She should have retired

Veteran journalist Helen Thomas should have retired May 26.

On May 27, Thomas was attending a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration at the White House. A rabbi asked her, "Any comments on Israel?"

Thomas, reportedly a longtime critic of Israeli policy, is reported to have said: "Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine." She further added the Jews should "Go home" — to Germany, Poland, America and "everywhere else."

On June 4, Thomas issued this statement: “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.”

There's no denying Thomas' reply to the rabbi was insensitive at best. No one can defend her comment.

Thomas was previously defined as one who, over the years, asked the first and toughest questions at White House press conferences.

At least for the present time, her career will now be defined based on one thoughtless remark. For most of us, people would have let the remark slip by with a shake of the head and a whispered comment, "She IS almost 90, you know."

Love her or hate her, Thomas - who covered U.S. presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to Barak Obama - is leaving a long and distinguished career under a cloud of disgrace.

If only Thomas had retired May 26th, what a different tune everyone would be singing.

Living a Colorful Life

One of the nice things about being retired (a nice way of saying unemployed) is that I can wear whatever I want around the house all day.

For instance, if I don't have clean socks in the drawer, all I have to do is find two socks that are somewhat similar in color. I'm not real choosy. Gray and gray-blue look about the same to me. If all I have available is a black sock with ribbing and one black plain sock, no sweat! They're both black, aren't they??

If I'm having lunch and drop a blob of food on my sweatshirt, no problem at all. Just turn that sweatshirt inside out and I'm good for the rest of the day! Why is that wrong? Go to the stores and you'll pay big bucks for sweatshirts MADE to look wrong-side out.

Today is a perfect example of the retired dress code. I am wearing a bright red long-sleeve knit shirt, fuschia sweat pants and grape purple socks. I make quite a colorful display. If any of the stoplights go out in town today, the city could just let me swing on the arm that holds the lights and I would certainly slow traffic if not stop it!

To be honest, my cats really don't care what color of clothing I wear. They just know that when I sit down in the recliner I have prepared a soft bed for them. Aren't cats color blind? That might explain their lack of fashion sense. I don't think there is an explanation for mine!