I despise Jerry Falwell as much as the next person here on DU but...

[LynneSin]

...let's be above this insults and vindictive nature. It's crap like that which will find it's way to the neo-con nutjobs websites & programs.

Let's show we're better then they are,if you have nothing nice to say then shut the heck up (which believe me, is about all I can do about the guy)

[jeff30997]

1. Yep.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. In this instance, I say let them

[Misunderestimator]

7. And I would agree with you...

[LynneSin]

19. I can appreciate where you and Mis are coming from...

..Since Jerry has done all he can to demonize homosexuals. But by doing the insults and demeaning threads towards Jerry puts us on his level because he would expect us liberals to be cruel during a time like this where the guy could feasibly die. I'm not asking anyone to show love and compassion towards the guy cause I can assure you I won't. But I just think we can not only do better than what neo-cons perceive that we will do but we can do better then what they would do if one of us just has a massive heart attack.

[Misunderestimator]

49. There are always going to be people who go over the top...

I ignore them, but it doesn't mean I don't understand them... and it doesn't mean I don't appreciate why they do it. I really don't give a flying fuck about Falwell, and the world will be better off without him.

I will never live my life (or fail to speak my mind) with fear that others' perception of it will be misconstrued. That would be like living in the closet, and that never worked very well for me.

:hi:

[jonnyblitz]

23. and I agree with you, too...

the self rigteous cries for censorship bounce right off me.

[JimmyJazz]

3. I totally agree.

:toast:

[loro mi dicevano]

4. Agreed.

And Falwell and I are CERTAINLY not the best of allies. *snort*

[sniffa]

5. i wish i couLd get quoted by them

how many offensive things do i have to say, damn it!!?

:cry:

[Jamastiene]

89. I'd give anything.

Let 'em make a big ass stink about it too. Send me on up to the news networks. I'll point some stuff out that'll singe their ear hairs and curl their toes. I REFUSE to forgive someone who never asked for my forgiveness. I REFUSE to apologize and memorialize and honor someone who emboldened the people who have attacked me physically and mentally. How come no one ever told HIM to shut the fuck up when HE blamed GAY PEOPLE for everything under the sun.

[bertha katzenengel]

6. Hear, hear.

He's done nothing but trash people like us for decades. We can be better.

[11 Bravo]

8. I completely agree.

Such behavior demeans us all. Believe me, I have NOTHING nice to say about the man, so at this time I prefer to keep my own counsel.

[Az]

9. We are trying to win hearts and minds

We don't do that by imitating ghouls.

[Zenlitened]

27. But let's not fall into the trap of making Falwell and say, Bill Clinton,

... moral equivalents.

Falwell is an evil man who has made a living creating hatred and divisiveness in the world. He is hated for a reason, not on a whim.

It seems entirely appropriate to me to feel relief or even happiness to know that this horrible man may soon be removed from the world.

[Az]

32. Of course not

Falwell represents to me one of the leading threats our society faces from religious zealotry. I have little sympathy for him. But similarly I am not served in rejoicing by his passing. It drives those I am trying to help away.

[Zenlitened]

39. Well, we'll have to disagree then.

I have no trouble with a simple statement of fact noting that his death will be a positive development.

[Az]

44. Not convinced we disagree that much

I would rather he could be made to see reason. But that hope is so small that it doesn't really bare losing time over. Thus his passing can be seen as a positive in our goals and hopes. But this doesn't mean that rejoicing over a positive change by this means is warranted.

[MikeG]

72. No. but they both got sick. In that they are equals.

Our compassion should be equal.

[Zenlitened]

80. I find your reasoning... flimsy, to say the least.

Phony piety. Simpering sanctimony. Choose whatever phrase you like. What you're selling, I'm not buying.

[Andy_Stephenson]

10. Mom always said..."if you can't say something nice...

don't say anything.

Here is my nice thing.

Jerry Falwell lives in a nice part of the country, it suits him well.

[Individualist]

14. I'm familiar with that saying too

so I won't say anything about Falwell.

