In her first in-depth interview since her decades-long career as a member of the White House Press Corps crumbled following contentious statements she made in May 2010 about Israel, Jews, and Palestine, the 90-year-old Thomas doesn't mince words when giving her views on everything from the half-a-century's worth of…

The 2008 Republican candidate discussing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in an email message to the New Yorker's Ariel Levy. [New Yorker]

After controversial comments about Jews and Israel, which drew denunciations from the White House among others, Helen Thomas, 89, has announced that she will retire from her position as a columnist for Hearst newspapers. It's effective immediately. [Hearst, Earlier]

Whatever you think of Helen Thomas's comments about the Jews and Israel, it's clear that her status as a pioneering icon for outspoken women in public life will forever be colored by this controversy. And maybe that's okay.

According to Sam Stein of the Huffington Post, Helen Thomas has been dropped by her speaking agency due to her recent remark that Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and return to Germany, America, and Poland. [HuffingtonPost]

[Washington, DC; May 26, 1971. Image via Getty]

"[Presidents] hate the press really...Everything they do is accountable to the American people and that's why we're there. We're the watchdogs. And I think everything belongs to the public domain practically, except for where the atomic arsenal is." [NPR]

• One of the victims of the Fort Hood massacre has been identified as pregnant 21-year-old soldier Francheska Velez of Chicago, who was starting maternity leave in two weeks. "She loved the military, loved to serve," said a friend. •

On Morning Joe, veteran reporter Helen Thomas advised Obama and staff to lay off the organization, saying "stay out of these fights... They can only take you down. You can't kill the messenger." [Newsbusters]

It's no secret that we think White House legend Helen Thomas is awesome; unfortunately, she doesn't return the sentiment.

• After pleading guilty to rape, Torkieh Sadagheh freaked out in court, screaming that the judge was "worse than Hitler" and "In America, sex is legal!" He got 15 years for the rape and a $1,000 fine. •

Funny or Die's Uncle Sam interviews the awesome long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas, who explains with her infinite wisdom what America is doing wrong and reveals her favorite president (Kennedy, natch). Watch it here: [Funny or Die]

Would legendary White House reporter Helen Thomas ever join Twitter? The picture kind of speaks for itself. [Politico]

[Washington, D.C., August 4. Image via Getty]

White House Correspondent for the American Urban Radio Network, April Ryan(L), assists Helen Thomas, the White House Correspondent who has reported on every US President and Press Secretary since John F. Kennedy, to her front row center seat for the daily press briefing in the Press Room of the White House November…