Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone has died in a plane crash--which is something of an occupational hazard for politicians, who spend a lot more time in planes than most of us.
It is universally agreed that, while he was a committed and unwavering far-left partisan, he was also universally liked and respected for his honesty and his consistency. He was one of those politicians who reliably said what he meant and meant what he said--which is more common than some people think, but is always highly praiseworthy in a career that encourages cynicism. He was also a supporter of term limits--although, like many politicians, found it hard to live up to that belief once he was faced with the prospect of voluntarily stepping down.
Equally tragic, his wife, daughter, and members of his campaign staff were killed, as were campaign workers and the crew. It was a small plane, flying in bad weather toward a campaign stop. Wellstone is survived by two sons and a host of grandchildren.
People shouldn't leave politics like this. It is inevitable, and completely unavoidable, that talk will turn soon to how this will effect the election, which is less than two weeks away. But for now, let's hope most commentators have the class just to note the tragedy, and allow the people in the back rooms to do the necessary bickering and maneuvering.
I thought that he was on the way to a funeral.
Indeed, quite sad. Perhaps the only positive thing to come of it is it bumped the quite-overwhelming Sniper story off the main headlines of cnn. Sometimes it seems that everything has become over-media-ized. I went out to mow the lawn today (a very rare event, mind you) and it was quite refreshing to interact with the world without all the digital. ...Anyways, this was sad news, and more tragic was the news that his family and crew died with him. As always, you point out things that aren't always so obvious to me.
I despised everything he stood for except for one not so little thing, honesty.
He meant what he said and he said what he meant.
Unlike, for instance, Ted Kennedy. Just for a few minutes, there was a rumour that Kennedy was aboard that plane and I felt myself thinking "please, please"...
Reprehensible, I know, but there you have it.
I was in a hurry. I was eating a sandwich while I surfed the web, trolling for news. I saw the web site headline: "A senator dies."
In the moment before I clicked on the link, I wondered whether the senator might be from a state with a governor from the opposite party.
You know where I'm coming from, right?
Then I clicked the link. I saw Paul Wellstone's face. I blinked once. I slumped back in my chair.
If you're a novelist, you can't write a story like this: it's too unbelievable. Especially coming almost two years to the day after the death of Mel Carnahan.
I read that his wife and daughter were also killed. He is survived by two sons and six grandchildren. My heart broke for his family and friends.
By now you've read the story arc of his life: son of Russian immigrants, radical 60s activist, college professor. He was a long-shot candidate, and eventually a veteran-senator-famed-for-voting-his-conscience. Mr. Smith Went to Washington.
His first big vote was against the Gulf War; his last, against regime change. When it was time to be heard, when his re-election might be riding on his vote, he voted his conscience. In that, he was nearly alone. His constituency appreciated him for that.
I never met Wellstone but I felt I had a rapport with him. I felt like I knew him. He grew up in a culture like mine at the same time I did. He was even the same age as my brother.
I considered him too liberal for me most of the time. But, like in a family, when it's time to fight, you pull together. Besides, he seemed authentic. I liked that.
And another thing: his colleagues -- both friendly and adversarial -- were genuinely moved upon hearing of his death. They were universal in their praise, respect and affection for him. That tells you a lot about a man; it tells you a lot about Paul Wellstone.
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There is a prayer in Judaism, the Kaddish, the Mourner's Prayer. It is said for any member of the Jewish People who has passed away. Jews believe that by reciting Kaddish on a soul's behalf, by saying this prayer, it allows the soul to climb to the next level or "world".
It is recited by members of the mourning family at daily services, but the rest of the congregation recites parts of it in support. The last part contains these words:
Oseh sholom bimromov, hu ya'aseh sholom olaynu...vimru Omein.
"He who makes peace in His heavens, may He make peace for us...Amen."
There were, I understand, campaign appearances to follow, but the itinerary began with the funeral.
Er, I must take exception to the notion that Wellstone was "nearly alone" in voting his conscience on the war resolution.
That said, I disagree with little else that's been said.
Dean,
The full context of my comment was this:
When it was time to be heard, when his re-election might be riding on his vote, he voted his conscience. In that, he was nearly alone.
Dean,
You know, something tells me that I'm still going to catch it from you on this...
:^)
Please go here to get the real deal.
Nah, what for? I haven't read the report, and it sounds a little hysterical, but it's nothing I haven't heard before. Plenty of people from all over the political spectrum have been saying the same thing for some time now. They merely differ on the reasons.
I think Zell Miller's basically correct about the problem myself.
Paul Wellstone was a man of conscience, a man of peace, and a man whose ideas and vision for America was pure-hearted. Just look at his background. How can Gary Utter despise "truth, justice and the American Way?" Your comments confirm my worst fears...other people actually think like you....then again, Hitler didn't go it alone. He had accomplices who numbed themselves to the deaths of someone else's everything.
There you have it.
Tim
Quick apology. Gary, I am not calling you a "Hitler." I respect your honesty; I just didn't get a warm fuzzy about what I perceived as a callous and cold "death wish" for big head Ted.
Tim
Tim: Gary's a big boy who can take care of himself, otherwise I would have deleted your comments by now.
But you are being very rude around here, Tim, and making a terrific embarassment of yourself. Kindly shape up--or go find somewhere else to play.
Ok. I've only tried to infuse some of my off kilter humor on your site....I've got to keep my sense of humor otherwise I would quickly go insane in this world of ours...but I find nothing humorous about anyone's death regardless of their political convictions/personal politics....
Again, I will shape up and try to offer less rude comments...
Out...Tim