Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Wellstone Awards for July


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"Stand Up,Keep Fighting" Paul Wellstone 1944-2002
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When the Truth Hits:
In late 2002 I remember hearing Paul Wellstone speak out against the War in Iraq. I confess at the time I was immersed in my own hellish battle with filing massive reports with the Justice Department and the EPA ( and other Federal Agencies ) against the Big Evil Chemical Company (that shall not be named at this time) that my little NW nonprofit had thoroughly investigated. I was in the Kitchen chopping onions for Soup.I was in a foul mood. I had just recieved another call from the US Attorney's offices ( John McKay) and been offered Federal Marshall Protection to attend an Federal Environmental Meeting. I was not just an" Investigator, I was a Witness, and a Victim" the rep from his office politely told me as she requested again for me to reconsider" The Offer." I got off the phone in a worse mood.I stood and thought as I heartlessly chopped the Onion. " Should I ever have to be offered Protection ( or escort) to SPEAK the TRUTH to MY OWN GOVERNMENT ?? Am I ever suposed to be filled with FEAR to speak the TRUTH?"
**MEANWHILE**
In the background I had CSpan on, the background music of my days, and Paul Wellstone came to the Floor. I will never forget, even though at that moment I was drenched in my own worries, and yet he spoke with such Insight and Conviction about the Impending Iraq War that he took my breath away. I stood and thought THIS is what An American Looks Like, This is WHAT he sounds Like. He Is Strength and Courage in Motion. This Man is Not Afraid To Speak The Truth to Power.

It was one of his Last speeches on the Floor.It is Profound and Prophetic, it is the Truth. I taped it that day, and for years I carried that tape from place to place as my Own Hellish Path continued, and I would watch it. And remember we must Always Speak the Truth. Well, it has now been many moves later, and the tape broke this winter. And I was sad, and wanted to hear THOSE words and THAT Voice again. And so this week, I found Paul Again.....Thank You YouTube.
*click the Title*

THE AWARDS:Each Month I plan on the Last Weekend to award the Brave Bloggers that consistantly Blog Truth The Paul Wellstone Award for Blogging Courage from the Enigma Cafe. The Friday will be the Men awards and the Saturday will be the Women. Please link to them below and read and hear their Voices. ( I will still keep doing weekly Blog Roundups as well-so keep looking for your blog to be honored.....chances are it will be ). Seven Men of Honor Below:


  • Coffee Messiah

  • Booman Tribune

  • An Average American Patriot

  • NEWSGUY

  • America Weeps

  • Omnipotent Poobah

  • Fred's Place


  • *fred, I have to confess , this is not linking right, I will be back and try to repair...so sorry. Please find Fred over on the Blogroll.....He has a wonderful blog..

    And Now for the Seven Women of Honor:
  • Fuzzy and Blue

  • Fat Lady Sings

  • Divajood

  • SUMO

  • MIRTH

  • Betmo

  • Dusty
  • ,

    Thank you one and all for the writing you do...It matters.

    25 comments:

    Larry said...

    Good idea Enigma and glad you found the You Tube you needed.

    You've made some really good choices.

    jmsjoin said...

    enigma
    I just read your post. I knew there was more to you than met the eye. I am honored to make your list, as you know, I respect your opinion. We cannot stop searching for and speaking the truth. I have to tell you, when you have a spare moment slide over and check out todays post.
    In light of what is happening in the stock market it will put the whole thing into a context I would say no one has thought of. Thanks again!
    People should remember who was in office the last time what is still just beginning happened, and what the terrible results were.

    jmsjoin said...

    Larry
    You are Johnny on the spot, I don't know how you do it?

    Anonymous said...

    I'm honored as well. Thanks for thinking of me.

    enigma4ever said...

    Larry: thanks...hmm, I try to make good choices...always...

    Patriot: I will be over...4sure....thank you. I think the stock market will be labile for the next two weeks while different reports come out...for first half of year....but what do I know...I am just a nurse...

    OP....You know I love your blog...have for a long time...

    Anon-Paranoid said...

    Once again you honor me and once again I am humbled.

    Hopefully I'll be back posting again soon. I have updated my links and I am slowly recovering from Der Fuhrer {Adolph}Bush and Dark Lord Dick {Heinrich Himmler}Cheney burnout.

    Stay safe my lovely rose and ...

    God Bless.

    NEWSGUY said...

    Nurse, I will continue to try my best to live up to the huge honor you have bestowed upon my humble blog. I am, for once rendered speechless.

    enigma4ever said...

