October 19, 2005 Helen Thomas
When Helen Thomas was sent to the back seat of the White House briefing room because she asked "real" questions, you knew that she wasn't willing to play the banter game with Bush administration press secretaries. That alone set her apart from the rest of the White House press corps, which was content to get by with briefings that revealed and acknowledged nothing at all. Thomas has covered every president since John F. Kennedy. She is 85 years old. The Bush packagers have fire walled her from asking any questions of George W. Bush, because she might reveal his ignorance by throwing him off script. So, it wasn't surprising that last week, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan interrupted his non-answer answers for a moment to accuse Helen Thomas of not supporting the war on terrorism. The octogenarian fireplug had the temerity to remind McClellan that Iraq was not involved in 9/11. The truth is the nastiest barb one can hurl at a Bush spokesman. But Thomas has never stopped probing, prodding and bringing the Bush administration to account for its past statements, actions and deceptions. At an age when most Americans are well into their retirement years, Thomas is still standing up for democracy -- and serving as a role model for how journalists should conduct themselves professionally. She's got the stamina and the integrity to take the insults and shabby Bushevik treatment in stride. Thomas knows the future of our country is hanging in the balance -- and it's her role to point out what's at stake and who is responsible. For that, she deserves our profound gratitude and this week's BuzzFlash "Wings of Justice Award." * * * The winning nominator is: Mark Jon Gootschalk of Santee, CA
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