Not Your Sweetie

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!
http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/11.02A.ma.minn.htm