Local meeting part of Wellstone Dialogue

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Those in the New Ulm area who were inspired by the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's politically liberal philosophy will have an opportunity to take part in what is billed as a national night of discussion here Thursday night.

"It's called the Wellstone Civic Dialogue Project, and it's a national night of discussion centered around Paul Wellstone's book, Conscience of a Liberal," explained Bob Skillings, local volunteer facilitator for the event which starts at 7 p.m. in the New Ulm Community Center.

The national night of discussion is sponsored by Wellstone Action, an organization that was founded by their sons after Paul and Sheila Wellstone died in a plane crash in northern Minnesota in October 2002.

"The first night's discussion will center on the topic 'Can We Dream Again?' It is intended to be a discussion about the gap between people's personal values and the values that are reflected in the public arena," Skillings said.

"It addresses the cynicism and sense of disempowerment permeating much of our society at this time."

Skillings said if there is enough local support for the project shown in this first meeting, he's prepared to proceed with scheduling eight additional discussions in the coming months. According to Wellstone Action officials, those discussions would cover a range of topics such as education, health care, economic justice, domestic violence, money and politics, Iraq, to name a few.

Wellstone Action is dedicated to continuing the Wellstones' "fight for economic justice and progressive social change," Skillings said. "The organization's goals are to teach the Wellstone approach, organize for change and continue Sheila Wellstone's work to prevent domestic violence."

Skillings said Thursday night's topic is intended to be a discussion "about the gap between people's personal values and the values that are reflected in the pubic arena."

Those interested in attending Thursday night's event can sign up on-line, as well as view and download a copy of all of the discussion material, Skillings explained. Simply go to www.wellstone.org.

"I'll also have some questions which I can't reveal to get the discussion going," Skillings said.