Just now arriving at that, Subby? Helen Thomas has been calling bullshiat on politicians for decades. Don't start admiring her when she's taking shots that happen to align with your political leanings.

FTFA: Afterwards, Thomas told CNS News that Obama's grip on the media is even greater than that of Richard Nixon


Someone just got taken off the Christmas card list.

Kyro: Just now arriving at that, Subby? Helen Thomas has been calling bullshiat on politicians for decades. Don't start admiring her when she's taking shots that happen to align with your political leanings.

You're telling subby, who wasn't even clever enough to try and hide the fact that he's doing exactly what you say not to do.

If Obama is wasting his time trying to control the media then he's apparently a complete idiot. Since it's a 100% guarantee that Fox (with their significant market presence) is going to be against every move he makes, what does he stand to gain by controlling some remaining percentage ?

Just do your damned job, because you're probably going to be out of there in 2012 and we need to gain as much ground as possible before Palin takes over and starts working her magic.

Be scared....

Be very sacred....

I've had two Green Light Submissions in a row.

Mordant: Helen is just now falling out of her "Honeymoon" phase of her political bias with the current administration.

Don't worry submitter. You can go back to hating her and calling her ugly once we get another Republican in the White House.

We should also take a moment to reinforce the important point that both sides are bad... conservative media figures give Republicans a pass AND liberal ones NEVER call out Dems.

Yep, both sides are exactly the same.

While I think there's no fire to all this smoke, Obama's going to have to rethink the practice. It's become its own story and is distracting.

This exchange is simultaneously sickening and amazing. The pathetic excuse for a WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (Obama's Minister of PropOganda) evading questions in his typical contemptuous trade mark style, while Reid and Thomas dig in not wanting to let up. You could of cut the friction with a knife.

I thought Reid was the real hero in that exchange, wouldn't accept the brush off and drove his point home.

printboy: The pathetic excuse for a WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (Obama's Minister of PropOganda)

What exactly do you think the Press Secretary's job is? No matter which party is in office, the press secretary's duties are just to spin bullshiat. Stop acting so horrified. Dana Perino and Tony Snow did the same thing. And let's not forget the king of all bullshiat, Scott McCLellan. His BS was so strong he was able to write a goddamn book about it.

Good on her. Let's see if Obama moves her out of the front row like Bush did.

/not holding my breath

Obama's attempt to circumvent and garner control of the media reeks of third-world despotism. You know it's bad when Helen Thomas is calling you out.

sigdiamond2000: Don't worry submitter. You can go back to hating her and calling her ugly once we get another Republican in the White House.

I'm sure she'll expire before that happens.

Kyro: printboy: The pathetic excuse for a WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (Obama's Minister of PropOganda)

What exactly do you think the Press Secretary's job is? No matter which party is in office, the press secretary's duties are just to spin bullshiat. Stop acting so horrified. Dana Perino and Tony Snow did the same thing. And let's not forget the king of all bullshiat, Scott McCLellan. His BS was so strong he was able to write a goddamn book about it.

You left out the king of the previous administration's spin masters, Mr. Ari Fleischer.

I can't stand Robert Gibbs' style, his pursed moth prissiness of treating unwanted questions with "you are so stupid, but I will indulge you smirk", but the guy is doing what he is supposed to do. And has been quite effective at his job, now becoming the lightning rod for any negativity that might otherwise be aimed at his boss.

Yay transparency!

not.

It's OK when Bush does it, though.

"Uh... well, heh heh, um... heh... shucks, Don, that question wudn't on th' list... hehe heh he...."

Eat shiat, republican coonts.

Kyro: And let's not forget the king of all bullshiat, Scott McCLellan. His BS was so strong he was able to write a goddamn book about it.

Scott McClellan never had nothing on Ari Fleischer. I could watch that guy spin and deflect for hours.

Also, Helen Thomas's first question to President Obama, "What are you going to do to fulfill your ideals expressed on the campaign trail? Or are you going to submit, like most presidents, just . . . try to carry out your promises that have no meaning except for how many people gave you money?"

Perhaps printboy meant the honeymooners.

/Bang! Zoom!

Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

Kyro: No matter which party is in office, the press secretary's duties are just to spin bullshiat

Yes, but this went far beyond that. For a president that went on and on about transparency the extent to which they are trying to control the media's access to Obama is laughable.

