Give Helen Thomas a Raise!
Leave it to the right-wing National Review Online to completely flub the title. I guess you have to be a 31 percenter to see this exchange their way.
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If anybody in the White House press room these days deserves a raise it's Helen Thomas, who continues to be the only journalist in the room to consistently uphold the duties of the Fourth Estate. Thank you Helen for keeping it real ever since landing a job at UPI all the way back in 1943.
Transcript and commentary after the jump.
Helen Thomas: No troops out from Iraq on his watch. I know. I'm talking about all troops.
Dana Perino: Well, 5700 troops will be home by the end of the year so that is some troops coming home. The President said the troop levels are going to be made by the commanders on the ground and we are going to have to talk about return on success. [return? You mean like the return of the $3.5 trillion this war is going to cost since your (mis)administration promised that Iraq was "a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon."]
Helen Thomas: Why should it be? Why don't the American people have a say?
Dana Perino: The American people have had a say. They elected a President [no, they didn't] who is their commander in chief [no, he is not] and is making decisions based on what his commanders on the ground are telling him.
Helen Thomas: Do You think that was the vote from the American people?
Dana Perino: They elected a commander in chief [not!] and the President is bringing home 5700 troops based on the recommendations of his commanders on the ground and based on return on success. Hopefully in the future we can bring home more but it's going to depend on what Gen Petraeus reports and remember he will come back in March.
Helen Thomas: Why should we depend on him?
Dana Perino: Because he is the commander on the ground, Helen. He's the one who is making sure that the situation is moving —
Helen Thomas: You mean how many more people we kill?
Dana Perino: Helen, I find it really unfortunate that you use your front row position bestowed upon you by your colleagues to make such statements. This is. It is an honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room, and to suggest that we, at the United States, are killing innocent people is just absurd and very offensive.
Helen Thomas: Do you know how many we have since the start of this war?
Dana Perino: How many... We are going after the enemy, Helen. To the extent that any innocent Iraqis have been killed, we have expressed regret for it.
Helen Thomas: Oh, regret. It doesn't bring back a life.
So true, Helen. So true. [transcript and commentary are mine]
HELEN ROCKS!!!
Give her HELL helen....
check out perinos "eat shit & die look" at the end of the clip...
H I L A R I O U S !
God bless you, Helen. From a fellow Kentuckian...
Helen Thomas continues to ask real questions, and that drives the neocons crazier.
The few real journalists left in this country, like Helen, are something to cherish.
I have a feeling that Helen would agree when I say what we need is......
Dennis Kucinich 08 - Leadership with integrity.
if only the so called journalist in the room had her courage and independence. think where this country would be today. the rest of the bunch just lay down and play dead while being spoon fed propoganda. this is a great lady and this country owes a her a debt. please keep asking the tough questions. this country needs you.
I thought Dana was condescending to Helen and to make the personal attack was very inappropriate.
Helen, I find it really unfortunate that you use your front row position bestowed upon you by your colleagues to make such statements. This is. It is an honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room, and to suggest that we, at the United States, are killing innocent people is just absurd and very offensive.
I hate the turn that our country has taken and the way the right always turns things personal to get away from the real issues. Dana finds statement of the truth offensive. Fuck her.
Given 'em Hell, Helen!
Dana Perino, you are the biggest bitch I've heard in a long, long time. I'd like to see your sorry ass in Iraq, but being the diva you are and the chicken-hawk you are, that would never happen. You and the rest of the cowards occupying our White House have dirtied it forever.
What goes around, comes around, and this scum of a woman has a lot of bad karma coming her way.
thes repo ciminally cowardly chickenhawk whores do'nt like it when you rub their noses in the pile of SHIT they CAUSED
I dunno. I saw it as tough questions from Thomas handled well by Perino. Give 'em both raises.
bushisaliar @ 8:
WELL SAID!!
we need more reporters like this.
HEY DANA! PEOPLE ARE KILLED IN WARS! There is no Santa or Easter Bunny either.
please dont be so hard on dana! im sure shes just had a bad start to her morning routine, perhaps she had a malfuntion of her morning douchebag, that can be disheartening after a hard night in the dc brothels!
Bush's lying mouth piece of ass, "Helen, there are we have never found or imprisoned nor killed any innocent Iraqis. Now stop doing your job, it's embarrassing (me).
