Monday, October 5, 2009

Meeting Helen Thomas

Thanks to my dear friend Emy, I had a chance to meet Helen Thomas, the legendary White House correspondent, at Madison Civic Club's luncheon Saturday.

Called "the dean of the White House press corps," she has asked questions to 10 presidents. The audience applauded when we were told that her front row seat in the White House press room has been restored by President Obama.

At age 89, she's still quick-minded, straightforward, and down-to-earth, pretty much like this profile of her in last Friday's Washington Post. Somehow she reminds me of the little kid who shouts "but the emperor has no cloths on!" For example, when asked which press secretary of the President was most effective, she answered in one word, 'none." Another question asked of her if there should be a term limit for Senators and Congress Representatives to get rid of incompetent ones, she said no and offered an alternative solution -- "fire them."

I admire women who are not afraid of speaking their mind. We need more female (and male) journalists like her.

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