Heartsick

[pegkerr]

For all my friends in the Harry Potter world, I know that the big news of the day is the death of Richard Harris. I'm sorry about Harris; I liked him as an actor and I (mildly) liked what he did in the first movie.

But frankly, my attention can barely be spared, because here in Minnesota we're all reeling from the news that our senior Senator, Paul Wellstone, was killed in a plane accident this morning. All eight people aboard the plane died, including his wife Sheila and one of his three children.

That is the news that really makes a difference to my world.

He had cast one vote that really disappointed me (I still hadn't forgiven him for casting his vote for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act), but aside from that, there wasn't a soul in the Senate, it seemed to me, who cared more about the people who ordinarily don't have real representation in our government: the mentally ill, the poor, veterans, all those who don't have buckets of money so that they can hire lobbyists to woo members of the Senate. Wellstone fought hard against the really evil bankruptcy law that credit card companies have been trying to pass. He (and his wife Sheila) worked hard as advocates for battered women. He overflowed with energy, he believed in grass roots organizing, and he loved the work that he did. He was the voice of progressive politics for this country, and everyone knew it. President Bush hand-picked Republican Norm Coleman to run against him, because they were so desperate to defeat him. Tons of money has poured into this race, as it could be the key to the final control of the Senate, but it looked like Wellstone was pulling ahead, despite all of Bush's trips to the state to stump for Coleman. And now Wellstone's gone.

He was a kick-ass Senator, and I was proud that he was from our state. I have a Wellstone sign out in my front yard, and I'm going to go outside with a permanent marker and change the white border to black. And I wonder who the hell I will vote for now, eleven days out from the election. The Democrats will come up with a candidate and I'll vote. You better believe I'll vote. The short skinny ex-professor from Carleton would have expected--and deserved--nothing less.

Peg

Comments

[aome.livejournal.com]

Everyone I've heard from today has said what a fabulous, no-compromising, honest, true-to-life man Wellington was. I'm saddened that the first time he's really come to my attention is because of his death. My condolences to your state -- and to all of us as a nation.

[elisem.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of various things to do in memory of Wellstone. And yeah, voting tops the list, as you say.

(And I hope you can drop by chez us'ns -- I'm discombobulated but would be very glad to see you.)

[aome.livejournal.com]

Peg - sorry for going OT in your LJ here but -- Elisem - is that the Little Guy's home in your avatar? Kind of looks like it. :)

[elisem.livejournal.com]

Huh, I never realized it, but it does look a smidgen like it could be. But no, it's actually not; it's a self-portrait. (And a long story.)

Guess I could set up a memorial chapter of Enchanted Trees for Wellstone or something....

[lcohen]

i'm sorry for the people of the state of minnesota, but just as sorry for the nation as a whole--he is a great loss to all of us. and yes, i hated that he voted for DOMA, but he did so many good things and worked so hard fighting so many good fights, that overall, i admired him very much. this is a very sad day.

[ex-sallygard858.livejournal.com]

It's 3:30 a.m., and I'm scanning my friends' friends for other people who are mourning the passing of Paul Wellstone. So, hi from a fellow Minnesotan who thought she was going to vote for Paul on November 5. I am still having trouble believing this has really happened...anyway, I've already posted twice in my own journal on this, if you want to read my own grief-stricken musings, and I'll spare you additional clutter in yours. In sympathy and solidarity; Paul will be missed. Damn, this hurts.

Thanks for your note

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I see that we have a great number of interests in common. I'm glad you dropped me a line. After I was done crying over the newspaper this morning, I logged on and spent an hour or so reading your fanfiction.

Do you live in Mpls/St. Paul by any chance? The novel I'm writing right now (my third) is a fantasy set in the Twin Cities, and at any rate, will be examining the special magical aspects of Minnesota. (See my journal for more, and please feel free to add any comments you like as I go). Good luck to you on your writing during the month of November! Hope to hear from you again.
Best,
Peg

Re: Thanks for your note

[ex-sallygard858.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do live in the Minneapolis area. I'll be going to the NaNoWriMo kickoff on Nov. 1; check the forums on their web site (under Minnesota - Twin Cities) for the details. And since you saw I'm in NaNo, you already know what I'm writing (or expect to write). Thing is, my "real" novel is now starting to kick in, but I swore I wouldn't bog down the NaNo process with a "serious" novel, so for now it'll just have to work its way around the madness. ;-) And thanks for letting me know you took time to read my fanfic!

I'll check out your NaNo; sounds interesting. We need more stories set in Minnesota; I've thought that "pioneer" Minnesota would be a perfect fantasy setting, and a nice change of pace from quasi-medieval quasi-Europe.

I wish I could cry, but other than the occasional moment of having to stop and wait out a surge of anguish, I haven't been fortunate enough to completely break down and let it out. When they announce the official memorial service, I am hoping it will be at a time that I can attend, i.e., after work.

[mad-madrasi.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard of him, he really must have been a very great man, someone who had the courage and integrity to stand up for what was right. His death is a horrific tragedy, especially since his wife and child died as well. :(

[pinkfinity.livejournal.com]

Peg, I am still playing catch-up from a weekend away, but I knew I wanted to read your LJ to see what you said about Paul.

I only met him once, very briefly, when I was in law school, but ever since the early Green Schoolbus days, I've admired him to pieces, and I was devestated to hear that he was gone.

Mondale will be fine and hold to Wellstone's legacy (and some staff) from what I've seen - and how amazing is it to see a former VP pledge to uphold a Senator's legacy! - but still. It'll never be the same.