Like many other Americans we decided to stay close to home this Fourth of July. I began my usual phone calls to friends and family to wish them a happy holiday while Debra and I were on our daily walk. I called one friend in my home state of North Carolina early in the morning hours and could barely hear him on the phone. I turned to Debra and said my goodness they are celebrating very early. He sounded as though he had been drinking he was so excited, he was almost jubilant. I asked him why this holiday was so special to him. He replied, “Haven’t you heard? “Jesse Helms died around 1:30am this morning and we are planning a parade!”  

Former Senator Jesse Helms won his first political race in 1957 when he was elected to the Raleigh City Council. His political career lasted 52 years ending with his retirement from the United States Senate after having served 5 terms as Senator in 2002. He was opposed to civil rights, gay rights, foreign aid and modern art. He was once quoted as saying “if you want to call me a bigot, fine.” He made “Archie Bunker” the racist character on “All in the Family” look like “Nelson Mandela”. 

Unlike my friend who is hosting a parade because the Senator has died I do not bear any ill will towards the late Senator Jesse Helms. I can look for the good in everybody even if they do not agree with me on the race issue. My kids have heard me say more than a thousand times, “there have been a lot of good people who were and are on the “wrong side of the race issue”. I may be on the wrong side of some modern day issues, but I don’t think it means that I am a bad person. Greg Jr. asked me “What was good about Senator Jesse Helms? I responded, “I am still looking.” 

We won’t be traveling to North Carolina to attend Senator Jesse Helms’ funeral Tuesday, but Debra and I send our condolences to the family and friends of the late Senator.

In the words of my dad, “If these gas prices get any higher I am going to buy me a horse!”