What is in the cup Dana? Remorse? Regret? The blood of our soldiers and innocent Iraqis?
Way to go Helen---but remember that you are having a discussion with a robotic retard pre programmed by the Buscovite Junta to spew their defective propaganda. Don't ever expect these sociopathic misfits to ever admit any wrongdoing or responsibility.
I hate this woman. Absolutely cannot stand her. I think I can watch Bush easier than I can this Slag. A holiday for America will be the day one of the reporters slaps this woman across the face to knock that smirk to the moon.
I wonder what kind of "tell all" book Ms. Dana will write three years from now? I venture she'll say how she didn't know she was lying to the American people. The only thing truthful we will know, is that she was not pounding bon bons with Jeff Gannon-Guckert, like our new buddy Scotty McClellan did.
To paraphrase Samuel L. Jackson, in "Pulp Fiction":
"Say my name in that condescending tone, again! I dare you! I double-dare you, motherfucker! Say my name in that condescending tone, one more goddamn time!!"
mo_dems @ 11:
Unfortunately, Helen is the last of her kind. The press corps are a bunch of Repug zombie stenographers.
"Oh yeah? W...We...Well, I... I guess you have to be a 68%-er to see it THIS way, suck on that!"
Helen does a great job of exposing Perino for the uber-patriotic robot that she is.
Imagine expressing "regret" for the deaths of a million innocent people.
I love the poisoned look she gave her right at the end.
Ali @ 6:
Yeah she started lecturing Helen-what a pathetic joke.
In other words, 'The American people had their say in the elections, which we stole fair and square. You already had your chance to be ignored. Now shut-up.'
Is there something wrong with the comments ?
wont post my comments.
Stop attempting to talk down to Helen Thomas, DanaBarbie. Not gonna cut it, not on this video or anywhere.
D.P. can only dream of having the brains H.T. has, if Perino cared to have a brain.
Dana Perino- even more vacuous than Tony Snow behind the briefing room podium (who woulda thunk it possible)...
Dana says "Everybody has the opportunity for liberty freedom and democracy". Hmmmm WHAT ABOUT LIFE?
Keep up the good work Helen.
Dana Perino: How many… We are going after the enemy, Helen. To the extent that any innocent Iraqis have been killed, we have expressed regret for it
Regret? A MILLION civilians have been killed! "I'm sorry" doesn't excuse that. A million innocent cicilians vs how many insurgents? Seriously. Have we "killed" a million enemies too?
WTG Helen! Give her hell!!!!
Right on, Helen.
This is what the "press" should be doing to this little twerp every day.
kulshan @ 24:
I don't know... Try again.
Looks like it worked!
Bill Norton @ 9:
Actually, I thought that Dana Perino handled Ms. Thomas' s questions very poorly. Perino never answered Helen Thomas when Ms. Thomas asked her how many Iraqis had been killed since the United States illegally invaded their country. Perhaps that was because Dana Perino would not acknowledge that over a million Iraqis have died since the invasion due to death, illness, starvation, unnecessary shootings, etc. It is understandable that Perino would find Ms. Thomas's question offensive because to address it would mean that the United States would have to confront the fact that it is complicit in war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. All of these transgressions would naturally be answerable at the International Criminal Court, which the U.S. has conveniently elected not to join. It is just astonishing that a woman of Helen Thomas's age [87?] is as sharp as she is while Dana Perino apparently feels no shame in aiding and abetting the lies that spew from this criminal administration.
The right to liberty, freedom and get blown to smithereens from 4000 feet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNWOj_dFSR4
And there she proved why Helen is 10 times the woman Dana will ever be.
The greatest success of the Bush regime's
surgeescalation has been to get the press to stop reporting on US casualties. To my knowledge, at least 38 have died in combat (not counting those who later died from injuries received in combat) in the last month, but you wouldn't know about it from the press coverage. The bar has been set that combat fatalities are not news unless at least 5-10 die in a single incident.Little blonde missy here forgets that the Dems were given a majority in BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS because they had promised to start bringing toops home from Iraq. The only people with confidence in King George are the 25-30 percenters.
Janet @ 27:
Janet-
Very well said. Questions that Ms. Thomas raises must be continually asked in order that the people in this country are aware of how many Iraqis have needlessly lost their lives because of American imperialism.
