Via Yahoo News:
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Rev. Jerry Falwell, who founded the Moral Majority and built the religious right into a political force, died Tuesday shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University, a school executive said. He was 73.
UPDATE: Statement of the governor:
Reverend Falwell’s death will be deeply felt by the extended families of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University.
I was honored by Reverend Falwell’s generous invitation to speak at a student convocation last winter at Liberty University.
Afterwards, we had a positive conversation about his plans to expand the Lynchburg campus, and to continue in his role as an educator and one of the region’s largest employers. He was completely focused on continuing his dedication to his ministry and the college he founded.
On behalf of the Commonwealth, I extend my condolences to his family and many friends.
Technorati Tags: Jerry Falwell
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
“I extend my condolences to his family and many friends.”
Tim Kaine can speak for himself on this one. This man was a hateful, evil person, and I certainly will miss no part of the vile trash that spewed from his mouth.
In honor of Tinky Winky, Jim and Tammy Bakker, women, and all my dead gay friends and my 21 year same-sex partnership, burn in hell Jerry. The world is a better place today with you gone.
Let’s remember Falwell by his own words.
The only appropriate thing to do, I think.
I might be well advised to not respond, given how directly some of Mr. Falwell’s favored crusades directly contradicted Vivian’s personal views, beliefs and personality, but be that as it may: Terry, I don’t think it’s ever appropriate to celebrate the death of another human being–even one with whom we disagree–and I think your tone is discordant with the level of respectful dialogue typically reflected in this blog.
That being said, Terry’s views highlight an imporant part of Mr. Falwell’s legacy: he will be most-remembered as a divider who believed and fought for the notion that differences which divide Americans are more important than the things we hold in common which bring us together. Governor Kaine respectfully highlights some of those common American values which he and Mr. Falwell both shared, particularly their passion for advancing education. It’s unfortunate that Mr. Falwell allowed his dedication towards many of our shared values to be eclipsed by his passion for cruscading against many of his fellow Americans, and this is reflected in the fact that many today will not mourn his passing.
“Terry, I don’t think it’s ever appropriate to celebrate the death of another human being–even one with whom we disagree–and I think your tone is discordant with the level of respectful dialogue typically reflected in this blog.”
I’m not CELEBRATING his death. However, I’m not going to sugar coat it and act as if he was something he certainly was NOT.
MB – good list of quotes.
Terry – anonymous is right. My mama taught me not to speak ill of the dead.
I liked what you said, Vivian … right up until the point where you endorsed the hatemongering.
Anonymous decries Falwell (for whom I actually had little use) for being a “divider who believed and fought for the notion that differences which divide Americans are more important than the things we hold in common which bring us together.” Those are pretty bold words from someone who apparently associates with those who want to advance the “differences which divide Americans” by marginalizing/belittling/treating with contempt those who hold mainstream values.
Endorsed hatemongering?
One of the professors I had during my freshman year in college was a Civil Rights Activist at the height of the movement. During one class period, he stated how at many of the rallies he attended, there would be counter protesters who would frequently speak out against what the Civil Rights groups were trying to accomplish and (at times) would have some pretty hateful things to say. Nonetheless, my professor said that he had more respect for the counter protesters than he did for people who simply sat on the sidelines. While he disagreed with the members of the opposing group and thought they could have sometimes used better tactics for getting their point accross, he respected them for taking the time to get their point accross.
So what does this have to do with the death of Jerry Falwell? Basically, even though I disagree with almost all of the public stances he took and, at times, the manner in which he delievered them, at least Falwell was willing to stand up for what he believed in. Love him or hate him (or something in between), he got people talking about the issues he believed were important.
James, I’m not sure where I endorsed hatemongering. I was referring to anonymous’ statement:
That’s why I made the comment that I did.
I was also taught not to speak ill of the dead. I have returned to this site several times, and started to make a comment, and stopped. The thought that keeps occurring to me is, if Bill or Hillary Clinton had died, what would Jerry Falwell have said? See, I can’t help but remember what Falwell said, and did, when their dear friend Vince Foster passed away. Okay, ’nuff said.
I don’t actually care all that much the dead, and they don’t either. They’re dead. I generally stay quiet out of respect for those left behind. Until they say or do something that makes that a folly.
The world is a better place now that Falwell has departed the mortal plain.
Mr. Young,
Leaving aside for just a moment whether it is indeed statistically true that many of the views you are referring to are indeed mainstream, I respect your right to whatever views or personal beliefs you have. I presume that you likewise respect the right of the opposing opinion, or you probably wouldn’t be reading Vivian’s blog. I’m also assuming that you don’t think Vivian is directly responsible for the September 11th attacks. The attacks on that day were directed at us all–at you, at me, at Vivian, and even at Jerry Falwell. While the vast majority of Americans succeeded in coming together in the face of adversity, some of us took the opportunity to focus our anger within and condemn his fellow Americans as the enemy instead of the terrorists who killed thousands of our countrymen.
That’s the sort of ‘value’ that for many will define Mr. Falwell’s legacy, and it’s that value that separates Mr. Falwell far afield from the mainstream fo American society. Including, I hope, from yourself.
Terry M. and Frugal Revolutionary, this is for you:
“Yes, you’re despicable, and… and picable… and… and you’re definitely, definitely despicable. How a person can get so despicable in one lifetime is beyond me. It isn’t as though I haven’t met a lot of people. Goodness knows it isn’t that. It isn’t just that… it isn’t… it’s… it’s despicable.”