Sudden thought: Did Helen Thomas get a question in yesterday?

[Richardo]

..or is she still relegated to Siberia?

Have not heard much from the Grand Dame lately. :shrug:

[The_Gopher]

1. he'd never call on her....someone should defer to her when called upon

[ComerPerro]

2. That would be great if someone did that

Just to see the look on Smirky's face...

[w13rd0]

3. E-mail her...

...I think she's being denied access, I certainly didn't hear her or see any reference to her. Or she may be refusing to submit her question beforehand, and is thus being denied admittance...

[peekaloo]

5. she'll write back!

[e-mail]

[Richardo]

6. Thanks for the link, peekaloo...

:yourock:

I'll do that at lunch today. :thumbsup:

[peekaloo]

9. you're welcome

Send the gal some love. Remember she did call Boo$h the "worst pResident in U.S. history".

:hi:

edit: caffeine and good grammar don't mix. :dunce:

[Jesse_W]

13. Let us know the results!

That's great that your' doing that! Please post what she says.

[Richardo]

14. Deal!

I'll share what I send and what I get back...

[Richardo]

17. My e-mail to Helen Thomas...

Dear Ms. Thomas:

The President’s press conference yesterday was a low point in public candor and this Administration's relations with the press. In the midst of arrogance (“particularly since you interrupted me, no”), personal insults (“face for radio”) and blatant evasion (“that’s a trick question so I won’t answer it”) all the American people heard from the Rose Garden was another recitation of tired, empty catch phrases and factual fabrications.

While the White House press corps challenges the Administration a little more now than it did during the run-up to hostilities in Iraq, I still do not hear the consistent level of skepticism necessary to ensure that we are being told the unvarnished truth.

I for one miss your direct style and your unparalleled ability to cut through political obfuscation. By any chance has the ‘regime change’ in the Press Secretary’s office resulted in your reinstatement to the front of the press corps? If not, we the people are not being well served.

I hope to once again hear your voice raised in the full realization of the 1st Amendment. Hopefully that will happen no later than January 20, 2005.

Sincerely,

<Richardo>
Houston, Texas
=======================================

Whadda y'all think? :shrug:

[newyawker99]

15. Hi Jesse_W!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Zero Gravitas]

7. WTF?

They have to submit questions in advance? Are you kidding?

What kind of shitty little Banana Republic does Former Governor Bush think he is running? This is (used to be) AMERICA dammit, isn't the whole point of a "free" press that they are "our" (the People's) watchdog over those in power?

Now you're saying the entire WH Press Corps is complicit in Bush*'s propaganda by agreeing to submit questions in advance so the LITTLE SHIT MASQUERADING AS PRESIDENT doesn't have to answer any difficult questions. I am utterly disgusted. As heinous as this Administration is, it just got worse. :puke:

[Kolesar]

10. Bush emasculates the press and they take it

What a bunch of losers. They should be ripping up the "President" for this masquerade of a press conference. They should be ripping up the White House for keeping them in the dark. They only got on to Ari Fleischer in the last few months of his term as WH press spokesman/liar.

[w13rd0]

12. I don't think they have to submit the actual question...

...but likely the "topic" of their question. It was noticeable that someone was apparently "minding" the microphone that was passed around to the reporters though.

[mediaman007]

20. What happened to "Bring it on?"

Bush* the hypocrite does it again. What a coward. He asks our soldiers to be targets in Iraq, but he can't even face a question.

Some tough guy that Babs raised.

[CBHagman]

16. Call the White House at 202-456-1111

...and complain about the lack of access, the secrecy, and the just plain rude behavior of the Bush administration.

I've found it's very hard to get through and the staff has a short fuse when you do. It's really a crappy White House for anything resembling accountability and public access.

I'd suggest also complaining to members of Congress on BOTH sides of the aisle about this problem. And don't forget your local newspaper.

The Washington Post pulled out the spin machine this morning to cover the press conference, presenting Bush in the best possible light. I haven't seen such brown noses since a production of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."

[realFedUp]

4. She probably has a face just for radio....

gads, this pResident is embarrassing.

[La_Serpiente]

8. No

I was hoping she would rip him up like a blender.

[demnan]

11. If she had asked anything

he would have simply mumbled,"that's a trick question, so I'm not going to answer it," and moved on.

[this_side_up]

18. I wish every person there

when called on by * would (without any notice to BushCo) give their allotted time to Helen.

That Woman has the questions and isn't afraid of asking them.

[Zero Gravitas]

19. They don't make 'em Like Helen Thomas Anymore

Unfortunately they don't make them like Helen Thomas anymore.

Apparently the names of the reporters who want to ask a question are given to * before the "press conference", not the actual questions themselves.

I would assume the purpose of this is so that the Former Texas Governor can pick names that the White House Press Office think will ask him an "easy" question and won't call him on his lies and exagerations.

During the Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton Administrations Helen Thomas was seated and front and center and as the most respected and most senior memeber of the White House Press Corps whe was allowed to ask the first question. Under this sorry imitation of a President she is seated in the back row and is never called on to answer questions.

[Pastiche423]

21. The Great Dame of Journalism

gained that seat in the Kennedy Administration, when covering her favorite president.