The Helen Thomas Era Ends

Helen Thomas's career has been long and distinguished.  She began covering President elect Kennedy in 1960 and has covered every President since.  It was well known that she was no friend of Republicans and no friend of Israel, still admiration for her was nearly universal.  Her seat in the press gallery was directly in front of the President and she was a formidable adversary for any politician.

The end of her career was a rather sad spectacle.  At the age of 89 she attended the White House celebration of Jewish Heritage month and inexplicably told a rabbi that the Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home."  She suggested that they return to Poland, Germany and America.

Germany and Poland were countries in which many Jews were born and raised for generations.  It is also the case that the most notorious Nazi death camps were also situated there.

Helen Thomas was a teenager during Kristallnacht.  She was an adult when Hitler invaded Poland.  Throughout her entire life (and before) Jews lived in Palestine.  During her long life, Jews ceased to be a significant part of the population of many Arab countries.

It could be said that these facts should lead to her condemnation as she should have really known better.  However it is also the basis for some forgiveness.  What she said was very offensive.  However she is almost 90 now.  I couldn't help but feel some sympathy for her as Ari Fleischer (Bush Administration) and Lanny Davis (Clinton Administration) eviscerated her publicly and disavowed their past friendship and respect.

If you were lucky enough to have a grandmother who was deep into her 80's, would you be embarrassed if she said something off colour or would you smile knowing that she has lived a life worthy of respect?

I once attended a military dinner where a number of retired officers attended.  An old man barked at me and asked me if i was Japanese.  I smiled and said "No sir, I'm Korean.  We were fighting the Japanese behind the lines."  A somewhat less old man came up to me and apologized for the old major's tone with me.  I told him that no apologies were necessary.  That "old man" was a decorated veteran of the Italian campaign and deserved respect.  Sure he might have gone a little batty but I chose to cut him some slack.  He had earned it.

Helen Thomas was right to retire.  She probably should have done so earlier.  Lanny Davis and Ari Fleischer should stand down.  There is no valour in beating up on an old woman.  They should throw her a big party to celebrate her retirement and honour her life.  She deserves it.