Reactions to story from http://cnn.com

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  Jesse Helms: Architect of Today's Politics

  http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6794
  43 days ago in Open Left · Authority: 1,823

  Jesse Helms was the beating heart of conservatism, and of modern politics. This tells the story. Helms was such a polarizing figure in American politics that left and the right invoked his name in fund-raising appeals. "The business of political
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  Power Vacuum

  http://inmate1972.wordpress.com/2008/08/11/power-vacuum/
  8 days ago in Doin’ Time in Erie, PA · Authority: 18

  I’ve seen this theory bouncing about on the Internet that for every old, white man in politics that dies, an equally powerful black man in entertainment dies as well. I’m trying to find the thread again, so if anyone comes across it, let me know and I’ll post it here. The theory goes that these tandom deaths balance the universe. Such as when Ronald Reagan died (6/5/2004), Ray Charles passed away (6/10/2004). When James Brown passed on (12/25/2006), Gerald Ford kicked the bucket (12/26/2006). You get the picture… So we’ve had a couple doozies the last few days: Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. Too soon for the both of them, really. But this leaves me wondering: Which old, white man in US politics can we expect to kick it in the very near future? Sailor Man thinks the political death of John Edwards suffices, but he’s not old, so I’m not convinced. Possibly Ted Stevens, the evidence seems pretty stacked against him and he is 85…hmmmmm…. Maybe the horribly tragic death of Bernie Mac balances the lack of a counter-part when Jesse Helms passed on last month. And Isaac Hayes, damn, that’s just sad. I can’t imagine why this great entertainer had to go so soon. But who do you suppose his counter-balance is? Does the Helms/Mac-Edwards/Hayes cover it, or should we be waiting for the other shoe to drop? Death Pool anyone? Yeah, yeah, yeah, sick and wrong, I’m horrible, I’m evil, yadda, yadda, yadda…learn to laugh, it makes life a lot more bearable…
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  http://blogs.sltrib.com/slcrawler/2008/07/whos-your-fav.htm
  39 days ago in blogs.sltrib.com - Salt Lake Crawler by Glen Warchol · Authority: 29

  Who's your fav? Yowl. The Davis County Clipper carries a commentary comparing the qualities Utahs' demigods. Picking one of the state's glorious senators over the other is like saying you prefer the Holy Ghost to the the Son. Or Ganesha to Vishnu. Or, if you prefer, choosing Gordon B. Hinckley over Spencer W. Kimball. Unthinkable. Especially, when you are arguing that Orrin gives comfort and aid to racists, as Bryan Gray does in his commentary on Hatch and Bennett's reactions to the death of South Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms: On hearing of his death, Sen. Bennett spoke of Helms being “courteous and respectful”; in other words, even if Helms was kooky, he had a few positive attributes. Sen. Hatch, however, had glowing remarks, calling Helms a “truly great senator.” Sorry, Orrin, but truly great senators don’t deny the rights of black men and women to vote, attend public schools, and eat at a diner. Truly great senators don’t verbally spit at AIDS sufferers. Truly great senators don’t think that Ray Charles should use a different bathroom than Elvis.Gray must figure, in for a dime—in for a dollar, because he goes on to say: I perceive that [Bennett] mulls over the issues and arguments before casting a conservative vote. With Orrin, I always have the sneaky suspicion that he’s peddling some righteous snake oil. No wonder the Clipper begins Gray's commentary with the unnecessary note: "The views expressed in this column are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily those of the ownership or management of this newspaper."
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  Episode 73 - The Countdown Continues

  http://www.mindofmen.com/2008/07/08/Episode+73++The+Countdow...
  42 days ago in The Mind of Men · Authority: 4

  As we march towards the end of Season Two and near the end of the Top 10 Countdown of cigars from 2007, the guys get together this week over Skype to share their insights on the the week's news stories. First, Jim observes that Jesse Helms died this past week, and Mike talks about a baseball injury that'll leave more than a mark on Chris Snyder from the Diamondbacks. Next Jim discusses a research study indicating that we really don't care too much about security, and Mike offers up a link for those who want to tell the world everything. In tech Microsoft tries its hand at subscription licensing for Office. Finally, Jim offers up a story about a Texas man who shot a tresspasser on his neighbor's property and Mike closes the segment with a link to the Museum of the American Cocktail. This week's Cigar and Drink Pairing Oliva Serie V Torpedo Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Bourbon Links Mentioned Former Senator Jessie Helms dead at 86 Now that's going to sting... Arizona Diamondbacks' catcher Chris Snyder was hit in the groin by a foul tip. Reseach suggests that we care more about privacy when it is raised as an issue, otherwise, we ignore it A problem solved: Post to multiple social sites at once www.ping.fm (use beta code "pingyoulater") Microsoft to try it's hand at subscription based pricing for Office Texas man who shot trespassers on his neighbor's property acquitted Museum of the American Cocktail honoring history of mixed drinks opens in July. Ways to Listen Download this episode Subscribe via email iTunes (Subscribe / Podcast Page / Write a Review) Digg Podcasts RSS Feed
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  New Wiretap Law, Only Six Years Late

  http://seldomwrong.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-wiretap-law-only...
  40 days ago in Seldom Wrong, Never in Doubt · Authority: 11

