Helen Thomas's Third Strike

[berni_mccoy]

First Obama was a coward. (would a coward masterfully handle the GOP the way he has, without a teleprompter or writing in marker on his palm?)

Then she claimed Obama's Foreign Policy was only about war. (Oh, wait, he's reduced troop levels in Iraq to 2003 levels and no casualties there in the last couple of months... brought Russia to the table for Nuclear disarmament talks and has cut wasteful spending in the military... yeah, that's all war war war :sarcasm:)

Now she is claiming Obama = the GOP. Rrrriiiiggghhhhtttt.

I think she needs attention. Badly. In a bad way.

Strike 3 Helen, You're Out.

[Cha]

1. Bernie..I'm so glad you

did this because I wanted to but got caught up in something else..I hid the thread at first so I wouldn't start blasting away and then I thought maybe I'd do an OP on it in the BOG..and then I couldn't find the thread again, anywhere. So I thought maybe it's for the best.

But, voila..here it is.

So yeah, that OP about ..Helen Thomas:..and President Obama's "inner gop"..or whatever and I was thinking about Helen's freakin' Inner Disingenuousness.

With me she was already out when she called him a coward..now she's getting more pathetically predictable and yes she'll get a lot of attention.

[goclark]

2. I was always a huge HT fan

but now I am beginning to wonder how many candles were on her last Birthday cake.

Wonder why she seems to enjoy coming after the Democratic President.

She has never done that before to my knowledge.

[TicketyBoo]

43. 89.

I am beginning to wonder how many candles were on her last Birthday cake.

But who's counting?

[goclark]

62. K, that is perfect! nt

[berni_mccoy]

10. I love the responses I got in that. Nothing factual or substantive.

Mostly: "You're a freakin cheerleader!"

also, "follower" and "koolaid" drinker were used.

[Number23]

12. Your one post got like 15 responses! And all of them were as you said, mindless namecalling

You must have struck a nerve or something.

I have so much respect for Helen Thomas but any insinuation that she or anyone else could make that Obama's administration is in any way a continuation of Bush or GOP policies is so dumb as to almost be laughable.

The Repubs are all too happy to make themselves look like the biggest idiots and most deranged group of individuals in the entire universe in order to deny and/or obstruct every single solitary one of this President's policies. If he was "one of them" this would not be an issue.

[azmouse]

14. With those responses, they can no longer keep up any pretense

of supporting this President.

Why are they on DU?

[berni_mccoy]

15. They are here (and yes there are some) to demoralize those who would easily be fooled

There are some members who openly bash DU, it's management and it's members on other sites that will not be named. Yes, also, some are indeed out to only spread lies and propaganda against the Obama admin. It only takes 2 - 3% to impact elections and they certainly have that ability. This is why we must never give up calling them on their b.s.

[goclark]

44. berni ~ you are to be congratulated

for you ability to stay calm with the Other World.

I know you are right but I would be TS'd if I responded to anything they said~

[treestar]

49. Yet they are cheerleaders of any pundit that says what they want to hear

[Cary]

3. It's obviously passed her by. n/t

[nevergiveup]

4. She gets attention this way.

At one time I really respected her but those days are long gone.

[NJmaverick]

5. Helen came from an era was racism was more open and accepted

I wonder....

[goclark]

6. I want to hope that is not the case

:shrug:

I've always believed that she likes to be the center of attention.
Now that the MSM is in charge of the message perhaps she is not happy. So ~ she will say anything that let's people think she has the last word.

Or perhaps she was a fan of Hillary's ?

Whatever, she has crossed the line for me.

[BlueCaliDem]

21. Yes, I believe HT was a Hilary supporter. eom

[Name removed]

31. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[quiet.american]

7. Obama's presidency has stripped away even more illusions for me.

It's really interesting to see how in the absence of an absolutely deserving target like Bushco, pundits and journalists with a pronounced cynical streak will take aim at whatever target presents itself, even if the aim is misguided. It's a shame Ms. Thomas has decided that in her book Obama is worthy of nothing more than contempt. Very much a shame.

[goclark]

20. Isn't there a photo of her cooing and smiling when he gave her

a Birthday cupcake or some such thing?

Here is a link to the "Birthday" Celebration

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-talk-obama-birthdayaug05,0,4481942.story

[sandnsea]

22. Exactly

Some of them think if they aren't attacking, they aren't doing their job. Others are so intellectually superior (in their own mind) that they wouldn't agree with any political agenda unless Chavez landed in DC. And others just don't want to be out of sync with the rest of the DC pundit class.

I think Helen wouldn't be happy with anybody who wasn't as far left as Chavez. It's just who she is.

[Cha]

23. I wonder if she dissed Clinton when he was Prez?

[sandnsea]

24. She was pretty tough on him

I remember she went after him on some of his Lewinsky weasel words. I think on Kosovo as well.

