I have been more or less one of the resident class-clowns here at BH. Having been been so appalled at the bizarre news coming out of Washington on a daily basis, I’ve been unable to write anything, that isn’t from a satirical viewpoint. I must set off the political ‘Whoopee Cushion’ on these pages regularly, in order to keep my sanity and (pardon the expression), blow off some frustration amidst this dealership closin’, bank grabbin’, climate Goreing, march to socialism. The absolute lies, baloney and insanity streaming down from Washington, (all being completely ignored by the most of the press) have forced me to assume my old high school role of Goofball-Deluxe. Comedy hides pain? Okay maybe, but I don’t have to be B.F. Skinner to admit to you dear reader, that my satire was just an extension of the frustration caused by the real farce that has been taking place amidst one of our dearest freedoms; that of The Press.
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However, my dear wittle wabbits; please to knock me over with a feather (imitation of course, not from a eagle or a dolphin). The savior of my week was none other than the far-left lady from the great state of Bush-Bashachussetts: Ms. Helen Thomas.
She (for the time being) has undone my jaded eye-rolling hopelessness–she has (for at least this article) turned me into a reporter of sorts. Brava lady. Brava. Okay, it took the longest running member of the White House Press Corps to get any of the mainstream media to actually pay attention and not sweep it away with their “Right Wing Conspirator-Fox News” broom – but hey, whatever dudes! This week the news was the news.
Chip Reid, was questioning Press Secretary Gibbs about stacking the deck and the lack of openness at the Annandale healthcare ‘town hall’ meeting, when Helen ran to his aid. Here’s the transcript:
Gibbs: (Talking to Chip Reid) “… But, again, let’s–How about we do this? I promise we will interrupt the AP’s tradition of asking the first question. I will let you (Reid) ask me a question tomorrow as to whether you thought the questions at the town hall meeting that the President conducted in Annandale…”
Chip Reid: “I’m perfectly happy to…”
Helen Thomas: “That’s not his point. The point is the control…
Reid: “Exactly.“
Thomas: “We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not… This White House.”
Gibbs: “Yes, I was going to say, I’ll let you amend her question.”
Thomas: “I’m amazed. I’m amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and…”
Gibbs: “Helen, you haven’t even heard the questions.”
Reid: “It doesn’t matter. It’s the process.”
Thomas: “You have left open…”
Reid: “Even if there’s a tough question, it’s a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”
Thomas: “It’s shocking. It’s really shocking.”
Gibbs: “Chip, let’s have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meeting. How about that?”
Reid: “Okay.”
Gibbs: “I think…”
Thomas: “No, no, no, we’re having it now…”
Gibbs: “Well, I’d be happy to have it now.”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern.”
Gibbs: “Which question did you object to at the town hall meeting, Helen?”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern. It isn’t the question…”
Gibbs: “What’s a pattern?”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern of controlling the press.”
Gibbs: “How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I’m controlling the press…poorly, I might add.”
Thomas: “Your formal engagements are pre-packaged.”
Gibbs: “How so?”
Reid: “Well, and controlling the public…”
Thomas: “How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they’re going to be called on. That is shocking.”
Gibbs: “We had this discussion ad-nauseam and…”
Thomas: “Of course you would, because you don’t have any answers.”
Gibbs: “Well, because I didn’t know you were going to ask a question, Helen.
Go ahead.”Thomas: “Well, you should have.”
Reporter: Thank you for your support.
Gibbs: “That’s good. Have you e-mailed your question today?”
Thomas: “I don’t have to e-mail it. I can tell you right now what I want to ask.”
Gibbs: “I don’t doubt that at all, Helen. I don’t doubt that at all.”
Well there’s my report.
Again, thanks Helen. You did good. I actually got excited and smiled at some real news coming out of that appalling room this week. To my regular readers, please stay tuned. I just know Washington will have me rolling my eyes and shaking my head once again real soon, running off to find a brand new Whoopee Cushion.
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