To me Dana looked like she was going to tear up when Helen asked how many innocents we were going to kill. But then she told Helen it was a privilege to be in the breifing room. Bet that privilege will be taken away pretty damn soon, or that Helen will be ignored again.
It is my hope that all the reporters start pepper Dana with real questions, hopefully personalizing the victims. Maybe that will dent Dana's armor and we will be able to "break" her. I think Dana is treating this as a political experiment, she doesn't see the human cost and has depersonalized the war. If we can show her teh people dying. The families, American and Iraqi being destroyed by this experiment of theirs she will crack.
Obviously this cracking/breaking will have to be done at the War Crime Trials that will be held in '09 (reason why Impeachment is off the table?) I think Dana wants to be honest and treats this job as a game. Can't believe that they are all heartless bastards!
to suggest that we, at the United States, are killing innocent people is just absurd and very offensive.
aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my head is going to fucking explode
Yes, Helen brought a blush of anger to the Stepford spokeswoman. Didn't think that could be done.
Hell yeah, Ms. Thomas!
While i don't believe that people should be rewarded for simply doing their jobs, maybe its time that we all find a way to recognize Ms. Thomas. She may only be doing her job, but she's one of the few who does. That woman needs a fan club. Enough vocal support for her might, big maybe, be enough for other reporters to see that we want them all to be more like Helen.
Be like Helen, just do it...
And don't worry folks, poor Dana will age horribly from even a short stint at this gig. Since her looks seem to be all that she really has, the price will of this will be high...especially if reporters start asking her actual questions.
god bless you Helen!
But y'know what is so interesting to me is this circular "commander in chief" and "commander on the ground thing."
I'm waiting for someone to ask "So, Mr. President, which is it? Are *you* the commander in chief, or is the general? Does a general follow orders from a colonel? *You* make the decision, and your commanders on the ground carry it out. "
aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my head is going to fucking explode
Telling Helen Thomas being in the briefing room is a privelege is what is wrong with American journalism today. People have a right to know what their elected officials (yes, even the elected wannabe-king Boy George) are doing. Reporters should not be grateful about being allowed to do their job.
"and to suggest that we, at the United States, are killing innocent people is just absurd and very offensive." - Dana Perino
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1338749,00.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/10/AR200610...
Voice of America - 12 Iraqi Villagers Killed in Militant Raid - 7 hours ago
"At least 537 Iraqi civilians were killed last month."
Yep. Totally absurd, Dana. Don't let any reality get in the way of the story.
I didn't think I'd be able to equate another human with the perfidious George W. Bush, but Perino is as big an ass as he is.
Watching that fucked-up teenybopper condescending to Helen made my eyes bleed.... If there were anyone even kind of decent in the White House, Perino would have been bounced out on her ass for that.
Kudos to Helen. She's kicked Ari, Scotty, Tony, and Dana's asses
Helen does a great job of exposing Perino for the uber-patriotic robot that she is.
I guess I'm having trouble figuring out what an "uber-patriot" is. Perhaps it's someone who spounts jingoistic nonsense is response to legitimate questions.
Sorry Dana but it is not a war zone...!
Our military is engaged in an occupation. An occupation that places them in crossfire of the Iraqi civil war.
For our troops on the ground there. Who are they supporting and defending-Sunni or Shia?
Dana, if (a big if) you were a patrolling grunt on the streets of Iraq and gunfire broke out from two sides of the street with (presumably) Sunni on one side and Shia on the other. You as a soldier cannot distinguish who is who.
So, who do you fire at ????? Which side are you on ?
I would call Dana a "monkey brain" but it is beneath me.
And for Dana to lecture Helen on misuse of her front seat. I didn't hear any of Helen's colleagues complaining, Dana. So if Dana can't handle the press get someone else that can without personal attacks to cover not answering.
Perino: [...]It is an honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room,[...]
Actually, that's their job, just like it is yours. You get your chance to justify the government's actions to the public; they get to ask for details. Count your blessings that only a couple of them are any good at it.
Or are you going to try kicking her out of the front row again?
My guess Helen would have been a journalist since befor Dana's mommie was born.
It should be a 'privilege' to represent the government as a government spokesperson, instead, Dana is a liar.
Anyone else notice that last little nasty glimpse by Dana? It was the I-talked-nice-softly-patronizingly-to-you-like-you-were-my-grandmother and this is how you repay me?" look.
Fuckin priceless.
