What I had previously championed as a courageous independent spirit appeared to have morphed into a querulous, argumentative style.

I don’t necessarily attribute the change to “golden years.” Surely if that was the case then how do we explain an unchanging admirable ethic and influence as exemplified by Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and John Wooden?

Back to the Israel issue…surely an intelligent and supremely well informed person like Thomas who had lived through the years of WWII, knew the history before and after those years would recognize the sheer stupidity and particularly the incredible insensitivity of suggesting they go “home” to Germany, to Poland. Those countries where their families, friends and perhaps themselves had been systematically and relentlessly identified and subjected to barbaric treament.

I personally think the situation in the Middle East is a mess and prefer to stay netural seeing merit on both sides of the wall…oops…argument.

But this is about Helen Thomas. At best her remarks could only be interpreted as unthinking. But the absurdity of her “solution” to send them “home” to the genial and welcoming environment that translated to the Holocaust was incredibly cruel. Insensitivity does not always get noticed or punished. In this case, due to her prominence, Ms. Thomas has left her long and reputable career with a final mark of non-distinction.