Helen Thomas

Declaring President Bush has done more to break down the so-called separation of church and state than any other chief executive, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas told a large audience at the University of North Carolina that the war with Iraq is a "mindless invasion … without provocation."

Speaking to hundreds at UNC Monday night, Thomas wondered aloud, "Where's the national outrage?" reports the Durham Herald-Sun.

"Who is demanding to know why we invaded Iraq – a country that did absolutely nothing to us?" she asked.

Thomas has covered the White House for over 40 years. She described the first president she covered, John F. Kennedy, as inspired and eloquent. Such words did not come up, however, as she talked about Bush.

She criticized the terror-fighting Patriot Act and slammed Bush's domestic and international policies. According to the Durham paper, she noted that she once called the Pentagon to ask how many Iraqis had died in the war.

"I was told we don't track them, they don't count," she said.

Thomas claimed the Iraq war is "a violation of international policy under any circumstance and is immoral."

The columnist was asked if another Kennedy type might become president again.

"Never say never," she said, according to the paper. "Of course, someone will come along – of course she will."

An audience member asked Thomas about the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

"I think this war with Iraq put a hole in the hornet's nest," Thomas responded. "The whole world is dangerous, not just Pakistan."

Another member of the audience asked her if she knew why so many modest-income people voted for Bush, when many of his policies hurt them, the questioner claimed.

"No," Thomas is quoted as saying. "I wish I knew."