Pat, I am also donating more than I ever have before. Also am involved in Movepac on
Minnesota, The Straight Story
By Marc Ash
t r u t h o u t | Perspective
Friday, 1 November, 2002
"We Will Win"
- Sheila Wellstone in a hand written message to her husband days before their death.
On Tuesday night one week before election day, at University of Minnesota's Williams Arena, the memorial service held for Senator Paul Wellstone and those who died with him became a political rally -- and what a beauty it was.
There has been a lot of talk about whether it was "appropriate" to turn the service into a political rally; many said they were angry about that. Don't buy it. It wasn't anger - it was fear.
The C-SPAN cameras showed frequent images of prominent political figures in the crowd, faces we all know. But it's not those faces that the industry lobbyists and their political cronies have to worry about. It's the faces you didn't recognize. Those are the ones that sent a jolt of fear through all who now raise their voices in protest.
Faces of young Minnesotans with tears streaming down their faces over the loss of one man -- Paul Wellstone -- who they knew in their hearts fought for them. Faces of the backbone of the heartland clearly etched in anguish over the loss of one man -- Paul Wellstone -- who gave his life to change things for the better. Faces filled with rage and resolve over the loss of one man -- Paul Wellstone -- who said 'No, This Senate Seat is Not For Sale!'
When Paul's sons David and Mark, and his friend Rick Kahn, exhorted that crowd to carry on his work, it was not a premeditated act by shrewd politicians. This was three young men, their eyes filled with tears over the loss of a Father, a role model, a mentor who said, 'No we will not let what Paul Wellstone fought for die with him.'
Yes, it became a political rally. But it was much, much more than that. It became what a political rally is supposed to be: A grassroots groundswell for fundamental political change in this country. It became an agenda for reclaiming government for the people. It became a rallying cry for American unity.
When these young men spoke with voices raw and unpolished, 20 thousand citizens leapt to their feet and said; 'Unite -- join hands across the nation -- take back our government!'
These are the words of Rick Kahn, Mark Wellstone and Tom Harkin that shook the state of Minnesota:
We're gonna' organize, We're gonna' organize, We're gonna' organize!
We will win, We will win, We will win!
For Paul, For Paul, For Paul!
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© : t r u t h o u t 2002
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