"We have never had that in the White House. I'm amazed that you people ... call for openness and transparency."

But really, the important issue is subby so let's attack them instead of the actual issue.

gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

It wasn't a joke. Perhaps you think attempting to control the press with only accepting certain questions, while disregarding others is OK, I do not. I'm sorry that's so hard for you to understand.

And nobody in the WH press corps realized they were being lead by the nose until now?

mmm... pancake: Yes, but this went far beyond that. For a president that went on and on about transparency the extent to which they are trying to control the media's access to Obama is laughable.

Bravo, most people are too stupid to understand that as evidenced by a few posts in this thread.

Holy crap, this thread has gone into "B-b-but Bush!!!!!" overdrive. When did the Bush administration become the new standard of excellence for Obama? I thought this guy was going to be BETTER than the last guy.

mmm... pancake: Holy crap, this thread has gone into "B-b-but Bush!!!!!" overdrive. When did the Bush administration become the new standard of excellence for Obama? I thought this guy was going to be BETTER than the last guy.

It's all they've got. There's no defending this bullshiat.

She is NOT a reporter. I do not understand why she is still there.

/+1 on the point about Obama and his empty promises though.

Ball Sack Obama: gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

It wasn't a joke. Perhaps you think attempting to control the press with only accepting certain questions, while disregarding others is OK, I do not. I'm sorry that's so hard for you to understand.

Hopefully we can put a stop to it before the Republicans get back in and you lose some of your "concern". We'd better work fast.

Ball Sack Obama: gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

It wasn't a joke. Perhaps you think attempting to control the press with only accepting certain questions, while disregarding others is OK, I do not. I'm sorry that's so hard for you to understand.

I was only talking about the shiatty way you expressed your opinion, not the opinion itself, chief.

Ball Sack Obama: It's all they've got. There's no defending this bullshiat.

Cries for political neutrality coming from someone named 'Ball Sack Obama'. Heh.

And so far nobody's disagreeing with you. Obama's not been nearly as transparent as he said he would. Not by a long shot. But don't act like he's the first to bring out a slimy press secretary.

Who could be stupid enough to... oh, it's Printboy. Helen Thomas doesn't give anyone a free pass, regardless of party. All you've done today is prove that my previous suspicion about you is 100% correct: you're a partisan retard.

gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

It wasn't a joke. Perhaps you think attempting to control the press with only accepting certain questions, while disregarding others is OK, I do not. I'm sorry that's so hard for you to understand.

I was only talking about the shiatty way you expressed your opinion, not the opinion itself, chief.

Oooh, "Chief." Burn.

Thomas said that the administration was trying to control the media,

No! Preposterous.

The Washington press corp are a self absorbed clique that peddles gossip and one-ups-manship.

Who the hell wouldn't expect the Administration to leverage them? They're just pissed off there's no sexy wars cheer lead.

Kyro: Ball Sack Obama: It's all they've got. There's no defending this bullshiat.

Cries for political neutrality coming from someone named 'Ball Sack Obama'. Heh.

And so far nobody's disagreeing with you. Obama's not been nearly as transparent as he said he would. Not by a long shot. But don't act like he's the first to bring out a slimy press secretary.

Who said anything about political neutrality? I'm saying he's full of shiat.

Hang On Voltaire: She is NOT a reporter.



She is a battle axe for the Dems.


She did get this right however. At least someone from the press called bullshiat on them for once.

HELEN THOMAS: We have never had that in the White House. We have had some control [inaudible]. I'm amazed that you people who call for openness and transparency...

ROBERT GIBBS: You haven't even heard the questions.

CHIP REID: It doesn't matter. It's the process. Even if there's a tough question, it's a question coming from somebody who was invited and who was screened or the question was screened.

GIBBS: Chip, Chip, lets have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meetings.

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 questions do you object to at the town hall meeting?

THOMAS: It's a pattern.

GIBBS: What's a pattern?

THOMAS: It's a pattern of controlling the press.

GIBBS: How so? Is there any evidence going on that I'm currently controlling the press? Poorly, I might add.

THOMAS: Your formal engagements are prepackaged.

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've had this discussion ad nauseum, and uh...

THOMAS: Of course you would, because you don't have any answers.

GIBBS: Uh, well, because I didn't know you were going to ask a question, Helen.

