Sportbikes.net - View Single Post - Helen Thomas: “It's shocking. It's really shocking.”

kitkat · 07-02-2009, 09:05 PM

Helen Thomas: "The point is the control-- We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not-- This White House. I'm amazed. I'm amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and—It's shocking. It's really shocking. It's a pattern of controlling the press. Your formal engagements are pre-packaged. By calling reporters the night before to tell them they're going to be called on. That is shocking."--addressed to Robert Gibbs at the July 1st WH press conference.

After the press conference, Thomas had some further comments:

“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.

“What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them.”

Thomas said she was especially concerned about the arrangement between the Obama Administration and a writer from the liberal Huffington Post Web site. The writer was invited by the White House to President Obama’s press conference last week on the understanding that he would ask Obama a question about Iran from among questions that had been sent to him by people in Iran.

“When you call the reporter (Huffington Post) the night before you know damn well what they are going to ask to control you,” Thomas said.

“I’m not saying there has never been managed news before, but this is carried to fare-thee-well--for the town halls, for the press conferences,” she said. “It’s blatant. They don’t give a damn if you know it or not. They ought to be hanging their heads in shame.”--CNS news interview

The libs positively celebrated Helen Thomas back when Bush was her target...now? Not so much... Ana Marie Cox (who often appears in eyelid batting contests with Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC show--) had the following comment on this:

" I may get struck down for saying this, but I think that exchange should put to rest the idea that Helen is some kind of symbol of speaking truth to power. She is, in the end, just another mainstream media reporter. I think her seat in the briefing room could probably be put to better use by, say, the Huffington Post."

07-02-2009, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
kitkat 500 G.P. Champion Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: tacoma wa Posts: 1,697 Casino Cash: $29335 Sportbike:	Helen Thomas: “It's shocking. It's really shocking.” Helen Thomas: "The point is the control-- We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not-- This White House. I'm amazed. I'm amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and—It's shocking. It's really shocking. It's a pattern of controlling the press. Your formal engagements are pre-packaged. By calling reporters the night before to tell them they're going to be called on. That is shocking."--addressed to Robert Gibbs at the July 1st WH press conference. After the press conference, Thomas had some further comments: “Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try. “What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them.” Thomas said she was especially concerned about the arrangement between the Obama Administration and a writer from the liberal Huffington Post Web site. The writer was invited by the White House to President Obama’s press conference last week on the understanding that he would ask Obama a question about Iran from among questions that had been sent to him by people in Iran. “When you call the reporter (Huffington Post) the night before you know damn well what they are going to ask to control you,” Thomas said. “I’m not saying there has never been managed news before, but this is carried to fare-thee-well--for the town halls, for the press conferences,” she said. “It’s blatant. They don’t give a damn if you know it or not. They ought to be hanging their heads in shame.”--CNS news interview The libs positively celebrated Helen Thomas back when Bush was her target...now? Not so much... Ana Marie Cox (who often appears in eyelid batting contests with Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC show--) had the following comment on this: " I may get struck down for saying this, but I think that exchange should put to rest the idea that Helen is some kind of symbol of speaking truth to power. She is, in the end, just another mainstream media reporter. I think her seat in the briefing room could probably be put to better use by, say, the Huffington Post."