Helen Thomas: The Playboy Interview

Both correct. Helen is an anti-Semite -- based upon her own words. And, she's repeated her beliefs enough times that it's very clear what she believes.

Helen may have been a strong critic of George W. Bush's policies. Maybe some of you agree with her criticism.

It shouldn't blind you to her anti-Semitism. The enemy of your enemy does not have to be your friend.

 

Playbody interview was interesting stuff. It's a shame Thomas can't just limit her comments to Israel/Palestine policy, because she certainly makes some valid arguments that could spur a healthy debate about the United State's stance. Unfortunately, her more extreme points of view on Jews controlling Hollywood, banks, etc. enable people to dismiss her policy beliefs as hate-fueled ramblings from a crazy geezer.

 

Yeah, it would be much better if she hid her blatantly anti-Semitic views. That would be great.

Now, it's hard to take her seriously. Isn't that a shame? She has so much wisdom to offer.

 

I don't get all the defense for her. She said some pretty nasty shit.

 

That's certainly true. But it seems to me that most anti-Semites are pretty unrepentant about their views, and actually pretty much embrace the label. In the interview, she seems pretty upset about the label.

It is a shame that her dumb comments on Jews overshadow some pretty valid points about the US and Israel. But she has no one else but herself to blame for that.

 

Helen Thomas is 90 years old. Did she make any of her more hateful and outlandish statements before, say, age 75? When discussing racism, sexism, homophobia etc. among our older relatives, most of us seem to give wide latitude to age. "That's the way he grew up." "Different world." "He isn't as lucid as he used to be and that doesn't represent who he is or was." I remember Mike Royko wrote some major clunkers toward the end that, if people weren't so kind about his advanced age and prior achievements, really could have tarnished his legend.

That could be at work here too.

 

Al Davis is the centerpiece interview in the next issue.

 

Thank God it wasn't her naked.

 

So should we have excused Marge Schott also?

 

Schott's most offensive reported statements came when she was in her late 50s to early 60s -- hardly the doddering old fool stage -- and as people looked into her past there was a pattern of such beliefs and actions (her household decor, not hiring blacks etc.). I do not believe Helen Thomas has shown anything close to such hate even now, and I am asking if anyone knows of any incendiary speech before age 75.

 

How old was she when she became a columnist and not a reporter?

 

YF, your political disagreement is not evidence of her anti-semitism. How about an actual anti-Semitic statement from before the 1990s?