Comments for Jesse Helms: American Garbage »
Posted By Radiofreeeuropa 1 year, 5 months ago in NewsWhat does it say about modern American politics that a proponent of racism and repression at home, and defender of fascist and military dictatorship abroad, should play such a major role? Like scum on a stagnant pond, the rottenest elements in American society rose to the top of the political system during the last quarter of the twentieth century.
Read Full Story at news.aol.com »
RSS Join the Discussion
+ Add CommentComments So Far: 118
-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
When presented with evidence that Roberto D'Aubuisson, the US-backed death squad leader in El Salvador, was involved in atrocious human rights abuses, Helms responded, "All I know is that D'Aubuisson is a free enterprise man and deeply religious." One peace activist who met with Helms staffers to describe the murders of Nicaraguan doctors, nurses and children by the Contras was told, "Well, they're just communistsâ;;they deserve to die."
Helms was the worst of the worst, the fact that he rose to such high positions in U.S. politics is an indictment in itself. The racist supporter of mass murder receives no conciliatory mercy from me just because he is finally in He11.
Reply-
-
Neutral
memestryker1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Although most Republicans are more moderate than the right-wing loudmouths, just as most Democrats are more moderate than the left-wing loudmouths, I am always disappointed that extremists find their way to Washington--mostly by whipping the ignorant into a frenzy so they all get out and vote while others are so apathetic they stay home--or by successfully bringing pork to their constituents.
Helms truly was the epitome of all that is ugly in the far right. I don't believe in He11, except that I think people create it for themselves here on earth by their own thoughts and actions.
He and others like him seem to glorify ignorance as something to be cherished (I also see that occurring on the far left, only on different issues). I only hope another just like him doesn't pop up.
Reply -
CorbinDallasComment removed: Retracted by user
-
-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
The outpouring of cliches and bogus praise, designed to conceal rather than illuminate, that is churned out by the American media in lieu of analysis regarding this man and the hate consumed agenda he pursued, is simply appalling. Not a single commentator on the television networks, cable outlets or major daily newspapers addresses the central issue: what does it say about modern American politics that a proponent of racism and repression at home, and defender of fascist and military dictatorships abroad should play such a major role?
Reply-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
(Snark on-)
Perhaps the news that gays were getting married in California and a "person of color" was poised to become president was just too much for the "man made from pig parts" heart of Helms.
Now if only those who followed his wretched ideology would follow his example and remove themselves as well, The U.S. and indeed the entire planet would be a far better place.
Reply -
libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned2 Replies
-
-
Neutral
mmrhe1 year, 5 months ago
-
-
Neutral
miklkit1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
One can only hope.
Funny story.
My brother who lives in Missouri came to visit a couple'a weeks ago. When the conversation turned to politics he said "I won't vote for no N**g*r." We let it go. His wife is a big ol heifer. The next day he showed up with a big ol shiner. :o) Now that is family values in action.
Reply -
Neutral
AntiNeoCon1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Well it may be true that the guy was a rabid NeoCon but you can blame the voters who put him there over and over again.
Just like they did with GWB...voting party line no matter who the candidate is sux, you get what you deserve when you fail to use logic and common sense.
Reply-
Neutral
memestryker1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
ANC, people are gullible. Look at the anti-science movement that is thriving in the U.S. (even the president) and the popularity and power of people like James Dobson--or worse, Fred Phelps. We have to be vigilant at fighting ignorance and indoctrination that breeds hatred and destruction.
Reply-
libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned4 Replies
-
-
MyFood777Comment removed: Hard Banned
-
-
-
Neutral
chuck-the-canuck1 year, 5 months ago
-
-
-
-
-
libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned
-
-
Neutral
HannibalBarca1 year, 5 months ago
-
-
Neutral
mesodude1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"Chuck,
Look at us how you will. Yet the refugees just keep on coming. People who vote with their feet choose America."
--But we created several million refugees in Iraq alone over the past 5 years so, to a significant degree, our popularity is a result of voter intimidation. ;-(
Reply
-
-
Neutral
memestryker1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Chuck, Other countries have their own examples, ours just happen to be front and center at the moment. The U.S. has always self-corrected in the past, so I am optimistic we can do it again if we don't become apathetic and give in to extremism.
