Helen Thomas forced to retire after 67 year career for criticizing Israel - Page 8

Nikose Tyris · 06-08-2010, 12:25 AM

Oh, on the grounds of fair, nothing is fair. This is life. Life isn't fair. That's why I couldn't see where you were coming from, because 'fair' never really factors in for me. :/ I understand you better now and I can see where you're coming from. Take fair out of your equation and you'll see mine.

I'm not being sarcastic here, that's literally how I just figured things out. xD Okay goodnight.

Magus · 06-08-2010, 12:27 AM

Yeah, I was basing this on how the system should work, not how it actually works, like Krylo said.

Later!

EDIT:

Link

Quote:

The WHCA statement added that the incident "does revive the issue of whether it is appropriate for an opinion columnist to have a front row seat in the WH briefing room."

Apparently not!

Professor Smarmiarty · 06-08-2010, 01:36 AM

Probably my last post cause I'm going away but heres my point:
"Professionalism" is meaninglesss, it's an arbitrary standard to hold people to because it has sseductive appearances of efficiency and control. If people can do a better job while acting like a crazy fuck (which is probably more likely to happen) why don't we let them do it?
You could argue that in this case her jew-baiting is directly impairing of her job performance as a correspondant but to say it is unprofessional- who cares. It is unprofessional to show up to work not in a suit and tie. It is unprofessional to maximise productivity over maximising waste- I honestly don't understand why "unprofessionalism" is something that can get fired.

Maybe I am stupid, I not going to deny it but to me I don't really see the need for such standards.

Magus · 06-08-2010, 10:22 AM

Eh, they exist to help you keep your job. My job requires I maintain a certain amount of "professionalism" (actually for a teacher it is a buttload in comparison to a lot of other jobs, and as a profession it is quite easily paid the least in comparison to professors (who swear a buttload) or doctors or lawyers, but held to a standard way above those in some aspects), but like a lot of people I only do it to keep the job, not because I think it's important to society or something...like Krylo said, Thomas probably should have "known better", which maybe means she spoke her mind without care for the consequences because she knows she's 89 and rich and can retire whenever she wants. She probably does such things on purpose all the time, it's one of her things, just finally they found one thing she says that can get her nailed.

Death by Stabbing · 06-12-2010, 11:20 PM

I think this whole thing is wrong. The woman is a legend. Could she have phrased her ideas differently? Yes. Should she have lost her job over this? Not at all. She was asked for her opinion and she gave it. I applaud her honesty even if I don't completely agree with what she says.

Jagos · 06-13-2010, 01:58 AM

Death, she was canned by the wording, which is unprofessional.

It's like me working for the government of Texas. Why should I say something that will come back and tarnish their reputation?

Why would I say "Get those immigrants out of the country?" when that's not the political line and tantamount to career suicide?

Maybe she thought that was off the record and should have recanted afterwards but saying so much about Israel in such a forceful manner isn't the best way to endear yourself to others.

Magus · 06-13-2010, 12:56 PM

"Get those immigrants out of the country" isn't the political line in Texas?

She wasn't really canned for her wording, she was canned for her position, though I guess the wording was the excuse given and a lot of people seem to see it that way. It doesn't change that it's an excuse and cover-up the actual political reason.

She did recant afterwards. She probably shouldn't have, but she did.

06-08-2010, 01:36 AM	#73
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Probably my last post cause I'm going away but heres my point: "Professionalism" is meaninglesss, it's an arbitrary standard to hold people to because it has sseductive appearances of efficiency and control. If people can do a better job while acting like a crazy fuck (which is probably more likely to happen) why don't we let them do it? You could argue that in this case her jew-baiting is directly impairing of her job performance as a correspondant but to say it is unprofessional- who cares. It is unprofessional to show up to work not in a suit and tie. It is unprofessional to maximise productivity over maximising waste- I honestly don't understand why "unprofessionalism" is something that can get fired. Maybe I am stupid, I not going to deny it but to me I don't really see the need for such standards. Last edited by Professor Smarmiarty; 06-08-2010 at 01:44 AM.

06-13-2010, 01:58 AM	#76
Jagos FRONT KICK OF DOOM! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Howdy pardner... Posts: 6,399	Death, she was canned by the wording, which is unprofessional. It's like me working for the government of Texas. Why should I say something that will come back and tarnish their reputation? Why would I say "Get those immigrants out of the country?" when that's not the political line and tantamount to career suicide? Maybe she thought that was off the record and should have recanted afterwards but saying so much about Israel in such a forceful manner isn't the best way to endear yourself to others. __________________ Copyright musings World ramblings Scifi stories

06-08-2010, 10:22 AM	#74
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Eh, they exist to help you keep your job. My job requires I maintain a certain amount of "professionalism" (actually for a teacher it is a buttload in comparison to a lot of other jobs, and as a profession it is quite easily paid the least in comparison to professors (who swear a buttload) or doctors or lawyers, but held to a standard way above those in some aspects), but like a lot of people I only do it to keep the job, not because I think it's important to society or something...like Krylo said, Thomas probably should have "known better", which maybe means she spoke her mind without care for the consequences because she knows she's 89 and rich and can retire whenever she wants. She probably does such things on purpose all the time, it's one of her things, just finally they found one thing she says that can get her nailed.

06-13-2010, 12:56 PM	#77
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	"Get those immigrants out of the country" isn't the political line in Texas? She wasn't really canned for her wording, she was canned for her position, though I guess the wording was the excuse given and a lot of people seem to see it that way. It doesn't change that it's an excuse and cover-up the actual political reason. She did recant afterwards. She probably shouldn't have, but she did.