Isn't the God of the bible a racist homophobe? Maybe they're partying?

May he spend the rest of eternity being pursued by Cleopatra Jones, Superfly, Shaft, Rudy Ray Moore and Pam Grier as Coffy.
May he be caught naked in a bathhouse with Ru Paul in front of Billy Graham.
May the late, great Shirl and Rerun kick his ass repeatedly forever.
May he be strapped to a chair and forced to watch an endless loop of Roots and Norman is That You?

Psst....he's not reading this thread anymore. He's going to hold out for the Ted is Dead thread, and then post a moving tribute to the last of the Kennedy brothers. ;)

You do not have to believe in the divinity of Jesus to know the answer. But in case there is any lingering confusion on this point -- He was not.

So why is this here instead of in the Daily Grind where most contentious stuff is?

Other than that- I have nothing to say since I know almost nothing about him.

How about not grave dancing? I believe that is what he (and I) am most put off by.

Celebrating someone's death is kinda, well, crappy. Even if that person was, well, crappy.

Hmm, I only hope the grave dancing continues long into the night.

Just to clarify my own post - it wasn't the news of Helms' demise that made my day - it was the previous video post, which portrayed a gay men's choir trying to confront the then-living senator with a cheerfully sung mesage of love. It was a very good example of out-classing your adversary. (It was also a rare example of a Michael Moore stunt that did not make me cringe.)

I don't blame anyone for thinking the world a better place without the kind of ignorance and proud bigotry Helms defiantly stood for. Unfortunately, the passing of one person doesn't in itself change much of anything at all, and, as Helms had slipped into dementia well before his death, it can't really be said that the level of intolerance is any different at all today as a result of his departure.

As for celebrating a death or not, well, I agree that shadenfreude is unseemly. Is his death tragic? I think the most tragic deaths are the ones in which a life ended without a person growing or achieving something. For all I know, Helms may have stood up for the underdog somewhere along the line. He did soften his stance on AIDS assistance to other countries. I hope he gained some perspective on race equality and gender issues in his post-senate years, but I have no way of knowing. (And the issue is clouded by his faculties having faded away slowly.) But he said and did things in his life that ensure his name is going to be synonymous with attitudes that are fast falling into well-deserved ignominy.

But, wise or foolish, rich or poor, we are all going to be equal someday.

:snap: :snap: :snap:

Me too! Is it grave dancing if I say that I think he was a jackhole? I am sorry for his family, but I am so glad I will never have to hear him spewing any new messages of hate and intolerance.

Death is not a misfortune to the dead person, it is a misfortune to the loved ones of the deceased. Everyone, no matter how hateful or mean, is important to somebody, somewhere. But one person's misfortune is another person's good fortune, and I am glad this man has gone to the goblins.

What is it about the death of assh*le that brings out the philosopher in us? The man was a sh*t. Helms made no attempt to repent or feel sorry for his words and deeds. I have no pity for this man. I am glad he is gone. I think its funny that a few here feel the need to shame others into feeling bad for expressing relief at the man's death. KB -- I don't tell you how to feel, so you certainly do not need to tell me how I should feel.

Besides, what better day for Helms to die -- Independence day.