Heavyweight truthseeker Thomas versus lightweight prevaracator perino; hardly a contest.
Holly in Detroit @ 19:
Bingo. And let's add that for the most part the MSM are corporatist syncophants in love with the bankrupt status quo.
Ali @ 6:
Of course Perino was condescending, she was trying to shut Helen up by being a bully. I'm sure that's a part of Perino's training, to shut down inconvenient questions. If you notice Perino's voice in the last third, she is very shaken and sounds as though she is about to cry. Helen had her up to the edge.
Helen has spoken to more world leaders than all the people in that white house combined.
Dana should be seeking advice from her
Dana needs a mushroom on the forehead...
god i love Helen Thomas. Perino was obviously flustered. But I wanted to throw a brick through my monitor when she was going on about what an "honor and a privilege" it was for Helen to be in the briefing room. Like the president is some fucking king who condescends to bring the message down to the unwashed masses via the spokesliar Perino.
This WH and their spokespeople need to seriously get it through their thick skulls that governing this nation is an HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE. And it is one they have completely fucked up!
parino does a really poor job of spinning bullshit and tossing out the coin phrases at the right moments. At least joe blow, the last jerk they had could smile through it and make it all sound like a big joke. This poor wench lets it get under her skin, and rebuttal with the defense she gives is laughable in itself.
"we are bringing freedom, democracy to these people".....doh....try death and destruction bitch!
"it's a war zone"....doh, try an occupation bitch! Truth hurts.
Does anyone remember when Perino was going to take over and the bush said that he hoped (or knew) that everyone would take it easy with her?
Looks like Helen is about to be ignored again. Go Helen!!!!
HulksHeroes @ 58:
Dana and the other Bushbots talk about freedom and democracy so long as Iraqis vote for whom the Chimp's administration wants the to vote for. We all saw how quickly the Bush administration turned their backs on the Palestinians when they elected Hamas officials to lead their government.
Hype-Jersey @ 57:
Amen. I expected Perino to shout "Silence Whippersnapper!" at any moment. Perino is an arrogant and condescending clod---perfect match for the circus freak show called the Bush Administration.
Thank you Helen for
keeping it realkicking ass ever since landing a job at UPI all the way back in 1943."I find it repulsive and disturbing that you don't throw me softballs."
As soon as she got to the part about "electing... commander in chief" I had to turn off the video. It's repulsive to think the person in charge of the largest arsenal in the world is a drooling imbecile.
Give Thomas the raise, and Perino the finger.
You know what is really offensive, cutie pie, is that WE ARE killing innocent people, and you view the suggestion that the US does kill innocent people more insulting and offensive than the act of our killing innocent people is.
That questioning and back and forth between Thomas and Perino is what real journalism is all about. Helen Thomas was relentless. Bam! truth right between the eyes! Love it, fucking love it.
It was sure Toady-like of Perino to give Bush her brain in a transplant, but it didn't seem to do either of them any good.
It may be an honor and privilege to be in the press room but that doesn't mean someone can't ask a question just because you, a right wing loon and apologist, don't like it. And liberty and freedom have absolutely nothing to do with Iraq as any sane, non propagandized person would know.
Dana is from Wyoming. Another example the dark world-view spawned in my state.
miss_kitty @ 65:
The mere suggestion with these people of any wrong doing is tantamount to being a traitor don't you know.
Helen Thomas has faced down better Whitehouse Spokespersons than Perino. Huzzah!
Does that sign behind Dana Perino read "The Whore House"...?
pinkobait @ 21:
"-patriotic?" More like a high-level traitor!
Dana (Nazi-Valley Girl) Perrino. Some nerve.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room" ??????
Yes Dana we all must bow down and lick the boots of power. We the poeple serve those in power, obviously. Not the other way around, after all that would be Domocracy.
On second thought, what is the point of being there when you (and of course the adminstration you front for) can't utter one word of truth anyway? A honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room? Dana, you are despicable and a ridicuolus human being.
Can't we all just get along?
It is an honor to be in the press room, and Helen Thomas has always honored her place there by asking the most thoughtful, insightful and responsible questions. Perino isn't qualified to carry Helen's used Kleenex.
Bill Norton @ 9:
You would be wrong. It was not handled well. It was a case of fake outrage and attack the messenger. Which is the standard MO for the Republican party and this administration specifically.
