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.
|
What's the biggest difference you ever made in someone else's life?
Somtimes the path to helping someone isn't as easy as it seems at first....
There's a scene in "The Magnificent Seven" when the efforts of the seven gunslingers (Samurai in the original & better version) to help the townfolk seem like they're not working.
Calvera: What I don't understand is why a man like you took the job in the first place, hmm? Why, huh?
Chris: I wonder myself.
Calvera: No, come on, come on, tell me why.
Vin: It's like a fellow I once knew in El Paso. One day, he just took all his clothes off and jumped in a mess of cactus. I asked him that same question, "Why?"
Calvera: And?
Vin: He said, "It seemed to be a good idea at the time."
Despite the cynicism of the quote, of course the gunslingers did end up saving the day. I often think of that exchange when I'm in the middle of something that is going South. I've jumped into a lot of cactus over the years. Mostly it didn't turn out so well, but sometimes it did.
Plan might've been flawed from the start....
I bought a house once for my mom. Seemed like a good idea at the time. She had lost her own house after having never rented in her life. Renting made her feel very insecure and off-balance. I found a house for her about 90 minutes from me. She said she loved the house and loved being able to have a dog again. She seemed really happy about the whole thing...until I talked on the phone with my sister.
My sister revealed to me that my mom had been very sad since leaving LA. I hadn't foreseen that she'd miss Los Angeles where she had lived all her life (except for a few early years in France). Same for my sister who had lived near her in Los Angeles. Kind of a major oops on my part. That caused a number of months of regret on my part. I talked with my mom about moving back to LA, but she was against the idea. Overall I think she was happy with her new house, but it did have that major unforeseen drawback.
So at that moment when it may seem that the best-intentioned efforts to help have gone in the wrong direction, it may not always be true. Imagination and being somewhat prone to exaggerate might be playing a huge part in the drama. That's at least speaking for myself.
Little man, lets you & your mother take a trip up North.
Then there's the way-too-long-to-recount-here story of smuggling my son into this country as a baby. I don't know if that really counts as helping someone else out or not. I guess I could've just abandoned him there as I was living back in the U.S. by the time he was born. At least I know many folks who have done such things. Bringing him up here was probably the biggest difference I could've made in his life. It certainly was the biggest difference I've ever made to my own life. My life at the time would've seemed unchanged on the surface if I hadn't brought both his mother and he up here, but something would've changed inside myself. As it is, I think it is one of the most (if not the most) important decisions I've ever made. The happy family of the three of us together didn't work out, we divorced five or six years later, but we've maintained a relatively happy family life in two distinct households. From where I sit, I call that a success.
Everybody has tried to help someone else out at some point. Some times it works out great, and some times it doesn't work out...exactly as planned.
So have you ever jumped into a "mess of cactus" thinking it would help somone, and it actually did?
SPECIAL OFFER FROM NETROOTS NATION
FOR READERS OF CONNECT! UNITE! ACT!
You know you want to go but you're procrastinating, right? NN is offering a limited-time offer of $50 off the current registration of $325. Use the special promo code of Connect to get your registration for $275. This offer will be good until May 31st.
This July 17-20, the largest progressive conference of the year will take place in Detroit, MI: the ninth annual Netroots Nation conference. Each year, thousands of online activists, community organizers and progressive leaders come together for four days of panels, trainings, keynotes and fun networking opportunities.
Highlights include:
• A keynote featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren (and more speakers to be announced soon)
• 80 panels and 40 hands-on training sessions
• A progressive film Screening Series
• A kickoff party sponsored by the Michigan Senate Democrats and the DLCC
• A closing night party sponsored by Alliance for American Manufacturing
• A special Tech Tools Shootout and reception sponsored by Google, New Media Ventures and Netroots Nation
• Annual events including our pub quiz, comedy show and candidate reception and much more!
Also, if you need a scholarship to attend please apply over at Democracy for America.
The five applicants with the most votes overall will automatically win a scholarship. The remaining twenty-five spots will be chosen by the selection committee, with preference towards those with the most grassroots support. The competition ends on May 12th at 11:59pm PT.
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 Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Ten, count 'em, ten Kosacadians got together for political conversation and trendy food truck cuisine at a food truck pod in Portland. They've reported that everyone in attendance enjoyed it.