[Catamount]

20. Good one Andy!

Glad you're in such fine form!
:)

[BurtWorm]

11. I can't help laughing about the fact

that your thread, about tolerance for Falwell, is called, "I despise Jerry Falwell as much as the next person here on DU."


:applause:

But I suppose your main point is well taken. As I have nothing nice to say about Fallwell, I'll just try to say nothing at all out of respect.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. It Also Invites Bad Karma...

eom

[cry baby]

13. I agree with you, I don't like to read the "Hope JF dies" stuff...

These threads will be in the NYT or WSJ tomorrow. We know Peggy Noonan (witch that she is) reads here.

I can hide these threads, unless they show up in my local paper tomorrow.

[Joey Liberal]

15. I don't like Falwell either but.........

We don't want to act like republicans. Let's be respectful. We can do better than the right wing wackos.

[datasuspect]

50. "WE"

those of us who actually have progressive ideals don't use treatment of jerry falwell as the barometer of "our" goodness.

the "clean" water you drink, the workplace protections you enjoy, the social security you (might) receive, the 8 hour workday you enjoy, and the civil rights enjoyed by many more people now than 30 40 years ago are evidence of the progressive heritage.

jerry falwell does not fit into that equation and your comparison is really smelly and suspect.

[Name removed]

86. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bouncy Ball]

88. Calling someone on DU a freeper is against the rules.

I'm surprised this post is still here, Joey Liberal.

[KansDem]

16. .

.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

17. We've been turning the other cheek to these people for several....

...decades now. When do we get enough backbone to fight fire with fire and give them a major dose of their own medicine?

Personally, I don't care what the Fundie-Fascists think about what I say or think. I'm long past that point.

And NO, I DON'T intend to "shut the heck up".

[LynneSin]

24. We should be doing it when they can fight back

A man who is probably in a coma is not able to fight back. You don't have to shut the heck up - nobody dies. That's a person opinion that anyone is welcomed to share or they can tell me to "shut the heck up"

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. A "man"? You give the fat fundie troll too much credit.....

...he never gave anyone else a break, why should I feel compelled to give him one?

This is one of the all-time haters who has used religion as a cloak to hide his twisted soul, and you want me to show some mercy to this creature?

This is an individual that has undoubtedly cheered for the deaths of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis because they have had the audacity to believe in a different religion.

Mercy? I don't think so. You reap what you sow, and Rev Jerry's been sowing for far too long.

[mcscajun]

63. Could you leave the Fat out of it, please?

Calling him a Fundie Troll should be sufficient. It gets the point across.

Those of us who Are Fat don't mind the word; we do mind it being used as an insult.

[leftofthedial]

85. I could stand to drop a few pounds, okay, a few tens of pounds

my own self.

Sorry for any offense.

[mcscajun]

87. No problem.

:)

This is my crusade for this year. :)

[leftofthedial]

18. In fact, let's never say anything again that might offend the neocon

nut jobs. If they get offended, that would be bad, right?

Let's not defend social security or advocae social justice.

Let's never criticize the little bushturd, excuse me, Lord George.

I hope the fat fucking hypocrite gets a full measure of suffering and never recovers enough to spew another hateful lie.

[LynneSin]

26. You got this entire message wrong

It's one thing to go up against another warrior (even neo-con asshole ones), but now we're taking an unconscious man and getting a cheap thrill over kicking him in the ass. Seriously - we have other fundie nut jobs who are conscious that we can direct our anger towards.

[leftofthedial]

54. This reminds me of the night before Nixon died

He was fading fast. Newspaper headlines in NYC were all about his imminent death.

That night, I saw Richard Belzer at Caroline's and he scrapped his usual show to do two hours dumping on Nixon. Ripped him to shreds, showed no mercy, because, as Belzer said, it was his last chance.

I don't mind ripping on Falwell sick, healthy, alive, dying or whatever. He's a piece of allegedly human excrement and he can't possibly suffer enough. I hope he's never well enough to spread his vile lies and hatred again. I hope neither he nor his family and heirs enjoy one penny of his ill-gotten loot either.

