9 Years Later

Photo credit: www.parkpeace.org

October 25, 2002 was a big day on my soap opera. My favorite character had recently fallen from a bridge and was swept away in the river. That Friday's episode was dedicated to his memorial. I sat in the lounge with a coworker, preparing ourselves for a good story when the special news alert flashed across the television screen. My heart dropped as we listened to speculation about whether Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, their daughter Marcia, and an entourage were killed in a plane crash outside of Eveleth. Finally the announcement came that all on board were dead.

Members of the generation that came before mine can recall details about where they were when they heard the news that President Kennedy was assassinated. Profound events shape our lives. Their intensity permanently embeds memories of every moment leading up to the news and those immediately following it. For my generation, the news of Senator Wellstone's death is the JFK equivalent.

"What will happen now?" I asked. "Who will oppose Bush's war?" Paul was our vocal leader. He was the squeaky wheel, he worked tirelessly on issues of Peace and Democracy, he didn't back down when injustice appeared to be victorious: he was fearless. Loosing him meant loosing our voice.That night, T and I sat close and watched endless news stories about Paul, Sheila, and the Wellstone legacy. Our friend was gone. We cried until sleep finally came. 

The months that followed were as tragic and sickening as the day it happened. We dusted ourselves off and decided to pick up where Paul left off. We attempted to do as a group what Paul did single-handedly. But we were not successful. In those days of ironic Orwellian Newspeak, opposing the wars became synonymous with anti-patriotism.The endless wars began.

This week marks nine years since Wellstone's death. A lifetime. I don't have the stomach to relive it all. With relief we liberals ecstatically ushered in a new era and new leader, and tried to pretend the Bush years didn't happen. Occasionally we look back and wonder what if Wellstone had lived? How would our world be better? Safer? Kinder? It is dangerous and silly to dwell upon "what ifs." 

Now the news that President Obama will withdraw the troops from Iraq by the end of the year. If we do, if we can, I will finally take down my "Say no to war - Iraq/Iran!" sign. But I will continue to follow Paul Wellstone's lead and raise my voice when I see injustice. Our collective voices are heard whether in an innocuous yard sign, a vote, or at a rally against corporate greed and crime.