Reply-
Neutral
chuck-the-canuck1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"Other countries have their own examples, ours just happen to be front and center at the moment."
Absolutely true. But in many of those other examples it was more like a fart in a wind storm, not the projectile shiiting of the bed.
If McCain becomes president, you'd better stock up on depends.
Reply
-
-
libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned3 Replies
-
-
-
Neutral
bubba21 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Helms was no less evil than Bush or Cheney or Rove are evil.
The amazingly sad part about it all is that at least HALF of the eligible voters in this country DO NOT VOTE!!
When HALF the country does not even CARE who is running our government, it is no wonder that people of Helms' ilk get elected and get into power.
It is the voters and the people that ARE concerned who suffer due to the negligence and the "no care" attitude of HALF of the people in this country.
To THAT extent, the people are getting what we deserve. And what a SAD, PATHETIC commentary that is on the American people.
Reply-
-
Neutral
icono11 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
To support your argument FTA;
"His elections were always narrow victories, his campaigns based on motivating just enough angry white racists to the polls to give him another six years of hateful rule."
So as long as the voters of NC voted him in he could continue to be the way he was because his behaviour was rewarded by re-election to office by his constituents.
So who is really responsible for Helm's public/political behaviour?
Reply -
-
JoseMadreComment removed: Hard Banned
-
-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Helms simply represented the worst of the worst.
Here's a few of his quotes:
"I'm a conservative progressive, and that means I think all men are equal, be they slants, beaners or nig**rs."
Jesse Helms, North Carolina Progressive, February 6, 1985,
"The New York Times and The Washington Post are both infested with homosexuals themselves." The Post, he charged, "caters to homosexual groups. Just about every person down there is homosexual or lesbian,"
Source - Home.att.net
"Bill Clinton "better watch out if he comes down here [to North Carolina]. He'd better have a bodyguard."
-Quote according to Helms (and refuted by military personnel), the military was likely to shoot Clinton if he came to North Carolina.
Reply -
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"If God had wanted us to use the metric system, Jesus would have had 10 apostles."
"The destruction of this country can be pinpointed in terms of its beginnings to the time that our political leadership turned to socialism. They didn't call it socialism, of course. It was given deceptive names and adorned with fancy slogans. We heard about New Deals, and Fair Deals and New Frontiers and the Great Society."
â;; From a Helms editorial at WRAL-TV in Raleigh.
"They should ask their parents if it would be all right for their son or daughter to marry a Negro."
-- In response to Duke University students holding a vigil after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, 1968
Reply-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"Democracy used to be a good thing, but now it has gotten into the wrong hands."
"It's their deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct that is responsible for the disease"
"There is not one single case of AIDS in this country that cannot be traced in origin to sodomy."
"To rob the Negro of his reputation of thinking through a problem in his own fashion is about the same as trying to pretend that he doesn't have a natural instinct for rhythm and for singing and dancing."
"The Negro cannot count forever on the kind of restraint that's thus far left him free to clog the streets, disrupt traffic, and interfere with other men's rights."
"Homosexuals are weak, morally sick wretches."
"Crime rates and irresponsibility among Negroes are a fact of life which must be faced." (New York Times, 2/8/81)
Reply-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
While working on the 1950 campaign of Republican Willis Smith against Democrat Frank Porter Graham, 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." Another ad featured photographs Helms himself had doctored to illustrate the allegation that Graham's wife had danced with a black man. (FAIR 9/1/01, The News and Observer 8/26/01)
Reply-
-
Neutral
memestryker1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Many people probably voted for GW Bush because Rove knew how to play their emotions like a violin. Right before the election, he appealed to their emotions on issues he knew they were indoctrinated to feel strongly about within their culture, so they also spread it among those who shared their so-called "values". After the election, the real agenda showed itself--and had little or nothing to do with the issues showcased by Rove and his minions.
Rove is a very clever man--make no mistake about it.
Reply -
-
-
-
-
-
-
Neutral
Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I wonder if there will be a matching miraculous pee-stain?
http://www.crystalair.com/content.php?id=742007...
Mysterious ways indeed!
Reply -
-
Neutral
tanglang1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Scott, What does it say about modern American democrats that everytime someone who was on the right dies, they can't wait to rush out and trash them. Helms might not have been a good person, but at least he never murdered anyone. *coughs* Ted Kennedy.
