Stardate 20021025.1126

(On Screen): I always feel really strange mixed feelings when someone I don't like dies suddenly and unexpectedly. There's the faintest trace of satisfaction, quickly suppressed. There's then a sudden burst of guilt for even thinking such a horrible thing. There's also a certain guilt wondering whether my own dislike for the guy might somehow, through some sort of magical power, be partially responsible -- and that, in turn is quickly hushed by my rationalism. What's left behind is undescribeable; a feeling of horror mixed with a different feeling that it will have a good side, along with yet more guilt for even thinking about the positive aspects of it.

Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota died today in a plane crash. He's been one of the less enlightened voices in the Senate opposing the war, and not one of my favorite politicians in recent months. He was one of 23 Senators who voted against the authorization for war in Iraq. I opposed the man politically, and I hoped he would not be reelected, but I certainly didn't want him dead.