Thoughts on Paul Wellstone: one year later

[FuriousMNDem]

It was a cold and snowy day, the twenty-fifth of October, 2002.

At about 2:30 Central Time, I got home from work and turned on the TV to see it say, "Breaking News: Paul Wellstone, 1944-2002." I was shocked for a few seconds, and then I started crying. I just could not believe that Paul David Wellstone, Courageous United States Senator, Progressive Champion, and Working Class Hero, had passed away in a plane crash, along with his wife, daughter, and five others. That was one of the worst days of 2002 for me, right up there with the day of, and the day after, the election.

Paul Wellstone always had a passion for working people – the average Joe, so to speak. I could call him a fighter for ordinary Americans, but that would be an understatement. Paul, Sheila, and Marcia Wellstone may be physically dead now, but Paul’s legacy lives on in all of us. Grateful for the work he did in nearly twelve years as a Senator, let us move on and continue his work of fighting for all Americans.

If you wish, here are two LBN threads from last October 25.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=5806&forum=DCForumID61&archive=yes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=5810&forum=DCForumID61&archive=yes

Paul David Wellstone: 1944-2002. May he and everyone else who parished on the plane Rest In Peace.

[robbedvoter]

1. I don't think I can revisit the old posts. It never got easier...

As a rule, time is supposed to heal these things. But the absurdity, the ugliness that followed this tragedy make it impossible to countenance - i year later.

[Octafish]

2. Paul Wellstone will forever be missed by those who knew him.

And he will never be forgotten. Same with his wife, daughter and the others aboard the aircraft.

This would be a very different world if they were still with us. What we can do is make it even better than it should have been. That is how we can best honor their memories.

[peacetalksforall]

3. It's still too difficult

. besides losing him we had the terribly ugly brouhaha staged by the right wing - one of their victories. A victory that should be exposed to everyone who wants to know about dirty tricks. It is their victory that will fade in time while his star rises higher in admiration. Teach your youngsters about Paul Wellstone.

. think about the relationships of his name, Paul, and well & stone.

. teach your youngsters -

first vote in the Senate - against Iraq War 1
last vote in the Senate - against Iraq War 2

a most honorable record

and with a lot of good votes in between

a legacy that will live

, Rest in peace, Paul. You did good.

[Michigander4Dean]

4. Nice tribute.

We love and miss you, Paul.

:cry:

[Avalon Sparks]

5. My husband called me at work and told me~

It felt like someone shot me in the gut. It was the only time I can remember crying at work, at my desk. I went outside and called my Mom and balled. I'd be lying if I didn't say it hit me harder than 9/11.

The first time I saw Wellstone speak was on CSPAN in front of the Senate. He was like an angel. He quickly became my Hero, and I donated to his campaign as much as a could.

It still hurts so much, and I miss him greatly.

Since I've lived in Dallas for years, I don't really have a Senator. HE WAS MY SENATOR!

I saw the video clip for this picture for the first time tonight, and it broke my heart all over again.



With his daughter Marcia and his wife, Sheila, Senator-elect Paul Wellstone waved farewell from his bus on a chilly late December morning before heading for Washington, D.C., in 1990.

I LOVE YOU PAUL AND SHELIA - and everything you stood for. I will never forget you and I promise to carry on your work.

[ErasureAcer]

6. I honor him everyday...

by supporting the candidacy of Dennis Kucinich.

Both members of the Progressive Caucus of Congress. Wellstone being the only Senator in the lot.

They both have a vision for the USA and the world that screams equality.

A world where we can do better than support wars but do our best to eliminate them from ever happening by treating the world with respect.

I support Dennis Kucinich for President. It is what Wellstone would want.

[Nobody]

7. I was at Campaign HQ a year ago today.

And everything was going great. We had lots of volunteers doing a variety of things for that last week and a half.

Paul was going to cream Coleman in the debate and some of the staff was on their way up north to watch and record. Meanwhile, contributions were pouring in as they had every since Paul voted a huge resounding NO! to the invasion of Iraq Senate vote. His numbers in the polls were climbing and at least two Republicans were saying how they were disgusted with Coleman's negative campaign.

It was going to be a great day.

Until the phone started ringing continuously with people wanting to know. And then when it was definite that the plane crashed, killing everyone, it was heartbreaking to hear the news.

But a year later, Wellstone Action is now going, it's purpose to keep Paul Wellstone's memory alive and to continue fighting for the people who can't afford to buy their very own member of Congress just like Paul did.

http://www.wellstone.org

WE WILL NEVER PARK THE BUS!

(on edit: I screwed up the URL)

[UrbScotty]

8. Never, EVER park the Bus!

Keep it going!

[goobergunch]

9. kick

:kick:

[Breezy du Nord]

10. I was in global studies

My totally awesome teacher,Mr. Hemphill, had his laptop on CNN or something and told us. Then Mr Sterjn (that was his real name) came on the intercom and told us. I really hated hearing his voice, beacause the only time he came on the ntercom was the Wellstone crash and 9/11.

[JNelson6563]

11. I cannot think of it

with out welling up. What a horrible loss for all of mankind. I loved him. He was the first politician I ever contributed to and he's not even from my state.

*sniff*

Julie

[GinaMaria]

12. too painful still to look at old threads

Part of the unhealed pain has to do with the pukes politisizing Paul Wellstone's memorial service. It was horrible and vicious. The loss of everyone in that plane was unbearable at the time. What the gop did is unforgivable, imo.

The right wing media hijacked his memorial service and declared it an outrage. They exaggerated a handful of people who booed lott for less than 30 seconds of a 3 hour service. They are sick, selfish bastards all. Imagine us doing that when regan passes.

[mzmolly]

13. What a horrible day it was.

My husband worked for the campaign (phone banks) installing yard signs etc...

It was the first time he had ever worked on anyones political campaign. We were so worried because the senate race was thought to be close for some time.

I remember we didn't turn on the TV that day and were in good spirits. Then, my Father In Law called to say he was sorry. I recall my husband saying ... what? NO?! OMG! Then he told me the news. "Paul Wellstone is dead." I about fell to my knees. I remember crying NO in such a primal way (that I surprised even myself). For some time I held out hope (foolishly so) that they'd find Paul and family wandering around the north woods, wounded but alive.

The loss of Paul Wellstone is tragic beyond words. I can think of few individuals who've had the impact that Paul Wellstone has on the lives of so many.

Paul you are missed. But we look forward to carrying on in your name.

www.wellstone.org

http://citypages.com/databank/23/1143/article10840.asp *this is a must see* some of Pauls old TV spots here...

http://www.werememberpaul.org/

http://www.paul-wellstone.com/

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. As most Twin Cities DUers probably know

the monument to the Wellstones in Lakewood Cemetery is visible from the street that runs along the eastern side of Lake Calhoun.

This afternoon I took the bus to Uptown and went past the monument. The first time, I saw a group of five or six people standing somberly before a pile of flowers and candles.

On the way back, I saw a solitary young man walk to the gravesite, kneel down before the pile of flowers and candles, and just stay there motionless.