After covering nine presidents, renowned journalist Helen Thomas can draw parallels between the current presidential foreign policy and Lyndon B. Johnson’s policy in Vietnam.

“LBJ knew the world wouldn’t be built by bombs and bullets. He even said force must proceed reason,” Thomas said during a video conference Thursday, Feb. 8. “Vietnam ruined his life, career and his presidency.”
Thomas said Iraq is doing the same for President Bush but it is affecting him, the world and the country on a much larger scale.
“We should get out yesterday,” said Thomas, the former UPI reporter. “If Vietnam were sand, it’s the same thing. It’s a quagmire. We caused a civil war. And President Bush should know everything comes at a price.”
“I agree with Thomas that we are definitely in a 'bigger debacle' with this presidency compared to Johnson's,” said Ronnel Cristobal, a George Mason University student who attended the video conference. “There is no clear way we can get out of Iraq, like we did with Vietnam.”
“People are not being as passionate about this War in Iraq than the Vietnam War, because there is no draft,” he said. “In other words, they are not directly affected by the War, so the American public does not care as much as the 1968 America.”
Comparing Vietnam and Iraq is not an unusual comment from Thomas. Throughout her career, Thomas has been criticized for her candid exchanges with presidents as well as difficult questions. Now Thomas is a columnist for Hearst Newspapers, where she is paid for those strong opinions on democracy.
When it comes to the presidential election in 2008, Thomas has definite criteria for who she feels should be nominated.
“Nominate someone who’d get us out of Iraq and be peaceful,” she said. “We won the Cold War without using guns, what’s so different now?”
The entire video conference was not geared specifically to politics. Thomas had advice for aspiring journalist who attended.
“My favorite question to ask is ‘why’,” said Thomas, laughing.
“Reporters are finally coming out of their comas and asking tougher questions. But they’re not doing one thing,” she continued. “They should clamor for news conferences.”
Thomas believes that the longer a reporter keeps asking questions and if he is persistent eventually the answers will come out.
“Whoever you interview has the right to avoid the questions, but it becomes clear why the side step,” Thomas said. “It’s important that the right questions get asked even if they can’t be answered.”
What does Helen Thomas think about the upsurge in online blogging?
“Everybody with a laptop thinks he’s a journalist now!” she said. “Journalists have the highest standards of credibility. Just be wary with what you read.”
Thomas received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington Press Club. Although her career spanning over 50 years, Thomas still cannot pick a favorite story that she has covered.
“I have been covering history every day. It’s amazing.” Thomas said, grinning. |