Helen Thomas: "Does the President agree with his mother that the homeless.

[paineinthearse]

Helen Thomas catches up with Scottie and asks about Barbara Bush's insensitive statement "Almost everyone I’ve talked to says we're going to move to Houston." Then she added: "What I’m hearing which is sort of scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."

(I know this was Helen because the question came after David Gregory's grilling - see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4680500 - and the camera flashed on her).

See more background in related post - John Conyers: "...Like you, I was outraged by Barbara Bush's comments from the Astrodome as well -- what kind of country do we live in anyway?" - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2067395

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050907-2.html



Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 7, 2005

<snip>

Q Does the President agree with his mother that the homeless taken from New Orleans to Houston are much better off now because they were underprivileged in New Orleans?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think she was making a personal observation on some of the comments that people were making that she was running into. I'm not sure that that's exactly what she said, but --

Q I have it right here if you need it.

MR. McCLELLAN: -- what we're focused on -- what we're focused on is helping these people who are in need.

Q Does he agree with his mother?

MR. McCLELLAN: And I think that the observation is based on someone who -- or some people that were talking to her, that were in need of a lot of assistance, people that have gone through a lot of trauma and been through a very difficult and trying time. And all of a sudden, they are now getting great help in the state of Texas from some of the shelters.

Q "It's scary that they're all coming to Texas."

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I think you can look at her comments.

Q That is what she said, though.

Go Helen!!!!

[H2O Man]

1. Great!

Go Helen!

[rfranklin]

2. Its amazing that he can stand up there and spout that shit day after day..

Is it the vision of being set for life with a paycheck from Halliburton or Poppy's company (Thieves R Us or whatever the hell it is). Can he possibly believe that he is doing something laudable and "good for the country?"

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. Like he cares? It's apparent he sold his soul to the devil and he

isn't looking back.

[MADem]

39. What must his beard of a bride think??? n/t

[MountainLaurel]

3. Helen rocks!!

If only there were more like her.

Sigh.

[rpannier]

4. Very nice

Good job Helen.

[ClusterFreak]

5. That was classic.....gotta love Helen!

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Helen is the QUEEN of the press corps

------------------------------------------------------
Save the Gulf:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[izzybeans]

7. "Back away from your Mother. Nice Ticking time bomb you got there.

At this time, if you look at her statements, what she said was in fact discombobulated. What she said was all homeless are urchins, but what she meant to say was all urchins are homeless. Totally different thing ladies and gentlemen. (McClellen doing his best David Cross doing a Trent Lott impression impression)

Helen Thomas: But she said it was scary. Does the president agree with his mother?

Dickweed: If you look at the statements...they stand on their own

Helen: Does he agree WITH THEM?

Dickweed: But the statements...if you look at the statements <long pause>

Helen: yes?

Dickweed: Aren't you going to interrupt me by restating the question?
At which point I can bumble and stumble some more.

Helen. No, answer.

Dickweed: Thanks for your time ladies and gentlemen. Remember you must carry your neo-con manifesto with you at all times or face the consequences. Good day."

<murmering crowd: wow our president can't even get behind even his own mother...yep, she's quite an inhumane piece of shit isn't she..the irony is she's even more of a fascist than her son...I know, that's fucked up>

[Mnemosyne]

25. You nailed it izzybeans!

I especially love your last lines. No need to wonder where * gets it from.

[izzybeans]

35. Well accuracy was what I was going for. Thanks! nt

[Divernan]

8. Babs was there as former 1st lady, NOT on a "personal" visit.

And she was being interviewed by a reporter. When these VIPs come to a disaster site, they delay and disrupt the delivery of services. The least they should do is smile and make nice, not insult victims (ooooo, underprivileged black people are soooooo scary) and denigrate their tragic losses (they're better off on a cot in the Astrodome than in their own homes).

I would like nothing more than to see this curmudgeon relegated to a purely "personal" status, because she is a continuing insult and embarassment to the US whenever she appears in her "public" status as a former first "lady".

[Tennessee Gal]

9. Barbara Bush: Open Mouth

Insert foot.

The wealthy are supposed to have class. Some do. Others don't - predominantly right wingers. They have no class. Class requires compassion.

[wickerwoman]

41. Really.

How fucked up do you have to be to make Nancy Reagan look glamorous and compassionate?

[Darth_Kitten]

10. She's so smart!!!

I think she's great!! Go Helen!!! :D

[ignatius 2]

11. This administration is sooooo afraid of Helen because she gets through

the bullshit right to the truth.