Reply-
-
-
Neutral
mesodude1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"Helms might not have been a good person, but at least he never murdered anyone. *coughs* Ted Kennedy."
--Do you have any friends or loved ones who are black, gay, or belong to some other minority group, tangy? If not, you've already answered my question. Otherwise, step away from the computer for five minutes, dial one of them up and ask them why us evil liberals here are saying such mean things about a guy who just "might not have been a good person." Let me know what you find out, tangy. Thanks. ;-)
Reply -
-
-
-
Neutral
1-2-Oscar1 year, 5 months ago
-
Neutral
bubba21 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Huh???
Anyone here calling African Americans "n*ggers"?
Anyone here calling homosexuals "morally sick wretches"?
Anyone here using Jesus to diss the metric system?
Anyone here threatening African Americans, saying they they have no right to be "on the streets" or to "interfere with other men's rights"?
There is no "moral superiority" in anyone's comments, except maybe for yours.
The FACTS regarding Jesse Helms speak VERY LOUDLY for themselves. What is 'revealing' about what is wrong with some Americans is that they REFUSE to accept who and what Helms really was.
Reply-
-
-
Neutral
memestryker1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Endo,
It's no secret that Jesse Helms spewed hatred. He also was effective in helping his constituents with their economic and other issues, so they kept sending him to Washington. My best friend lived there for years, and she thought he was a jerk, but said he was good for the state in so many ways she could overlook his attitude.
I've voted for people I don't particularly like because I thought they would be the best person for the job--in the 2006 election, in fact.
Reply -
-
Neutral
hamy1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
If the conservative point of view has to do with limiting the rights and freedoms of fellow tax paying Americans so that the conservative point of view can feel superior, then yes. I will gladly wear that mantle.
I choose to stand up to bigots, racists, and hatemongers every chance that I get.
Prejudice is not a political point of view.
Reply
-
-
-
-
-
-
Neutral
mesodude1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"It's all name-calling to no purpose--except perhaps to make themselves look pure by comparison."
--You're projecting. Not everyone is as self-absorbed and insecure as you clearly are. Helms was a very filthy and vile creature. There are many on the right who wouldn't dispute that. I think you need to ask yourself why you're here defending someone like him so aggressively. Pitiful.
Reply -
Neutral
hamy1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
But someone who personally attacks you. Your way of life. It is self defense is it not? Isn't that what gun owners always say? I have to defend myself. Someone is trying to take my rights away which is more dear to me than the computer in my office. I will fight to the death anyone who says that I am not an American citizen with the same rights and freedoms that any other American citizen has.
Helms didn't think so. And he was in a place of power where he could do something about it.
He was a terrible man who wanted nothing more than to feel better about himself by putting others down. That is not name calling. That is the truth.
Reply
-
-
-
Neutral
jordan111 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
They aren't acting as Helms did. They're saying the truth. If it isn't the truth, offer something to discount what they say. Was Helms not a bigot? Did Helmes not utter obscene remarks about groups of people? Did Helms not use his position of power to hold down those groups? Do you not find that obscene? Should people LIE about him? Should people remain silent, and by their silence condone his actions and those who think like him? WHAT do you want people to do?
Reply -
Neutral
Grrr1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
It is true, 1-2-O, that opposing the politics of division is in itself divisive, at least to those that espouse such politics. But how else are you going to work it? Seems rather necessary, always has been, and it's unfortunate that it's so, but not calling it what it is hasn't gotten us anywhere since about Reagan. When it comes to policy, pigs are pigs, racists are racists, and no, you're not just as bad as they are just because you point out that something stinks. What is revealing of America is that there are those that would not only vote for such a vile foot soldier of hate, but defend him. Truly astounding.
Reply -
JoseMadreComment removed: Hard Banned
-
-
HMMaceComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned
-
-
-
Neutral
Endoscopy1 year, 5 months ago
-
-
-
Neutral
mesodude1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"Start talking about George Wallace and Senator Byrd."
