Helen Thomas Quotes

Powerful Helen Thomas for Daily Growth

About Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas (August 4, 1920 – July 20, 2013) was an American journalist who made history as one of the first female wire service White House correspondents, a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of journalism. Born and raised in Westhampton, Winchester, Kentucky, Thomas demonstrated an early passion for writing and reporting. After completing her studies at the University of Michigan, she embarked on a career that spanned over six decades and included stints at the United Press International (UPI) and Hearst Newspapers. Thomas gained national prominence in 1960 when she became UPI's White House correspondent, a position she held for nearly four decades. During her tenure, she covered thirteen presidential administrations, earning the respect of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. Her insightful questions and persistent reporting earned her the nickname "First Lady of the Washington Press Corps." Thomas was known for her independent spirit, sharp wit, and unwavering commitment to justice. She broke numerous barriers in journalism, paving the way for future female journalists. In 2000, she became the longest-serving White House correspondent of any gender. In 2010, Thomas found herself embroiled in controversy after making controversial remarks about Israel and Palestine, which eventually led to her resignation from Hearst Newspapers. However, her impact on journalism and civil rights is undeniable, with her quotes often cited as a testament to her unyielding commitment to truth and justice. Thomas received numerous accolades throughout her career, including multiple awards from the National Association of Women Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the White House Correspondents' Association. Her legacy continues to inspire journalists today, as a symbol of determination, integrity, and the power of asking tough questions in pursuit of truth.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We have to stand for something, or we'll fall for anything."

This quote emphasizes the importance of having principles, values, or beliefs that one stands for, as it provides a guiding compass in life. Without a clear stance on what one believes in, it becomes easy to be swayed by any persuasive argument or trend, potentially leading to indecision, confusion, and even compromise of one's integrity. A strong foundation of convictions enables individuals to make thoughtful decisions and stay true to their character.

"Accuracy, fairness and integrity are the cornerstones of good journalism."

This quote by Helen Thomas underscores the importance of three essential qualities in journalism: 1. Accuracy: Journalists should strive to deliver factual information that is correct and precise, avoiding misinformation or errors. 2. Fairness: Journalists must present all sides of a story objectively, giving voice to various perspectives and not favoring one over another based on personal biases or agendas. 3. Integrity: Journalists should uphold ethical standards, maintaining honesty and transparency in their reporting and adhering to professional codes of conduct. These three principles form the foundation of trustworthy journalism, ensuring that readers receive reliable information for informed decision-making.

"If you're not in the news, you're not news."

This quote by Helen Thomas emphasizes that only events or individuals who are actively participating in or influencing current affairs are newsworthy. In essence, she is stating that inactivity or irrelevance to ongoing events means one is not considered "news" and therefore unlikely to receive coverage in the media.

"Cynicism is a luxury that this country cannot afford."

This quote by Helen Thomas implies that unfounded skepticism or pessimism, especially in regard to one's country or its institutions, is a privilege not everyone can afford. She suggests that during challenging times, it is essential for citizens to approach their country with hope, optimism, and a willingness to work towards positive change, rather than wallowing in doubt and negativity. This perspective encourages active engagement and constructive dialogue for the betterment of society as a whole.

"Women have to hump a little harder." (This quote refers to the challenges women face in the journalism industry and society.)

Helen Thomas' quote "Women have to hump a little harder" reflects her observation of the disproportionate effort and challenges that women often face in the journalism industry, as well as broader societal contexts. It underscores the additional obstacles, expectations, or biases that many women encounter due to gender inequality. This quote serves as a call to persevere and work harder to achieve success amid these barriers.

Every president thinks that all information that comes to the White House is their private preserve after they all promise an open administration on the campaign trail, but some are more secretive than others. Some want to lock down everything.

- Helen Thomas

Some, Private, Secretive

There are better ways we can transform this virulent hatred - by living our ideals, the Peace Corps, exchange students, teachers, exporting our music, poetry, blue jeans.

- Helen Thomas

Living, Students, Ideals, Exporting

All of us who covered the Reagans agreed that President Reagan was personable and charming, but I'm not so certain he was nice. It's hard for me to think of anyone as 'nice' when I hear him say 'The homeless are homeless because they want to be homeless.'

- Helen Thomas

Me, Him, Reagan, Homeless

Presidential power was overruled by the high bench in July 1974, when President Nixon was ordered to turn over some audio tapes of his White House conversations, including the 'smoking gun' tape of June 23, 1972, that revealing the Watergate cover up.

- Helen Thomas

Gun, Some, Tapes, Conversations

We are the only institution in our society that can question a president on a regular basis and make him accountable. Otherwise, he could be king.

- Helen Thomas

King, Accountable, Otherwise, Regular Basis

Truman fired the popular Gen. Douglas MacArthur because he disobeyed orders in the Korean War. Johnson knew that he had reached the endgame in Vietnam when Gen. William Westmoreland, the top commander in Vietnam, requested 240,000 more troops in 1968 for the prolonged war that also could not be won.

