In its usual over-the-top style, Washington-based political blog Wonkette called him a "brave American hero," while sister blog Gawker nominated him for "a hundred Nobel Peace Prizes" and asked, "Is anyone hiring experts in weights and measures?"

Idiosyncratic conservative Andrew Sullivan called his story a "profile in decency."

Durham author Haven Kimmel saluted him, noting that "the list of people who stood up to ... [Helms], even in death, can add one more name, and I thank this man and I hold him and his family in the Light, for discerning what is true and acting on it to his own peril."

On the other side, a number of conservatives lambasted Eason's "sanctimonious arrogance" and said he spit on Helms' grave.

Former N&O columnist Dan Gearino pondered whether liberals would be celebrating if a conservative made a similarly defiant gesture toward, say, Barack Obama. And in a snarky vein, Selma conservative Troy LaPlante wrote: "Good riddance. One less state employee on the payroll."

Easley gives Martin a lift

Former Republican Gov. Jim Martin got a free ride to Jesse Helms' funeral Tuesday -- courtesy of Democratic Gov. Mike Easley.

Easley's office offered Martin a ride aboard the jet the governor often uses on state business. Flight records show the Cessna Citation picked Martin up in Concord in the morning and flew him back after the funeral.

"I was happy to accept that. It saved a couple hours each way," Martin said. "I thought it was a nice gesture."

The two round trips took less than two hours, according to flight records. The eight-passenger plane costs $770 per hour to operate, according to a spokeswoman for the state Department of Commerce, which owns it. Martin appeared to be the lone passenger.

Easley spokesman Seth Effron said the Democratic governor offered the plane "as a matter of protocol and professional courtesy to the former governor because this was a matter of state."

Tucker's abracadabra

N.C. Rep. Russell Tucker said he has some magic words that allowed him to pull off an unusual feat: getting money slipped into the state budget bill that had not appeared in either the House or Senate spending plans.

Tucker, a Duplin County Democrat, persuaded House legislative leaders to include $500,000 for a proposed Museum of the Marine in Jacksonville, which is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Tucker's district includes a small portion of Onslow County.

The money is to help the nonprofit group seeking to build the museum complete an architectural plan. Tucker said the museum will cost $35 million. He said the state put in roughly $1 million in planning money about two years ago.

This year, Tucker filed a bill seeking $5 million from the state for the museum. The bill went nowhere. So he embarked on a lobbying campaign that went all the way up to House Speaker Joe Hackney.

"I think I spoke to them all," Tucker said. "I left no stone unturned."

House leaders don't dispute hearing Tucker's request, but taking credit for getting it in the budget was another matter. Hackney said appropriations chairmen made the call. But they referred the matter back to him.

"That was Speaker Hackney," said one, Rep. Jim Crawford, an Oxford Democrat.

As for the magic words, Tucker didn't want to share them.

"If they get out, everybody else will use them, and they won't be as effective," he said.

Dole happy about funds

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole hasn't yet released her campaign fundraising figures for the second quarter, but she said in an interview Thursday that she feels good about them.

"I think it's going well," she said. "Obviously, it's a tough cycle, but I've been having fundraisers all over the state. People have been wonderful about helping out."

Dole, a Salisbury Republican, is seeking re-election for a second term. Her opponent, Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro, said this week that she had raised $1.6 million in the second quarter.

Figures aren't due to the Federal Election Commission until Tuesday. Dole wouldn't say how much she has raised or whether it's more than Hagan.

"Oh," she said, "wait for our announcement."