IN MEMORIAM: PAUL WELLSTONE

[G_j]

https://whowhatwhy.org/2017/10/25/memoriam-paul-wellstone/

Outspoken Senator Was A Lonely Voice Against Iraq War



A lot of attention has been given recently to Sens. Bob Corker (R-TN) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for finally displaying acts of conscience in defiance of an increasingly erratic and reactionary White House. One former Senator who never waited around to speak out was Paul Wellstone.

Wellstone was described by some as “the conscience of the Senate.” When the progressive Democrat from Minnesota addressed the Senate chamber on Oct. 9, 2002, pleading against the nation’s reckless rush to war during the Iraq Resolution debate, he could not have been more prescient.

At risk of losing his contentious re-election bid a month later, Wellstone spoke his conscience that day. He wound up being spot-on in his assessment, but Congress couldn’t be bothered to listen.

“When the lives of sons and daughters of average Americans could be risked and lost, their voices must be heard in the Congress before we make decisions about military action. … Right now, despite a desire to support our president, I believe many Americans still have profound questions about the wisdom of relying too heavily on a pre-emptive, go-it-alone military approach. Acting now, on our own, might be a sign of our power. Acting sensibly and in a measured way, in concert with our allies, with bipartisan congressional support, would be a sign of our strength.”

..more..

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. K&R

[niyad]

2. k and r

[geardaddy]

3. K & R

I miss my senator.

[Wwcd]

4. He stood up to corporate power grabs & was the strongest voice for Sierra Blanca

http://social-ecology.org/wp/1998/10/the-texas-vermont-maine-nuclear-dump-bringing-environmental-racism-home/

Wellstone was the true friend of the little guy.
& exemplifying the Progressive Democratic creed his entire life.
His lifetime works are stellar.

[ehrnst]

12. "Environmental Racism" is what he called Sierra Blanca

A true progressive.

[Wwcd]

14. Yes. The Core Issue in The Dakota Pipeline Fight? SIOUX RIGHTS

https://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/dotearth/2016/11/07/the-core-issue-in-the-dakota-pipeline-fight-is-sioux-rights-not-oil/?referer=

"The Core Issue in the Dakota Pipeline Fight is Sioux Rights, Not Oil"

----

Environmental Racism. The rights of people over Corp profit.
Same situation as Sierra Blanca.

[G_j]

20. Yes

truth

[Lifelong Protester]

5. I miss him.

He quoted my letter on the Senate floor-concerning NCLB.

[Wwcd]

15. Wow! A proud moment in time for you & the Senator

Thanks for posting this

[Lifelong Protester]

19. Yes, it was! I ran out from the kitchen

with my chef's knife in my hand, as I heard him on the TV (the News Hour) and was stunned. I was not a fan of NCLB and mentioned his letter-quoting to my staff; I was choked up when I did it.

[Thor_MN]

6. The weather tonight is supposed to turn towards what it was 15 years and a day ago...

I can recall hearing about it through an email. My desk was near a window, and the rain-snow was tinging off the window. That area of the building was hot in summer and cold in winter. Temperature felt like it went down a bit reading the email.

[xxqqqzme]

8. Stunned silence

when I read about it.

[oasis]

7. A great American.

[The Wielding Truth]

9. In your honor, let someone inspired by your wisdom and commitment to

a fair and just union of citizens, come forward to take us into a better tomorrow .

[Wwcd]

16. Still waiting, but someday it will be worth it, & critical to our survival.

Its about Human Rights. Social justice.

[The Wielding Truth]

18. Yes. If we could get someone from TED to run. Forward thinking people.

[democrank]

10. Paul Wellstone was a true champion of the "little guy" and one of the most

principled politicians ever. I honestly can't adequately express my respect for him. When he spoke, I listened.

[ehrnst]

11. Got the news at work.

He had been to our offices, and was THERE for the reproductive rights movement, along with Hillary and Barney Frank.

We all sobbed collectively in the conference room.

It was something I will never forget.

[Habibi]

13. K & R and thanks

He was my senator when I lived in Minnesota. I was shocked and disheartened when I heard the news of his death. It was what led me to DU, actually.

[Wwcd]

17. His voice, passion for human beings & his relentless fighting spirit is so badly needed today

Thanks for this memorial posting .
Bittersweet but ever a reminder what we should all return to in our world.

Rest in Peace, our friend🕯

[NurseJackie]

21. Agreed. 100%