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Friday, July 4, 2008 12:00 AM

Jesse Helms dies on July 4th

Former Republican N.C. Sen. Jesse Helms dies at 86.
Associated Press

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  • Friday, July 4, 2008 02:55 PM

    It occurred to me that I did not give sufficient detail in my earlier comments.

    Helms was a cynical demagogue, supporter of military juntas, advocate of oppressive political regimes, and avid bigot who freely used his power to batter those not so well situated. Oh, and a slum landlord to boot.

    Given all that, getting proverbial knickers in a twist over "speaking ill of the dead" is absurd. Dying doesn't make you a better human being, it just means you're dead. If you want people to say something nice about you after you die, don't be an asshole.

    Guardian article may interest people in the link below,

    —Trilobyte Read Trilobyte's other letters

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