Happy Birthday Helen Thomas (and: "Rightwashing the news")

[DFW]

Helen Thomas was 91 yesterday. A year ago, she said she preferred not to be called on her birthday,
so as not to be reminded how old she was getting. This year, she appeared to be over that when I
called yesterday.

Now, out of sight and out of mind to a no-doubt-relieved White House, she still writes her opinion
columns for the Falls Church News Press in northern Virginia. Her columns are as sharp-tongued as
ever, although she seems just a tiny bit slower on the phone these days.

We'll be getting together as usual the first week in September when I swing through DC.

In the current edition of her paper, another columnist wrote an insightful, (and therefore likely
to be ignored) column about the "Foxification" of the news in America, and giving in to printing
right wing nonsense in the interest of seeming balanced. It is by Wayne Besen and it is entitled,
"Journalists Must Stop Rightwashing Reality." This is a MUST-READ: http://www.fcnp.com/commentary/national/9798-journalists-must-stop-rightwashing-reality-.html

[malaise]

1. Happy Birthday Helen Thomas

Love you!

Thanks for the link

Rec

[Little Star]

2. Happy Birthday to a great lady! Love Ya Helen!

[cali]

3. I hope Helen has a happy birthday and continues to do well.

[DFW]

6. She's not as steady on her feet as she used to be

But she's mentally still there (read her columns--although she needs a new proofreader: the
city in Syria being trashed by Assad is Hama, not Hamas).

[midnight]

4. Happy birthday Helen... A few months ago I called into my NPR

Station. They had an economist from Iowa or Ohio that was in Wisconsin speaking about the debt. He was telling the listening audience that Social Security added to the debt. I called into the radio station and they screened my call and asked me what my comment was. I said I was calling because your guest said that social security added to the debt.... The screener said, that the economist had not said this. I said yes he did... she put me through. And he said it again to me.

[rosesaylavee]

5. Tell her happy birthday from me!

I love that woman.

[DFW]

7. Will do! n/t

[lonestarnot]

8. Happy Birthday Helen, you sweetheart!

:hug:

[hlthe2b]

9. Please give her my best...

I look forward to reading that article by her colleague, but what I really want to see is her syndicated once again.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Thomas. :toast:

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. indeed Happy Birthday Hellen Thomas!!

[hootinholler]

11. Happy Day Helen!

Give her a hug from me please!

-Hoot

[DFW]

15. I will!

First weekend in September.

[Lugnut]

12. Happy birthday, Ms Thomas!

And many more.

[sabrina 1]

13. Happy Birthday Helen, one of the few real journalists

throughout these horrible years.

Maybe Keith Olbermann could have her on his show? I would love to know what she thinks of what is currently going on around the world, and especially here.

I'm sure every fake journalist and politician in DC is very glad she is no longer around asking questions. That was OUR loss and I am still angry over it.

:kick:

[DFW]

16. She thinks the country is going to "hell in a basket"

For her views on the Middle East, just see her column at the FCNP. She has some harsh words for the Assad regime,
as you might imagine. On the phone she was just aghast at the Congressional Republicans. I'll post if you wish
after I see her in a few weeks.

[sabrina 1]

19. Would love it if you would post after you see her.

I will check her views on the ME and can imagine how she feels about Assad at this point.

I think every intelligent human being shares her feelings about the Congressional Republicans.

Tell her she is sorely missed. And would love to see her on Keith's show. Maybe I'll send him a tweet. Of course she may not want to do any TV interviews.

[DFW]

20. I will pass it all on!!!

I'm in a somber mood right now--have to leave this magical place in 12 hours

(see post in Lounge)

[sabrina 1]

23. I will check out the lounge, sorry you are in a somber mood.

:hi:

[EFerrari]

14. Happy Birthday, Helen! I hope it was a good one.

:hi:

[Boudica the Lyoness]

17. Happy Birthday Helen

You are an inspiration.

[Zax2me]

18. Anti-Semites gets no kindness wave from me.

Apparently not all are opposed...

[sabrina 1]

22. I think you wandered into the wrong thread!

This is a happy Birthday Thread for a great American Female Journalist.

[madfloridian]

21. Thanks for this, DFW

:hi:

[scarletwoman]

24. Happy Birthday, dear Helen. She will always be held in my heart with love & best wishes.

Please tell her that for me.

Thank you,
sw