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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What's the Scariest Book You Ever Read?
As a kid I would read anything I could get my hands on, sampling the adult bookshelf far more often than was good for my developing psyche. A frightening adult book and a child's vivid imagination can be a bad combination, and a lifelong fear of going absolutely and unexpectedly out of my mind was hatched while reading The Snake Pit one summer.
Puzzlingly,The Snake Pit didn't seem to be about snakes at all, and started off in a confusing, disjointed fashion. Virginia, a young midwestern journalist, is sitting on a park bench in New York next to a yammering stranger, annoyed at her husband's lateness and with no memory of how she got there. The disorganization of the first chapter mirrored the fog in Virginia's mind, though flashes of her wit and sarcasm kept me reading on. Later, as she's herded inside an institutional building with dozens of other women, it gradually becomes clear that she is in a circa 1940's asylum, surrounded by people who seem far worse off than she is in her fugue state. As Virginia meets with her doctor she pieces together her past history -- her dead fiance, her husband Robert, and the sudden moment when she grabs onto the bedroom dresser and says, "Robert, I think there's something the matter with my head." From there she suddenly wakes up to the nightmare of Juniper Hill Hospital, where's she subjected to the myriad and terrifying "treatments" of the day, including being forced to undergo electroshock therapy.
The book made it sound to a nervous kid as if you could be going along just fine when suddenly you'd get a bad headache, and as a result get locked up, restrained and tortured for no discernible reason. That's powerfully scary stuff.
Scarier yet was the parallel to our own local boogeyman, the notorious Patton State Hospital, known simply to the locals as Patton. The word Patton conjured up threats of involuntary incarceration, howling lunatics, gothic tortures, straight jackets and sedation. Patton was what your older siblings threatened you with; what neighbors muttered about your family's eventual outcome.
You keep being a bad girl and you're going to end up in Patton.
If your dad doesn't quit drinking so much they're gonna throw him in Patton.
Patton State Hospital, circa 1900 when it was named the Southern California State Asylum for the Insane and Inebriates.
The threat of being tossed into Patton for a wide variety of perceived misbehaviors actually wasn't too far-fetched in the 30's and 40's and had the ring of plausibility. Being a bad, disobedient girl could indeed get you put away:
Afflictions fell into two categories: moral and physical.
So-called moral afflictions qualifying for admission to Patton included religious excitement and spiritualism, mental strain, worry, overwork and love affairs, including seduction.
The physical category was four times as long. Among its listings were alcoholism, drug and tobacco abuse, privation and overwork, change of life and old age.
I worried about "going crazy" for years, worrying that madness would descend on me with a bright flash of light and a splitting headache like the stroke my Papa suffered, throwing me into a Dickensian nightmare. It's not hard to see now how those fears reflected the instability and sheer craziness of growing up with a brilliant but erratic alcoholic father who would periodically disappear for days or even weeks at a time. There was no monster, vampire, or ghost that scared me more than the idea that some day I, too, might lose it and destroy everything I loved.
A few years ago I saw the 1948 movie version of The Snake Pit with Olivia de Havilland, which considerably changed the plot and in no way captured the intense fear evoked by the prospect of suddenly "losing your mind" and finding yourself locked up in Patton. But isn't our youthful imagination a far more frightening place than that of any Hollywood movie?
What was the scariest book you read as a kid?
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
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
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.
by sidnora ♥ for New York City
Thank you, sidnora, for the great photo diary recap. So many terrific photos of our NYC Kossacks and all their food pr0n. It looks like everyone had a really good time. There's still time to rec her diary.
Here's only two photos of the many that belinda ridgewood, joanbrooker and Denise Oliver Velez provided:
L-R: the camera-shy Yasuragi (yes, she weally showed up!), belinda ridgewood, kathny, malloy, Miscweant, No Exit, Son of Broccoli, jfdunphy, mightymouse, plf515, sidnora, Mets102
L-R: Ian Reifowitz, plf515, sidnora, Denise Oliver Velez, Mets102
Please visit sidnora's diary for many MORE photos! Plus massive food pr0n. Enjoy! You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to sidnora.
Four Kossack regional groups descend on the California State Capitol
to demand that Governor Jerry Brown ban
the oil and gas production process known as fracking
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
Representing Northern California, the SFKossacks, Central Valley Kossacks, Paradise & Chico Kossacks and the Silicon Valley Kossacks gathered on the mall of our state capitol in Sacramento on Saturday, March 15th to protest fracking. Governor Brown has the ability to ban the environmentally destructive, water-intensive oil extraction practice known as hydraulic fracturing in California. The state is in a severe drought and the last place our water should go is into fracking. It is estimated the protesters numbered around 4000. We endured the hot sun which sent the temperatures into the 80s as we gathered midday to make a lot of noise and get the attention of the Governor.
Please note red arrow pointing to our Daily Kos banner to gather all us Kossacks together!
Please visit paradise50's diary for his terrific photos!
You can join SFKossacks by sending a Kosmail to navajo.
You can join Central Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tgypsy.
You can join Paradise & Chico Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to smileycreek.
You can join Silicon Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Glen The Plumber.
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 5th
Baja Arizona Kossacks 4th Annual Picnic
which will be liveblogged!
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Home of Mr. & Mrs. sneakers563
Address by Kosmail to RSVPers • Tucson
ORGANIZER: Send Azazello a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Azazello
2. sneakers563
3. rasbobbo
4. DaNang65
5. ItsaMathJoke
6. Itzadryheat
7. pwoodford
8. ramara
9. Desert Rose
10. chloris creator
11. drnatrl
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Maybees:
cosmic debris
LandruBek
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Latest diary: Join us for our liveblog, April 5th, 4:00 PM MST!
Saturday, April 5th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send EagleOfFreedom a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. EagleOfFreedom
2. Reetz
3. John Crapper
4. John Crapper's S.O.
5. WisePiper
6. bleeding blue
7. mlharges
8. Caligrrl
9. Regina in a Sears Kit House
10. Regina in a Sears Kit House's DH
11. Ojibwa
12. Notrouble
13. Bleeding Blue's spouse |
Maybees:
otto
Kitsap River
Charles CurtisStanley
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks April Meeting
Saturday, April 19th
Inaugural DC Kossacks Potluck Picnic on
the National Mall
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall
Exact location TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. mimi
3.
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Maybees: |
From NinthElegy: We will meet on the third Saturday of each month at noon. Please note-- This regular Saturday meeting day and time is flexible. It was chosen as a starting point to be amended according to what is the best fit for the DC Kossacks group members. If it is not a workable regular day and time for you, suggest alternatives and let's see what we can work out.
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
DAY TBD, April TBD
Potential Boston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • [City]
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. Hawk Wife
3. Knockbally
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: BosKos Meetup: Mindscapes
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
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Maybees:
Audri
Mr Audri
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
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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Wednesday, July 16th
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.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Common Sense Mainer a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. smileycreek
6. paradise50
7. side pocket
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. norm
10. maggiejean
11. Shockwave
12. a gilas girl
13. susans
14. Sara R
15. belinda ridgewood
16. sidnora
17. Mr. sidnora
18. thankgodforairamerica
19. brillig
20. mik
21. K1
22. loggersbrat
23. Dave in Northridge
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cont.
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
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.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. sidnora
7. Mr. sidnora
8. loggersbrat
9.
10.
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Cheers & Jeers Table II:
1.
2.
3.
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. belinda ridgewood
3. Sara R
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. DebtorsPrison
6. justiceputnam
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. |
Maybees:
kjoftherock
angry marmot
boran2
Turbonerd
northerntier
northerntier's SO
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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.