Jesse Helms was a bigot: Deal with it

Johanna Neuman's obituary laid out the damning facts of Helms' career: He blocked treaties against global warming, nuclear proliferation and land mines. He openly supported death squads in El Salvador, while calling gays and lesbians "weak, morally sick wretches." He filibustered the establishment of the holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., whom he accused of being a Marxist. He steadfastly opposed civil rights, and his campaign ads played to the racism of so many of his constituents in the deep South.

The obit made clear Helms' bigotry and cruelty, which helped make him one of the most reviled politicians of the late 20th century. But the author gave those critics little voice in this piece. The lone quote critical of Helms came in the 23rd graf, after laudatory quotes from President Bush and Pat Buchanan.

Worse, the obit's lead reduced opposition to Helms' many sins to the complaints of "liberals" over campaign tactics and White House frustration with Helms' parliamentary maneuvers:

"Jesse Helms, the former U.S. senator from North Carolina who for half a century infuriated liberals with his race-baiting campaign tactics and presidents of both parties with his use of senatorial privilege, died Friday. He was 86."

Helms infuriated many more people than "liberals." His overt racism, sexism and homophobia, his support for criminal thugs around the world, and his tireless efforts to disenfranchise American citizens ought to offend and, yes, infuriate, anyone who cares about democratic ideals. That President Bush finds Jesse Helms "a kind, decent and humble man" and a "great patriot" does much more to diminish Bush than to validate Helms.

Jesse Helms was a bigot. Framing his obituary with praise from others doesn't provide "balance" to the piece. It throws the article out of balance, by distracting readers from the overwhelming evidence of his bigotry and the harm that it did to America.

Robert Niles also can be found at http://www.themeparkinsider.com