Cross posted (with permission) Gary Pearce on Jesse Helms
From Gary Pearce at www.talkingaboutpolitics.com.
Jesse Helms was the last of the old-time racist Southern politicians.
He built his reputation on race-baiting. He won his elections with race-baiting. And he used his Senate office as a platform for race-baiting.
So you won’t find me falling all over myself to find some redeeming quality in the man.
This may surprise some people who don’t remember – or understand – the bitterness of the 1984 Senate race between Helms and Jim Hunt.
But that bitterness was born in the bitter years of conflict over race throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Men like Helms did all they could to stir up – and profit from – bigotry and prejudice. It worked out well for him.
Men like Terry Sanford, Bert Bennett and Jim Hunt – and many too numerous to name, but you know who you are – stood up for what was right. And paid a political price.
Say what you want about the impact Helms had on politics and the conservative movement.
Tom Ellis and Carter Wrenn – and the talented operatives they assembled – were the ones who changed politics. I’m not sure Helms understood what was going on.
Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan and William Buckley spread the conservative gospel – for the most part without resorting to race-baiting.
And don’t tell me what a kind man Helms was. Barry Saunders of the N&O had it right: If he was so nice, then what he said and did in public was calculated to help himself at the expense of other people.
Helms can’t escape this judgment of history.
It’s just too bad that on the day his remains were being viewed, plane trouble prevented the black man who might become President from campaigning in North Carolina.
That would have been historical justice.
posted @ Tuesday, July 08, 2008 9:55 AM by Gary Pearce
Betcha they call for his blood
Given the fact that most of the folks who post comment at talkingaboutpolitics.com are right wing lunies, I imagine Gary's post is going to really, really tick 'em off.
But I would guess it won't disturb the mutual respect he shares with Carter Wrenn. And I would guess that despite his affection for Jesse Helms, Carter isn't going to deny the validity of Gary's point. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that Carter conceded the point, though with considerable subtlety, on the program that UNC is going to rerun this Thursday at 10:00 (I think).
This is the documentary that that station put together on Helms and which was aired on Martin Luther King Day. Some found that timing offensive, but I thought it was extremely appropriate. In my opinion, the documentary was pretty well done -- perhaps not condemning enough for some, but over-all pretty well done.
Anyway, for those who have the chance, it's worth a look.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Where's Obama? Jesse is getting colder?
It’s just too bad that on the day his remains were being viewed, plane trouble prevented the black man who might become President from campaigning in North Carolina.
That would have been historical justice.*Gary Pearce
The Obama Campaign didn't miss a lick on the Great Architect worshiper funeral. Obama was at the center of Conservative Republican politics in Georgia [ Cobb County] shaking the last bigots from the hanging trees.
"Barack Obama moved Tuesday to paint the 2008 presidential election in stark terms of rich vs. poor, fat cats vs. struggling families.
In a rousing 15-minute speech before 2,700 screaming supporters at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Obama unveiled a pair of new proposals aimed at easing bankruptcy laws for military families and for seniors."
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2008/07/08/cobbobama...
A good post
I don't visit there much, mostly because of the pack of commenters that swirl around the site, but I generally find Gary's commentary honest and clear. Maybe I should stop by more often.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
On second thought
After clicking on the site again, I now remember what prompted me to stop visiting in the first place. It wasn't just the other commenters. It's also my policy to read, link to, and comment primarily on blogs that reciprocate in some form or fashion.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Thanks James
You don't want to visit on a queasy stomach, I assure you, or when you're feeling not so great about humanity -- because it can be pretty discouraging. Every now and then, though, there's something that stands out.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
I notice you keep things hoppin' there!
I admit that joining the fight can be enlivening. These days I'm spending so much time on my book that I've not much of a mind left over for confronting the crazies.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
A sane decision
Playing around over there can sometimes be draining without offering much positive energy back in return.
But meanwhile, speaking of insanity, there is an indecorous back and forth going on Under the Dome. I think one guy just told another guy where to stick his flag, and now someone's thwacking a hippie with her church fan.
There's struggle taking place over the coffin (this is just very, very bad form), and that feller in the tie-dyed shirt is about to get a plate of bbq dumped over his head. Steve? DUCK, Steve, DUCK!
Oh dear.