[Cha]

25. I should hope she went after

real issues..that's my complaint with her... her disingenuous hyperbole when sniping at Pres Obama.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

28. Actually I'll take that a whole step further

My illusions about certain public figures whom I'd previously admired and greatly respected started to erode during the primaries when people who knew much better -Bob Kerrey, Joe Wilson, Kristen Breiteweiser and a whole slew of others began engaging in the most puerile and juvenile attacks against Obama, some spreading the most pointless and disgusting smears against him in the name of supporting their preferred Democratic candidates

It's only gotten worse during his presidency.

[goclark]

32. The more I read the more surprised I am about this change

Yes, she once was more like a "motherly" figure in the Press.

Saying things to help make each President a better person but not putting them down.

This is a new Helen in my eyes.

[HughMoran]

8. Poor Helen. Reminds me of the DUers who state that they deliberately post inflammatory crap to get

...more attention. I will not sell my soul to be popular - neither should anybody else.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. I think some of the left buy into their image so much, they're forced to do this.

It's the same with Bill Maher. They've found their niche and need to exploit it or run the risk of becoming irrelevant.

You attack the president from the left and you grab all that left support. They become your troops, so to speak.

Does anyone remember how vocal she was during the Clinton administration? By all accounts, Pres. Obama and his presidency has been more to the left of Clinton's...but was she out there saying this stuff?

I do not know...I was too young back then.

[azmouse]

11. I just don't know what to think about Helen any more.

Is she now just out to attack any President?
Maybe she enjoyed her notoriety for attacking boosh too much and wants it to continue?
Did we make a mistake thinking she was on our side when she attacked boosh?

[Drunken Irishman]

13. That's why I asked about her relationship with Clinton.

Who, by all accounts, is a bit right of Obama.

[CTLawGuy]

16. I'm guessing disgruntled Hillary supporter.

NT

[Fire1]

17. That's what I'm thinking, too. n/t

[goclark]

46. "Have You Read "Game Change?"

Shows a side of HRC I could not imagine.

Very interesting reading.

Veeery interesting ~

After reading that book I see why the election turned out as it did.

[CTLawGuy]

54. Is it that she was extremely domineering

and needed to do things her way or no way? Cuz I get that out of her.

[goclark]

59. A little of that but more

that she was "scattered" and did not have a staff that met her needs. There were many internal staff problems - as there probably were on others that were Running at the time.

I'm not at the end yet but Obama seemed to have more Loyal staffers that would go to the mat for him ~ she didn't.

Doyle did not work out well at all according to the book etc.

And, she was not always on the same page as her husband(that is not a surprise)but if the authors are to be believed, she could not control Bill At ALL!

My concern ther4 is... if she could not control her own husband when she is "The Boss," how could she possibly control all the Rethugs who would dog her from Day One.


I love to know about the interworking of politics so for me,it's interesting.

[Arkana]

18. Helen's entitled to think what she wants.

Personally, I think claiming that Obama = Bush is unnecessary hyperbole (and just flat-out false to boot), and seeing as how she's been a WH reporter for 50 years you'd think she'd be above that shit now.

[Cha]

19. Helen is using her

pulpit to attempt to smear a Dem President..She always has something inconsequential to whine about.

If she ever had anything substantial to critique or interesting to write about him ..I haven't heard about it.

[Kind of Blue]

26. Coward??? Now, too tough???

Criticism I can understand but her incredible lopsided Fox News type analysis is ridiculous. She lost me when she told the WH to lay off of Fox News :crazy:

I remember she did ask Clinton some tough questions but was very, very fair to him during the Lewinsky saga. I also remember she'd comment on Clinton's lies, she may have but never did I hear her assess his character, especially during his presidencies.

Thomas is seriously trippin' on Obama. Maybe she doesn't like that they share the same birthday :rofl: and he'll get all the attention that day. I don't know but she doesn't speak for me.

[Number23]

27. hey you! Haven't seen you in forever!!

:hi:

[Kind of Blue]

30. Hi, Girl!

:hi: January and part of February was a very, very difficult time.
Thanks for the greeting! :hug:

[Number23]

36. I hope that all is well with you and your family

and that you've gotten through your difficult time. You were definitely missed, especially in AAIG.

But I don't know if you picked a good time to come back here. There is some weird hysteria in the air on DU lately. Folks seem dumber and crazier than usual around here.

[Kind of Blue]

38. "Dumber and crazier..."

:rofl: got a dose of that this morning right here in this sanctuary in this thread!

Thanks, Number23. My family is getting back to normal :)

[goclark]

63. I think those 89 candles on her birthday cake have a lot to do with it

I'm a Senior so I'm able to speak on this issue. : - )

She may go to work everyday but she is not what she was and that is scary and disappointing to all Seniors.

She needs to go home,sit down and write a book.

The world is passing her by and she can't possibly stay in touch with it all.

