[Speed Gibson,
Thursday October 25, 2007 at 9:15pm]
The Wellstone Memorial
Five years ago, I like most was incredulous at the first reports that Paul Wellstone had died in a plane crash. When it was confirmed, I wasn't sure what to think. The universe was not unfolding as it should.
It was a loss for Minnesota, no question. He had a certain star quality yet always seemed real. He was likable and approachable despite his hard left histrionics. Yesterday, I asked why liberals seemed unwilling to even admit they're liberal, let alone be proud of it. Paul Wellstone was a rare exception, showing courage and honesty we could all respect. If only he hadn't grown that awful "General Zod" beard!
I took my son down to Williams Arena for the memorial. We were early as planned, the doors not open yet, so we went to have dinner at Vescio's. Returning we got in line, only to find ourselves unknowingly shunted off to the Women's side, to watch by closed circuit TV. We could watch that at home I said, but the attendants said no, the live Men's side was already full. I couldn't believe it had filled up that fast, but I believed them, only to see people still streaming in on TV when we got him.
I was really upset that I had been lied to, but we all know what happened. I would have walked out, following then Governor Jesse Ventura's lead. I'm glad my young son didn't see so many thousands of supposed adults behaving so badly. It was so unnecessary, too.
It could have been a wonderful evening of remembrances and tributes, capped by Sen. Tom Harkin's wonderful stump speech finish that gave us all a final Wellstone-like thrill, myself included. But Rick Kahn et al ruined all that, turning it into a political disaster that some say affected the national elections as well.
I also remember how upset the local TV station general managers were, feeling duped by an obviously phony timetable that went way long to maximize coverage. We're still wondering today who ordered what from on high in the Democratic Party - or was it simply Rick Kahn and Mark Wellstone not being ready for prime time?
One thing I'm sure of: Paul Wellstone would not have approved.
It was a loss for Minnesota, no question. He had a certain star quality yet always seemed real. He was likable and approachable despite his hard left histrionics. Yesterday, I asked why liberals seemed unwilling to even admit they're liberal, let alone be proud of it. Paul Wellstone was a rare exception, showing courage and honesty we could all respect. If only he hadn't grown that awful "General Zod" beard!
I took my son down to Williams Arena for the memorial. We were early as planned, the doors not open yet, so we went to have dinner at Vescio's. Returning we got in line, only to find ourselves unknowingly shunted off to the Women's side, to watch by closed circuit TV. We could watch that at home I said, but the attendants said no, the live Men's side was already full. I couldn't believe it had filled up that fast, but I believed them, only to see people still streaming in on TV when we got him.
I was really upset that I had been lied to, but we all know what happened. I would have walked out, following then Governor Jesse Ventura's lead. I'm glad my young son didn't see so many thousands of supposed adults behaving so badly. It was so unnecessary, too.
It could have been a wonderful evening of remembrances and tributes, capped by Sen. Tom Harkin's wonderful stump speech finish that gave us all a final Wellstone-like thrill, myself included. But Rick Kahn et al ruined all that, turning it into a political disaster that some say affected the national elections as well.
I also remember how upset the local TV station general managers were, feeling duped by an obviously phony timetable that went way long to maximize coverage. We're still wondering today who ordered what from on high in the Democratic Party - or was it simply Rick Kahn and Mark Wellstone not being ready for prime time?
One thing I'm sure of: Paul Wellstone would not have approved.