Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008

Subject: Obit: Fmr Sen. Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 12:08 PM

I'm probably not the best person to start this thread because I hated the guy. Perhaps someone will come along and provide some balance. If there was something good about him, I don't know it.

He was as nasty a piece of work as there was in the world of bigotted politics in the U.S. Audre Lorde got it out of her system by writing a poem for him.


Jessehelms

I am a Black woman
writing my way to the future
off a garbage scow knit from moral fibre
stuck together with jessehelms'
come where Art is a dirty word
scrawled on the wall
of Bilbo's memorial outhouse
and obscenity is catching
even I'd like to hear you scream
ream out your pussy
with my dildo called Nicaragua
ram Grenada up your fig hole
till Panama runs out of you
like Savimbi a-flame.

But you prefer to do it
on the senate floor
with a sackful of paper pricks
keeping time to the tune
of a 195 million dollar
military band
safe-sex dripping from your tongue
into avid senatorial ear-holes
later you'll get yours
behind the senate toilets
where they're waiting for you jessehelms
the white boys with their pendulous rules
bumping against the rear door of Europe

spread-eagled across the globe
their crystal balls poised over Africa
ass-up for old glory
your turn now jessehelms
come on      it's time
to lick the handwriting
off the walls.


Copyright © 1990 by Audre Lorde.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 12:40 PM

They say the good die young. Nice to see that the bigot made it to 86.   

There is a warm seat in hell that just got filled.

Take note of the politicians that are calling this man a patriot. Election days are ahead.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 01:39 PM

Since the vast majority of us no doubt agree this man had few, if any, redeeming features, what is the point of an obit thread for him?

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 01:42 PM

I didn't know he'd died until now...not that I'll miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 02:08 PM

'cause it feels good anyway? Was it Dorothy Parker who said, "if you don't have anything good to say, come over here and sit next to me"?

President Bush is said to have said at the time of Helms' retirement from the Senate that "Sen. Helms has been a tireless defender of our nation's freedom and a champion of democracy abroad".

Too bad he never noticed that democracy in his home state was strangling, and he had his hand on the rope the whole time.

Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall for THAT accounting in the sky?

But we're getting there. Barack Obama is poised to take this state, and I think of Jesse Helms often in my efforts with the campaign.

Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Bee
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 02:36 PM

Ron davies, at least for the pleasure of reading Audre Lorde's poem, which Sinsull has provided.

And also for the opportunity to wave goodbye to a particularly unsavoury relic of US history. Appropriate timing, I'd call it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: artbrooks
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 02:49 PM

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 04:15 PM

Jesse made 86, Strom Thurmond made 100.. but a guy like Daniel Patrick Moynihan only 76...if anyone doubts justice is random.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: kendall
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 04:38 PM

Didn't like him alive, don't like him dead.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 04:55 PM

SRS, thanks for the poem. WOW...talk about a Womon taking her Power! I love it!

Hope he was ready because we sure were!

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 05:15 PM

Well if I believed in an afterlife, I'd be hoping that upon his arrival he would have to defend his life under the questioning of Ed Bradley and Tim Russert. To be fair, he needs another white senator by his side........Do you think he'd like Howard Metzenbaum in his corner? Yeah, let's give him Howard. Then we need a judge of outstanding ability and great stature......say, Thurgood Marshall.

Goodbye Jesse.....Take a seat alongside Strom Thurmond, Bull Connor, George Wallace, Ross Barnett, Lester Maddox, Byron Delay Beckwith, and all your other buddies......yes, they're sitting in boiling oil but you'll get used to it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 06:01 PM

...and Bilbo. Don't forget him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 07:25 PM

At the height of his power, he fought for the values of the old confederacy. He resisted the new South. He resisted the opportunity to fight for a more perfect union."

_ The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 10:39 PM

Jesse Helms did try to keep banks from holding people's money for a week and keeping the interest on the billions of dollars in that constant 'float' of not being put into the owners account.

he failed.

he also failed at being a human being but was a succesful bigot.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 11:24 PM

If someone managed to piss Jesse off, my opinion of that person automatically rose a few points.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:00 AM

Though I don't like to see arguments on obit threads, it is depressing that this man was so universally disliked that none of his advocates have turned up to offer some glimpse of a better side.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 02:35 AM

Okay.....He had a fat ass that resembled his face. That should cover both sides.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: kendall
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 08:15 AM

He was mentioned on the national news yesterday; a number of people talked about him, no one said anything good about him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: kendall
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 08:16 AM

Maybe the ones who wanted to praise him remember what happened to Trent Lott when he praised Strom Thurmond.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Ron Davies
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 08:31 AM

" If you don't have anything good to say...."---I think is Alice Roosevelt-- of whom TR said:" I can either govern the country or control Alice.   I cannot do both."

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Ron Davies
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 09:01 AM

Checking Wiki--which is probably somewhat reliable in what she said, if not in everything--it appears she said of TR that he wanted to be "the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral, and the baby at every christening".   Does anybody know if this quote pre-dates Alice?

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Ron Davies
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 09:05 AM

Elsewhere on the Net "the bride at every.." quote is attributed to one of TR's sons. But I thought it was from the 19th century. Any other views?

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 09:11 AM

As I commented last night, "Satan called him home."

