Why Helen Thomas Had To Go

Yesterday, Charles Krauthammer made the case that Helen Thomas ought not to have been compelled into sudden retirement.

But I think the White House Press Corps was left with no choice for two reasons.

First, she brought disrepute to their organization. Her continued presence would have been a distraction. It also might have left the public with the impression they were in solidarity with her point of view.

Second, if racism is an unacceptable form of public discourse then so is anti-Semitism. While anti-Semitism is fashionable in Europe and the Muslim world we are neither Europe nor the Muslim world. I would further argue that anti-Semitism is anti-American.

With that perhaps Thomas can find work with Al Jazeera.