Speaking Ill

There's that old saying about not speaking ill of the dead, which we've all violated at one time or another. I tend to agree with it, particularly when someone has just died, but while I'm not breaking out the champagne for the death this past week of Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell, it's just too hard to mourn this hatemonger.

In case you want to remember why the only tears for Rev. Falwell are among his flock and cohorts, here a list of "11 Sick Quotes of Jerry Falwell" from davefromqueens on DailyKos. While it's hard to pick a favorite, in the spirit of the Bush/Cheney/Rove/Giuliani constant self-justification through exploitation of 9/11, I'll go with #7:

The abortionists have got to bear some burden for [the attacks of Sept. 11]
because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent
babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists,
and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make
that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of
them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face
and say, 'You helped this happen.'

Ah, Jesus is Love.

For more check out Bill Maher from Friday night on HBO, who begins, "Death isn't always sad..." Not that I'd go as far as Maher, but although Falwell was avuncular in demeanor, a smiling, puffy, amiable-looking, his death is a reminder that hate comes in many packages.

I mean, for all his Christian cheer, he couldn't find a place in his heart for one particular beloved children's character.