A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Is life a coincidence or a conspiracy? Is it a conspiracy of coincidences
Just coincidence? I think not.
I firmly believe life is a series of coincidences. However, coincidentally, there may also be a
conspiracy of dummies set up against me (of which I myself at times may be an unwitting participant). I have "concrete" evidence to support that theory, but it solely consists of random coincidences strung together in a meangingless way. They're all true though.
In the end, you'll just have to decide for yourself.
THE FACTS
1. Yesterday I was going to post a diary here and saw that another kossack had just written on the same subject. Coincidence? Nah, a vast conspiracy orchestrated by my enemies on Dailykos who somehow had gotten inside my head.
2. A couple of weeks ago I waltzed into work singing to myself, "Ding-dong the witch is dead." I don't know what put that song into my head, except that I was in an extremely good mood. It turns out that a person at work had just quit. Everyone thought I was singing it as a commentary on that person, but I wasn't. Coincidence? I think so (nobody else does though).
3. A friend and I both started romances at work the same time. My friend's was full of failure, and mine full of success. Two months later, mine is full of failure (as in thankfully long dead) and my friend's is full of success. Coincidence? I think not.
4. This last year saw six pregnant women at work. Most years there aren't any. A group of them were talking about it and one said, "There must be something in the water." Another one sagely responded as she grabbed a pickle from the pickle bucket, "More likely something in the pickle juice." Coincidence? I pray to Goddess so.
5. My mom married a man (my father) she thought was hiding being Black (he was hiding being Jewish). My sister married a Black man who thought she was hiding being Jewish (she was hiding being Gay). Coincidence? I think not (family personality traits).
6. When I was a teen I found a shoebox full of nude French postcards at home. I thought they were my mom's. I went to her to discuss it and let her know that her being Gay made me realize that Gays were at least as good as everyone else. She responded, "those belonged to your grandfather. I'm not Gay, but your sister is. She just told me this week." Coincidence? I think so.
7. My oldest brother vanished when I was about 10. Decades later, my sister and I did a background check on him to see if he was alive. Turns out he moved to Berkeley just six weeks before I did so to attend school here. His next six addresses were all within a couple of miles of places where I lived. Coincidence. Sadly, yes. He still wants nothing to do with the family he abandoned.
Some coincidences though are just too anamolous to be ignored. I've noticed the President is black. His wife is black. Even his children are black. Just a coincidence? I don't think so....
So you decide. Is life (existence) a result of a series of coincidences or a conspiracy?
*Hat tip to Jbou (though I don't know what for).
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by NinthElegy ♥ for DC Kossacks
NinthElegy held her inaugural meet-up for the new DC Kossacks on Saturday, April 19th. She packed her tony bamboo picnic hamper with a healthy salad and artisan triple-chocolate cupcakes garnished with Eastern Redbud blossoms from her neighborhood tree. Such lovely details to reward her attendees. The timing was perfect for a picnic among the cherry blossoms on the mall.
Some photos of the newly forming DC Kossacks:
L-R: webgenie, mimi & Sasha and Edward Adams
Please visit NinthElegy diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join DC Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to NinthElegy.
by joanbrooker ♥ for New York City
The NYC Kossacks rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Chacounne and also had the bonus of another last minute visitor, 714day!
Here's one photo:
L-R: Sidnora, Chacounne & 714day
Please visit joanbrooker's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to sidnora.
by EagleOfFreedom ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
EagleOfFreedom has resuscitated the Seattle Kossacks. Many groups have been started there but with the support of this series I think we've got Seattle going again. This is the second meet-up EagleOfFreedom has successfully completed. His diary was really fantastic. Their special guest was Ojibwa. If you read the diary and the comments you can see they are all ready to work together on things like GOTV!
Here's one group photo:
L-R: mlharges, bleeding blue, Ojibwa, Ms. bleeding blue, ReasonableGunsPlz, John Crapper's Girl, EagleOfFreedom, John Crapper, RickEagle, Momomia, N in Seattle
Please visit EagleOfFreedom's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper, the new leader of Seattle Kossacks.
by peregrine kate ♥ for Motor City Kossacks
The Motor City Kossacks rolled out the red carpet for visiting Dave in Northridge from Los Angeles. peregrine kate details interesting information about Detroit, the upcoming host town of NN14, and describes a delicious dinner in famous Greek Town. Prepping all of us NN14 attendees for our July visit soon!
Here's one group photo:
L-R: peregrine kate, Dave in Northridge, Mr. ICanDoThis, Amber6541. Amber's sister, ICanDoThis, ProvokingMeaning, toneilda
Please visit peregrine kate's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Motor City Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to peregrine kate.
by Azazello ♥ for Baja Arizona Kossacks
The Baja Kossacks just had their 4th Annual Picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. sneakers563. The group is shepherded by Azazello, an official member of DKos since 2009. From his diary and about his state:
More and better Democrats is always a popular subject for debate here in Baja AZ, especially in an election year. Against the charge that Arizona is an incurably red state I often point out that 5 of our 9 US Reps are Democrats. This is true but it doesn't tell the whole story. While we in Tucson are justifiably proud of Raúl Grijalva (Wikipedia HERE) whose first elected office was board member for Tucson Unified School District #1, most of Tucson and all of Cochise County are now represented by Ron Barber (Wikipedia HERE) who is a very Blue Dog indeed. For an example of this Blue Doggedness see this article at Alternet ☛ 5 Million Dirty Reasons for Record Deportations.
