People will never know how hard it is to get information, especially if it's locked up behind official doors where, if politicians had their way, they'd stamp 'top secret' on the color of the walls.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the challenges of accessing information in a secretive or bureaucratic environment.
Helen Thomas emphasizes the difficulty individuals face when trying to obtain information that is often hidden behind official restrictions and secrecy. The metaphor of politicians stamping 'top secret' on mundane things underscores a culture of information control that can hinder transparency and public understanding.
In practice
During a debate about government transparency, one might use this quote to highlight the struggles in accessing important information.
President Bush has asserted the right to wiretap and eavesdrop on any American without a warrant in the name of fighting terrorism. He has asserted presidential power beyond stated constitutional rights, and there is no Republican gutsy enough to call his hand.
Everyone with a cell phone thinks they're a photographer. Everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist. But they have no training, and they have no idea of what we keep to in terms of standards, as in what's far out and what's reality. And they have no dedication to truth.
The White House used to belong to the American people. At least that's what I learned from history books and from covering every president starting with John F. Kennedy.
I'm decrepit but I don't want to give up, and I love my work.
I covered two presidents, LBJ and Nixon, who could no longer convince, persuade, or govern, once people had decided they had no credibility, but we seem to be more tolerant now of what I think we should not tolerate.
We don't go into journalism to be popular. It is our job to seek the truth and put constant pressure on our leaders until we get answers.
Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they are executed.
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.
The sign of vigour, the sign of life, the sign of hope, the sign of health, the sign of everything that is good, is strength. As long as the body lives, there must be strength in the body, strength in the mind, [and strength] in the hand.
Anything you rely on can become a crutch. And disabled or not, when you rely on something, that is what will cripple you.
The tears that you spill, the sorrowful, are sweeter than the laughter of snobs and the guffaws of scoffers.
Be happy when you are blamed and accused wrongly, for then you have the chance to see all the bitter, hostile or self-pitying responses that your sinful soul wants to spew out - as if these puny things could in any way defend you! Watch and see if any of these poisons come out of you when your spirit is pricked by an accusation. Only then can you see yourself as you are, and confess thy sin that is within you and forsake yourself again into the Lord's care.
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