L-R: (1) markdd, llbear, PSNPDX (2) markdd (3) Ozsea1 (4) winglion
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Asheville Kossacks had another successful meet-up with excellent food supplied and prepared by Gordon20024. There's excellent food pr0n in the diary, btw. Steelergrrl brought tomato plants to give away. randallt handed out large Register to Vote signs along with information handouts on the new North Carolina voting law and a comprehensive guide to obtaining an ID for voting. Asheville Kossacks have been setting the example of GOTV for the rest of us. Kossack cultjake told an informative story on his new work on the precinct level of politics. randallt also made Asheville Kossack nametag lanyards for everyone. I'm impressed with all the ideas he's thought of to Connect, unite and activate his group.
See diary for identities
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
by Dave in Northridge ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
On April 26, a number of us Los Angeles Kossacks assembled at Casey's Irish Pub in downtown Los Angeles for the first of THREE political events, each connected with the huge field of candidates running to replace Henry Waxman in the 33rd Congressional District, which covers the beach areas of Los Angeles from Malibu in the north to Palos Verdes in the south and swings inland to cover some of the more liberal bastions of the West Side. Our candidate today was David Kanuth, the youngest of the 18 candidates and, possibly significantly, the best fundraiser.
Please visit Dave in Northridge's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Dave in Northridge.
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, May 10th
Kansas Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Rudy's Pizza
704 Massachusetts St • Lawrence
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: Kansas Kossack Gathering(s): May 10, May 17..
Saturday, May 17th
Kansas-Missouri Kossacks Attend the Moving Kansas Forward March & Rally for Progress at the Brown v. Board 60th Anniversary State-wide Event
TIME: March starts at 10:30 AM - Rally at State Capitol starts at 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site
1515 SE Monroe St. • Topeka
Schools still aren't equal in Kansas.
Busses are available that will transport people from: Salina, Hays, Pittsburg, Derby, Wichita, Kansas City with car pools from Lawrence, Manhattan and elsewhere. If you are in Kansas, we'll do anything possible to have you gather in Topeka to celebrate this important milestone.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: Kansas Kossack Gathering(s): May 10, May 17..
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
4. Knockbally
|
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
9. maggiejean
|
Maybees:
annieli
|
Saturday, May 17th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnic on the National Mall
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall • Washington, DC
Here is how to find the DC Kossacks picnic: take the Blue/Orange line to Smithsonian Metro Station. Exit the escalators and walk straight ahead across the first small lawn to the trees and grassy areas directly ahead. Look for a large plain orange cloth. That'll be us.
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. webgenie
3. mimi
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, June 28th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. mdmslle
3. webgenie
4. mimi
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
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
8. N in Seattle
9. momomia
10. momomia's friend
11. Piren
12. Gemina13
13. cinnamon68
|
Maybees:
LeftyCoaster
Eagle Keeper
oakroyd
wackoliberal
Penny GC
|
Latest diary: Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks - Come Together!
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.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. Lisa
5. Mr. Lisa
6. Lisa's Guest
7. Dave in Northridge
8. jakedog42
9. SanFernandoValleyMom
|
Maybees:
Chiwere
714day
|
Latest diary: LA Kossacks - Political Season Meetups II and III
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.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. jakedog42
5. Joe Bacon
6. tmservo433
7. SanFernandoValleyMom
|
Maybees:
Chiwere
Lisa
714day
|
Latest diary: CA-33; a record breaking and highly visible district
Saturday, May 31st
Houston Area Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. Bree Davis
3. MarciaJ720
4. cosette
5. Mary
6. Alan
7.
|
Maybees:
Mr. cosette
|
Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, May 31
Saturday, June 14th
Inaugural New Jersey Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Cranberry's Gourmet Cafe
10 Cedar Brook Drive, Cedar Brook Corporate Park • Cranbury
ORGANIZER: Send Avilyn a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Avilyn
2. belinda ridgewood
3. zitherhamster
4. avamontez
3. Christin
|
Maybees:
Trosk
profewalt
|
Latest diary: First New Jersey Kossacks Meetup!
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:30 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • 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
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
|
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. Jen Hayden
11.
12.
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd, winifred3
|
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
4. Ninepatch
|
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. vicki
9. Cedwyn
10.
|
Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
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
|
SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Sara R
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. Dragon5616
8. jotter
9. aha aha
10.
|
Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Dee Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
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.