The Republican Party is demanding equal time by the news to match the 3 1/2 hours of what they call "free campaigning" in Paul Wellstone's funeral. Jesse Ventura has joined the fray, threatening to appoint an "Average Minnesotan" to Wellstone's seat because he was angered by the political tone of a funeral for a politician that was attended by politicians. It certainly does suck when media-covered events turn into political commentary. Between the actions of Ventura, the Republican protestors, and the Democrats at the funeral, does anyone here have the high ground?
posted by XQUZYPHYR on Oct 31, 2002 - 98 comments

Between Wellstone and Veblen, I got to thinking about my alma mater. There are a few others, off the top of my head, that this tiny, out-of-the way school can lay claim to. How many other prodigal children come from small colleges? Kofi is one, from another small Minnesota college. Who else? Schools with more than 2,500 students need not apply.
posted by RKB on Oct 30, 2002 - 18 comments

Family Asks Cheney Not To Attend Wellstone Service. "Upset by Republican activities", the Wellstone family has uninvited Cheney to Sen. Wellstone's funeral. This article suggests that it's as much an issue of the awkwardness of Cheney being at what might amount to a Democrat rally, as it is about the family not wanting him there.
posted by badstone on Oct 29, 2002 - 62 comments

Greens target Senator Wellstone. "What could possibly explain this idiocy? Natural selection? Ever since Wellstone built the most vibrant left-leaning organization in the nation, any Minnesota progressive with the intellect to tie his shoes has been a Democrat -- leaving the Greens with the sandaled, the shoeless, and the slow. This could just be some Minnesota exceptionalism. But it's not."
posted by boltman on Jun 18, 2002 - 15 comments