When I was asked to write a diary supporting the NN Auction going on right now - I was going to write some fun snark fill commentary about all the great items you could be bidding on that would impress your liberal friends (like Sweitzer's Bolo, Franken/Pelosi/Frank Soap set - signed by Al Franken, or various political paraphernalia) or to piss off your conservative in-laws just intime for those holiday visits (maybe with a Bill Clinton Blues t-shirt to wear to thanksgiving dinner, or a signed copy of Keith Olbermann's new book next to Markos' Latest laying out on your coffee table.
But then I saw KingOneEye's Diary on the Tea Party failure to hold a convention this year, and began ruminating on why we have succeed when a better funded group with its own 24-hour propaganda machine has failed? Sure they are racist and nuts, but it had to be more then that - much more. And while I am sure the answer is more complicated then this, and may be also due to luck and good timing (at least at the start) the main reason that we are now planning and raising money for our 6th annual Netroots Nation Convention is due to the community of people around NN that has develped and continues to support out efforts. It is a combination of sponsors like the Unions and other groups that help significantly with our funding, and Politicians like Clinton and Franken who helped to raise our profile "to become one of the premier events on the Democratic calendar". However, none of it would be possible without the support of our vast community of volunteers, attendees and individual supporters who see the value of what we have accomplished and want to see it continue and to grow.
So sure, you could bid on items in the auction to get your holiday shopping out of the way (like this beautiful silk scarf, get a great deal on these fun earrings, or get an Afghan knitted by Nolan's mom.) but what ever your reason's, know that every dime we raise goes to an incredible event that YOU helped build and can only continue with your support.
Oh - and did I mention that everyone who does place a big will be entered into a drawing to win a free registration to NN2001! But you have to bid to have a chance.
So please, as a personal favor to me, someone who spends all year volunteering his time for NN and would go nuts without it (and then you might find me at a tea party event), please take the following actions:
- recommend this diary
- Go to the auction site
- Check out all those amazing deals - seriously, there are tonnes of them.
- Bid on at least on item to start.
- Come back here and post links to your favorite items.
Thanks and I hope to see you in Minneapolis in June.