This is one of the saddest things that's happened in this country at least since 9/11. Sad for Minnesota and sad for this country. To say he will be missed is a vast understatement.

Very sad, indeed.

I hope though, that his wisdom continues, and that our elected representatives see the necessity to vote their constituency and their conscience rather than following the crowd. Bless him for having done just that.

I'm just in tears. Can't even talk right now. so much to say, just can't do it. I just can't believe this.

i never used to be this way... but why do I even think for a moment that there is some nefarious (read: republican) plot to eliminate Democratic candidates, especially by air tragedy??
deja vu all over again!

R.I.P. Senator Wellstone and family.
An important voice now silent.

Arnie, I'm sure that someone will find evidence to support your worst fears whether it exists or not.

Jesse Ventura nows picks a replacement for the unexpired term, and if Senator Wellstone wins re-election, I think the Gov. picks that replacement too. Right??

so true, pat...very, very sad..

arnie...it's not just you, the thought fleetingly crossed my brain cell, too.

Very hard to believe.
It couldn't have happened to any finer human political warrior.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all their families.

It always seems we lose the ones we cannot afford to lose. We sure did today.

Arnie, Deb, that crossed my part of the braincell, too, for more than a fleeting moment. I don't like it when I do that, but I just figure it's a reaction born of experience.

I am sorry to hear that we have lost this statesmen and of the other lives that were lost as well..... airplanes just seem to take a lot of notable people,

Life is such a double edge sword. One minute everything is fine, suddenly you don't know what hit ya. This is gonna sound so riddled with cliches, but it's not that at all. Paul WAS a regular joe. He was not an empty suit, beholden to protect the interests of the wealthy and powerful. He was truly a voice for the most vulnerable in society, for people, for mother earth. You may not know this, for honestly, I can't say I know too much about every Senator from other states. People here feel as if we just lost a family member. He was so down to earth, so approachable, so UN-self-important. If you walked up to Paul, you wouldn't get the politicians handshake. You'd get a look straight in your eye, his attention, and a warm smile, whether you were a commie like me or a conservative, or somewhere between. Paul was so damn passionate about his ideals, he won the hearts of even some staunch conservatives. It may have been easy for some to hate his politics, but it was damn hard to dislike the guy. I have seen people openly weeping today, the likes I've never seen for a politician. My dad said it reminded him of Kennedy's death. I wasn't there, but I believe it.

We are crying here in Minnesota. Paul wouldn't want the sympathy though, he'd want us to get out there and kick some ass. All of us, find something positive to do, and follow through. Thanks for every damn difference you made sir, and there were many. I won't forget. Peace.

I'm sure it must be a much more personal heartbreak for those in Minnesota. I thought of you as soon as I heard about it, lcj. It's a blow for all of us who believed in the things that he did, too. It wasn't just that he believed in them, or that he had the courage of his convictions. It was that he could put those things together and also be effective that made him all too unique in these times. For me, it feels a lot like 1968, when it seemed like everyone who carried the hope of creating a better tomorrow got taken from us.

http://www.startribune.com/images/ss/629_0.html


If this link works, and you get to the first picture, click the right pointer in the upper right corner and view them all.

thanks for the link, lcj. The images say it all.
Here's a link from NPR that takes a look back on the life of the late Senator Paul Wellstone.
http://www.npr.org/news/specials/wellstone/index.html
There's also a link to listen to the audio program.

Thanks all, for your kind words. The tears continue here, as I imagine they will all week. The public memorial is Tuesday, will be interesting to see who Bush sends (probably his gardener, eh?)

Pat, looks like they may be bringing back Walter Mondale to try and win this thing for Paul. What do think of that choice, and his chances?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lcj:


Pat, looks like they may be bringing back Walter Mondale to try and win this thing for Paul. What do think of that choice, and his chances?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, you'd probably have more of an idea about that than I would, since it's all about how Minnesotans vote. The conventional wisdom around here is that Mondale is a great choice and has the best chance of anyone they could choose in the circumstances. I guess he's willing to do it, or he probably would have asked to have his name taken out of consideration by now if not. I'd have no problem voting for him if I was registered in Minnesota.