Last week the political world felt a tremor that not even the San Andreas fault could have paralleled when Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., was killed in a plane crash. All 8 passengers on board died, including Wellstone’s wife and daughter.

Sadly, the memorial service of a great leader, held on Oct. 29, turned into nothing more than a facade for political gain. The attendees, who included Hillary and Bill Clinton, Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, and former vice president Walter Mondale, quickly turned into a obscenely partisan event.

At the service, the crowd booed not only Lott, but even independent Gov. Jesse Ventura. On Wednesday, Ventura responded by referring to the service as nothing more than a “political rally.” He chose to walk out on the service. He believes that Democrats “should hang their head in shame.”

The crowd did let out a great cheer, however, for Mondale, who announced that he would run in place of Wellstone as the Democratic candidate for senator. Mondale, 74, will face Republican Norm Coleman in his one-week campaign for the seat in Congress.

The race between Coleman and Wellstone had been viewed as a deciding factor in which party would control the Senate. Despite how close it was, Wellstone was still leading at the time of his death. Emotions were running high. The same high emotion is what Democrats attributed the partisan lines at the service. They were quick to respond that the actions were not scripted at the service.

Whether or not the event was scripted or meant for political gain does not really matter. Ventura and Republicans are correct when they comment on how inappropriate the tone was.

This was a memorial service for someone who left us long before he should have. It was a tragedy. Wellstone’s death and his memorial service are not and should not be used as springboards to political offices or control of the Senate.

Wellstone was considered to be an outspoken liberal who gave his all to the constituents of his state. He served in the Senate for roughly 12 years. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, a close friend of Wellstone’s, stated, “No one ever wore the title of ‘senator’ better and used it less.”

It was a great injustice to the memory of such a leader to have his memorial service turned into a forum for political activism. The eulogies performed by his loved ones have sadly been overshadowed by the tone of the crowd. Ventura was right; the disrespectful parties should hold their heads in shame.

During the service the Democrats not only disgraced themselves but dishonored the memory of Wellstone.

Editorial Board:Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver, Rachel Faber Machacha, Zach Calef.