There is a common thread in enemies of Falwell (Flynt, Stonewall Democrats) saying polite things.

[LoZoccolo]

They don't spend all their free time on the Internet.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Flynt was being a smartass.

He was basically calling Falwell a pornographer.

Stonewall dems are politicians. I think they're missing an opportunity though.

[JackBeck]

2. Human Rights Campaign and NGLTF were A LOT less kind.

WASHINGTON – Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, issued the following statement today in regards to the news about the death of Reverend Jerry Falwell:

“Reverend Falwell’s death today causes my thoughts to turn toward the members of our community who have at great personal sacrifice contended with the Reverend’s work and teachings. As I remember Reverend Falwell’s life, I also remember all of the families of people who have died of AIDS,” said Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign. “Reverend Falwell’s legacy is not about the tenets of Jesus’ ministry such as healing the sick and standing with the disenfranchised but about shunning and ridiculing those who have suffered and died of AIDS and their families. Many faith leaders today are moving away from his divisive approach and toward the compassion and inclusiveness that Jesus modeled every day of his ministry.”


Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“The death of a family member or friend is always a sad occasion and we express our condolences to all those who were close to the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America’s anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation’s appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic, someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation.”

[dave_p]

3. They were addressing the public/mass media

I'm not. I don't need to be polite about him.

[LoZoccolo]

4. Why would they need to be polite about him?

Do you think Larry Flynt is going to lose readership if he makes a rude comment about Jerry Falwell?

Do you think the Stonewall Democrats are going to lose support?

And they also had the option of not saying anything.

[dave_p]

5. Goes with the territory

The Group represents its members and has an interest in their views being quoted sympathetically in future. And Flynt preumably did have some liking for the guy as a person - it would seem a bizarre thing to make up, so I assume he just spoke his mind - as people are doing here.