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.
For each and every person, our Lord and Master provides sustenance. Why are you so afraid, O mind? The flamingos fly hundreds of miles, leaving their young ones behind. Who feeds them, and who teaches them to feed themselves? Have you ever thought of this in your mind?
In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.
The real scholar learns how to evolve the unknown from the known, and draws near the master.
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
You can fool some of the people some of the time -- and that's enough to make a decent living.
It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes.
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