Thank you Helen

Helen Thomas upheld the highest standards for American journalism for 50 years. She was not one to shy from confronting power and never hesitated to call a spade a spade. She stood tall in the White House briefing room, confronting mighty chief executives and their underlings. In the process it was inevitable that she would make powerful enemies.

On May 27, 2010, she was tricked by a "friendly" youth into making comments bound to outrage the self-righteous hypocrites who pass for pundits on the Middle East. A few days later, the Gaza-bound flotilla was attacked for the whole world to see. The perpetrators were caught off guard by repercussions & condemnation, their colossal PR machine notwithstanding. But not to worry! Lo and behold! The notorious video of Helen Thomas suddenly comes to light, and all of a sudden the attention shifts from the blockade and the murderous rampage in the Near East to the "outrageous," "racist," and "heinous" sentences uttered by a courageous 89-year-old woman who would not stoop to hide behind platitudes and political correctness.

Helen, we love you. You are and will always be an inspiration to us. Your enemies with their petty vindictiveness never looked smaller, and you, in your noble stance, will continue to guide the forthcoming generations.

May the peace you long for come soon.