Linda Tilsen: To commemorate the death 11 years ago Friday of U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, I am sharing Mordecai Specktors status, which recounts his last interview with Wellstone before the liberal firebrands untimely passing in a plane crash. Just about anyone who worked in journalism circles in Minnesota in the last quarter of the 20th century has a Wellstone story or two, including me. I mostly remember him from his pre-candidate days fighting for union rights, including those of the Hormel workers in Austin. He was passionate and inspiring and a force to behold. His wife Sheila, who also died in the crash, was a tireless advocate for women, especially abused women. One of my proudest moments as a reporter occurred when she sent me a letter of commendation for a series of articles I wrote on the struggles of a battered woman who was on the run from her abuser. The editor for that series was Tom Lapic, who later became Wellstones deputy state press secretary. He was a wonderful human being and a great boss. I can still hear him saying, Youre doing a fine job, Linda. He was among the other victims who died that day. Rest In Peace is a fitting invocation for all of them for it was peace to which they all most aspired -- the peace which arises from social justice, economic equality, and a commitment to human rights.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 05:32:40 +0000
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