Talk about giving someone the STINK EYE! And she tried to do it real quick.
below_me @ 2:
I like the look she gave Helen at the end. Her face was flushed. Dana no likey confrontation.
tz @ 74:
That caught my ear as well. A not so veiled threat if ever there was one.
I would love to see them try to kick Helen out.
A privilege to be in the press room? Hey Dana, who's press room is it? Hey Dana, did the American people hire you or are you privileged? Hey Dana who signs your paycheck? Hey Dana, blow me.
some dude named steevo @ 56:
WTF!?
Dana Perino eats little children for lunch. I hope her sleep is disturbed.
An honor and a privilege to put up with world-class spin? Ha.
The "honor and a privilege" line is related to Sara Taylor's "I took an oath to the president" statement. I'm wondering if whitehouse employees have to kneel to pray and to King George?
Helen was honored by her peers who gave her the privlege of the front row seat. It is Helen's job to question the bullcrap that comes from Dana.
Dana, you dithering street walking tramp! Did you say FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND troops withdrawn by years end before changing the number to FIFTY SEVEN HUNDRED?
Helen you should've jumped up on the podium and slapped Dana 'The Android' for this little faux pas.
The Netroots should recognize her for doing what a journalist is supposed to do against all odds.
Maybe an annual award in her name for the journalist who best exemplifies the 4th Estates duty?
Thoughts, ideas?
It's pathetic that this line of questioning comes so rarely-and from an 87 year old woman. My grandmother would be 2 months older than Helen; it's pathetic that all those other young and relatively spry WH meat puppets can't hold Perino's feet to the fire that much too often.
Dana Perrino is a soulless pig.
Ayt CSPAN in the whole presser Dana says that the prez is against using any public money for a "bail out" of consumers due to the mortgage nightmare. YET what about the money that Arbusto made through the bankruptcy courts andf what about the S&L fiasco! He has personally benefited from bail outs.
Dana really shot daggers all through the presser and really tried hard to not look at her!
Go Helen!
I LOVE YOU HELEN!
...she's the last of the fourth estate.
Portside Politics @ 89:
PLEASE! Think of the pigs!
Hype-Jersey @ 57:
You said it, pal. I couldn't agree with you more.
Why has Bush been allowed to create this fucked up Imperial presidency with almost no opposition? The sycophantic press is only part of the problem, but they bear a lot of the blame.
Peoples Front of Judea @ 82:
Mushrooms thrive where there's darkness and plenty of shit is my guess.
Reporters dont have to apologize for questions any more than political mouthpieces need to speak the truth. Criticizing a question is just another way to run out the clock.
If anybody deserves a Medal of Freedom(tm) it's Helen Thomas. They should also make Dear Dana personally give it to her...
Everyone with a working brain knows that WH Press Secretaries serving Rethuglicans are sent to the Podium to lie their butts off. Some do it well. Perino on the other hand, is so obviously lying through her teeth, that it is actually humorous to watch her.
It saddens me that that punk Perino will outlive a hero like Helen Thomas.
Anybody notice the unintentional humor in the headline under the "Give Dana Perino a Raise" headline? "Republicans REPORT Much Better Mental Health Than Others" (emphasis added). I love the way the article blithely conflates *reported* mental health with *actual* mental health. Yeah, I can "report" that I'm tall and handsome, but that don't make it so.
Helen Thomas should get a Medal of Freedom. The rest of the White House press corp aren't fit to shine her shoes.
talk about douchebags.... a google search right now brings up this article first on Google.. a totally rethuglican view.. and to hear those Rethugs spew their venom..
Nothing defines this president so much as the statement, "It is an honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room..."
I've got news for you Mr. Bush (and Ms. Perino), you work for us. It is an honor and a privilege for you to serve us. Not the other way around.
No clue why my link didnt show up:
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/11/30/helen-thomas-pwned-by-dana-perino
The rude condescending tone of this young twit to a true professional with boundless integrity and experience makes me want to slap her silly. Though apparently someone already has beaten me to it.
May I suggest that we all buy (multiple) copies of Helen's books (especially the latest, "Watchdogs of Democracy?") as a good way to show our support and encouragement?
I wrote an email to Ms. Thomas after one of these egregious insults (by Snowflake, I think), and received a gracious and humorous reply. The lady is a class act, and I wish her many more years of being a treasured gadfly and that rare creature, an actual journalist.