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 10:14 AM

To quote Jesse Jackson remarking on the character of anyone is laughable. He's been proven to be a tax dodger, liar, womanizer and a corporate blackmailer. Yeah, he's a credible commentator. Let's see...who else? Newt Gingrich, maybe? Or Bill Clinton. Lots of integrity in those two. Nah, Jesse 'Martin died in my arms' Jackson is the more credible of the 3.

Jesse Helms was an ignorant, racist miltary/industrial whore, but no worse than Spriro Agnew or Richard Nixon, just more obvious because he was unapologetic and spoke out. Dick Cheney is a far more dangerous and evil force in American politics and policy IMO.

My condolances to the Helms family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 10:38 AM

I forgot to say, "Ding dong the witch is dead!"

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 11:12 AM

Jeff, Commingling the personal weaknesses and political lives of other politicians to illustrate problems about Helms isn't exactly what I was asking for. That was a politically inept self-serving non-answer.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 12:18 PM

Certainly one could've quoted a more credible source was/is my point. The 'three fingers pointing towards oneself' certainly applies in Mr. Jackson's case. The fact that what Mr. Jackson said is true and I agree w/him doesn't mean he's allowed to cast stones. Mr. Helms did plenty of that to himself. And using the 'politically inept and self-serving non-answer' cheap shot is an easy out when someone disagrees w/your choice. What were you looking for, anyway? Do a quick fact check on anyone mentioned in my post and you'll find there's truth in every statement. How is that politically inept? And self serving? Helms' racist obstructionism was simply more obvious because he made no effort to hide it. Just a common streetwalker as opposed to a high-priced hooker. Strictly minor league in the grand scheme of American politics. And quoting Jesse Jackson regarding ANYONE's character is STILL laughable and will remain so. Just like expecting someone to come forward and laud his accomplishments in this forum is laughable. If making true statements about the political/personal failings of people in power is 'self serving' than educating you to the reality of a dubious quote source was a complete waste of time. Sorry to have bothered.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:02 PM

I don't consider Jesse Jackson dubious at all. That's your spin on the man. I can separate his personal life failings from the remarkable work he has done in the political arena. And "truth in every statement" suggests that you conclude that a blow job is a political equivalent to say, promoting a racist political agenda. It just isn't so.

We have a few folks from North Carolina who might have had personal insight into Helms, that's all I was suggesting might be enlightening.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:15 PM

It is well to remember that Helms and Strom Thurmond and George Wallace were re-elected over & over. If they abused power and contributed to embarrassing pieces of our history, they did not do it alone. Only when a politician with such demeanor cannot BE elected can we feel like we are truly on the way to instituting the values expressed in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Bee
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:25 PM

Well, over at Rapture Ready some people are mourning his passing.

Mind you, these are the people who think Obama is most likely the Anti-Christ and that UFOs are demonic in origin.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Alice
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:26 PM

When the news came of his passing, I did not hear a single word praising him. He was a racist to the end. and yes, good riddance

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 02:37 PM

>>We have a few folks from North Carolina who might have had personal insight into Helms,<<

We came to NC after he left politics. We were at a neighbor's house for the fourth and some of our other neighbors had a few choice words to say. Mostly describing his racist and divisive fear-mongering.

They mentioned this

>>Helms played upon Galifianakis' ethnicity during the campaign, running under the slogan "Vote for Helms—He's One of Us!<<

and this..

>> Helms helped create an ad that read, "White people, wake up before it is too late. Do you want Negroes working beside you, your wife and your daughters, in your mills and factories? Frank Graham favors mingling of the races."<<

He is not missed in Love Grove, North Carolina.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 02:46 PM

And on the 4th of July, too!

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 11:07 PM

That's the official word, Mrrzy. Frankly, I woould not be astounded if it were discovered that he had died the evening before. But it does make a better story that he died on the US birthday along with such giants as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Riginslinger
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 09:54 AM

I find it interesting to check in on David Duke, from time to time. I checked his web-site this morning and there's a great big spread on Jesse Helms.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 12:49 PM

President George W. Bush, in a statement, expressed his condolences for the family and called the conservative icon "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."

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 04:38 PM

"an unwavering champion of those struggling for liberty"

BLLLLLEAUARRGHUHHH

Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,Clarence Darrow
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 05:04 PM

I have never killed a man, but have read many obituaries with a lot of pleasure.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 05:04 PM

...a fearless defender of a culture of life...yeah, some culture, some life!

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Ed T
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 10:58 PM

My sumation:

He came, he shared his prejudices and he left.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 12:12 AM

Revisiting my first post and reading Audre Lorde's poem out loud certainly sums up what people have posted here.

Too bad he outlived her. I would have found her remarks at his passing interesting.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 01:42 PM

Conservapedia's obit called helms an American Hero. Proving that, indeed, Conservapedia is a joke, albeit a quite unfunny one.
SRS, I loved the poem and found it most appropriate for this thread.
The day Reagan died my friend Bob, mandolin player with a local band, performed "Drugstore Truckdriving Man" at that nights gig. My point being that just because an asshole dies doesn't mean we quit calling him an asshole.

Subject: RE: Obit: Former Senator Jesse Helms July 2008
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 02:03 AM

I understand that a stirring memorial service was cancelled due to the price of kerosene in the quantity needed for the mass cross burning that was planned. A Klan spokesman apologized saying, "I figger its just proof yet again that we should have nuked those gawdamned towel headed sand niggers a long time ago."

Spaw