It's your side that started the discussion going about who's appropriate for the service? Wellstone is a national figure; Cheney would be there typically. Wellstone's camp has chosen to politicize the event to the extent they have. Can't the fences come down when a man such as Wellstone passes? You have personified exactly what has been pointed up. Do you expect Daschle to be barred from Ronald Reagan's future memorial service? We'll see. If you can't stop protesting long enough to mourn a tragically departed friend and colleague, there IS something wrong. Why are you so hostile... The man is dead. Anyone who wishes to honor his life and his career should have a right to be there. VP Cheney is not Saddam Hussein.
This turned into the strangest "funeral" I've ever seen. It was more of a pep rally. At one point, the "crowd" was chanting Walter Mondale's nickname, Fritz, as if they were at a concert. As was already thought by many, the Cheney 'security issue' was a sham as well. X-Pres Clinton was in attendance, so the attendees had to pass through the identical security measures as if the VP would have been there. What disheartened me most however, was that people were complaining about this event becoming politicized, but that's exactly what the folks in attendance did . I really don't understand why they felt the need to boo Republicans such as Trent Lott. There has been a lot of discussion as to what is and isn't appropriate, but I think booing at a funeral is about as inappropriate as an action can be. Link
We are talking about a funeral, right? I guess none of the conservatives on this BBS would be welcome at yours, Batman? I always thought political views were just that, views. What's with all the protest stuff?
I was emotional last night about this issue, but I stand by what I said. What is "right," with regard to anyone's funeral, is what the family decides is right, assuming they make those decisions in a way which honors the person who's died. Wellstone's friends and family made the decisions as to how to honor him and I've not read anywhere that any of his supporters, friends or family felt any decision regarding this service was inappropriate. On the contrary, I think people who knew, loved and supported Wellstone were pleased with it. As for my funeral, I'm no Paul Wellstone. When I die, I won't leave a legacy of tirelessly championing any particular cause. I will, I hope, leave a legacy of being a good friend to a great many people of varying political ideologies. Each of those friends (BBS or not, liberal or conservative) will certainly be welcome at my funeral. And any enemies I may have made along the way would likely stay home on their own.
The Wellstone family should be able to invite or not invite anyone they want. They didn't want Cheney there. Deal with it. Anyone who says that liberals whine might want to check themselves. This sounds like 'wah wah wah... why didn't I get invited... wah wah wah' The guy wasn't invited because they don't like him, and they tried to be diplomatic by blaming it on security. Now at the funeral of a politician, it's understandable that other politicians whom the Wellstone family did like would be there. It's also understandable that they would discuss politics there. That was, afterall, a huge part of Wellstone's life. Like most funerals that I've been too(and lately it's been too many) people discussed the deceased's life, passions, quirks, beliefs, possibly dislikes, and discussed things important to that person. They probably shared laughs, tears, and stories galore. I hope so because that's part of greiving. Now for a family in mourning one thing they most likely didn't want to do is play 'good host' to someone they didn't care for, like Cheney. That's too much to ask. I think Cheney is the most morally reprehensible politician in many years. The Wellstones may or may not agree with that, but they didn't want him there. Why criticize them for how they wanted to mourn? I feel a little bit sensitive toward mourning families, because I lost my own mother not so long ago. She was a huge sports fan, had been a long time Astros season ticket holder. At her grave we spontaneously broke into 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'. It was a joyous moment, and people smiled and laughed. There were some people who our family didn't tell about the funeral until afterwards because they would have wanted to come, but we knew that my mother didn't really feel that close to those people, and we would have hated playing host to them. So if Cheney isn't invited and other politicians are, then that's fine. What's appropriate and inappropriate should be left up to the Wellstones. If as by-product the Democrats get some little bit of political gain, then oh well.
I believe C-Span covered the memorial which I viewed for about 45 minutes then I had to turn the channel. This wasn't supposed to be a political rally but the memorial of a great man, his wife and their daughter. I believe the way the memorial was handled would had been contrary to the manner Mr. Wellstone would had. Mr. Wellstone could make friends no matter what party they represented. But the manner in which the memorial was held was grotesque to say the least. All this "memorial" was missing was a DJ and a balloon drop. Mr. Ventura attended the "memorial" and heres the story from his point of view. Ventura May Appoint Independent to Hold Wellstone's Seat Credit Foxnews Wednesday, October 30, 2002 ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, upset by what he felt was a partisan tone of a memorial service to honor the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, said he will try to appoint an independent instead of a Democrat to fill Wellstone's seat until a new candidate is certified. Ventura had said he favored a replacement from Wellstone's party, but that was before he walked out of Tuesday night's memorial service. Ventura referred to a speech by one of Wellstone's closest friends, Rick Kahn, in which Kahn said to the crowd, "I'm begging you to help us win this Senate election for Paul Wellstone." "I wanted to hear the sons. But Rick Kahn's, I found his so offensive to me as an Independent, or to anyone who is not necessarily going to vote for Senator Wellstone who still respects him and came to pay their respects," Ventura said. "It drove the first lady to tears." "I will try to find an independent," Ventura said Wednesday on a talk radio show. He did not say who he might name. A temporary appointee would fill the seat until Tuesday's election results are certified. Democrat Walter Mondale is expected to enter the race against Republican Norm Coleman.
