The “Southern Way of Life”…
that was the mantra for five-term North Carolina senator Jesse Helms, who died on Friday at the age of 86. Dubbed “Senator NO” for his staunch opposition to all things progressive, the son-of-a-police chief-turned-newscaster-turned Republican politician railed against civil rights, AIDs research, gay people, labor unions, you name it.
His tactics: take no prisoners. His weapon: delay --- filibusters, recesses, holding up appointments in committee. Helms was a masterful parliamentarian. For sixteen long days, even with the senate majority against him, in 1983, he filibustered the bill making Dr King's birthday a national holiday. “ Dr. King’s action-oriented Marxism is not compatible with the concepts of this country,” said Helms. Even fellow racist Senator Strom Thurmond came around on the King Holiday. Not Senator No.
Which invites the question: where's the Democrat's Senator Helms? Where's the anti-war Helms who'll filibuster for what he or she believes? Even when a filibuster runs out of steam, 41 senate votes can derail a measure permanently. An anti-war Helms would say it’s worth a try. To stop more blood for oil? To stop illegal government spies? To promote alternative energy? Or pass an immigration bill that makes sense?
Say what you like about Jesse Helms, and who hasn't, when it came to wielding Senate rules and duking it out, The Senator From North Carolina knew how to say no. They say you're not supposed to speak ill of the dead. I disagree, but I will say this: a bet lot of Americans would yes to an anti-war Senator No.
Well there’s reason for me to stay among the living.
Shoot.
By Nettle on July 7th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I don’t know where he or she is. I don’t think such a person exists or they would have been on GRITtv by now.
By maggiesboy on July 7th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Yah! You got it, Maggiesboy.
They’da been here.
By Nettle on July 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I think, hopefully, that the majority of Americans are waiting for a strong Senator or Representative from the correct side to stand the f**k up and risk their seat in congress by taking the correct stand against the illegal Bush/Cheeeney/McSame cabal. There are a few strong voices, but not enough…..and no magnificent leader. Obama has proved, already!, that he’ll waddle backward if he thinks he oughta. Who is running the show on the correct side????
By Dearie on July 7th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I think the Democratic Helms would need to be some sort of amalgam of Russ Feingold, Dennis Kucinich and Robert Wexler with a big dose of Helms’ stubbornness.
By JimWhite on July 7th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I could vote for that person……..!!!
By Dearie on July 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Funniest thing I’ve heard all day! LOL
“McCain is Bush with racing stripes.” – Chris Matthews
Sorry for the OT firepups, back to your regularly scheduled programming ; )
By Cozumel on July 7th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
this is a GREAT question and perhaps some of our netroots success storys can take the cause for progressives and the future of this country
maybe one of them will be able to learn and do what needs to be done to derail this rediculous fisa bill
By perris on July 7th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
There isn’t a Democratic senator who would do anything to stop the bad stuff. Feingold and Dodd both play act but don’t do anything to prevent unanimous consent or anything else. I don’t like the guy but give Coburn of OK credit where its due he is a bull dog.
By BillE on July 7th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
A D with backbone? Surely you jest. As I was channel surfing today, I heard Harry Reid droning in the senate: Now is my bill the perfect bill? Of course it isn’t. That’s just the kind of self-confident hard-charging way to introduce a bill. NOT.
By eCAHNomics on July 7th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
well whadda ya know . . .
hey there ya ol firedog ! how wonderful to see your name up there. was gone myself for awhile and you were one of those I’ve been wondering after.
(((Cozumel))) so good to see ya
By cbl2 on July 7th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Excellent post.. And I say that as one who doesn’t have the net speed to view the tubes.
Digg it, Gritsters!
By Eureka Springs on July 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
PW upstairs http://firedoglake.com/2008/07…..ver-admit/
By TexBetsy on July 7th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Oh, wow! Long time no see and back at ya! You and I got here about the same time way back when ; )
By Cozumel on July 7th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
a lot of the kids are upstairs with PW – c’mon up
By cbl2 on July 7th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Jesse Helms was despicable, but he could do what he did because he had the loyalty, or at least the cooperation, of his GOP colleagues.
He gladly took the heat for them because, by comparison, he made them look like reasonable, sane public servants.
I admire and respect Russ Feingold, but he’s out there alone. Any time he opens his mouth the Dems grab their nuts.
By RickinSF on July 7th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Oooh yeah. That’s EXACTLY what we need. A ruthless, closed-minded, intransigent bully of our very own to beat us into submission.
Every time I come back here it reminds me of why I left. Adios.
By juste on July 7th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Worst
Senator
Ever
Not one I want any Democrat to emulate.
“Where’s today’s Hubert Humphrey?” is a better question.
By Teddy Partridge on July 7th, 2008 at 11:02 pm