Unhappy Day
Today marks the anniversary of one tragedy and a milestone for another.

Three years ago today, we lost the great progressive champion Senator Paul Wellstone to a plane crash in Minnesota. Wellstone was headed toward a likely victory in his race against the repellent Norm Coleman for a third term in the Senate; he might well have run for president in 2004, and in any event he would have brought his charisma, integrity and populist credibility to the great political battles of our time since that dismal day. Paul proved that idealists can be winners too. His legacy lives on through Wellstone Action.

Also, it was confirmed today that the American death toll in Iraq has reached 2,000. But you'll look in vain for prominent coverage of this from the big news outlets. About all I have to add here is what Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today on the subject:

"We do not honor our fallen soldiers simply by adding to their numbers."