  Three cheers for the US Senate, for passing a bill to bring laws regulating wiretapping into reasonable touch with the needs of the moment. A special cheer for Senator Obama, who found it in his heart to renounce his silly objection to immunity for cooperating telecom companies and so to vote yea. At the rate that the presumptive nominee is moving to the right, we can expect him to place flowers on Jesse Helms's grave by August. A good 2.5 years ago, SWNID complained that instead of endlessly bloviating about violated civil rights or threatened national security, Congress should craft new legislation. Our complaint was only about four years after 9/11 "changed everything," so we don't think we can be accused of impatience. Now we thank Congress for its timely action. Who says you can't get things done in an election year?
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  Goodbye, Mr. Helms

  http://commonmistakes.blogspot.com/2008/07/goodbye-mr-helms....
  41 days ago in Common Mistakes · Authority: 2

  You know, I have a rule to never take joy in someone's death, no matter how odious the person. However, I make one exception: Jesse Helms. Knowing that he's gone from this world is really one of the greatest feelings of relief I've ever known. I can't say how many times I wanted to read this news when I was in my twenties or thirties. Here's why. And here. Oh, and this. Anyone remember this little doozy? Here's a nice little compendium of favorite Helms quotes for your memorial scrapbook. Could it have been the thought of a President Obama that sent Helms scurrying off to the great hereafter? Had to get off the planet before the abomination came, I suppose. In any event, it was a Happy July 4th (for the rest of us....).
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  Another wonderful commentary by Martin

  http://newblackwoman.blogspot.com/2008/07/another-wonderful-...
  41 days ago in New Black Woman · Authority: 42

  CNN political contributor Roland has done it again--another great opinion. Since the death of former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms, we've all seen obituaries and outright praise for the former Dixie-loving, unapologetic racist politician. According to this CNN.com article, President Bush called him a "kind, decent, and humble man": "Throughout his long public career, Sen. Jesse Helms was a tireless advocate for the people of North Carolina, a stalwart defender of limited government and free enterprise, a fearless defender of a culture of life, and an unwavering champion of those struggling for liberty." According to Martin's commentary, other leaders have praised Sen. Helms for his service. However, these leaders tend to gloss over Helms' apparent dislike for African-Americans. Even the Rev. Billy Graham, often called "America's pastor," honored Helms in a 174-word statement, ending it by saying that folks "honor his legendary life and extraordinary legacy." I tend to agree with Martin's assessment. Even with the death of Ronald Reagan, friends and media personalities downplayed his appearance in Philadelphia, Miss., to kick off his 1980 presidential campaign. But to recognize Helms properly in his totality, it's important to add to the list of words and phrases to describe the unapologetic conservative Republican: unabashedly racist. It's easy in this age to say that Helms, who carried his dislike of African- Americans like a badge of honor for 30 years around the U.S. Senate, was a son of the South who was simply honoring good, old-fashioned Southern values. But when you stand in opposition to a bill that would, for the first time, give African-Americans from border to border the constitutionally guaranteed right to cast a vote, then I refuse to call you a stand-up person for the rights of every man, woman and child. More: And don't try to suggest that because Helms hired several African-Americans in his office that he was still a good and decent guy who was misunderstood. No, he was very clear in how he looked at issues, and if you had the wrong skin color, sorry, but you didn't fully count as an American. While I was somewhat sad for the Helms' family to lose their patriarch, I will not go as far as to call him a stand-up guy. I will not praise anyone who believed people with my features and my skin color are inferior and do not deserve the same rights as the majority of folks in this country. With the death of a public official, the public and media tends to whitewash past behaviors and positions as merely living "in their times." They hold them up as icons to followers of their ideology when they are actually pandering to the most extreme points of view to garner votes. These politicians, often too chicken to take a stand, continue to promote bigotry and hate in their constituents' hearts. These politicians thrive on the fear and fringe beliefs of their constituents to promote their ideals. So, no. Men like Jesse Helms aren't stand-up guys. They are mere opportunists. What do you think?
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  Jesse Helms Dead at 86

  http://thinkerspodium.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/jesse-helms-d...
  44 days ago in The Thinkers’ Podium · Authority: 26