I saw this bumper sticker yesterday: There is no flag large enough to cover up the killing of innocent people.
Helen Thomas honors herself, her profession, and us.
If I'm not IP-banned, may I try this again?
Bad questions, answered badly. Great.
Thomas: Why should it be? Why don't the American people have a say?
The PROPER response is: Because decisions on military allocation during wartime aren't made by the civilian population, they're made by the military chain of command. The President is elected by the American people, but he also has a military job as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and he is not obliged to listen to the people in making logistical decisions about war.
Thomas: Do you think that [what?] was the vote from the American people?
The correct response is: What are you referring to: the decision to bring 5700 troops home, the election of President Bush, or listening to what his commanders on the ground are telling him? [if Thomas clarifies] On the first: The American people don't get a vote on that; On the second: That was the American vote, yes; On the third: As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President's military duty is not to make military decisions based on what the civilian population is voting for, but rather to make decisions based on what his commanders on the ground are telling him, which is what he is doing.
Thomas: Why should we depend on him?
Answered correctly.
Thomas: You mean how many more people we kill?
Correct answer: Yes, Helen, how many more INSURGENTS and TERRORISTS we kill. Nearly all of the killing of innocents is done by insurgents and terrorists, and of those that the US has killed most have been from collateral damage, which we have tried to minimize but cannot entirely eliminate.
Thomas: Do you know how many [innocent people] we have [killed] since the start of the war?
Correct answer: Nobody knows the exact number, only that we're constantly trying to keep that number as small as possible.
Perino barely held on to her sanity responding to Helen's "...regret doesn't bring back a life."
Is Perino losing her hair or pulling it out by the fistful?
Doesn't take much to get those little heads aspinning..wish we had more like Helen Thomas.
Hit a nerve and the whole thing has to get very personal..
"It's an honor and privilege to be in the briefing room"? Excuse me????? Someone should tell these people The White House belongs to the country, not the administration, who are there only because they stole an election.
I am so fuggin tired of the arrogance of this gang of thugs. When will it end?
Go Helen!!!
Unfortunately for the world, the war criminals in the WH don't give a shit how many innocents are killed - as long as they aren't white christians. Perhaps they are prolonging the war in part for this reason - the longer it lasts, the more Muslims are killed.
Dana Perino deserves a special place in her hell - along with snow and mcclellan - for her complicity in the deaths of tens of thousands (if not close to a million) innocent men, women and children who died simply because bush enjoys killing non-christians.
the message "The people elected a commander in chief "needs to be corrected...The people (or the system) elected a president, whose job is to be the commander in chief of the MILITARY.
He is the Commander of the MILITARY, but he works for the People as the president.
Until this simple message gets pounded thru the electorate, and to Joe citizen, The Executive office will evolve in to an Absolute "Elected" military government .
2ndly, I question the process MS perrino referred too about who gets the front row,...if thier was truly a process in place I doubt the name Jack Gannon would have ever graced the Press Corp...
ALINEFX @ 102:
Reading the shit at this link shows just what the reality-based people of this country are up against - rabid (and I do mean rabid) bush supporters and religious nutjobs.
Ali @ 6:
Not just that but it was typical of the administration to spin the phrase, "You mean how many more people we kill?" into, "To suggest that we, at the United States, are killing innocent people is just absurd and very offensive."
Helen said no such thing.
To say that the US President is the American citizens Commander in Chief is not just treason against the US Constitution but is a terrorist act against the US! Dana Perino needs to be arrested and held without bail n terror charges immediately damn it!
"We are going after the enemy ...Helen..."..DP
...Orwell was right he just got the year wrong.
Did you catch the snide little look Dana sneaked in at Helen at the very end of the clip?
Good on Helen. Thanks for speaking truth to the surrogate of power.
duncanidho @ 109:
So the proper phrasing is "The people elected the military's commander in chief." Probably the strictly correct version is "The people elected their president and the military's commander in chief," though nobody's actually going to say something that long for a sound byte. Okey-doke.
Dear Dana, the US isn't a military dictatorship yet!!
SpellBound @ 111:
You have to admit, though, to suggest that our only job in Iraq is killing people is kinda offensive...or at least simplistic...
Give Helen Thomas a raise hell! Congress should give her the Congressional Medal of Honor for speaking the truth!
Macdaffy @ 104:
Give 'em hell, Helen. GIVE. THEM. HELL.
