Paul Wellstone is in my heart tonight

[burythehatchet]

I finished listening to Lies and the Lying Liars (its great on CD - Franken reads it himself and adds a lot to the book). I went back and listened for a second and third time to the chapters on Paul Wellstone and his memorial ceremony. You know, the one that the liberal media took and turned into a sinister plot by Senator Wellstone's family to turn into a political rally.

That segment re-kindled some very strong emotions. It reminded how wonderful a public servant that gentleman was. It reminded me of the joy I felt when his son spoke and I thought, then and now again, that this young man is destined for great things, and, sadly, it reminded me about how the whole affair was soiled by a group of very sad, lonely, and evil people. The CD contained segments of Limbaugh's commentary from his show the next day.

On this night I am remembering Senator Wellstone, and I am missing him a great deal.

If anyone knows whether a video recording of the memorial service is available, I would love to get a copy of it.

[gully]

1. Some memorial information here.

http://archive.wellstone.org /

I did tape the original event, and had friends who attended. So very sad that it's been almost one year since his passing.

I seems like forever ago, he is surely missed.

[burythehatchet]

3. thank you SOOO much

[Pastiche423]

18. Do you know where the tape

of the Memorial can be purchased? I've looked at all of the links, but couldn't find one.

[NaMeaHou]

2. I know exactly what you mean

here you go:

http://shows.implex.tv/wellstone

[burythehatchet]

4. Many many thanks

[gully]

5. Forgot this excellent site.

http://citypages.com/databank/23/1143/article10840.asp

Be sure to click on the commercials at bottom to see Pauls first campaign ads.

[dobak]

6. I don't know about a video...

but this book comes out this month and I think it will be great

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0816644284/qid%3...

[NaMeaHou]

9. Check out my link for the entire video

it'll bring tears to your eyes.

http://shows.implex.tv/wellstone

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. memorial? It was a celebration of his life!

It was the celebration of a great man who lead a great life, and as a "memorial" it was appropriate.
The problem came from those small minds who thought "memorial" meant "funeral".

[RummyTheDummy]

8. Don't be sad, get even!

That being said, thanks for the heads up on the Franken CD. I think I'll buy that instead of the book since it's Al that is reading it.

[burythehatchet]

10. Oh for sure

Not only is there a LOT more material, its updated, and Franken's voice just makes it hilarious.

BTW, I'm not the most well read person around, but I believe this work is one of the most important

[roguevalley]

11. It was moving, wasn't it? That is a great book. The touches of Paul

Wellstone, the genuineness of the man makes me long for the good old days when you could be smart, liberal and respected.

Al Franken is one of the bravest people out there. He's been taking it to the bad guys almost by himself for more than a year. He reminds me of Gandalf coming back in The Two Towers: "I come to you now at the turn of the tide."

It sort of all began to pivot when Al began to turn the screws. I love the man. You can also tell the worth of a person by the company that they kept. Having the Wellstones for friends must have been lovely.

[knowledgeispower]

12. A real mensch

Take heart, he has influenced some minds. I myself was not particularly into politics until I saw that people like Wellstone CAN get things done, no matter how bad the political scene has become. Whenever I am feeling down about the state of the country or world, I just remind myself that someday we will prevail thanks to people like Paul Wellstone.

[pansypoo53219]

13. anybody have a spare bumpersticker?

not from MN, but i am still a fan of his in WI and managed to actually communicate with him years ago, which is a precious memory. hope he has plenty of granny sheep hands.

[Padraig18]

14. We must not grieve an unseemly amount

'We stand at Rossa's grave not in sadness, but in exultation of spirit... This is a place of peace sacred to the dead, where men should speak with all charity and all restraint; but I hold it a Christian thing... to hate evil, to hate untruth, to hate oppression, and hating them to strive to overthrow them... while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree, shall never be at peace.'

And I stand at Wellstone's grave and declare, "America unfree, shall never be at peace!". Fight on, lads!

[MinnFats]

15. if there is any justice in the world, those right-wingers who defiled...

...the Wellstone memorial will spend eternity in an especially warm corner of hell.
...I was at the memorial. I thought Kahn went over the top when he asked Paul's Republican friend, Rep. Jim Ramstad, to help elect Democrats for Paul. The vast majority of the rest was loving remembrances and pleas to keep the dream alive.
On the way out of the F'in' parking lot, the local rightwing mini-Limbaughs were spouting their masters' spin on the whole thing. It was obscene.

Here is an image of Paul to take with you:
Some may remember when the KKK and Nazis had a rally on the steps of the Capitol in St. Paul. Then-Mayor Norm Coleman suggested everyone stay away, trotting out that old canard that it's best to ignore them.

There were 50-75 crazy klan/nazi types on the steps of the Capital and somewhere between 800 to 1,200 protesters of every type -- old folkies and aging hippies to goth kids in leather and metal, plus a large contingent of students and ordinary folks.

the two groups were shouting obscenities at each other and state troopers were nervously trying to keep them apart...all of a sudden you could hear singing -- the sound was coming up the capital mall.

people turned around and you could see a knot of about 50 African-Americans. Local preachers were in the lead and since he was so short you couldn't see Paul right away...But his was the only white face in the group.

they pulled up to the top of the mall, all singing an old Gospel/Freedom Rider song at the top of their lungs: "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody, Turn Me Round, Turn me Round, turn me round..."Ain't Gonna Let No Klan...."Ain't Gonna Let No Nazis....etc. and so on.

It was breath-taking. Goth kids stepped out of line to come over and sing an old Gospel song with Wellstone and the preachers! Pretty soon almost half the people had joined up with the song. Paul and a couple of the preachers gave brief impromptu speeches. "We won't go back to those days!" Paul shouted. "We'll never go back!"

Good God, I thought. That's my senator.


Ah, hell. now i miss him more. but i wanted to share that because it's comforting and just illustrates what kind of man he was.

[burythehatchet]

16. WOW, what a blessed memory

You are very generous to share it with us. That story sent chills up my spine. I had never heard about it before, but it was so easy to picture that scene.
Thanks

[Pastiche423]

17. What a beautiful memory

I can't thank you enough for sharing it.

[MGKrebs]

19. I just this minute took a break from reading that chapter

because I was getting choked up.

I have nothing good to say about conservatives right now, so I guess I'll just be quiet.

[burythehatchet]

20. I know what you mean

but you know what, after I listened to it, and then thought about it, the memory of the whole affair made me feel stronger and confirmed my will to fight.