Government worker retires rather than honor Jesse Helms

The North Carolina Governor ordered all state agencies to lower flags to half-staff to honor Jesse Helms. L.F. Eason III, a 29-year veteran of the Department of Agriculture, refused in light of Helms "doctrine of negativity, hate, and prejudice," including his opposition to civil rights bills and the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Eason retired rather than give in. Link. Via.

If you'd like to know more about Helms, try "Farewell to a provincial redneck" by Christopher Hitchens.