Sorry to disagree, LynnSin. You're one of my favorite DUers, but that's how I feel.

[mcscajun]

64. See my response to Post #31

.

[katsy]

21. Okay.

I'll send Telletubbie stuffed toys to his hospital bed.

[LynneSin]

28. Hell, I'll split the cost with you on that one

:D

[Batgirl]

22. "if you have nothing nice to say then shut the heck up"

And maybe, if we say only nice things about Falwell, the "neo-con nutjobs website & programs" will say nice things about us too!! Let's all click our heels together three times!

[Zenlitened]

25. Well, I see what you're saying. But I would prefer that...

... those who feel compelled to say nice things about him or on his behalf shut up, too.

That man would kill us all if he thought he could get away with it, and I don't feel a progressive discussion board is the appropriate place for positive commentary about him.

Frankly, some of the other threads I've seen already strike me more as prideful moral grandstanding than anything else.

[illflem]

29. We can all be compassionate towards Falwell

by demanding if he requires life-support that he be kept on it till his death even if he doesn't want it.

[tnlefty]

30. Mentioning that gluttony is one of the deadly sins?

Or that it might be time to call in Ernest Angsley, Swaggert, and all of the other faith healers to see if they are as good as they profess to be?

These types of things are what you think are out of line? :shrug:

I know, I'm being an ass.

[LynneSin]

33. That's ok, I'm probably being an ass too...

...I'm just not getting a thrill out of disparaging a man who is on his deathbead. It's like getting a title shot with the champ to find out he's fighting with a broken arm or in a wheel chair.

[tnlefty]

35. I am sooooooooo disappointed.

I was trying really hard to get a response with the spank emoticon in it!

[LynneSin]

38. here you go

:spank:

Happy now

:woohoo:

[Media_Lies_Daily]

45. That's the difference here...we're not telling YOU what you should say....

...or do in this situation, but YOU are certainly trying to tell others what to say or do.

I've been saying the same negative things about Rev Jerry for decades, why should I change my message now?

[LynneSin]

47. I"m not telling people what to say - I'm asking that we engage our...

...brains first before we say it.

[mogster]

61. Because of your humanity

If you won't do it for Jerry, do it for yourself.

Respect for the dying is a sign of sanity in this downward spiral of disintegrating dignity, so generously demonstrated to us by the Repubs in the recent Schiavo case.

It's what separates us from THEM :-)

[jonnyblitz]

34. these scolding "net nanny" threads never work.

I don't know why some of you post them other than to make yourself feel a bit more superior. people are going to post what they are going to post and post it even more-so after reading threads like this. :shrug:

[LynneSin]

37. I'm not trying to be a net nanny

:wtf:

I'm just trying to point out the big picture. If we act like asses then we become exactly what the neo-conservative have painted us to be.

[Charlie Brown]

40. Thank you

a lot of people here seem to take great joy that a fellow human being is suffering. That lot needs to look at themselves and ask if their attitude is any better than that of those on the right.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

42. Unfortunately, that's exactly how you've come across....

...IMHO, your "big picture" would leave us in the same position that our opponents perceive as one of weakness.

Nice way to slip in a personal insult..."act like asses"...while you're
telling everyone to behave.

Your problem is that you are way too concerned about how you're perceived by the other side. Don't you think they know that? The more you worry, the more they pile it on.

[Magrittes Pipe]

36. The difference is, he spews hate at good folks who have done nothing wrong

He, on the other hand, is evil.

[LynneSin]

41. You're absolutely right - he has

so does that make it better if we do the same? I'd rather take all tha energy and focus on something positive like making the change in the world we need!

[Magrittes Pipe]

43. I'm not rooting for his death or anything. But I sure as hell won't mourn.

It's like the Reagan situation. Yes, we should be better than "them." By virtue of our respect for other people, we ARE better than them.

But in defense of those who ARE doing the cheerleading thing: it is NOT "bringing us down to his level." By any means. Any hatred our side has toward him is EARNED.