    Newsguy: You friend are more than deseving of this honor....Paul Wellstone would have loved your blog...

    Anony P: We will be so glad when you return...stay safe, rest and be well. You are a voice that we treasure....take care friend.

    Frederick said...

    Thanks for the honor!

    P.S. I think if you take the www out it might work, like so:

    http://mccs1977.com/

    enigma4ever said...

    Fred it is still not working- so sorry...I don't know what is wrong , I took the www out and still it goes to this weird site...

    TomCat said...

    Great Ides, e4e, and congrats to all the winners. :-)

    Coffee Messiah said...

    Yikes! Thanks, but certainly pale in comparison to these other folks.

    Appreciate the nod, E! ; )

    The ladies are top notch too! ; )

    Larry said...

    Good choices for the women Enigma, and it gives me another new one to visit.

    jmsjoin said...

    your retty Good Mirth. Good choices on the Women.
    I have followed Dusty off and on since I began and she is consistently very good. Congratulations Mirth and all the rest of you too.

    TomCat said...

    And congrats to the prettier winners too!!

    jmsjoin said...

    I see Mirth is taking a break. Too bad I just discovered her Blog and liked it. Hope she comes back soon though I certaonly know what it is to have too redistribute the load.

    Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...

    Great choices E4E!

    Congrats to the winners! :)

    p.s.

    I'm glad you found the video.

    Tina said...

    Aaaw...... thanks so kindly E.
    Stop... or you'll just make me blush :)
    And while I have never had to face the turmoil you have had to face, as a lifelong Dem (due to my awesome diehard unionist parents) I was compelled to speak the truth after the Election... err.... Selection of 2000. Everything that has happened since that Godforsaken event has just been fuel for the fire, baby.
    Well, and having my daughter in 2002. That was a watershed event that also lead to me being a truth speaker against these lying liars and ghouls. Now that I have 2 kiddos, I am doubly compelled.
    And I really do dig on that cool "7 brides for 7 brothers" kind of format for your award.

    enigma4ever said...

    TINA: I too like the 7 brides for sevon brothers format...and you are so smart- you picked right up on that....And Turmoil- oh hell we have ALL suffered at this point....2000 on has been a Whole new level to Hell...I do think being a mother makes one speak Louder and More Honestly- I do see that in your posts...and now it is Double ...keep bloggin' it sister...

    Susie: I am glad that I found the Video too...and also that it still rings SO True...

    Patriot: hmm Mirth is taking a break- I saw that but decided that she still needed to be honored...and that maybe it would let her know how valued she is...

    Tom: ahhh, all winners are wonderful to see, glad that you approve though...

    Larry: thanks as, always

    CM: you are very deserving...

    Unknown said...

    Wow..Paul Wellstone was a wonderful human being and he left us far too soon. Its great that you named your award after him.

    I feel very honored to be among these other bloggers..and I also wish Paul was still with us..we need him now more than ever E4E.

    Thank you for including me :)Your making me blush.

    enigma4ever said...

    Dusty: You are very deserving of this...and yes, I wanted to honor Paul Wellstone...he was wonderful...and oh, how I miss him...but we can write to honor him...and you do- on all of the blogs you contribute to...( I plan to let the Wellstone Org, know about this- but their site is down...)

    sumo said...

    I blush Enigma...I cannot imagine being among these other people for this thoughtful honor. Thank you so much! Sigh...Paul Wellstone...

    No said...

    Paul Wellstone ....right from my neck of the woods...Thanks for making me proud of "one of our own."

    DivaJood said...

    E4E, I've been so focused all week on my Ellie Bean, that I visited nobody else on the "Internets." So now I find you've placed me among some incredible bloggers, and my heart is touched by this honor! Tina, The Fat Lady, Sumo, Mirth, Betmo and Dusty are amazing. I read Coffee Messiah, and Fred, regularly. I recently found Anon-Paranoid at America Weeps, and he's terrific too. The others are new to me, so I will check them out.

    Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

    Anonymous said...

    I too have been juggling real/virtual responsibilites and absent from the blogs I love. To relieve the stress I debated ending Liberally Mirth, but now I have found a way to keep it alive until I can resume daily duties.

    To be even considered in the same league as these exceptional women bloggers, and by you, no less...I have to admit it brought tears to my eyes. I also will admit that this is the boost I needed, not just to keep writing, but also to keep on keepin' on when so much seems hopeless for our country.

    Thank you.
    I am very grateful.