... I just don't know why the rest of the detached, insensitive corporate pawns assembled in that room don't wake up and feed off of Helen's critique and cynicism? With the exception of Helen Thomas, these press conferences are pure theater.
(What is a good site with edgy bumper stickers and t-shirts? Spare me the milquetoast ones)
Perino said something to affect that it's a war-zone and innocent people sometimes get killed.....
Ummmm, SOMETIMES?????? It's more like on a daily basis. It wasn't a WAR-ZONE until the WarPigs turned into one.
It just shows to go ya, you should never fuck with old people....they'll tell you the truth every time. After people have been around for more years than they sometimes care to be, guile is useless. Perino looked as nervous a whore in church.
Why....why why is she the only one in the room with any balls?
The rest of the press room is full of Jeff Gannons.
THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ARE DYING...THE PRESS IS TO BIG OF WUSSIES TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
Dana Perino is as dumb as a doornail and should be easy to pin down.
When exactly did David Gregory become Joe Lieberman?
J...Izz
What a hollow patronizing c*nt she is!!!!!!!
Can anyone tell me where i can send Helen flowers? It's hard not to love a journalist like Helen!
To Helen Thomas- Thank You
To Dana Perino- That reporter you tried to put down and insult just made you look like the fool that you are, you try to tell her about honor lady you don't have a clue.
As she was fielding Helen Thomas' question our favorite lying mouthpiece thinks, "But Tony said they'd lap up all the crap that I'd spew at them but now they're being mean and asking like, you know, real questions and stuff".
I honestly wonder how they treat Bush in private, or more accurately how he demands they treat him. From what I've read I'm pretty sure he demands to be treated as a King or even a God. The man obviously does have a God complex and but in the end he's just a little tin cowboy dictator wannabe.
I did a little research (not exhaustive by any means) and the estimate of Axis civilian deaths in WWII is 1.7 million. Doesn't look like we've learned a whole lot about greatly reducing civilian deaths in a war does it? But then again, the death of one civilian due to a country invading another without provocation is one too many.
CYA Dana, hope you someday come to grips with what you've done for a "career" over the last year or so. I'd be embarrassed to have to spout lies for a living but then I'm not a Republican and don't have their moral compass to live by .
Perino, it should be an honor and a privelege to be in YOUR position, serving the American people by answering OUR questions as given to you by EXCELLENT reporters like Helen Thomas. God Bless Her. As for you, Perino, pull you head out, stop with the evil stares and pretending that you are any more than a propagandist for the Bushies. It is YOUR loyalty to this country that is in question.
*OT but, when you click the link, this story is below: Republicans Report Much Better Mental Health Than Others
Too funny. According to they their-very-selves they have excellent mental health; much better than Dems. Well, considering they don't question anything, turn their brains off, and hand over their lives to Jesus, what could go worng in their little bubble worlds?
I'm not sure how accurate this is, but according to another website (which I'll insert here):
Helen Thomas can be reached at 202-263-6400 or at the e-mail address hthomas@hearstdc.com. Distributed by the New York Times News Service.
Dana Dogfood is a castrating nasty woman! Trying to shame Helen, she brings shame on herself.
She LOST that round. Eat canvas, Dana.
Memo to Dana:
The United States HAS killed a lot of innocent people, you idiot! I'm sorry if things that actually happened offend you, but no amount of your indignation will change the fact that W has caused a lot of death in the last 7 years. How much of that death was justified?
Sincerely,
Reality
Bluestater @ 117:
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dear dana, I find it really unfortunate that you use your position bestowed upon you to be a total koolaide drinking incompetent public servant. you even needed a swing of the cool sweet bush nector to get through this intellectual mugging from a woman that is so far out of and above your league.
in true repube form, dana went to the personal attack instead of true and open debate. once you run out of talking point you go on the attack. dana is so bad she can not even get out of her own way. just one example.........
"to suggest that we, at the United States, are killing innocent people is just absurd and very offensive." DP
"To the extent that any innocent Iraqis have been killed, we have expressed regret for it." DP
even the best comedy writers could not possibly make this stuff up. WTF and UFB.
long live helen.
Erroll @ 30:
you are so right. Did you see the evil look on her evil barbie face? She's right out of a bad horror movie. I hate her so much.
She lost it! she lost it! She lost it!
