A Hero In My Book!

According to the News & Observer, L.F. Easton III of Raleigh North Carolina refused to lower the American Flag for Jesse Helms and he resigned instead.

“L.F. Eason III gave up the only job he’d ever had rather than lower a flag to honor former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms. Eason, a 29-year veteran of the state Department of Agriculture, instructed his staff at a small Raleigh lab not to fly the U.S. or North Carolina flags at half-staff Monday, defying a directive sent to all state agencies by Gov. Mike Easley. When a superior ordered the lab to follow the directive, Eason decided to retire rather than pay tribute to Helms. After several hours’ delay, one of Eason’s employee hung the flags at half staff. He told his staff that he did not think it appropriate to honor Helms because of his “doctrine of negativity, hate, and prejudice,” and his opposition to civil rights bills and the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.”

In John F. Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage he writes abut people who had the courage to stand up for what they believe in, well Mr. Eason has the courage. He had the courage to stand up against popular opinion, to stand up against bigotry and prejudice and it made him a true hero in my book.

Thanks to Diana for sending us the above piece.

*****QWB Obit***

Ding Dong the THING Is Dead.

Jesse Helms was an outspoken conservative and segregationist who carried the torch of white supremacy high. He opposed school integration, the Civil Rights Act and the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. He opposed civil rights. homosexuality as well as gay rights, affirmative action, tax increases, abortion, foreign aid, communism and modern art. He attempted to block passage of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Care (CARE) Act passed in 1990. He tried to block its refunding in 1995 saying that those with AIDS were responsible for the disease because they had contracted it because of their “deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct.” In attempting to block any civil rights for LGBT people Helms declared homosexuality “degenerate,” and homosexuals “weak, morally sick wretches.”  Jesse Helms was a nasty old man, a mean spirited slug, a mad running cur, a son of the old South and a conservative Republican. Let Us Dance.  

*We at QWB raise our Pink and Black, our Red, our Black, our Rainbow flags high as we sing out, (Please join us)

Them old Red Necks thought he was swell

Jesse Helms rot in hell!