26 NC lawmakers sit out of Helms resolution vote

(Raleigh, N.C.) Twenty-six North Carolina legislators sat out a vote Tuesday on a resolution honoring the late U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, showing that the Republican remains a polarizing figure a year after his death.

The state Legislature approves dozens of honorary resolutions each two-year session, and the body’s bill drafting director, Gerry Cohen, said he could remember none of the others being avoided by so many lawmakers in his three-decade career.

None of about a dozen House members seated outside the chamber during the vote would say whether the effort was coordinated. But only one member each of the House and Senate registered an excused absence for the day.

Most of the holdouts were black Democrats such as Sen. Floyd McKissick. Helms opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act as a commentator and voted against its reauthorization once in the Senate.

“I could have never voted in favor of a resolution honoring Sen. Helms because of his divisive history and his anti-civil-rights principles,” said McKissick, D-Durham. McKissick said he instead skipped the resolution’s debate as a quiet protest.

Helms’ political career made him a lightning rod for controversy. He entered politics in helping elect segregationist candidate Willis Smith to the Senate in 1950 and his final campaign was in 1996. He led an unsuccessful filibuster in 1983 to stall the effort to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday.

http://www.365gay.com/news/26-nc-lawmakers-sit-out-of-helms-resolution-vote/

they didn't stuff him and mount him on a horse in full Civil War regalia.

disgusting person.

everyone should scroll down and answer the poll in the lower left hand corner. Its very interesting. I had to stop and think for a moment before answering.

In fact charles - you might want to start a thread with a link to that poll. I would but I don't know how.

What would you like to see happen first?

* The repealing of the Defense of Marriage Act. (43.0%, 434 Votes)
* The removal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. (23.0%, 225 Votes)
* The passing of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. (22.0%, 219 Votes)
* Same-sex marriage legalized within my state. (12.0%, 120 Votes)

Total Voters: 998

I hesitated for a moment over DADT. Mostly because it could be done quickly.

I am surprised that the Matthew Shepard bill is running so close to DADT.

:dem:

-Laelth

Sen. Julia Boseman, D-New Hanover, the NC Legislature's first openly gay member voted against the resolution. She didn't sit it out.

Just couldn't get rid of him. I always said if I'm gonna get arrested, it will be for pissing on Jesse Helms grave - and I'll frame the arrest paperwork! BIH Jesse Helms - you are one I will never forgive. :grr:

*edited for clarity

I'll bring a 12 pack just to ensure that we have plenty of piss to douse the rat bastard with.

Will do.. man that would be funny.. "what'd you get arrested for?" --- "pissing on Jesse Helms grave" --- "good job, case dismissed" :rofl:

if not take a long satisfying piss on it. In his case, I hope there is a God. Just imagine Helms astonishment to find a whole wing of Hell named in his honor.

Are the people who sat out cowards who merely did it out of fear for the political consequences of fatting against honours this sack of Nazi shit or would voting against honouring Jesse Helms truly endager their person?

Holy shit!!!!

A couple of Black lawmakers voted to honour Helms? Maybe the state legislature needs to be renamed Uncle Tom's Cabin.

:shrug:

And for that I hope he is only burning in the 2nd level of hell.