration put on a strict "we support Israel," letter of the law face of support.

But the President's heart was not in it then, and his distrust of Israel is notable even now.

Both believe it, but Helen Thomas said it, and President Barack Obama is attempting to legislate it.

Crazy Aunt Helen should be put out to pasture for an extended absence from the media stage.



But I'm of equal opinion that President Obama should have his agenda sent to the same place. Alienating allies is not the part of "Hope and Change" that the America voted for.

And if he needs to have it proven to him... well...

November is closing fast.


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Sources: Townhall.com, Washington Post, Youtube, Google Maps

"Jews Should Get the Hell Out of Palestine", Helen Thomas Resigns (Video)

Helen Thomas Retires Amid Controversy Over Israel Remarks



Veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas announced Monday that she is retiring, effective immediately, in the wake of a controversy over her comments on Israel, according to a report from her employer, Hearst News Service.

Thomas told a rabbi at a White House event last week that Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and go back to Germany and Poland.

"I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians," Thomas said in a statement on her Web site. "They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."

Thomas's comments provoked sharp criticism within the close-knit world of White House reporters, and drew a rebuke from the White House podium Monday. With her seat conspicuously empty at the daily briefing, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs assailed Thomas for her words.

"Those remarks were offensive and reprehensible," Gibbs said, noting that Thomas has apologized. Her sentiments "do not reflect certainly most of the people here and certainly not those of the administration."

Thomas, 89, who has covered the White House for decades, canceled a speech over the weekend and was dropped by a speakers' bureau that represented her. The controversy comes at a precarious moment in the Middle East, after an Israeli assault on an aid flotilla that left 11 dead and prompted an international outcry.

The Board of the White House Correspondents Association also issued a statement Monday calling her comment "indefensible."

The full WHCA statement follows:

Helen Thomas' comments were indefensible and the White House Correspondents Association board firmly dissociates itself from them. Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trail blazer on the White House beat.

While Helen has not been a member of the WHCA for many years, her special status in the briefing room has helped solidify her as the dean of the White House press corps so we feel the need to speak out strongly on this matter.

We want to emphasize that the role of the WHCA is to represent the White House press corps in its dealings with the White House on coverage-related issues. We do not police the speech of our members or colleagues. We are not involved at all in issuing White House credentials, that is the purview of the White House itself.

But the incident does revive the issue of whether it is appropriate for an opinion columnist to have a front row seat in the WH briefing room. That is an issue under the jurisdiction of this board. We are actively seeking input from our association members on this important matter, and we have scheduled a special meeting of the WHCA board on Thursday to decide on the seating issue.


Sources: Washington Post, Youtube

Washington Post Grants Direct Access To Its Star Reporters... If The Price Is Right

Politico----

For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post has offered lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, nonconfrontational access to "those powerful few": Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and — at first — even the paper’s own reporters and editors.

The astonishing offer was detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he felt it was a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its “health care reporting and editorial staff."

With the newsroom in an uproar after POLITICO reported the solicitation, Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli said in a staffwide e-mail that the newsroom would not participate in the first of the planned events — a dinner scheduled July 21 at the home of Publisher and Chief Executive Officer Katharine Weymouth.

The offer — which essentially turns a news organization into a facilitator for private lobbyist-official encounters — was a new sign of the lengths to which news organizations will go to find revenue at a time when most newspapers are struggling for survival.

And it's a turn of the times that a lobbyist is scolding The Washington Post for its ethical practices.

"Underwriting Opportunity: An evening with the right people can alter the debate," says the one-page flier. "Underwrite and participate in this intimate and exclusive Washington Post Salon, an off-the-record dinner and discussion at the home of CEO and Publisher Katharine Weymouth. ... Bring your organization’s CEO or executive director literally to the table. Interact with key Obama administration and congressional leaders."

In response to requests for comment, The Post issued a statement that stopped short of canceling the event.

Kris Coratti, communications director of Washington Post Media, a division of The Washington Post Company, said: "The flier circulated this morning came out of a business division for conferences and events, and the newsroom was unaware of such communication. It went out before it was properly vetted, and this draft does not represent what the company’s vision for these dinners are, which is meant to be an independent, policy-oriented event for newsmakers.

"As written, the newsroom could not participate in an event like this. We do believe there is an opportunity to have a conferences and events business, and that The Post should be leading these conversations in Washington, big or small, while maintaining journalistic integrity. The newsroom will participate where appropriate."

Brauchli, the executive editor, was named on the flier as one of the "Hosts and Discussion Leaders."

In an e-mail to the newsroom on Thursday morning labeled "Newsroom Independence," Brauchli wrote: "Colleagues, A flyer was distributed this week offering an 'underwriting opportunity' for a dinner on health-care reform, in which the news department had been asked to participate. The language in the flyer and the description of the event preclude our participation.

"We will not participate in events where promises are made that in exchange for money The Post will offer access to newsroom personnel or will refrain from confrontational questioning. Our independence from advertisers or sponsors is inviolable. There is a long tradition of news organizations hosting conferences and events, and we believe The Post, including the newsroom, can do these things in ways that are consistent with our values."

The flier says: “Spirited? Yes. Confrontational? No. The relaxed setting in the home of Katharine Weymouth assures it. What is guaranteed is a collegial evening, with Obama administration officials, Congress members, business leaders, advocacy leaders and other select minds typically on the guest list of 20 or less. …

“Offered at $25,000 per sponsor, per Salon. Maximum of two sponsors per Salon. Underwriters’ CEO or Executive Director participates in the discussion. Underwriters appreciatively acknowledged in printed invitations and at the dinner. Annual series sponsorship of 11 Salons offered at $250,000 … Hosts and Discussion Leaders ... Health-care reporting and editorial staff members of The Washington Post ... An exclusive opportunity to participate in the health-care reform debate among the select few who will actually get it done. ... A Washington Post Salon ... July 21, 2009 6:30 p.m. ...

"Washington Post Salons are extensions of The Washington Post brand of journalistic inquiry into the issues, a unique opportunity for stakeholders to hear and be heard," the flier says. "At the core is a critical topic of our day. Dinner and a volley of ideas unfold in an evening of intelligent, news-driven and off-the-record conversation. ... By bringing together those powerful few in business and policy-making who are forwarding, legislating and reporting on the issues, Washington Post Salons give life to the debate. Be at this nexus of business and policy with your underwriting of Washington Post Salons."

The first "Salon" is titled "Health-Care Reform: Better or Worse for Americans? The reform and funding debate."


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Sources: Politico, NY Times, Wash Post, Google Maps