--Why? Wallace is dead and both he and Byrd changed their positions (just like Romney changed his position on abortion and McCain has changed his position on...well, you name it. The point is, people can change for the better. Helms was evil to the bitter end. ;-(
Reply -
-
Neutral
hamy1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I don't believe this is a party issue. There is evil in both parties. This man did particularly bad things to me and my community as I was one of the minorities that he tried to put down. My beef with him is personal. It has nothing to do with republican or democrat.
Reply
-
-
Neutral
mesodude1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
What I find interesting is that the same people who, to this day, still fantasize about Clinton's hummer from 10 years ago (which had no significant impact on their own lives), have urged me to "just get over" Bush's litany of criminal acts (which have ended and destroyed the lives of millions) before his administration is even over. How many times have we heard the refrain "Bush is not running for office...blah blah"? It just floors me how cons are still seething with rage over something Ted Kennedy did decades ago but they want to allot exactly 15 minutes (and not a second more) of discussion to any GOP indiscretion. Insane.
Reply
-
-
-
Neutral
quackpot1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Rather than condemn the man for his views which, in 2008 seem totally obnoxious, it might be more valuable to understand the forces that enabled this man of hate to rise to become a senior Dean of U.S. politics.
Jesse Helms was MUCH larger than an individual. An understanding of the U.S. deserves an objective view of this senior representative of the nation and the forces that gave him his power.
Reply-
JoseMadreComment removed: Hard Banned
-
-
-
-
-
Neutral
memestryker1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
mmrhe,
We didn't become "one nation under God" until the mid-1950s Republican sweep of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. And since robber barrons were active well before that, I'm not sure I see your point.
We've never been "one nation under God" anyway, since that was just a ploy to distinguish us from the communists.
Reply
-
-
JohnQPublicComment removed: Retracted by user
-
hefaa1Comment removed: Hard Banned
-
Neutral
Endoscopy1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
The big problem is that a lot of people were saying the same things back then. Most of them Southern Democrats. Jesse Helms was a Republican so they have to run his memory into the ground. Why don't you liberals Democrats talk about George Wallace?
Reply-
-
JoseMadreComment removed: Hard Banned
-
-
-
-
Neutral
mirageRF1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Jesse was consistent in his beliefs and votes.
He honestly represented the population of North Carolina.
He never used his position to profit personally.
He did not waffle on issues or walk the center line of popularity.
His word was his bond.
He never attempted to be all things to all people as do today's media savvy politicians.
Love him or hate him, you could always trust him not to sell out to the highest bidder.
Like most of his generation, his views on race, equality and gender matured as the country's views also became more accepting. He did not lead in these issues, but he learned from them.
Reply-
JoseMadreComment removed: Hard Banned
-
Neutral
hamy1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
But it didn't seem like he looked at race, gender, or any forms of equality any differently. Is there an example of how his views matured? I mean, what he did to the fight against AIDS was disgusting and he didn't seem to look at those issues any differently.
Reply -
-
-
-
-
Neutral
Mdiar1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I did not like the man. I still do not. I do not mourn his passing and I am hopeful that this death can mark a new era of politics. The nicest thing I can say about this man is that he stuck to his beliefs. May God have mercy on his soul. He will need it.
Reply -
-
-
Neutral
Tcaros1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Jesse Helms was a bigot. He won narrow victories by using racial devisiveness to his advantage in a polarized state. He was also against extending voting rights and aids funding. He will not be remembered for that long, except to say "remember that bstard from North Carolina, what's his name again."
Reply -
Neutral
Khumarijade1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Hearing the news that Ole Jesse had died, made my day!
It is great to have lived long enough to watch all of the vivious and vile, vultures, snakes and scum from the South's shameful past curl up and DIE!
To all of those in Washington who cited Jesse Helms as their friend, such as Bob Dole. Remember the old saying....
"Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you, who you are!"
JESSE HELMS, DEAD on 4TH of JULY!!!
One bigot down, millions more to go!
Lets hope there is a special place in HELL for Ole Jesse!
Just like the South, his a-- won't rise again!!!!!!!!
Reply -
Neutral
hamy1 year, 5 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Oh, Jesse. I don't like to think bad of the dead, but you really gave me no choice.
I wouldn't be suprised if there is a long line of people waiting to dance on his grave. He gave a lot of people, me included, a lot of reasons to despise him.
Reply
loading ...
Add a Comment
Sign In With Your Propeller Account
Please keep your comments relevant to this story.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.