Former Senator Jesse Helms, another bigoted, ignorant racist bastard who just happened to be an ultra-conservative Republican, died this morning. Normally I don’t make it a habit to spit on one’s grave before the body is even cold, but Jesse Helms is a special case for me, right alongside Jerry Falwell. Most people, even the ones we don’t like very much, deserve a certain modicum of respect upon death. Maybe not for very long, but the general rule of politeness is to wait at least until the body is in the ground. Or, as the late George Carlin said, 6 weeks. Carlin would wait 6 weeks before tearing a recently deceased asshole to shreds. Maybe he’d give Jesse Helms that same 6 week reprieve, but I won’t.

A Career of Bigotry

Over his 30 years in politics, Jesse Helms became notorious for his unabashed hatred of African Americans, gays and lesbians, and anyone else that didn’t fit the far-right conservative ideal. He lead the opposition against the creation of Martin Luther King Day, claiming King was a communist. He fought the Voting Rights act, and any desegregation. According to Helms, the University of North Carolina was the “University of Negroes and Communists”, and even went out of his way to sing “Dixie” to a fellow Senator, Carol Moseley-Braun, just because she was black. Helms told his friend in the elevator, “Watch me make her cry.” And he did. Jesse Helms fiercely opposed an amendment that would provide reparations to Japanese Americans that were sent to internment camps during World War II. And the list goes on, and on…

In Helms’ eyes, if you weren’t a heterosexual white Republican ultra-conservative, you were filth. You were subhuman, and he was unapologetic about it straight up to his death.

Some other choice comments from Jesse Helms:

“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.”

“All Latins are volitile people. Hence, I was not surprised at the volitile reaction.”

“The New York Times and Washington Post are both infested with homosexuals themselves. Just about every person down there is a homosexual or a lesbian.”

Dead on the 4th of July

Keep in mind that this guy was, and is, a hero to the Republican right. It’s a safe bet that Jesse Helms’ supporters think it’s fitting that he died today - July 4th, Independence Day. They’ll say it’s symbolic of his “patriotism” and “service to the country”. I’ll agree that it’s symbolic, but for different reasons. The closed-minded old-guard is dying off - both literally and figuratively. The old, bigoted ways of thinking are running on borrowed time. The best leader they have to offer is an out of touch 72 year-old John McCain, who’s black, 47 year old opponent is kicking ass and taking names. I can think of no better way to celebrate the death of ignorance, bigotry and horribly outdated social policies than with fireworks and cheers for independence, on Independence Day.

Good riddance Jesse Helms, and thanks for your gift to the country on it’s 232nd birthday.