Jessie Helms was a controversial figure from early on — voted "Most Obnoxious" in high school and dubbed "Senator No" soon after arriving on on Capitol Hill.
The death of the former U.S. senator today will stir reminiscences both bitter and proud on this Fourth of July weekend. He was, as some put it, "an equal opportunity contrarian."
But most of all he was a conservative lightning rod who infuriated the left and rallied the right by opposing everything from the extension of the Voting Rights Act to busing and arms control. Some say he was second only to Ronald Reagan in pulling the nation to the right.
"Many have tried to define Jesse Helms by what he opposed," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, once said. "I will remember him for what he supported: Freedom, human rights, and a strong and independent America, free to spread its good in the world."
What are your memories of Sen. Jesse Helms and how he influenced the nation? If you'd like to contribute for the Salisbury Post's Monday forum page on Helms, share your opinion here or e-mail it to editor@salisburypost.com. Preference will be given to comments that bear the writer's name and can be verified.
anonymous
Helms = North Carolina = Too Conservative : Wednesday, July 09, 2008 10:43 AM
Many of my family members are from North Carolina and urge me to move closer to the fold. Well, now that Jesse is gone, I may reconsider.
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: Sunday, July 06, 2008 3:07 PM
IF WE ONLY HAD MORE LIKE HIM WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF!
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: Sunday, July 06, 2008 6:43 AM
He wasn't good for our state. Neither is Dole.
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No fan of Jessie Helms here!
Remembering what a hate monger he was! : Saturday, July 05, 2008 11:57 AM
Jessie Helms was no asset to North Carolina! He was a man that spread fear and hate across this state! Now we have another senator (female) without calling names that has been following in his footsteps. That is until it has become election time, now some of her views have changed. I hate to see anyone die, but I sure am glad that he's not in office anymore! Good riddance to him and hopefully to his croney this election year!
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Realistic leader : Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:34 AM
"America never promises anybody happiness - only the pursuit of happiness...The genius of America is not in the winning something or in being given it. The miracle of America is the opportunity to strive and work and earn the things we really want" Pg 105 When Free Men Shall Stand - Jesse Helms 1976
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FORGETTING JESSE!!! : Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:03 AM
This man was a bigot and a racist from the get-go. His conservative "values" are not those expressed by the average American today. He did sort of appear to turn his life long beliefs around in recent years, perhaps knowing that his actions of bigotry and inequality were not what our God would have us believe. With both feet in the grave, I think he was compelled to try and do the right thing in the end. Too little...too late. Rest in peace...but good riddance.
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Mork
BDW : Friday, July 04, 2008 11:44 PM
Race Baiting comments should not be allowed. Come join us in the new millenium and leave that stuff behind.
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Clown Quota in Heaven? : Friday, July 04, 2008 9:22 PM
Old Jesse had better hope there is not a one a day clown quota in Heaven. Bozo the Clown beat him there by just a few hours.
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: Friday, July 04, 2008 7:45 PM
Jessie Helm felt that Gays,Blacks ,Jews and other minorities were inferior to him. Now he has to answer to God for his misdeed.
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John Blakeney
: Friday, July 04, 2008 7:41 PM
Jessie Helm was a man that did not understand or refused to understand God's greatest commandment. That we should love one another and we all are childrens of God.Jessie did not understand that I did not ask to be black like he did ask to be white but I was denied by him and others like him from keeping me from feeling equal. May he rest in peace and God blesses his soul.I forgive him.
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Sadly, his legacy _does_ live on : Friday, July 04, 2008 4:23 PM
Regarding the previous comment that his legacy will live on, I have but little doubt of that. His divisiveness, fear of change, intolerance and tunnel vision lives on. It's in the political tactics of the GOP, backwards thinking about stemcell research, anti-immigrant sentiments and single-mindedness about international affairs. His principles were born in a fetid cocoon of racial fear and hate, provincialism and lack of vision. Those too, I fear will live on. Only when we reject his legacy and denounce these principles will the South truly rise.
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realistic responder
Back of the bus??? : Friday, July 04, 2008 2:31 PM
How ridiculous for you to post such inaccurate drivel! Jesse Helms had friends, BLACK friends who shared the same conservative views and values as he did. Watch the news today and you will see one well known football player who backed him. The thing I appreciated most about Mr. Helms was that he stood for self responsibility. If MORE people stood up for themselves, took pride in their work and stopped pointing fingers saying that "whitey keeps us down, the gov't keeps us down, bla, blah, blah" and instead worked hard to get up on their own two feet then racism could be obsolete. I appreciate anyone with strong family values and principles, especially someone who doesn't just preach but practices those values like Mr. Helms. Stop whining and living in a racist haze and make a differnce in OUR community. Not a black community or a white community but OUR community and you will realize that life is so much better when you can love everyone and stop pointing fingers!
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Bobby Rathbone
Hatred has passed on : Friday, July 04, 2008 1:16 PM
Mr. Helms spent his entire career fostering his standing in the community and power by encouraging hatred and fear among people. I found that to be completely terrible. His congressional career went on to try to deny rights to every person in America that wasn't exactly like him. While I feel sympathy for his family at their loss, I do not feel like he was the "great patriot" that some would paint him to be. Hatred and things of that ilk are not American at all.
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BDW
A Real American Leader, I think not! : Friday, July 04, 2008 11:36 AM
If it were upon to him, the black man would still have sit in the back of the bus. We are sad he has passed, but people like him was no friend to the black man.
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Ken Upright
Proud to serve Helms : Friday, July 04, 2008 11:11 AM
During the 1990 Helms for Senate campaign I served as the Rowan County campaign chairman. With angst in the hearts of many of the moderate wing of the local G.O.P and lukewarm lipservice from others, we pulled volunteers together from across Rowan who were true believers in Helms' conservative values. I was proud to serve Senator Helms and be a part of winning the 1990 race. While Jesse may have left us, his principles and legacy will live on.
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Update, noon: Waters rise around Rowan