  It’s a long time since Jesse Helms was at the frontline of politics, retiring back in 2003, an unreconciled paleo-conservative amongst the neo-liberal vanguard. After all this time, MC Hawking has got his wish (circa 2001). Jesse Helms has died. Helms famously refused to support funding for AIDS research in the 1980s because he believed that there wasn’t a single case of AIDS in the US that couldn’t be traced back to an act of sodomy. Sodomy in his language especially including anal sex between two men, even if consensual, which his God forbid. Helms wasn’t particularly respectful of the boundary between church and state, calling for returns to the moral and spiritual foundations that he thought made (Christian) America. Those spiritual foundations being particularly sectarian and non-negotiable as far as Helms was concerned. While criticising the USSR for labour camps, Helms was a supporter of right-wing El Salvador that provided the US with cheap coffee, harvested under harsh labour conditions. He also supported the contras in Nicaragua, who while professing support for democracy, were stacked with hard-liners of old and engaged profusely in acts of terrorism. Helms loud support for democracy was nothing if not a thin veneer over the visage of a to-the-core fascist. While recognising the “top blokes after death” phenomena, I’m not prone to saying ill of the dead. Still, it is hard with Jesse Helms not to. He lived his life as a very bad person. The best I can say about Helms, goes threefold. Firstly, he did some charity work with Bono. Secondly, he gave consideration to the silenced voices of the victims of 9/11 (even if he assumed them to naturally be supportive of his own political views). Thirdly, he’s dead. Not a cause for celebration, his death nor his small list of redeeming acts. He was already out of the game for a few years when he died, so his death alleviates nothing if not his own suffering from ill health (which I never wished upon him at any rate). His passing is callow. Let’s hope that his passing doesn’t through nostalgia, embolden some of the worst in America. ~ Bruce
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  Independence Day; Free at Last!

  http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2008/07/independenc...
  41 days ago in Break It Down · No authority yet

  History has given us the gift of some intriguing coincidences, as well as some compelling ironies. In observing both, there are times when, even though I hold him/her in great awe, I am convinced God is, if not a confirmed jokester, at least the owner of a genuinely robust sense of humor. In last week’s post, I referenced July 4th, America’s official Independence Day. The piece was intended to serve a bridge to the Holiday. I have addressed at nauseam, the “principle of incompatibility” that divides holidays from organized labors such as reading, studying, and heaven forbid, working. To that end I usually try to ratchet it down a notch or two, or several, during holidays. Looking back at Independence Days past, 1826 probably held one of the more noteworthy coincidences. July 4th, 1826, marked not only the 50th Anniversary of American Independence, but was a day two of our nation’s Founding Fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died. Yes, they died the same day in the same year. Such an occurrence today would almost certainly serve as a catalyst for rumors of a death pact. Adams and Jefferson shared more than joint status as co-signers of the Declaration of Independence; they were the 2nd and 3rd Presidents of the United States, respectively. It is reported that Adams’ last words were, “Jefferson still survives.” However, unbeknownst to Adams, Jefferson had died earlier that day. Adams and Jefferson had quite a concurrent history. Adams was the first to serve as America’s Vice President, he was the first President to live in the executive mansion (known today as the White House), and he was also the first President to be defeated in a re-election bid…by Jefferson, who had served as his Vice President. Thomas Jefferson went on to become President after defeating Adams, but not without a bit of what we would think of today, as drama. Aaron Burr tied Jefferson with 73 electoral votes. As a result, the election was sent to the House of Representatives to determine the winner. After 36 ballots (that's right 36), Jefferson prevailed. In later developments, Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Not surprisingly, Burr's career in politics took a precipitous decline afterward, even though he was never convicted of a crime for his role in the incident. Burr's leaving the office meant Jefferson had to secure another Vice President for his second term as President. After 203 years, P-Funk fans still tip their hat to Jefferson, as he selected George Clinton to hold the second chair. (Funk-a-teers will know what I mean). The virtually concurrent deaths of Adams and Jefferson marked an intriguing Independence Day coincidence of considerable magnitude. This past Friday, Independence Day again collaborated with the death of a prominent political figure, this time in what many consider a compelling ironic twist. Former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms, popularly known as Senator No, died leaving a highly volatile legacy for his supporters and detractors to debate. It is a fact that there are those who consider Helms a patriot. Others have cited his “courage” to stand against the forces of change, on issues ranging from gay rights to trade agreements, to foreign aid. Many of his most notable tirades focused on issues of civil rights and affirmative action, and funding for AIDS research. He was also a leading Senate opponent of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, and he authored and/or approved the now famous, in North Carolina anyway, white hands commercial, aired during the first of two Senate campaign battles against former Charlotte Mayor, Harvey Gantt (1990). The Honorable Senator No appeared to take great pride in his predictable opposition to progressive ideals, and often needled the media when he felt he had bested their desired interests. He earned the distinction of being North Carolina’s longest serving Senator. That is a noteworthy accomplishment, and cannot be diminished. However, it must be noted that many of the tributes and editorials that began streaming forth Friday have sanitized the bigotry and mean-spiritedness that marked so many of Helms’ political encounters and triumphs. His was a divisive, zero-sum brand of politics that often targeted the historically disenfranchised for more abuse, insult, and exclusion. In that light, it is impossible to deny the essence of irony in the events of Independence Day, 2008. One can almost envision seeing and hearing the spirit of King, after having scaled the mountaintop, uttering that famous three-word phrase… I’m done; holla back! Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. A new post is published each Wednesday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Clinton_(vice_president) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Clinton_(funk_musician) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Helms http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=h000463 http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1995/05/bates.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7490458.stm http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/04/obit.helms/index.html http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1871"The time is always right to do what is right." Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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  Jesse Helms

  http://craigorianchant.blogspot.com/2008/07/jesse-helms.html
  42 days ago in Craigorian Chant · Authority: 1

  Kicked the bucket on July 4th. Lots to be said about the man and his meaning. Let me say this: America got better when he lost a fight. The end.

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