- Helen Thomas

Had, Johnson, Troops, Truman

In Plains, I saw Jimmy Carter as he really is - a nice, decent man... in terms of compassionate contribution to society, he certainly has proven to be our best past president.

- Helen Thomas

Past, Certainly, Saw, Plains

I censored myself for 50 years when I was a reporter. Now I wake up and ask myself, 'Who do I hate today?'

- Helen Thomas

Myself, Wake Up, Reporter, Censored

Maybe the Jefferson case will give members of Congress second thoughts the next time they get ready to legislate away the rights of ordinary Americans.

- Helen Thomas

Thoughts, Give, Next, Next Time

We don't go into journalism to be popular. It is our job to seek the truth and put constant pressure on our leaders until we get answers.

- Helen Thomas

Go, Answers, Constant, Popular

I covered Kennedy when she was three years old and the darling daughter of President Kennedy who doted on her and whose mother did everything to protect her from the prying press.

- Helen Thomas

Old, Three, Darling, President Kennedy

People will never know how hard it is to get information, especially if it's locked up behind official doors where, if politicians had their way, they'd stamp 'top secret' on the color of the walls.

- Helen Thomas

Color, Behind, Official, Locked

Many voters think about the makeup of the Supreme Court when they are choosing a president. The justices deal not only with constitutional issues but also with social issues that were unknown to the founding fathers who wrote the Constitution more than 200 years ago.

- Helen Thomas

Makeup, Deal, Fathers, Justices

Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly has been disturbed over what he sees as the erosion of presidential powers since the Watergate scandal and has urged Bush to take a stronger stand against what Cheney sees as congressional intrusions into the executive branch.

- Helen Thomas

Been, Congressional, Bush, Cheney

The day Dick Cheney is going to run for president, I'll kill myself. All we need is one more liar.

- Helen Thomas

More, Need, Going, Cheney

President Bush has asserted the right to wiretap and eavesdrop on any American without a warrant in the name of fighting terrorism. He has asserted presidential power beyond stated constitutional rights, and there is no Republican gutsy enough to call his hand.

- Helen Thomas

American, Republican, Bush, Asserted

I think that presidents deserve to be questioned. Maybe irreverently, most of the time. Bring 'em down a size. You see a president, ask a question. You have one chance in the barrel. Don't blow it.

- Helen Thomas

Think, Deserve, Barrel, Blow

I was in Independence, Missouri when Johnson signed the Medicare bill, with Truman standing there. Truman had first proposed Medicare, but couldn't get it through.

- Helen Thomas

Through, Signed, Bill, Proposed

I respect the office of the presidency, but I never worship at the shrines of our public servants... The Washington press corps has the privilege of asking the president of the United States what he is doing and why.

- Helen Thomas

Doing, Asking, United States, Corps

I covered two presidents, LBJ and Nixon, who could no longer convince, persuade, or govern, once people had decided they had no credibility, but we seem to be more tolerant now of what I think we should not tolerate.

- Helen Thomas

I Think, Tolerant, Nixon, Tolerate

It's like I say to young people who ask me about going into journalism: If you want to be loved, don't go into this business.

- Helen Thomas

Business, Young, Like, Journalism

As a reporter having covered him for eight years in the White House, I am sure the press could have done a better job if we had known the real Ronald Reagan.

- Helen Thomas

Him, Had, Reagan, Better Job

We got the vote, which we should've been born with, in 1920. Everything we've had to struggle for - it's ridiculous.

- Helen Thomas

Born, Been, Which, Struggle

I wrote that President Bush is passing on to President-elect Obama two wars and an economic debacle. I call it a depression. And he is arming Israel against the Palestinians in every way in Gaza.

- Helen Thomas

Against, Bush, Wrote, Passing

I think Obama is handling his image very well, but I think he lacks boldness.

- Helen Thomas

Think, Image, Very, Boldness

I can remember the morning after President Nixon won re-election in 1972. His chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, called a Cabinet meeting and told the members: 'You are all a bunch of burned-out volcanoes;' and asked for their resignations.

- Helen Thomas

Remember, I Can, Nixon, Cabinet

I'm of Arab background.

- Helen Thomas

Background, Arab

I had a lot of fun bantering back and forth with Kennedy. But for ease and comfort, it would be Gerald Ford. He was a down-home type. I came from the Midwest and he came from the Midwest. He was nonaggressive and kindly.

- Helen Thomas

Back, Ease, Had, Down-Home

War makes strange bedfellows.

- Helen Thomas

War, Strange, Makes, Bedfellows

We have organized lobbyists in favor of Israel. You can't open your mouth. I can call the president of the United States anything in the book, but if you say one thing about Israel, and you're off limits.

- Helen Thomas

Book, United, Lobbyists, Limits

To my mind, a president should care about all people, and he didn't, which is why I will always feel Reagan lacked soul.

- Helen Thomas

Mind, Always, Which, All People

We in the press have a special role since there is no other institution in our society that can hold the President accountable. I do believe that our democracy can endure and prevail only if the American people are informed.

- Helen Thomas

Other, Informed, Accountable, Prevail

This is the worst President ever. He George W. Bush is the worst President in all of American history.

- Helen Thomas

George W. Bush, Bush, George W

Congress, the White House, and Hollywood, Wall Street, are owned by the Zionists.

- Helen Thomas

White, Hollywood, Congress, White House

The White House used to belong to the American people. At least that's what I learned from history books and from covering every president starting with John F. Kennedy.

- Helen Thomas

Belong, Covering, Learned, White House

The sudden ending of a White House career all seems so unceremonious for aides who have personally sacrificed a lot - and sometimes even bent their conscience - to do the president's bidding.

- Helen Thomas

Career, Conscience, Bidding, White House

I got into the Kennedy White House because at the time I was president of the Women's National Press Club, and they assigned me to cover the early days of the Kennedy campaign. Jackie especially. Everyone was interested in the family.

- Helen Thomas

House, Got, Early Days, White House

I don't think a tough question is disrespectful.

- Helen Thomas

Tough, Think, Question, Disrespectful

When you speak of the press, of course, you have to speak of different segments of the press. Reporters, straight reporters, wire services, you stick to the facts; you don't create the story, per se. You cover what is happening.

- Helen Thomas

Facts, Reporters, Services, Wire

I'm covering the worst president in American history.

- Helen Thomas

American, Worst, Covering, American History

The United States has tried for years to live down President Franklin D. Roosevelt's order during World War II to move Japanese-Americans on the West Coast to inland detention camps on grounds that they might be disloyal.

- Helen Thomas

Down, United, World War, Franklin

If we care about the children, the grandchildren, the future generations, we need to make sure that they do not become the cannon fodder of the future.

- Helen Thomas

Grandchildren, Need, Sure, Fodder

I think I'll work all my life. When you're having fun, why stop having fun?

- Helen Thomas

My Life, Think, I Think, All My Life

Clinton is the first female to be taken seriously for the highest office in the land. She has the credentials, the stamina and she is a good campaigner. Her detractors in both parties like to say she can't win, but they may be proven wrong.

- Helen Thomas

Office, Credentials, Clinton, Stamina

I've never covered the president in any way other than that he is ultimately responsible.

- Helen Thomas

Never, Other, Than, Covered

Every President hates the Press.

- Helen Thomas

President, Every, Hates, Press

All presidents rail against the press. It goes with the turf.

- Helen Thomas

Goes, Against, Turf, Press

We began to see the renovation of our offices as a subtle part of the Nixon war against the press.

- Helen Thomas

See, Subtle, Nixon, Press

Presidents hate the press. They hate me most of the time.

- Helen Thomas

Me, Most, Presidents, Press

Everyone with a cell phone thinks they're a photographer. Everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist. But they have no training, and they have no idea of what we keep to in terms of standards, as in what's far out and what's reality. And they have no dedication to truth.

- Helen Thomas

Dedication, Everyone, Idea, No Idea

I'm a liberal, I was born a liberal, and I will be a liberal 'til the day I die.

- Helen Thomas

Die, Will, I Was Born, Liberal

I don't think there are any rude questions.

- Helen Thomas

Questions, Think, Any, Rude

The presidency awed me, but presidents do not. Perhaps I have always expected too much of them, but I believe that when they reach the highest office in the land, they should live up to the greatest honor that can come to a person in American political life. Some have stood the test better than others.

- Helen Thomas

Honor, Reach, Some, Political Life

You don't spread democracy through the barrel of a gun.

- Helen Thomas

Gun, You, Through, Barrel

You don't spread democracy with a barrel of a gun.

- Helen Thomas

Democracy, Gun, You, Barrel

I'm decrepit but I don't want to give up, and I love my work.

- Helen Thomas

Love, Give, I Love, Decrepit

I have a background and an understanding of what's happened in the Middle East that a lot of people don't have, because there's been no interest.

- Helen Thomas

People, Middle, Been, No Interest

But when will our leaders learn - war is not the answer.

- Helen Thomas

War, Learn, Will, Answer

Great presidents take stands, and they fight off these people who really are so far to the right. I don't want to call them names, even though they would call me names.

- Helen Thomas

Want, Though, Presidents, Names

I hit the third rail. You cannot criticize Israel in this country and survive.

- Helen Thomas

Country, Survive, Hit, Criticize

It's time for women to make their voices heard. Their silence on the subject of war and peace is deafening.

- Helen Thomas

Peace, War, Subject, Voices

When you're in the news business, you always expect the unexpected.

- Helen Thomas

News, Always, Expect, Unexpected

I love my work, and I think that I was so lucky to pick a profession where it's a joy to go to work every day.

- Helen Thomas

Love, Lucky, Profession, Pick

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