He's on top of it and thanks to him for gathering Kossacks together to become stronger.
Here's the group photo:
L-R: Back row: pwoodford, DaNang65, Azazello, itzadryheat, rasbobbo
Front row: ItsAMathJoke, drnatrl, sneakers563, chloris creator, Desert Rose
Please visit Azazello's diary for many MORE photos including food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Baja Arizona Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Azazello.
by Dave in Northridge ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The LAKossacks welcome shanikka to their fair city. Many people attend. Here are few photos:
L-R: moore musings and shanikka
L-R: Former Chicagoan Now Angeleno and bruinkid
Please visit Dave in Northridge's diary for many MORE photos plus Food Pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Dave in Northridge.
by mimi ♥ for Virginia Kos
The DC and Maryland Kossacks welcomed Chaucounne on her visit to attend a conference in DC. It was a last minute meet-up pulled of by mimi.
Here's one photo:
L-R: mimi, kim (wife of olliegarkey), olliegarkey, webgenie and Chacounne
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy!
You can join Maryland Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to JamieG from Md.
You can join DC Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to NinthElegy.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, April 26th
DC Kossacks Protest XL Pipeline
near the White House
A group of ranchers, farmers and tribal communities from along the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline route, called the Cowboy Indian Alliance, will set up camp near the White House to tell President Obama to reject the pipeline.
DEMONSTRATION:
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: National Mall
Meet between 7th & 9th Streets • Washington DC
Look for the Daily Kos Connect! Unite! Banner!
Welcome Meet-Up for Peregrine Kate:
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Mitsitam Cafe
4th St & Independence Ave SW • Inside the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC
ORGANIZER: Send mimi a kosmail to attend.
peregrine kate is visiting from Detroit to attend this protest!
RSVPs:
1. mimi
2. peregrine kate
3. tool
4. SouthernLiberalinMD
5. Olliegarkey
6. Edward Adams
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Maybees:
a gilas girl
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Latest diary: Pres. Carter in Cahoots with Indians and Cowboys - Update on April 26 NoKXL March
Saturday April 26th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speaker:
David Kanuth, US Congress candidate
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dave in Northridge
2. Shockwave
3. jakedog42
4. 714Day
5. Brecht
6. Zwenkau
7. Joe Bacon
8. Ducktape
9. gmats
10. lordpet8
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Maybees:
Just Saying
Just Saying's friend
Just Saying's son
susans
otoelbc
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks - Meetup, April 26, 2:00 PM - It's Political Season!
LA Kossacks meet David Kanuth
Saturday, May 24th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speaker:
Marianne Williamson, US Congress candidate
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, May 31st
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Matt Miller, US Congress candidate for CA-33 and Sandra Fluke, California Senate candidate for the CA-05 Senate district. CA-05 Senate and CA-33 US Congress overlap 50%. Both candidates agreed to speak at the same meeting.
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: CA-33; a record breaking and highly visible district
Saturday, May 3rd
DKos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. GulfGal 98
8. Otteray Scribe
9. flwrightman
10. people power granny
11. eternallyvigilant
12. gulfgal98
13. cultjake
14. Nic Goodman
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Maybees:
Audri
Mr Audri
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville - Weekly Open Thread
Sunday, May 4th
Koscadia Meet-up
TIME: 1:30 PM
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send llbear a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. llbear
2. Sara R
3. winglion
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Spring haz sprung & so haz I - can u Koscadia?
Saturday, May 10th
Boston Kossacks Attend
Singing for the Planet Concert
Tickets are $25; $20 students/seniors, proceeds benefit www.350MA.org
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Emmanuel Church
15 Newbury Street • Boston
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. HawkWife
3. WarrenS
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Next BosKos Meetup - Sat 12 Apr at the Cafe Barada
Tuesday, May 13th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet
for LeftOfYou & Expat Okie
TIME: 11:00 AM, Early lunch!
LOCATION: Yank Sing
Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. LeftOfYou
3. Expat Okie
4. side pocket
5. Justice Putnam
6. dharmasyd
7. Lorikeet
8. jpmassar
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Maybees:
annieli
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Saturday, May 24th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. bleeding blue
3. wise piper
4. flamingogirl
5. John Crapper's SO
6. Grey Fedora
7. TBoneApollo
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks - Come Together!
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
TDB • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10.
11.
12.
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. loggersbrat
7. N in Seattle
8.
9.
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Sara R
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. Dragon5616
8.
9.
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Dee Oliver-Velez
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.