Memories of Helms: A drop-in visit

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on July 7, 2008 - 9:59am.
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Lawson Stallings first met Jesse Helms by accident.

A few years ago, the Rolesville online auto parts salesman found himself in the building where Helms' office was then located. A longtime fan, he stopped in the office. 

"I decided to go in and see if he was there," he said. "Sure enough, he welcomed me like he'd known me his whole life."

Stallings said he respected Helms' views on the U.S. constitution and states rights. He says opponents unfairly maligned the senator for opposing federal civil rights bills.

"He was called a racist and a big and a homophobe," he said. "But I think it was just a convenient way to attack him. He was no more racist than you or I, but unfortunately he did give people some ammunition from time to time."

He said Helms' views on race were informed by his approach to states rights.

"He was a constitutionalist," he said. "There are very few of them around anymore." 

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Re: Memories of Helms: A drop-in visit

Submitted by dahedgehog on July 8, 2008 - 9:31am.

"He was no more racist than you or I"

Why is this guy accusing me of being an overtly racist jerk? I never even met the man!

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Re: Memories of Helms, or Neanderthals live!!!

Submitted by persondem on July 7, 2008 - 12:46pm.

You might consider that advice yourself. How many "odes to Jesse" threads does this site need?

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Re: Memories of Helms, or Neanderthals live!!!

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on July 7, 2008 - 11:45am.

Please don't post the same item verbatim. You can make the same point, but don't repeat yourself or I'll have to delete them.

Thanks!

— RTB 

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Re: Memories of Helms, or Neanderthals live!!!

Submitted by persondem on July 7, 2008 - 11:42am.

'"He was called a racist and a bigot [sic] and a homophobe,"...'
for very good reasons. From his mouth ...

"Let me adjust my hearing aid. It could not accommodate the decibels of the Senator from Massachusetts. I can't match him in decibels or Jezebels."
-- After Ted Kennedy made an emotional speech to let foreigners with HIV become US citizens, 1993.

"The New York Times and Washington Post are both infested with homosexuals themselves. Just about every person down there is a homosexual or lesbian."
-- 1995

"The University of Negroes and Communists"
-- Reference to the University of North Carolina devised by Mr. Helms when he worked for Willis Smith's 1950 U.S. Senate campaign.

"All I know is that D'Aubuisson is a free enterprise man and deeply religious."
-- Responding to evidence that Roberto D'Aubuisson directed Salvadoran death squads that murdered thousands of civilians.

"Your tax dollars are being used to pay for grade-school classes that teach our children that CANNIBALISM, WIFE-SWAPPING and MURDER of infants and the elderly are acceptable behavior."
-- Fund raising mailer, 1996

"All Latins are volatile people. Hence, I was not surprised at the volatile reaction."
-- After Mexicans protested his visit in 1986

"It's their deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct that is responsible for the disease."
-- Justifying his refusal to give financial support to families of AIDS victims.

"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

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