I'm still getting crap about the Wellstone memorial service

[alexwcovington]

Please help! How can I say that it wasn't a political rally to these dittoheads?!!!

[dobak]

1. read the chapter in Al Franken's book

Then you will have your talking points to answer back to them

[indigo32]

2. As a MN who saw the WHOLE thing

ask them if they watched the whole 3 or so hours... or 30 seconds in a news clip screamed over by Hannity.

[dpbrown]

12. Agreed, that's the difference

The crackpots only saw the "bits" the bought-and-paid-for media wanted them to see.

If they haven't seen the whole thing, they haven't got the whole picture.

[sandnsea]

3. How dare you criticize a family's grief?

How families honor their loved ones is nobody's business but theirs. I was taught to respect that, no matter what, and most certainly would NEVER walk out on someone's memorial service, even if people were dancing naked in the aisles. The ones who are acting shamefully are the ones who are disrespecting a grieving family.

[NeedNotApply]

4. You can't

I have seen one of Wellstone's sons in interviews flat out saying it was a political rally.

And how else can you read Rick Kahns basically begging republicans to vote for Mondale to win one for Paul, and the over the top "We Will Win! We Will Win!" chants?

Was it a memorial? Yes. Was it a political rally? No doubt.

[CWebster]

5. So what

Wellstone was a political man. If they, his family, want to hold a inspirational political rally in his memory, what greater celebration of his life can there be?

[NeedNotApply]

6. There is no problem with it

None. They can do it how ever they want and should do it in any fashion that they want.

But people shouldn't try and claim it wasnt a political rally when it clearly was, or get upset and angry with people who say it was. Even his son says it was.

[indigo32]

10. we heard too many people claim

"there was NO memorializing" We were hurt...and it remains a sore spot. I appreciate your saying it was both... because while it wasn't planned as a political rally, yes Rick Kahn said what he said.

[myrna minx]

7. Please provide proof of

your assertions. I have not heard either one of Paul's son's claiming that it was political. I suggest you read Mr. Frankin's book, which debunks all of the RW spin on this subject. I watched the whole thing.

[Eric J in MN]

8. Over ninety percent of the memorial

Over ninety percent of the memorial was about campaign staff most people are unfamiliar with.

Regarding the political portion, Paul Wellstone was passionate about politics, and Rick Kahn, his best friend, though he'd want people
to vote for Mondale for the Senate.

[madrchsod]

9. when people say crap like that

just say-so what- and end the conversation or better yet don`t answer them at all. screw them ,they didn`t vote for him any way

[pnorman]

11. Surprisingly, it's still available on the internet.

Here's the complete 4 1/2 hr. ceremony: http://shows.implex.tv/wellstone/ If you don't have a broadband connection, visit a friend who does and view it together. It's well organized, and you can maneuver to any part of it very easily.

That so-called "booing incident" was actually a barely audible scattering of boos which didn't last very long. The part you may want to view is the last segment; "Paul Wellstone (1944-2002)". There's where Rick Kahn made his controversial "appeal". In hindsight, you can criticize him, but there's NO doubt whatsoever as to his sincerity or devotion to the ideals of Paul Wellstone. THAT's what drives the Bushies so frantic. This is a cerebral passion; the best the far-right can come up with to match it, is the mindless (Hate Week) HATRED of the fundies. (Every time I dig out that URL for this sort of posting, I end up watching much of it all over again. This will be no exception).

STAND UP, KEEP FIGHTING!