It's a big city, so we have two co-chairs, and, since one of us is involved in starting a new business, I'm stepping in to fill his unfillable shoes. Another successful and joyous meetup Saturday, with SOME (but not many) pics, and TWO events for March: one in the San Fernando Valley, specifically for the Valley Kossacks (although everyone will of course be welcome) and our monthly get-together in downtown Los Angeles.
February 16: A very 21st Century meeting at Casey's downtown and our second of what we hope will be a long string of monthly meetings. Shockwave arranged for Dana Siegelman, former governor of Alabama Don Siegelman's daughter, to be present to bring us up to date on what's happening with his case, and arranged for Don's friend, One Pissed Off Liberal, to be present via Skype.
OPOL reminded us that Don, in his opinion, is the most decent politician he has ever known. We could see and hear him fine, and I think he could hear us and sort of see us, but he provided a good lead in for Dana's remarks. Here we are waiting for Dana to speak.
I know, mostly the backs of heads. L to R. The left side of the table, Dave in Northridge and a new Kossack, MikeMaloney. The right side: Joe Bacon, gmats, Dana Siegelman, and jakedog42's arm.
Dana reminded us of the specifics of the case. Don was released from jail by the 11th Circuit Court in March 2008 while they considered his appeal. After reducing his sentence to 69 months and dropping two of the seven charges against him, the 11th Circuit sent him back to jail to complete his sentence in March 2009. Dana has a website up with a petition to free her father, and she said that she hoped that talented bloggers here at Daily Kos can keep awareness of her father's story up by referring to Don in other stories of watchdogs and whistleblowers being wrongfully convicted by vengeful prosecutors. So Shockwave and I created a new group: Justice Gone Wrong. That links to the diary announcing it.
One more pic:
This time clockwise: jakedog42, Dana, gmats's hair, Joe Bacon, OPOL on the screen, Ducktape, Dave in Northridge, MikeMaloney. SanFernandoValleyMom and Joe Markowitz also attended, and I think I'm leaving somebody out. Cognitive defect, probably.
Up next:
March 2: Our first Valley event! Brunch on Ventura Blvd., at Cafe Bizou in Sherman Oaks, time to be determined (I'm thinking 12 or 12:30).
1. Dave in Northridge
2. RLMiller
3. SanFernandoValleyMom
4.
5.
6.
March 23: Our monthly meeting downtown, at Casey's Irish Pub at 2 PM. Yes, that's five weeks away, not four weeks, but I didn't think we should interfere with or subject ourselves to the craziness that is St. Patrick's Day Weekend at an Irish pub. We'll have NN13 for that.
1. Dave in Northridge
2. Joe Bacon
3. jakedog42
4. SanFernandoValleyMom
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
For both events, Kosmail me to be put on the attendance list.