Sorry but you are late-to-the-game in the Nazi comparisons... ... but then you are comparing me, aren't you douche-bag.
bill clinton by and large had a successful presidency that saw tremendous economic growth during mostly a time of peace, he lied about getting a bj, does the lying sum up his presidency honestly, I don't know much about helms outside of extreme right wing views
I hate to turn this into another election thread, but could it be that the republicans are in such chaos because they are spending their time trying to define obama instead of defining their own candidate. the war hero just isn't working, they've spent to much time crapping on mccain in 00 and kerry in 04 for an actual veteran to use their experience.
No, the lying doesn't sum up Clinton's presidency. I'm not sure that he should get all the credit for the economic boom, but then his VP did invent the internet... ... and there was a huge dot-com boom. It's one thing to hammer on a live public figure who still vies for the public stage and another to piss on a guy's grave. That you don't know much is kind of my point. I don't know much either, but I assume he had friends and family that loved and cherished him and knew a broader and deeper man than his political caricature. I have to wonder how many here who criticized Helms even read the article. There are some unexpected things in there.
Perhaps you should delve deeper into why many feel so strongly about Jesse Helms. If you understood more about him, I guarantee the negative comments wouldn't surprise you at all. I'm not going to go on a lengthy rant about the guy, but before running himself for the Senate, Helms supported a candidate who ran ads like, "White People, Wake Up Before It's Too Late". As a U.S. Senator, Helms himself said UNC stood for "University of Negroes and Communists". This is a guy who went out of his way to offend people who disagreed with his views and was not a statesman in any sense of the word. He was a master at divisive politics and demagoguery beyond what you are aware of.
I just want someone to post all of his life accomplishments that are so great? What are the GOOD DEEDS everyone is talking about? Rocket River
I'm totally aware of it and I never voted for the guy. If we are going to go around hating merely flawed people, there will be nobody to love or to love us. In the "hour of his passing" I find it sad that we can't refrain from piling on-- even if it is just symbolic as I doubt his family or friends will be visiting here. The poor man has been likened to Saddam Hussein and a Generic Nazi. The Dems have Robert Byrd; Republicans have Jesse Helms. To my knowledge, Helms was never a Klansman.
I'm not a fan but a defender. I wasn't talking about his deeds as much as his humanity. Did you even read the article? He and his wife had two natural children and then adopted a handicapped child who begged on television for parents. Can we give him a half-credit?! He did somewhat reverse his position on aids funding when it came to Africa. According to the article, he forged an unusual alliance with Bono-- kind of like GWB41 and Bill Clinton. Since when does someone have to have a life of good deeds to be allowed to pass from the scene without a heap of hatred bestowed?
He also never saw the error of his ways. There's no defense for Byrd having been in the KKK. But at least he regrets his hateful past. I haven't compared Helms to Hitler. The only thing they had in common was they were both horrible racists and bigots. Helms didn't kill anyone. But if evil is a real thing, Helms practiced it. He doesn't get any well wishes from me. I'll warn you in advance: if Ann Coulter dies anytime soon she won't either.
Indeed... but you (or shall I say we) know but a slice of that life. Here I found something on the BBC newswire for all of you to cheer: "He also ... opposed the use of US troops in Bosnia. "I will not support sending American soldiers to fight and to die for the sake of an agreement not yet reached which may offer no more than the promise of a brief pause while all sides prepare for the next round of Balkan wars," he said."
On the occasion of his retirement from the Senate, David Broder wrote this in the Washington Post: “What really sets Jesse Helms apart is that he is the last prominent unabashed white racist politician in this country — a title that one hopes will now be permanently retired."
Whoa boy! So blasting a "flawed" person's political views is now known as "hating"? Give me a break! And take this "piling on" garbage out and throw it in the dumpster. I agree it's a good idea to be respectful when a person dies, but Helms is a unique figure. There is a saying in the Bible that you reap what you sow, and that principle applies to Jesse Helms in spades. He will get a lot of love from old-timers that agreed with his views, but he deserves the scorn that is heaped on him. That comes with the territory of such a negative, race-baiting political career. In comparing Helms vs. Byrd: Byrd said on one occasion, “I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place in America. I apologized a thousand times... and I don't mind apologizing over and over again”. He redeemed himself by renouncing his past. What did Jesse say in 1996 during his final Senate campaign, “You're daggone right it's the same old Helms.” Can you see the difference? One guy's opinion of race changed and for the other it did not. It isn't where you start in life, it's where you finish. How long have you lived in North Carolina?
The sad part is there are many people in America that would give Helms a standing ovation. However..........whether its sadaam , Hitler and his brother Helms they are all of the same quilt.
Since Gerald Ford was President. I'm not trying to justify Helms' career. I'm reminding you that it is over. If it makes you feel good or better or relieved to pee on his grave... go right ahead. I've said my piece. All I'm asking for is a little civility. This is life not a game... but I guess not on the internet. I'm beginning to think you guys are the virtual analog to the Westboro Baptist Church!
