Left wing on left wing bashing? Did I get sucked into another dimension?

It's amazing to me what happens to a liberal news reporter when they are treated exactly how socialist administration would. In case you are not familiar with what I am referring to, I am talking about how Helen Thomas, a left wing journalist, bashed Obama and Gibbs in a press release back on July 1st. Below is the video of the exchange between CBS' Chip Reid, Helen Thomas of Hearst News, and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Essentially, the press is upset that Obama's "Town Hall" was not truly an open forum for the public. They make the case that since the questions are screened and the people are invited, it is not transparent and therefore, not a town hall forum.

I've got to give kudos to Helen and Chip for their hard questions, but I wish they had the same fervor for transparency and accountability during the presidential elections, TARP, the Omnibus Bill, and bailouts. Maybe, the honeymoon phase is ending for the press and Obama. One can only hope. Enjoy!

Gibbs: (Talking to Chip Reid) “… But, again, let’s–How about we do this? I promise we will interrupt the AP’s tradition of asking the first question. I will let you (Reid) ask me a question tomorrow as to whether you thought the questions at the town hall meeting that the President conducted in Annandale…“

Chip Reid: “I’m perfectly happy to…”

Helen Thomas: “That’s not his point. The point is the control…

Reid: “Exactly.“

Thomas: “We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not… This White House.”

Gibbs: “Yes, I was going to say, I’ll let you amend her question.”

Thomas: “I’m amazed. I’m amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and…”

Gibbs: “Helen, you haven’t even heard the questions.”

Reid: “It doesn’t matter. It’s the process.”

Thomas: “You have left open…”

Reid: “Even if there’s a tough question, it’s a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”

Thomas: “It’s shocking. It’s really shocking.”

Gibbs: “Chip, let’s have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meeting. How about that?”

Reid: “Okay.”

Gibbs: “I think…“

Thomas: “No, no, no, we’re having it now…”

Gibbs: “Well, I’d be happy to have it now.”

Thomas: “It’s a pattern.”

Gibbs: “Which question did you object to at the town hall meeting, Helen?”

Thomas: “It’s a pattern. It isn’t the question…”

Gibbs: “What’s a pattern?”

Thomas: “It’s a pattern of controlling the press.”

Gibbs: “How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I’m controlling the press…poorly, I might add.”

Thomas: “Your formal engagements are pre-packaged.”

Gibbs: “How so?”

Reid: “Well, and controlling the public…”

Thomas: “How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they’re going to be called on. That is shocking.”

Gibbs: “We had this discussion ad-nauseam and…”

Thomas: “Of course you would, because you don’t have any answers.”

Gibbs: “Well, because I didn’t know you were going to ask a question, Helen.
Go ahead.”

Thomas: “Well, you should have.”

Reporter: Thank you for your support.

Gibbs: “That’s good. Have you e-mailed your question today?”

Thomas: “I don’t have to e-mail it. I can tell you right now what I want to ask.”

Gibbs: “I don’t doubt that at all, Helen. I don’t doubt that at all.”