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oh, helen thomas.
Jun. 7th, 2010 09:22 amThis morning's most unexpectedly charming news item had to do with Helen Thomas being bounced from a commencement-speaker gig at a local high school in the wake of some controversial comments she recently made about Israel and Palestine. According to the article in the Post, the comments apparently contained Ms Thomas' opinion that the Jews should "get the hell out" of Palestine, and should instead - get this - go "home" to Poland and Germany, as well as to the United States (and so on).
My first thought, of course, being "Yes, that's a good idea. BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO WELCOME IN POLAND AND GERMANY IN THE PAST."
[deep breath] And now that I look back at the article, trying to find the exact wording of something else she was reported to have said, I see that - like all online news articles - it's been developed since I first read it, and notes that a video regarding Ms Thomas' remarks was made by people who had the same first thought I did. Fair enough. I never expected it would be an unusual or especially incisive reaction.
She also seems to have said "Remember, these people are occupied. It's their land." Which I was going to say, coming from a white American, that argument holds absolutely no water at all - but I am reminded that Helen Thomas is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants to the United States, so she's off that particular you-can't-be-serious hook. (Right back on the one labeled "don't pretend like you're impartial about Jerusalem", though.)
My first thought, of course, being "Yes, that's a good idea. BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO WELCOME IN POLAND AND GERMANY IN THE PAST."
[deep breath] And now that I look back at the article, trying to find the exact wording of something else she was reported to have said, I see that - like all online news articles - it's been developed since I first read it, and notes that a video regarding Ms Thomas' remarks was made by people who had the same first thought I did. Fair enough. I never expected it would be an unusual or especially incisive reaction.
She also seems to have said "Remember, these people are occupied. It's their land." Which I was going to say, coming from a white American, that argument holds absolutely no water at all - but I am reminded that Helen Thomas is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants to the United States, so she's off that particular you-can't-be-serious hook. (Right back on the one labeled "don't pretend like you're impartial about Jerusalem", though.)
