Helen Thomas

I'm thinking, what a sad way to go out. My first thought was to somehow excuse her gaffe as the ramblings of an aging, confused mind: she's past it, she doesn't know what she's saying any more. But then I realized of course that thoughts like this don't come out of nowhere; they have been hidden in the deep recesses of the mind, like all prejudice, unsuspected perhaps even by the one who hosts them. What Helen Thomas lost was not her marbles, which would have been forgivable, given her age, but rather the social and intellectual inhibitions which kept those secret thoughts under careful scrutiny and control.

Sad, though, to have ended her long, legendary years as gadfly of the White House press room in this way. She was, as they say, an institution in herself, and was privileged to have been a close witness to some of the major historical events of the latter part of the 20th century. And not only a witness, but one with the opportunity to participate in those events with her sharp questions. It was a special privilege to have been in a position to hold so many presidents' feet to the fire.

So I wish her well. I send compassionate thoughts her way, and trust that she may be granted that other, deeper privilege we all so much desire: the ability to take care of herself with ease and dignity in her final years.