Did you see the hate look at 1:49 minute. Bitch!
Go figure, leave it to a cantankerous old women to have the balls to call these A-holes in the White House out on Iraq. PLEASE TAKE NOTE WASHINGTON PRESS CORP!
And true to form, Perino sticks with the typical canned answers that we've grown accustom to. Gee Dana, the only thing that i see as absurd and offensive are the decisions that this idiot of a President has made over the last six years. I actually thought Perino was going to cry when Helen persisted.
God bless you Helen! Give em hell.
The white house spokesmodel is starting to lose her limbs.
Yep Dana, it's "an honor and a privilege to be in the briefing room", but not to listen to you, but to represent the American people and to try to keep the Administration from being 100% cut of from the people they serve as much as the administration would prefer to be so isolated.
Frybread @ 42:
Well said. And Perino needs to realise the American public pays her salary. And we pay for the salary and health benefits of every person sitting in public office in DC, including Bush. The arrogance of this White House is unbelievable.
Math_Mage @ 118:
That was NOT the suggestion. Helen asked how many Iraqis have been killed. It deserved an answer.
Guess what? We ARE killing innocent people in Iraq. How many people have we killed was the question. To say that it is a absurd question simply evades the reality on the ground for the past 6 years. feh
gawd I can't stand fluff head dana ... why can't more journalists take Helen's lead
BTW -- anyone else irritated with the typical conservative "talk down to" hand slap dana attempted to give Helen?
This is an honor and a priviledge Helen . . so STFU and go alone with our line of BS
That's the best Dana can do: "You are lucky, Helen, that I don't come down there and escort you out of the room myself and revoke your privilege to honor me with your presence."
ECK-SKEE-YOOZE ME, but it's an HONOR and a PRIVILEGE to SERVE the country as PRESIDENT. It's a REQUIREMENT that this PRESIDENT allow an OPEN and UNFETTERED media access to the PRESIDENT. Not some mealy-mouthed spokesperson! Who has got her terms wrong, incidentally. The President is Commander-in-chief of the ARMED FORCES. Not the American PEOPLE.
I adore you, Helen. You continue to rock the house...
That little girl is not ready for prime time. She belongs back in high school making her little speeches before the student body assembly.
Uh oh, the Lying Sack of Cute looks like you pissed her off. Be afraid Helen, be very afraid.
Add Dana Perino to the long list of criminals that should go to highest security prison.
Holly in Detroit @ 19:
I agree with you about the 'press corp' ilk. I remember Bush's last press conference leading up to the invasion. The entire affair was 'scripted', and Bush had a list of reporters to call on, and in a particular order. Many times he would call on someone, and they had no question, or comment available. When he called on April, the best she could do was ask, "Mr President, how does your faith guide you in times like this?" That gave Dub a few minutes to talk about his prayer habits. As each meaningless question was called, the rest of the press corp would shoot their hands up, like there was an opportunity to be called. In other words, the whole group went along with the charade. It was government at its worse. There are still some good reporters out there. Walter Pincus (WP), the McClatchy Washington DC Bureau are some that I personally admire a great deal. There is also a growing number of op-ed columnists who are doing a very good job.
In 2002 and beyond, FOX and many others in the neo-con slime machine, had completely intimidated the media. It was not just a case of striking fear into the hearts of the journalists. They were also going after their business executives. The Murdoch ilk could threaten their revenue stream, and the administration could begin playing 'hardball' with regulatory applications and other licenses. I believe there are potential avenues for investigating collusion, illegal use of agency influence, and outright extortion. Unfortunately, this applies to virtually everything the administration got their grubby little mitts on. Who knows, someday we may have a new wing at Leavenworth named the Bush Wing. And, it will not receive the name to honor someone's benevolent contribution (unless fines count).
This war was not worth 1 dollar, or 1 death. Killing 1 Iraqi is way to many to die for this war. Killing 1,000,000 Iraqis is the worst atrocity of the 21st Century. We've been bombing and occupying Iraq since 1991. Why should we be surprised if arabs and muslims hate us? Americans not only hate iraqis/arabs/muslims, we go there, control their countries, kill, rape, bomb, etc.
Well we all know Perino will be working for Fux Noise after the shrub's term is up. I wonder if she's going to be the weather bunny, on the morning show, or co-host with O'lielly.
She deservers a Medal Of Freedom!
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