When I heard that N Carolina was lowering their flags in honor off the uber-bigot, I simultaneously got angry and chuckled at how stupid these people are.
Should we lower flags to half-staff on the anniversary of the death of Adolph Hitler? What about when Cheney goes to that great undisclosed location in the sky (or at the center of the earth, more likely)?

Some people are best not honored. Helms was one of those.

I read that the FISA vote was delayed so that some Senators could attend Helms' funeral. The fact that there are Senators who would take a vacation (probably on the public dime) so as to honor the fat fascist says all you have to know about the people who make up the Senate.
Damn them.

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Now if a few million of you could grow a backbone and take a stand against some of your rampant corruption like the courageous Mr. Eason, you just might have a chance to save yourselves from the system that those you elected have built to take advantage of you.

Mr. Eason may lose his pension or other monies, but I'll bet he sleeps better than those of you who know of something you could do, but are too intimidated by sub-humans like cheney and his cohorts to do it.

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best way to lead. thanks to this person for the guts to do the right thing.

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And this while, right now on the floor of the Senate, North Carolina Republic Senator Burr is singing the praises of Jesse Helms! I have somehow managed to keep from vomiting, but one small nugget he uttered not 5 minutes ago...

that Jesse Helms was greeted by angels in heaven, and with the words, "good job!"

Excuse me, I think I'm going to throw up now...

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I'm old enough to remember when a white person protesting against a racist was a rare thing. The times have not completely changed for the worse.

Mr. Eason, my hat is off to you.

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... BALLS! Kudos to Mr. Eason!

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I've lived in NC for nearly 4 years now, and the attention paid to Helms' death absolutely amazes me. You'd think a president had died...every news report coming out of the Raleigh area has dedicated substantial air time to him, lauding his "accomplishments". It's like being the Senator of NO was just godly.
Mr. Eason is a hero and a great example of integrity. The State of NC should be soundly bitch slapped for forcing him to retire for standing up for his principles.
Governor Easley should be ASHAMED!!

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I had a job to offer to him, now that he needs a new one. Major kudos.

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Thank you Mr. Eason for your couragous stand against institutional tyranny! Helms probably having been both a mason and klansman, a life of political corruption fit right into the scheme. Sad that a man of principle like Mr. Eason has to suffer a job loss as a result of taking a stand against this evil.

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Thank you Mr. Eason for your couragous stand against institutional tyranny! Helms probably having been both a mason and klansman, a life of political corruption fit right into the scheme. Sad that a man of principle like Mr. Eason has to suffer a job loss as a result of standing up against this evil.

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It seems that there are people in America who have the integrity to be president. Too bad not one of them will be in the next election. I am humbled by this man's action and can only hope I would find similar courage under such conditions. I will tell everyone I know this story of honor. It must be known.

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I think The governor is just trying to get the news off of his (and his wife's) excessive personal spending of taxpayer dollars by honoring Helms. People here (in NC) either love or hate him. Check out their comments here:

http://www.wral.com/golo/
page/1896337/?id=3166432

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I am indeed moved by this action. Just when i thought such courage was long gone in this country. I am moved to tears to see it still stands among us, a citizen.. Now if we can just summon up the courage to stop voting for the democrats we will once again have a country of honor and deserving of our patriotism.

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this man's refusal to lower the flag gives some credibility back to the American people and power to all that support his action

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L.F. Eason, I salute you. Not only did you recognize the disservice that Jesse Helms brought to this country, but you had the integrity and strength of character to refuse to abide by your state government's decision to honor this horrible man.

You, sir, are a true patriot and American hero. Unfortunately, the Medal of Freedom is never awarded to those who truly are worthy.

Best of luck to you, always.

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It's so good to see an "average" white American standing up for the right thing. Bravo, Mr. Eason!!

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This is what is meant by "the land of the free and the home of the brave". This stand wil cost this hero his job perhaps more. I cannot help but be so very proud and thank full for this man's courage.

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Another white house PIG , porking away my hard
earned taxed dollar , face him down so he can
face his creator .

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It is always a sign of hope for our disintegrating national pride when someone stands so tall for his beliefs. It brings further hope for real national unity. I hope he is allowed to be reinstated if that is what he wants or, at the very least receive his full pension.

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The power of individuals to make moral choices!

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and is shining a bright light on people who have forgotten the

supreme importance of The Constitution, Bill of Rights and our Unalienable Rights.

In his simple, passionate and courageous act- he brought American
freedom and liberty back into focus !

Thanks for your courage and integrity, L.F. Eason !

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That man's death should not be honored -- it should be celebrated.

The world is free of one more racist, homophobic bigot.

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... so whats the matter with your politicals then!

why do they refuse to listen to those who elected them!
why cant you replace them!
and why did you people in NC elect this farce to the most powerful body politic in the world,
over and over and over again!...

is nice to see that some decency still exists there though!

I think your system is seriously broken!

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Bravo Mr. Eason!

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Thanks AlterNet for doing your usual wonderful reporting of the good, bad and ugly. Thanks Mr. Eason for your principled stand. I couldn't agree more with your reasoning about Mr. Helms record.

While I support totally anyone who cannot take such a drastic action due to need of a job, benefits, etc, your action is a reminder to me that every day that I don't write or call local, state or National representatives or circulate a petition, sign a petition, support, or broadcast the news from the progressive, alternate media that we do have, to family, friends, and co-workers whenever possible, that day of inaction is another day farther away from taking back our Constitution and our Democracy that so many lived and died to begin for us.

We must continue to support individuals who take actions, and these organizations like AlterNet, Consortium News, the Nation, OpEd News, and so many others, who publicize them, or we will lose them, as well as our Democracy.

I just finished reading Thom Hartmann's book, "What Would Jefferson Do?", and remember what a wonderful refresher of just how far we have gone towards losing it all. Additionally, I learned things I never learned in formal education....and I so appreciate this book.

Jefferson cautions all to remain diligent, to work always to continue our Democracy, lest we lose it all too quickly. He had a great idea I think, paraphrased, "need to have a revolution every 20 years to shake off the corruption that has surely accumulated".....In 2008, too long a time, 200+ years, in my estimation, is way too long....

Preserving our democracy, I think, means more than voting in elections, it means working in many different ways to preserve it with our daily lives. And, sometimes it means going out on a limb which frequently is scary, but which often connects one with other like-minded individuals, a most important outcome.

Some wise person said (think I heard it first in either the Civil Rights Movement or Anti-Apartheid movements, "One by One....") that is what it is, what it takes to begin and to grow, one by one, one day at a time.

Thanks again AlterNet and Mr. Eason. Hope your retirement is wonderful, you definitely deserve it. katy kay, California

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I live an hour from Raleigh, in a state that often still feels the legacy of Helm's poignant hatred of all that wasn't wealthy and white. When the gov. announced that flags would be lowered, I thought to myself, "I'd quit first." Glad to know someone in that position felt the same. Well done, sir. My favorite Helms reference is Bill Hicks' joke about how when Jesse died, they'd find a pile of children's feet in his attic, and his wife would be ushered out saying, "I always wondered about Jesse's collection of little shoes."

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Give Eason his job back! If he didn't want to lower the flags then that's his choice. Don't steal his job just because you can. Stupid greedy government, I know for a fact George Bush will burn in hell (and he knows it too)!!!!!

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If I owned a big megabucks corporation, I'd offer you the you CEO's job! If America is truly a great country, it's because of people like YOU! And NOT because bloviating, hate mongering, bigots like Jesse Helms.

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