Happy Birthday, Queen Helen

HELEN THOMAS TURNS 88

The single word that strikes the most fear in the heart of George Bush's press secretaries,, especially when it emanates directly from their own mouths:

"Helen..."

Because the next voice he'll hear is Helen's -- as in, Helen Thomas. And today the queen/dean of the Washington Press corp; the one person more than any other who has kept the spinning White House occupants and their surrogates' feet to the fire, turns a thoughtful and feisty 88 years.

You have to give Bush White House press secretaries a bit of credit for some nerve. Their boss doesn't seem to have any, because he won't dare call on Helen

While it took most every member of the White House press corp, years of unquestioned submission to the lies supporting going into an illegal war before they began to rediscover their spine, it was Helen Thomas, one who never lost touch with hers, leading the way; even if, every so often, this president and his spokepeople "forget to call on her.

"9/11 has made reporters fearful of being called unpatriotic if they asked tough questions," Thomas had told me. "Then, when we were in the war, if you asked tough questions you would be accused of jeopardizing the troops. At the same time you had some of the corporate (owners) breathing down their necks to not rock the boat."

Thomas has no question that we went to war without good reason. "It's clear that nothing was proved and you just don't send people to die without (absolutes). It's very clear this president wanted to go to war."

Thomas has never held back asking a question, but this White House has froze her out like none other. Since Bush doesn't seem to want to go to battle with Helen, j'ever wonder what she might ask if she had the chance?

"I would ask him how he could go to war without cause," she says, obviously at the ready with the question. "How could you go to war without provocation? Of course, that's why he doesn't call on me."
And after the president evaded the question, what would be her followup?

"How could you? Don't you know what war is?"

Nailed, Thomas style.

"The press is the last line of defense. If we don't ask the questions, this president could rule like a dictator. All presidents should be sassed. Who are they? We don't have to worship at their shrine. They're public officials. We pay them. They have to answer to us."

And so, thank you, Helen. Thank you for being there for the American people.

Ah, that we could have Helen Thomas around until White Houses stop spinning the truth.

That way, we'd have her forever.

Award-winning TV writer, Steve Young is author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful" (www.greatfailure.com), and blogs at steveyoungonpolitics.com

Comments

[Kathy Harter - Huffpost Blogger]

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Helen Thomas was our idol in journalism school. I never watch a White House press conference without checking to see that she's there.

[Chip1222]

On to another 88 (at least) for this inspirational journalist and role model. Happy Birthday.

[gloriar8]

I remember Helen in the white house press corp, when I was a kid. And let me tell you she is the only real journalist left. These young so called journalist could learn a lot from her, a LOT. Happy, happy Helen.

[jukesgrrl]

Love and respect to you, Helen. You're in the first row of my heart.

[amirct3]

Wow Barack and Helen have the same birthday!! No wonder genius does strike twice in one day... go God!!!( not the same year though:((()

Happy birthday to Helen the best of the best........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brendanm]

Gov. Strickland's birthday, too.

[hillaryj]

Ms. Helen is a National Treasure.............I love and trust this Dear Lady!

[Shaddup]

Happy Birthday, Helen! You're the only reporter in the White House press corps worth a damn.

[lovethesinner]

BARACK OBAMA AND HELEN THOMAS HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDAY? (two of my favorite people)

(How cool it is that?) I can't wait for the press conference in 2009. I picture them trading little cup cakes with candles. After all the crap Bush has given her, Obama ought to give her a whole conference to herself.

Happy birthday you guys.

[littlepuffycloud]

I love Helen but didn't know she is 88 today!! Happy Birthday Ms. Thomas! Thanks for having the guts to stand up His Chimpiness when all the men stood around with their _icks in their hands.

[Le_nombril]

If there is anybody in this world whom I would like to see live to be 150, it is Helen Thomas. As long as she can keep her feistyness (is that a word?). What a treasure.

[doctorwang]

It is a word, however 'feistiness' is the correct spelling..

[hudsuckerproxy]

Thanks for fighting the good fight, Helen. You put your lapdog colleagues to shame.

[atowngirl]

Happy Birthday helen and Barack many many more

[w8aminute]

May Barack call on Helen for the first question after he's elected (especially since I think they share the same birthday).

[atowngirl]

two wonderful people share the same Birthday WOW!

[butofcourse]

I agree, w8aminute. Happy Birthday to a great lady!

[wm1066]

Helen is a hero.
God Bless her!

[westcoastsc]

Happy Birthday, Helen. We sure appreciate you. If the press would have just followed your lead we would not be in the mess that we are in today. I find it inexcusable how the media allowed the Bush administration to continually treat our elder woman of truth in the media the way they did. It just occurred to me that because the media is a for profit entity and because the white house was allowed to choose who gets interviews and whose questions to answer that there is an incredible financial incentive to be on the white house's good side. The culture of money for money's sake has to stop. If the press had any standards of decency and of judgement they all would have held this administration accountable for not paying respect to Helen. How dare they be so opportunistic to let their wise elder be treated so. Disgusting.

Happy birthday, Helen. Get your exercise. Eat well. Go to sciencedaily.com and learn about every study about living a long life. This country needs you more than ever.