She is angry and is taking it out on this YOUNG man.

Sad to say but she is "lost in the '90's."

[RFKHumphreyObama]

29. Sad to see Helen Thomas -someone who I still have a great deal of respect for

Falling into the MSM mob mentality that's out to get Obama. She used to be great in nbeing able to see past the status quo nonsense that the media was spouting

[Cha]

35. And, I woke up this morning thinking that

Helen is on the wrong side of history..instead of her disingenuous whining about President Obama..she should be pointing out the lies of the corporatemediawhores instead of trying to emulate them.

[graywarrior]

33. I've had to dismiss much of what Helen's been saying lately.

Don't know what's up with her, but I disagree with most of her comments these days.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cha]

37. "President Obama's foreign policy only about War" is

just stupid:silly:

[azmouse]

39. Thank you mods for the deleted subthread!!

:yourock:

[Kind of Blue]

41. Wow, that was quick!

Thank you mods!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

40. I've been saying it for years, but many DU heroes are only in it for themselves.

This has long, long included Helen Thomas, but also includes Feingold, Kucinich, and Maher.

[Cha]

42. "maher"...any negative

stupid thing he has to say about Pres Obama gets elavated to godlike status for some.

Anybody can get up there or write any disingenuous thing about the President and have a rabid following..But, they're actually deficient when reporting or musing about facts and reality.

And, having the ability to know the difference is priceless.

[Arkana]

45. Dennis Kucinich has yet again introduced a bill to end the war in Afghanistan.

Instead of doing something worthwhile or helping the Dems on health care.

This is what Kooch does with his time.

[Cha]

47. Grandstanding and

pure as the driven snow when voting with the republicons.

[NJmaverick]

48. Dennis reminds me of the politician that jumps in front of the camera

at a natural disaster and takes credit for all the work being done by the volunteers laboring to fill sand bags to save the town.

[quiet.american]

51. Perfect. nt

[RFKHumphreyObama]

56. Paul Wellstone was a lot like Dennis Kucinich when he entered the Senate

But he quickly learned how to work from within the system to promote the goals and objectives for which he passionately believed. He was able to get a lot done because he learned the way to achieve things was not by becoming obstructionist and letting yourself become sidelined and marginalized. He was pragmatic, he understood the value of working with what you had and then building upon it and improving on it through efficient and effective means. The same was true of Senator Edward Kennedy. Neither of them sacrificed their beliefs, principles. values and ideals and indeed forcefully and vigorously promoted them at every opportunity with great courage and tenacity in the face of overwhelming adversity. Yet they evolved into highly effective legislators because they learned how to use the tools that they had to build the foundations for what they believed in to come true. That's what made them such influential progressives who gained so much prestige, respect and admiration from both sides of the aisle

Dennis Kucinich has failed to learn these lessons while in Congress despite having been there for longer than Senator Wellstone. That's why he's become what he is now -sidelined, marginalized and reduced to the role of being a complaining obstructionist who has accomplished nothing of significance and who has become more of a hindrance than a help to the progressive cause.

And notice how quickly he flipped on the abortion issue before launching his presidential campaign in 2004. I can GUARANTEE you that, had Obama done that, he would have been absolutely savaged both here on DU and in the wider progressive blogosphere. But Dennis can do it and everyone just takes it at face value

[Cha]

57. Thank you for that very interesting

analysis of Wellstone and Kennedy compared to what Dennis does.. which is being a regressive in the name of grandstanding.

I remember something that Paul Wellstone said when he was asked why he didn't become an Independent..he said, "I have missionary work within the Democratic Party". He wanted to actually get things accomplished..we lost a great person when he passed on.

[CBR]

50. The DK worship on DU is disgusting. It is even funnier when

they accuse others of being cheerleaders but you cannot even make one negative statement about DK. Ugh... What has he done exactly besides restate the talking points on socialist democracy from the local library and wikipedia?

[Arkana]

52. Introduce bills in committee for a "Department of Peace"?

[NJmaverick]

53. Yes there is a real hypocrisy as the cheerleader accusers feel

that Dennis K and Howard Dean walk on water and are never to be criticized.

[Cha]

55. dk is a Fail Pusher..

his latest whine.."Any kind of a solution within the current framework is bound to fail"

Such a whiny little grandstander.

[Cha]

58. Furthermore...ol dennis shouldn't have voted to go

into Afghanistan if he didn't want the job finished.

So now he's got a Grandstanding bill to fuck with the administration's strategy for Afghanistan while not voting for Health Care Reform(afaik..do ya think he'll change his vote?).. bc he's too pure to stand with Dems. He'll keep himself clean voting with the sociopaths.

[Arkana]

60. No kidding.

Has he voted with us on ANY major legislation since the beginning of the Obama administration?

[Cha]

61. Why would he want to sully himself voting for progress?