I am going to a benefit that will include an auction. One of the many things you can bid on is dinner with Helen Thomas.
My first reaction was "Wow!"
My second reaction was "Heck, no, I'm not bidding on that! What would I say?!"
Well, there's always "pass the rolls, please" or I could ask the first lady of the press all the same questions she's been asked for years... "Who was your favorite president?" "What was the toughest question you ever asked?" Yadayadayada. I'd make an utter fool of myself, I'm sure.
I will, however, forever be her fan, if only for what she asked W:
"I'd like to ask you, Mr. President, your decision to invade Iraq has caused the deaths of thousands of Americans and Iraqis, wounds of Americans and Iraqis for a lifetime. Every reason given, publicly at least, has turned out not to be true. My question is: Why did you really want to go to war? From the moment you stepped into the White House, from your Cabinet—your Cabinet officers, intelligence people, and so forth—what was your real reason? You have said it wasn't oil—quest for oil, it hasn't been Israel, or anything else. What was it?"
Yeah! Ms. Thomas, you rock! Talk about asking the $64,000 question!
A snippet of Wikipedia on Ms. Thomas:
"Helen Thomas (born August 4, 1920) is a noted news service reporter, a Hearst Newspapers columnist, and member of the White House Press Corps. She served for fifty-seven years as a correspondent and, later, White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI). Thomas has covered every president since John F. Kennedy, was the first woman officer of the National Press Club, was the first woman member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and the first woman member of the Gridiron Club. She has written four books; her latest is called Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public."
I'm not intimidated by a lot of people but, let's face it, this chick is sharp. I hope somebody worthy of her company bids on and gets the dinner. I'd be happy just to read the blog that will inevitably come out of it.
23 April 2008
What does one say to Helen Thomas?
Labels:
Helen Thomas
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Whoa...dinner with Helen Thomas!!! I wish that I could afford to bid and, like you, could think of some halfway intelligent dinner conversation. At least something that wouldn't make her sorry she ever agreed to the whole thing.
When W sicced his press person (Dana sombody) on Ms. Thomas I was thoroughly disgusted. He can only lose that battle - thank goodness.
I recommend her book "Watchdogs of Democracy". It made me feel that the journalism part of my work was pretty pathetic and I should apologize to her.
Thanks for the comment and the recommendation! :)
I was once Helen Thomas' handler for an event she spoke at. I spent a good hour or two with her between her keynote address and her lunch with our board of directors. We never ran out of stuff to talk about. She's a witty, sharp, talkative woman with loads of stories to tell.
If you really want to get her going, ask her what she thinks of W and the Dick. Oy vey. She makes no bones about her lack of love for those two or their dictatorial regime!
My recommendation: Place a bid. Helen Thomas ROCKS!
P.S. Oprah should have Helen come and sit on her couch. She'd be a far sight more interesting than Tom "I'm not a sycophant" Cruise.
I found the information on the Auction. Can you only bid in person?
BTW, I'm having a heck of a time reading the word verification! Hope I can get this through.
J.M.: That WOULD be a much better show. :) Thanks for your comments.
Hughes: I don't know but I expect so. Check with the coordinators of the event.
On word verification: You may it through. Thanks for the effort! Not sure what the issue is but you are not the only one to complain. I may have to investigate on blogger and see what that's about.
Post a Comment