[LynneSin]

48. Neither will I

I'd almost think the world would be a better place without him, but I know that there is probably someone about 10 times worse than Jerry just waiting to step into Falwell's shoes

[tnlefty]

53. Well now that you've mentioned the future...

I wonder what it would take to have a full audit of his entire outfit. A complete and public airing of all of the assets, where the monies came from, how they were disbursed, etc., with the IRS overseeing the entire audit. Now that would be interesting.

[LynneSin]

58. I'd love to see an audit on all of these assholes...

..but I don't think you can audit those you can't tax

[Lone_Star_Dem]

46. You get what you give and he gave hatred.

I don't wish death on the man. I would much rather he survive and live to face retribution for the bile he's spewed. Not that it would ever happen, but I can dream.

He's preached hate and intolerance which has bred a like measure in return directed back at him. I may not participate, but I can't fault anyone for being angry for the hate he's advocated. Hell, I'm angry with him, I just don't wish death on him or anyone. It's a personal choice.

[Ganja Ninja]

51. Why should we care what the RW takes from this site.

If they don't find something here to to rile up the faithful then they'll just invent some pack of lies. No more Mr Nice guy. The man didn't hesitate to say that all liberals would go to hell and I don't think it was a prediction. It was his fondest wish!

[nolabels]

67. Can we not ask why they would get riled up about what others say?

After all if they listened to what the left had to say to them about what ever it was. It would be as if nothing was said at all. Why should this be any different for them? The answer is (for me anyway) is that they live for and on giving people trouble and being negative about whatever falls out what they think they should be concerned about.

They don't care about how we think and feel and never will. Don't fool yourself in thinking it would matter(they will only use that against you also) I suggest just ignoring them, you can't change much if any of them and the ones who you can help to will eventually change themselves anyway

[obnoxiousdrunk]

52. All I have to

say is may his soul wander in peace.

[clem_c_rock]

55. Is that B*** as a cheerleader!

If it is OMFG

[Hoping4Change]

56. Perhaps I'm in the wrong but I think it hypocritical to change one's

tone just because someone may be at death's door.:shrug:


A Poison Tree


I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine.
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

William Blake

[OneBlueSky]

57. I won't celebrate because doing so would diminish ME as a person . . .

and I won't allow Falwell that kind of influence over me . . .

feel better, dipshit . . .

[Behind the Aegis]

59. I understand what you are saying

But, I am not interested in what the wing-nuts will or will not pick up from this site. They take things from us all the time and pervert it. I know there are those that are asking for "niceness" about this event, so I ask would they be so kind if this had happened to Al Franken? Randi Rhodes? Hillary Clinton? I doubt it! It would be a fucking feeding frenzy. The difference? NONE of those people blamed GAYS, PAGANS, PRO-CHOICE advocates, etc for the 9-11 event. NONE of those people called for violence against other groups!

While I do understand what you are saying, you reap what you sow! He has sowed the seeds of hate and violence amongst his ilk, no one should be surprised that those who are his victims are not saddened by this event AT ALL! I do not wish for a painful death on anyone, but I will not pretend that I am sad, nor will I wish him a speedy recovery. Call me a bitch, a fag, a hater, I don't care...this man is EVIL incarnate. The only prayer I have for him is that he will meet all of those he has demonized after he passes on and rationalize TO THEM why he should not be punished!

[retread]

60. Would it be vindictive or insulting to say that I hope he gets

what he wanted for Terri Schiavo for himself?

[arwalden]

62. Heh-heh...

First you say... "I despise Jerry Falwell" and then you conclude by saying... "if you have nothing nice to say then shut the heck up".

Am I the only one who finds the combination of these two statements to be peculiar?

[LynneSin]

65. I can despise without being disparaging

:shrug:

[arwalden]

69. Saying That You Despise Him Doesn't Seem To Be Very "Nice" Either...

:shrug:

I plan on giving Falwell all of the COMPASSION he shows to me. I wish for him all the things that he wishes for me.

I recently read somewhere that "there are certain people who have pushed themselves so far from humanity, that it is morally acceptable to cheer their removal from the face of the earth". -- It's a safe bet that Falwell is at the top of the list.