Go Helen,give these bastards hell every day of their miserable existence.

[fortyfeetunder]

21. You got that right -- She brings out the HELL in Helen

She kicks some butt and continues to be a force to be reckoned with.

[Catherine Vincent]

12. Why is it scary that they want to live in Texas, Barbara?

I just caught that.

[izzybeans]

13. Texas is for fat rich men and their gardners and/or ranch hands.

didn't you know? :sarcasm: Oh and their mean spirited petty wives. (that last part I mean with all sincerity).

[getmeouttahere]

15. I thought my heart couldn't possibly ache any more for these people...

until I found out some of them have to live in Houston. Flame away, but the place is a phucking pit!

[paineinthearse]

16. .

:kick:

[gratuitous]

17. Turnabout is fair play

Every time someone on the progressive side or from the left says something questionable, every Democrat across the spectrum is buttonholed and forced to denounce whatever was said, as well as the speaker, or be immediately labeled as just as loony as however they're trying to paint the flavor of the day.

It's good to see someone (in this case, the incomparable Helen Thomas) using the same tactic on the Republicans. Force Bush to denounce his own mother for her callous, bigoted remarks, or risk having those remarks imputed to him.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[fortyfeetunder]

18. YES!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

I was hoping she got a lick in....WOOHOO!!! And I think Helen is as old as Babs, but exponentially wiser....

[faithnotgreed]

20. i love helen - look forward to a few more jabs before impeachment

and then the knockout punch

[FourStarDemocrat]

22. Thank you Helen for giving the witch's comments national attention!! :-)

Very proud of Helen!!

[Mythsaje]

24. Barbara Bush is NO witch...

That would require her to have a social/environmental conscience.

[Loge23]

32. spoken like a true Goddess!

Thanks for that comment. We should be careful in elevating this piece of trash to goddess status with a slip of a tongue!

[Mythsaje]

43. Hey, I have to answer to a witch around the house...lol...

I'll always step in to correct such an error...

[FourStarDemocrat]

38. You're right. I meant the big bad witch of the West. :-) n/t

[Mythsaje]

44. The west doesn't claim her!

At least NOT this part of the West. LOL

[AuntiBush]

23. He Never Answered Helen Thomas or Gregory's Questions!

Not a one!

They're "Commanders of Diversion!" How much more will this country allow this? Where are our true leadership? Try searching for GORE on the DU board. Now, that's sincere, leadership - our real President, robbed just like the rest of us and now we're really feeling it in our own backyards.

How do they sleep at nights when the rest of us are sickened! I ask...

[liveoaktx]

26. Vid Clip

Helen Thomas Asks About Bab's Crass comments

[paineinthearse]

27. Admins, a suggestion - PATRIOT OF THE WEEK

As you do an excellent CONSERVATIVE IDIOT OF THE WEEK, how about a PATRIOT OF THE WEEK piece?

[tkmorris]

30. I like that idea a lot

It would be nice to have something POSITIVE to look at instead of always pointing out all the idiots on the other side of the aisle. It's too easy and it's depressing.

[TheModernTerrorist]

28. Heard after the conference....

Wife: Scottie, I thought I told you to take out the trash!!

McClellan: Honey, this is no time to play the "blame game".

[gauguin57]

29. Helen can take Scotty, in the briefing room, on the wrestling mat,

you name it. She can take him, anytime, anywhere. Helen isn't afraid of a little pissant like him! You go, Helen!

[paineinthearse]

31. piss·ant

piss·ant Slang
n.
1. One that is insignificant.
2. Obsolete An ant.

[Paradise]

33. Soon, they will be able to say...

So, THIS is how the other 99% lives!

34. our legal system is based on this concept

that you are worth the amount of money you have been able to earn yourself. In court cases, such as divorce, the spouse will get compensation based on the other spouses income, or in cases of death of a spouse, the system awards compensation based on what that person would have made. I have always felt this is an unfair system, but then capitalism itself is messed up in terms of human worth.

[dogday]

36. Scottie doing the Cover My Ass Dance

During Rovegate, Scottie danced his little ass off and now he is dancing as fast as he can to dodge the bullets the reporters are firing at him...

[goclark]

37. Yea for Helen! YES! nt

[Javaman]

40. Thank you Helen. :)

Aside from Helen, who has always had guts, it appears as if the media is finally waking from their collective fog and growing a pair. About fucking time!

[ngGale]

42. Helen, our little rose and....

a thorn in the side of, Scottie.:patriot: