Can We Say Racist Out Loud?(UPDATED: Helen Retires)

UPDATE 6.7.2010:  Helen Thomas has left the building.

From Politico:
Helen Thomas retires

In the world of political journalism, it’s the end of an era: Helen Thomas has retired just months shy of her 90th birthday.

The longtime White House journalist has covered ever president since Dwight Eisenhower and broke several barriers for female journalists but stepped down from her latest role — a columnist for Hearst Newspapers — in the wake of controversial remarks made in late May about the need for Jews to “get the hell out of Palestine” and return to Poland and Germany.

“Helen Thomas announced Monday that she is retiring, effective immediately,” read a statement from Hearst Newspapers on Monday. “Her decision came after her controversial comments about Israel and the Palestinians were captured on videotape and widely disseminated on the Internet.”

Thomas said in a statement that, “I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.’’

The decision to retire came as Thomas faced rebuke from nearly every corner after video of her remarks during an interview with RabbiLive.com’s Rabbi David Nesenoff emerged online late last week.

Somebody with kindasortabackbone…Helen Thomas’ agency.  About freakin’ time…it only took what, 3 days, for somebody to call the real racist out on the carpet.

From Politico:

Thomas gets dropped by agency

Nine Speakers, the agency that represents Helen Thomas, has dropped her as a client. This comes in the wake of controversial remarks on the Middle East.

The notice, obtained by POLITICO:

It is with a heavy heart that Nine Speakers, Inc. announces its resignation as the agent for Helen Thomas, Dean of the White House Press Corps.

Ms. Thomas has had an esteemed career as a journalist, and she has been a trailblazer for women, helping others in her profession, and beyond.

However, in light of recent events, Nine Speakers is no longer able to represent Ms. Thomas, nor can we condone her comments on the Middle East.

Nine Speakers will continue to enthusiastically represent all of our other current and future clients.

Meanwhile, on a totally unrelated note, the Hang Seng is down almost 448 points as of this writing. Just cannot wait to see what NY has been up to when I take a break from trying to sleep.