uncool2pillow Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Jesse Helms 1921-2008 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tronz Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Yeah, we can all cheer that a man has died. Curious: I read your quote..."A nation of bullies and bastards". Just wondering what kind of people celebrate the death of another? I'll bet you moved to the once-great state of NH from Massachusetts. Recently. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Jesse Helms 1921-2008 Bono didn't arm wrestle him to death. He was too busy saving Africa and working on the new U2 album (in that order). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 A man of his time and place. You always knew where he stood, which is very rare in DC. RIP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Yeah, we can all cheer that a man has died. Curious: I read your quote..."A nation of bullies and bastards". Just wondering what kind of people celebrate the death of another? I'll bet you moved to the once-great state of NH from Massachusetts. Recently. Helms was the very definition of a bully, picking on the powerless - a bigoted, racist asshole - I do not morn his loss. In case you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
owl Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Yeah, we can all cheer that a man has died. Curious: I read your quote..."A nation of bullies and bastards". Just wondering what kind of people celebrate the death of another? I'll bet you moved to the once-great state of NH from Massachusetts. Recently. Welcome to the board? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 If you don't have anything nice to say about someone (Especially after they die), don't say anything at all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 If you don't have anything nice to say about someone (Especially after they die), don't say anything at all. There Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I dunno, I like to think when people I dislike die, I can do well enough by just shutting the fuck up. That says more to me than anything. Nothing says "class" like kicking someone when they are 6 feet down, even someone like Jesse Helms. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I'm temporarily locking this thread. It is taking the weekend off. We can talk about Jesse Helms on Monday, okay? A mod will unlock it then. But for now, can we please enjoy the holiday? Participate in the patriotic threads if you want. Let's just step away from the negative for now, okay? Thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 The mud-slinging personal attacks stop here, or this thread will simply be closed. I happen to also feel that Helms was a pretty foul human being, but look! I managed to state my feelings without attacking anyone, and while being civil! Amazing!!! Any death is sad, because the person will have been loved by family and friends. So, there's that. It's hard for me, personally, to be sad about the passing of a guy who was as hateful as Helms. It's ok to have opinions, people....no one here expects that you won't....but say your piece stating that it's your opinion, without lacing the post through and through with obscenities, without sneering at other posters, without personal attacks. If the subject matter makes you so angry that you can't see straight or post with civility, well, then, it's best you refrain from posting. Edit: .....Aaaand the ever-vigilant Wendy posted her post, above, as I was typing my own. Good call, Wendy. We'll let this one rest & maybe later people can be calmer. Happy 4th-of-July-weekend to you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JUDE Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Wait till you hear what people say about you after you're gone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Wait till you hear what people say about you after you're gone.How would he hear it, though? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I'm glad this got re-opened. Let Helms' record speak for itself. The man stood in direct contrast to everything America is supposed to be about (I said supposed). Robert Byrd saw the error of his previous convictions, evidently Helms never did. I hope that wherever he is he's surrounded by nothing but African-American Communist lesbian women. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I heard on NPR that he and his wife adopted a disabled son after reading that he wanted parents for Christmas. The other thing I heard him lauded for was sticking to his priniciples. Not sure that that's a good thing in this case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Dying doesn't make you a better human being, it just means you're dead. If you want people to say something nice about you and/or show some respect for you after you die, while you’re still alive, don't be an a-hole. Unfortunately, Mr. Helms led a life that deserves little respect, in life and now in death.Although I think it can be tasteless to slam a person who's recently died, I can mostly agree with this. Doesn't mean he didn't have good qualities or wasn't loved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
embiggen Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I hope that wherever he is he's surrounded by nothing but African-American Communist lesbian women. I concur. but I also digress, he did have a family and was loved. I'm sure they are saddened by his death. I heard also that when the page boys were asked who was their favorite republican, who was nicest, etc, they would mostly say Jesse Helms. hmm... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Why say mean things about a person who is dead? They are, after all, just dead. Helms' death is/was a reason to begin discussing Helms. I don't care what the reason is/was, but any discussion of Helms requires us to be honest about who he was and what he stood for. That being said, it should be possible for us to be honest about who he was and what he stood for while remaining respectful. Theoretically. EDIT: I should also add that it should be possible for us to have a thread without the two of you arguing. Again, theoretically. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Why say mean things about a person who is dead? They are, after all, just dead. There is certainly a difference between speaking truth and just being mean. A lot of truth surrounding Helms comes across as sounding mean when spoken about because he had views that are so far from moderate, rational discourse in this day. Just because someone is dead doesn't mean we shouldn't revisit and consider all that made them human - both good and bad. I have experienced this myself recently with the sudden death of my ex-husband. It is so incredibly complex to mourn someone who spent a chunk of their lives cloaked in darkness and addiction, could be intensely abusive and cruel but also incredibly vulnerable, kind and caring. It is important to address everything about a person instead of thinking, "well, that's just mean. We shouldn't talk about that." Facing the complexities of a human being makes everything that much more difficult - but who ever said life (and death) were easy? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied lightning Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 well said Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 well saidIndeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.