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November 25, 2009

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Letter: Memorial for Wellstone reflected beliefs

Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

About the Paul Wellstone memorial service, two salient facts stand out:

One is that it was organized by the Wellstone family, and they had the right to conduct it any way they saw fit. The fact they saw fit to cheer and promote all that Sen. Wellstone believed in (including electing more Democrats, especially liberal ones) is not relevant, and anybody who didn't like it was free to walk out or push the mute button.

Maybe he had left a standing request that in case of his death, that was the exact memorial format he wanted. I know the idea that a politician could care that strongly about his beliefs is unfathomable to a large segment of the ill-informed public, but it is possible.

Secondly, it was wrong to boo politicians who, had they known they were going to be booed, probably wouldn't have attended. I am certain the family had no intention or expectation this was going to happen.

So let's all simmer down and realize it just got out of hand, as any memorial service for a public figure might, and at the same time accept a family's right to conduct a service anyway it wants. Then we should all just forget about it.

DANIEL OLIVIERM

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