Eason gets his 15 minutes on the blogs

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on July 10, 2008 - 11:05am.
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In the future, everyone is famous on 15 blogs.

After retiring early rather than lower a flag to honor former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, L.F. Eason III was the topic of the day in the blogosphere yesterday.

In its usual over-the-top style, D.C.-based political blog Wonkette called him a "brave American hero," while sister blog Gawker nominated him for "a hundred Nobel Peace Prizes" and asks, "Is anyone hiring experts in weights and measures?"

Idiosyncratic conservative Andrew Sullivan called his story a "profile in decency."

Durham author Haven Kimmel saluted him, noting "the list of people who stood up to (Helms), even in death, can add one more name, and I thank this man and I hold him and his family in the Light, for discerning what is true and acting on it to his own peril."

On the other side, a number of conservatives lambasted Eason's "sanctimonious arrogance" and said he "spit on (Helms') grave."

Former N&O columnist Dan Gearino slipped the shoe on the other foot, pondering liberals would be celebrating if a conservative made a similarly defiant gesture toward, say, Barack Obama.

In a snarky vein, Selma conservative Troy LaPlante wrote: "Good riddance. One less state employee on the payroll." And S.H. Long at Curmudgeonly & Skeptical went a step further: "Even in death Helms rids state of Commie b------s."

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Re: Eason gets his 15 minutes on the blogs

Submitted by GrayJ on July 10, 2008 - 1:54pm.

Eason did not quit his job, he retired from his job. BIG BIG difference, he walked out with a state pension plan and health benefits. He is getting publicity as being a defiant maverick but really what did he do that is all that risky or rebellious? Now he can play golf, fish or whatever it is that he does, and pick up a part time gig. Yes lets all take our hats off for the man who so boldly stood up to Jesse Helms by choosing to retire.

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Re: Eason gets his 15 minutes on the blogs

Submitted by persondem on July 10, 2008 - 11:57am.

Right wingers love to spout that Helms always stood on principle. Well, Eason took a stand based on principle, so those same folks who have been preaching that virtue in Helms should tip their hats to Eason. Those that don't, like Long an LaPlante, are hypocrites.

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Re: Eason gets his 15 minutes on the blogs

Submitted by Isaac136 on July 10, 2008 - 11:40am.

To be fair, Wonkette is a very, very, very sarcastic vixen. (Actually, that blog is now run by a team of guys).

I don't think Eason spit on Helms' grave, but nor do I think he had the right to say how the flags are hung on the state owned building. That's not my call or his, and he had to know better.

It doesn't bother me a bit that the flags were lowered, but I do think that the fact that the flags were lowered affirmed the appropriateness of our being able to discuss his legacy. Those who insisted that any negative comments were somehow outrages against public decency ought to acknowledge that.

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