Folks, don't go over there. It's pure-t disgraceful!
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Yuck.
I just took a peek ... made me glad I finally unbookmarked the Dome from my tool bar. I hate to cede so much turf to the lunatic fringe, but in some ways, the more they write for public consumption, the deeper they dig the hole their party is in.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Ryan must have swept the place
I can't find the coffin conflict or flags being inserted wrongly.
I miss all the good stuff! ;(
Steve (sigh)
The idea that the flags were "inserted wrongly" is a gross assumption. No one said a word about whether the field of blue was hanging from the left or the right once the sharp end of the flag-stick was planted firmly in the orangey wax of the victim's ear.
And you still owe me an apology.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
really, the flags flew different ways, depending on which way
the wind was blowing - and that's the truth of it.
So much for the Dome, eh?
Can we, instead, start talking about "for the good of North Carolina?" --Leslie H.
Pointing at Naked Emperors
And you shall have it:
I can be a touchy bastard sometimes, and I'm sorry for misreading your intent.
Hah! Drinks all around!
Round up all the drinks!
Can we, instead, start talking about "for the good of North Carolina?" --Leslie H.
Pointing at Naked Emperors
t'anks Steve
Show up in my town and I swear I'll buy ya a drink~
Bru'
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Alas, but I have put away
the Devil's elixir forever and a day. But I will drink you under the table with coffee. Or...I guess it would probably be "standing on the table", with all that caffiene. :)
I make a good designated driver, although I do drive fast...
You are now the official designated driver - forever.
And you are always invited. To everything. Forever.
:-D
Can we, instead, start talking about "for the good of North Carolina?" --Leslie H.
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Potential language barrier...
I was sitting with some friends in a bar not too long ago, and I found myself thinking:
That's funny: I used to be able to understand these people, but they're just jabbering away with only an occasional nudge at the English language. Whatever, they seem to be having fun anyway, so I'll just play along like I know what they're talking about...
TAP isn't so bad
I think the site is a good place to get some perspective on what people are thinking, just as BlueNC serves that purpose. Yes it's dominated by some guy named anonymous :) and a hopeless fellow trying to run against Dan Blue but that kind of makes it interesting. For someone like me that considers himself more of a moderate or centrist with populist leanings both of these sites serve a purpose. At TBP I'm considered a flaming liberal or "progressive" but I'm sure the more I express myself here at BlueNC the more I might be considered some sort of conservative here. Now if I could just find a blog site called The Moderate Voice! :>)
I'm a moderate Democrat.
I appreciate your moderation
As I've said on many occasions, one of my goals in life is to make folks like you seem reasonable by comparison. I daresay I do a pretty good job of that!
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
I find the "anonymous" posting at that site frustrating
when I read over there. I do enjoy Ms. Brunette taking on the world, though.
As for finding a blog called "The Moderate Voice", why don't you start one? You can do it for free through Blogger. Start commenting on stuff and linking back to your blog. I'll read it and argue with you! :)
Can we, instead, start talking about "for the good of North Carolina?" --Leslie H.
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Hey! Someone woke Gary up!
Gary went and posted another danged inflammatory comment about Jesse Helms over at talkingaboutpolitics.com.
Really! I think he hasn't gotten so much response to one of his comments in ages and ages and it seems to have stirred him.
I strongly encourage a visit, if for nothing else than to 1) enjoy Gary's throwing their indignation RIGHT BACK in their faces and 2) to enjoy how royally ticked off they are about Ted Kennedy's getting a standing ovation upon his return to the Senate.
James, don't hold the fact that Gary and Carter never seem to visit here agin' 'em. They're both kinda older guys who don't get out much.
Anyway, again, given how predominant the right wing nuts are at that blog, it's just delightful to see them all in a frenzy like ants from a nest that just got kicked.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
OOF! POW! BAM!
Persondem just kicked some rightwing hiney over at TAB.
In striking contrast to the somewhat understated and softspoken style that is identified with Brunette, Persondem just plunged on in there and cleaned out their clocks.
I think you made Gary Pearce's week, Persondem!
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Why, thank you ma'am. I guess I need to go back
over yonder to check the reaction out. Nice to be appreciated!! :)
Actually, I took your suggestion in your comment above to go check things out at TAB, so give ya'self a pat on the back as well. :)
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