"Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Helen Thomas. Helen was a true pioneer, opening doors and breaking down barriers for generations of women in journalism. She covered every White House since President Kennedy’s, and during that time she never failed to keep presidents – myself included – on their toes. What made Helen the “Dean of the White House Press Corps” was not just the length of her tenure, but her fierce belief that our democracy works best when we ask tough questions and hold our leaders to account. Our thoughts are with Helen’s family, her friends, and the colleagues who respected her so deeply."
From Thomas' 2011 Playboy interview:
PLAYBOY: Let’s get to something else
you said more recently. In a speech in Detroit last December, you told an Arab
group, “We are owned by the propagandists against the Arabs. There’s no
question about that. Congress, the White House and Hollywood, Wall Street, are
owned by the Zionists. No question, in my opinion. They put their money where
their mouth is. We’re being pushed into a wrong direction in every way.” Do you
stand by that statement?
THOMAS: Yes, I do. I know it was
horrendous, but I know it’s true. Tell me it’s not true and I’ll be happy to be
contradicted. I’m just saying they’re using their power, and they have power in
every direction.
PLAYBOY: That stereotype of Jewish
control has been around for more than a century. Do you actually think there’s
a secret Jewish conspiracy at work in this country?
THOMAS: Not a secret. It’s very
open. What do you mean secret? ... [Jews have] power over the White House,
power over Congress. ... Everybody is in the pocket of the Israeli lobbies,
which are funded by wealthy supporters, including those from Hollywood. Same thing
with the financial markets. There’s total control.
PLAYBOY: Who are you thinking about
specifically? Who are the Jews with the most influence?
THOMAS: I’m not going to name names.
What, am I going to name the Ponzi guy on Wall Street [Bernard Madoff] or the
others? No.
PLAYBOY: Then how do you make the
claim that Jews are running the country?
THOMAS: I want you to look at the
Congress that just came in.
PLAYBOY: In America you’re talking
about a relatively small community. Jews make up roughly two percent of the
U.S. population. On a worldwide level, the percentage is well under one
percent. Those numbers don’t exactly spell domination.
THOMAS: I get where you’re leading
with this. You know damn well the power they have. It isn’t the two percent.
It’s real power when you own the White House, when you own these other places
in terms of your political persuasion. Of course they have power. You don’t
deny that. You’re Jewish, aren’t you?
PLAYBOY: Yes.
THOMAS: That’s what I thought. Well,
you know damn well they have power.
PLAYBOY: Were you surprised that
people like David Duke and even Hezbollah came out and said you were courageous
and a hero for them?
THOMAS: I don’t want to be a hero to
anyone. I just want to be me, and I want to tell the truth. I want everyone to
accept the truth.
h/t Werner C.
