Helen Thomas tells it like it is to a packed audience

Intermountain Catholic

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Journalist Helen Thomas willingly signs autographs and listens to the many people who lined up to talk to her following her speech. IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "Washington seems very far away today for me, but certainly the happenings there and decisions made there effect us all," said Journalist Helen Thomas. "Unfortunately most of them seem to be bad these days."

Thomas, 86, inaugurated the McCarthey Family Lecture Series, at Rowland Hall St. Mark's School Oct. 7. She received several standing ovations throughout her half-hour speech, followed by questions and answers. She lived up to her reputation of being tough and unafraid "to tell it like it is" for the standing-room only audience. Many were turned away because there simply was no more room.

Thomas was born in Winchester, Ky., to Lebanese immigrant parents. She was raised in Detroit, Mich., and attended Wayne State University, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in 1942. She left Detroit determined to be a newspaper reporter. Her first job in journalism was as a copy girl with the Washington Daily News, but shortly after, she was promoted to cub reporter.

In November 1960, Thomas began covering then President-elect John F. Kennedy, following him to the White House in January 1961. She later became White House Bureau Chief for the UPI (United Press International), where she covered the next nine presidents and was employed for 57 years.

She resigned in May 2000, when UPI was acquired by News World Communications owned by the Rev. Sung Myung Moon. Thomas is currently a Hearst Newspapers columnist, and a member of the White House Press Corps.

Traditionally, Thomas sat in the front row and asked the first question during White House press conferences, but said since she does not represent a wire service, they moved her to the back row.

"I am seated in the back row because I ask mean questions," Thomas revealed.

Thomas 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, including her latest, "Watchdogs of Democracy? The Waning Washington Press Corps and How it Has Failed the Public."

"I am very honored to be here at the invitation of the McCarthey Family Foundation," said Thomas. "The family was 100 years plus in the newspaper business (The Salt Lake Tribune) leaving a great legacy to Salt Lake City and its people."

Thomas said looming large on the minds of the powers that be is the mid-term November elections. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks, the Republicans are worried and the Democrats are upbeat for the first time in a long time. Thomas was referring to Rep. Mark Foley's page scandal.

"The president had hoped to concentrate on the global war on terrorism, not the war in Iraq, mind you, and to brag about the economy," said Thomas. "On that I don't see much to boast about. But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum, and the best laid plans have gone awry.

"I do feel the country has never been in more disarray than in recent times," said Thomas. "We've lost our way, we've lost our halo, and our reputation is very low in the world where we were once on top."

Thomas said even those on Capitol Hill are wondering these days if it is time to cut our losses and run. They would save lives if they did. The president has indicated these problems are for his successor.

"I don't think so," said Thomas. "I think the high human cost of this unbeatable war is beginning to sink in. We are in a war this president cannot explain or defend, and we are losing lives every day. We went into this war under false pretenses. No weapons of mass destruction, no ties to Al Qaeda terrorist network, and those were the official reasons given to send men and women to Iraq. I am certain there will be a grand awakening and an accounting.

"Of course, terrorism has to be fought, but let's find out the root cause for all this hatred, which is sudden in our own history," said Thomas. "We were revered and emulated as role models for leading the way to a better life for all mankind."

Thomas said she believes the White House press and Pentagon Press Corps fell down on the job. Reporters were gullible to the White House spin fearing being called un-American or unpatriotic if they questioned and challenged the packaging of the war after the 9/11 catastrophe. The media fell into disrepute. Some reporters fabricated stories accepting payment from the government to plant favorable stories about the war in the papers.

"Our much touted standards of fairness and above all truth, the holy grail of our profession, took a holiday," said Thomas. "But I do believe even after rolling over and playing dead, the press is coming out of its coma now and doing a better job. More than 80 members of the media have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan in trying to report on the war.

"The rubber-stamp congress and the law makers empowered this president to be above the law, and to deny many people their basic human rights," said Thomas. "Mistakes have been made, and they are not us.

"George W. Bush once wanted to be known as a war president," said Thomas. "He is. As for Congress, only a handful were courageous enough to oppose the war knowing the premise was false. Instead of saving lives by showing some guts, they gave up their Constitutional rights to declare war."

Thomas said no president has ever liked the press dating back to George Washington.

"President Kennedy said, ?I am reading more and enjoying it less,' said Thomas. "What Lyndon B. Johnson said is unprintable.

"Once we poured into the Cabinet room where Nixon was holding a meeting," said Thomas. "He looked up and said, ?It's only coincidental we are talking about pollution when the press walks in.'

"President Ford likened my questions to acupuncture," said Thomas. "President Clinton said the press always followed the motorcade when he was jogging because they wanted to see if he would drop dead."

Thomas said she has many memories of covering the White House.