In these times, it can be very easy to recriminate and condemn. The idiots and the ass clowns are running amok in government, business, the culture and especially the media. It can be very easy to forget that there are still some excellent people out there who are fighting the good fight. Many times they work against overwhelming odds.
It is right to set the ass clowns aside for a moment and focus on giving praise to those are busting their asses, usually against overwhelming forces to bring about a better and more just world. They can easily get lost in the shuffle and forgotten in the epic torrents of bullshit that swirl around us these days.
Allow me to explain what I am looking for here,
I hope that the title can explain what is sought here.
The first part "Tank Man" is well known. In 1989, when the Chinese government was in the process of brutally repressing the prodemocracy movement at Tiannmen square, a lone young man stood in the middle of the street directly in front of a tank. The tank stopped. This is an amazing act of bravery and one of the most potent symbols of human beings standing up to oppression.
(The Chinese government claimed that he was a factory worker just trying to get to his job. The Chinese government would never lie about this would they?)
The latter part of the title "Wellstone" might not be as well known. Outside of Minnesota he was an obscure figure until maybe the last few years of his life. What was notable about Paul was that during the period of the 1990's when Gingrich was on the march and the Democrats were in a huge hurry to bend over backwards to sell out. There was Paul. He fought the progressive fight and refused to buckle under. He was called the conscience of the senate because of his intense advocacy of the people. It was easy to miss him back then the left got even less attention back then than they do now.
Some of his best quotes were:
"...this is not about the Rockefellers, it is about the little fellers."
"I represent the democratic wing of the democratic party."
Sadly, a few years ago Paul left us in a plane crash. It was not until he was gone that I really understood how fortunate I was to be represented by him. I would like to see someone equivalent to Paul Wellstone get some praise when they are still alive.
So that what is sought, here that person or group who is fighting the progressive fight. Who does not seem to care about popularity, they care about doing right for the people. Whatever the cost. A person who will take the right wing head on and fearlessly. In my highly disregarded opinion, they deserve at least as much attention from us as Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin do.
So what I would like to do is take nominations from the floor, or blog, as to who you would nominate. You can recomend or nominate as many as you would like.
If you so choose tell us why they deserve to be nominated. This could be helpful for local or less well known people or organizations.
The nominations are open not just to office holders, journalists, activists, artists, organizations or anyone who is fighting the good fight will be welcomed.
If see you someone you like then, just put a recommendation in the comment. The 15 highest nomination will be posted on a poll diary tommorrow then voted on. (I can do this or if someone else wants to do it that is fine.)
Then on the first we can do another poll with the top 5 finishers. After which we will have the winner.
I hate to do this but, because we seem to spend so much time on KOS raging against nimrods and ass clowns, I think maybe we should give some of the good people a chance as well. In short, I would love to see this one the rec list.