THOMAS: Well you should have.

GIBBS: Have you emailed your question today?

THOMAS: I don't have to email. I can tell you right now what I want to say.

GIBBS: I don't doubt that at all, Helen.

REID: Actually, could you pass along a question from all of us to the president: Is he going to support a tax increase on the middle class?

gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

A sphincter says what?

capnmonkey: gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

A sphincter says what?

what?

DarnoKonrad:
No! Preposterous.

The Washington press corp are a self absorbed clique that peddles gossip and one-ups-manship.

Who the hell wouldn't expect the Administration to leverage them? They're just pissed off there's no sexy wars cheer lead.

They spent all of 2008 cheerleading for Obama. They need the rest

Phil Herup: She did get this right however. At least someone from the press called bullshiat on them for once.

Her very first question to Obama was "prove to us you're not just another empty suit."

It's amazing you're just now respecting Thomas

/voted specifically for Obama's transparency, haven't been very happy with Gibbs.

gustakooka: capnmonkey: gustakooka: Ball Sack Obama: Yay transparency!

not.

-10 internets for a "not" joke.

A sphincter says what?

what?

Nixon had a "grip" on the media? Somehow I don't think "grip" means what she thinks it means....or, maybe she is confused about who was "gripping" whom?

What?

museisluse: I can't stand Robert Gibbs' style, his pursed moth prissiness of treating unwanted questions with "you are so stupid, but I will indulge you smirk", but the guy is doing what he is supposed to do. And has been quite effective at his job, now becoming the lightning rod for any negativity that might otherwise be aimed at his boss.

Yeah, the first time I saw him I predicted he would be the first person in the Obama administration that "wanted to spend more time with his family."

Ball Sack Obama: mmm... pancake: Holy crap, this thread has gone into "B-b-but Bush!!!!!" overdrive. When did the Bush administration become the new standard of excellence for Obama? I thought this guy was going to be BETTER than the last guy.

It's all they've got. There's no defending this bullshiat.

The teeth gnashing over this is really funny. It's not a b-b-b-Bush. There are degrees of wrong. I'm not saying this practice is correct (said so above). But when Bush drives a car through your house you it just doesn't make sense to muster the same level of outrage if Obama doesn't take his shoes off before entering.

Do Reid and Thomas have a valid reason for being in a snit? I'd say so. But then I think of what happened with Ganon and Armstrong Williams and it falls into perspective.

(CNSNews.com) - Following a testy exchange during today's briefing with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas told CNSNews.com that not even Richard Nixon tried to control the press the way President Obama is trying to control the press.

"Nixon didn't try to do that," Thomas said. "They couldn't control (the media). They didn't try.

"What the hell do they think we are, puppets?" Thomas said. "They're supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them."

Thomas said she was especially concerned about the arrangement between the Obama Administration and a writer from the liberal Huffington Post Web site. The writer was invited by the White House to President Obama's press conference last week on the understanding that he would ask Obama a question about Iran from among questions that had been sent to him by people in Iran.

"When you call the reporter the night before you know damn well what they are going to ask to control you," Thomas said.

"I'm not saying there has never been managed news before, but this is carried to fare-thee-well-for the town halls, for the press conferences," she said. "It's blatant. They don't give a damn if you know it or not. They ought to be hanging their heads in shame." [...]

Hmmm, the party in power complaining about the party not in power complaining about perceived minor issues and details. Wow, because it's not like we didn't see this exact same thing, only in reverse, during the Bush 8, right? And during the Clinton 8 before that? Oh I know, it was totally different back then.

God. Hey, look, we hit an iceberg. Quick, start polishing those brass lighting fixtures.

mmm... pancake: Holy crap, this thread has gone into "B-b-but Bush!!!!!" overdrive. When did the Bush administration become the new standard of excellence for Obama? I thought this guy was going to be BETTER than the last guy.

Only the Retards who voted for Obama actually believed that. The Democrats made their desire very clear "Anybody but Bush" they never qualified that with "Must be smarter than Bush" "Must be more ethical than Bush"

The Democratic party got exactly what it ordered... too bad they pissed away a perfect opportunity to put this country on the right track.

Ball Sack Obama: not.

Ball Sack Obama: Oooh, "Chief." Burn.

Just wanted to quote those two gems.