-- Allen*

PS: A friend of mine recently asked: Does anyone really think the freepers are going to look at people NOT being angry about Falwell and say to themselves, "Gosh, look at those restrained Democratic Underground people. We're so ashamed of ourselves"?





*Soon to be one of the unrestrained who will embarrass you with words of glee, grave pissing, and grave dancing.

[Jamastiene]

90. "*Soon to be one of the unrestrained who will embarrass you with words of

I was going to try to read all of the replies so far to this, but a couple have stood out to me so far. This one damn near made me piss myself. I'm holding it though. The time will come. You are so right.

To those who want to act all pious and superior and ask that no one on DU say anything negative about Falwell because he can't defend himself now: How about when he blamed gay people for everything bad that ever happened from a hangnail to September 11th? Huh? How 'bout when I was raped? Do you want me to kiss my rapists ass when he's laying on his death bed too? Falwell encourages that type of behavior with his hate speech and there was NO ONE THERE to defend me. I've had no power to protect myself from this man for years and years. He had power out his ass and used it to blame ME for something I had nothing to do with. You want me to be all polite now? It'd be like standing there and doing nothing while someone spits in your face. I got news for you. That shit ain't happening.

[psychopomp]

66. We reap what we sow

To see this condition befall Falwell gives me no satisfaction; to know that the Earth we live on is that much closer to being rid of this corrupt, corrupting man does give me some solace.

May the Most High guide and keep us all.

[LynneSin]

68. I think you just summed up exactly how I feel

It seems so contradictory to read it and yet such a real concept.

[flyarm]

79. why is it we always take the high road??

when this man all but said we deserved 9/11..many of those were my co-workers..gay ,straight, married with kids...this man was disgusting..and now i should take the high road??

and then this man called clinton every name in the book...the conservs said horrible stuff when clinton needed the first surgery and even worst for the second surgery...

i don't say lie..i never believe in any kind of lying..as the conservs do..but this man should be called what he is...


he is against democracy..he is for theocracy..his intrusion in terri's end had nothing to do with teri..that waS A LIE.. he was for destroying our democracy by destroying our judicial in this country..by destroying our laws!! this man never lived by law..only greed!

jerry falwell has abused human beings in dispicable ways..he and robertson have been responsible, if not directly, than indirectly with many deaths ..both in and out of this country...
look at greg palasts "globalization." these two have been responsible for deaths in tunsenia..with no remorse..and how many in this country and how many others all over the world with their greed have they been responsible for deaths??

i don't know if hell has its fury..but i would venture to say..what my momma always said..what goes around comes around...

look out jerry..its coming ,...its coming!!

and i will have no remorse!

fly

[NoPasaran]

70. The evil that men do lives after them

The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones

In Falwell's case, I think we'll just be burying bones.

[Bluebear]

71. I can't be 'above this insults' for him. He blamed Americans for 9/11.

As an aside: How horrible a human being does one have to be without prompting a warning over how to act on their demise?

[MikeG]

74. Act the same for all.

[Bluebear]

75. Nonsense. I mourn the illness/passing of good people

I can't 'mourn' for him in the classic sense. I don't wish agony on him and am sorry for those that love him. I mean, I won't sit here with a voodoo doll sticking pins in it but neither will I write revisionist obits because he croaks.

[MikeG]

77. Say it to his face when he's living. Not after he's dead.

[Zenlitened]

78. We've been saying it for years and years and years.

Haven't you been listening?

Please, spare us the sanctimony.

[MikeG]

73. I agree.

[flyarm]

76. just heard on air america ..falwell is on ventilator

and is in critical condition!

no other comments from me!!

fly

[Drewskie]

84. ...

Also heard a rumor about him being cared for by a gay nurse. How's that for irony?

[Catamount]

81. Perhaps God is doing some Smiting!

Cosmic Karma is what I think is happening.

[cornermouse]

82. God just wanted to have a little talk with Falwell.

[CornField]

83. I will never cheer death as it grasps life

By that same token, I will never encourage life to stay with those who promote death.