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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Ever wish you could change your username?
I never have. I'm perfectly content with mine. As most of you know by now, I got it from a novel, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. In the novel, the Devil comes to Moscow in the 1920s and causes all kinds of trouble. He arrives as a "foreign magician" named Woland and he brings with him his assistants, one of whom is named Azazello. The fanged one is a crack shot with a handgun, a skill I once cultivated.
“Tell me,” Margarita, revived after the drink, asked Azazello, “did you shoot that former baron?”
Naturally,” answered Azazello. “How else could he be dealt with? Such a man must be shot.”
“Oh, I was so nervous when he fell!” said Margarita, evidently still under the impression of the murder, the first she had ever witnessed. “You must shoot very well?”
“Suitably,” answered Azazello.
“From how many steps away?” Margarita asked a rather unclear question.
“Depending,” Azazello answered reasonably. “It’s one thing to hit Latunsky’s window with a hammer, but quite another to hit the critic’s heart.
…
“What were we talking about, my precious Queen Margo?” asked Koroviev. “Oh, yes, hearts … He hits the heart,” Koroviev pointed a long finger at Azazello. “In any place you name – any auricle, any ventricle.”
Margarita did not understand at first, but when she did, she cried with amazement:
“But they are hidden!”
“My dear,” quavered Koroviev, “of course they are hidden! That’s the whole point! Anybody can hit an object that is exposed!”
Koroviev took a seven of spades from a box of cards and offered it to Margarita, asking her to scratch one of the spots with her nail. Margarita marked the top one on the right. Hella hid the card under the pillow and called out:
“Ready!”
Azazello, who sat with his back to the pillow, took a black automatic pistol from the pocket of his dress trousers, placed the barrel on his shoulder, and fired without turning. Margarita jumped with delicious fright. The seven was extracted from under the riddled pillow. The spot marked by Margarita was pierced by the bullet.
“I should not like to meet you with a gun in your hand,” Margarita said with a coquettish look at Azazello. She had a passion for all people who did anything to perfection.
So yeah, I like mine OK, but sometimes I think of other usernames that I might have used. I thought I'd share some of these with you this morning. Maybe there's a lurker out there who wants to sign up but can't think of a name.
I've always liked one wag. You used to see this all the time in the 60s and 70s, one wag said this or that, some humorous, often impertinent remark that nobody really said at all. one wag is still available. Richard Cranium is taken but you could still choose Richard Weed or Richard Cheese. I've thought about ChomskyOnAcid, HNWInot and TheUntriangulated. sux2bu is maybe too confrontational. You could use the online monikers of disgraced political figures, like Filthy Filner, Carlos Danger, or studboi1. Thucydides might be good for someone from Arizona.
genium aliquem malignum would be good if you wanted to impress with your erudition. It's Latin for some evil genius and it's the phrase René Descartes used when he hypothesized an evil deceiver that could fool all your senses so that you couldn't really know anything except that you think and so are. I've also thought about wackjob, theFixIsIn, YRUhere and MrInBetween. Turd Ferguson would be an excellent choice. It refers to this classic SNL routine:
OK, there's my offering for this Tuesday. What's on your mind today ? Got any links to share ? and ...
Did you ever wish you could change your username ?
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
More Than 40 Kossacks Get High in Phoenix
by Mother Mags ♥ for Phoenix Kossacks and Baja Arizona Kossacks
Kossacks attended the meet-up from around the state, helped out by strong recruitment from Azazello and other Baja Arizona friends south of the Gila River.
[...] A week before the meet-up fewer than 20 people had registered, and we anticipated a big table where we could discuss specific races and issues in our communities. Then something happened, and the RSVPs more than doubled in a week. Thanks, Markos, for the recruitment tool!
navajo: "I had a great time attending this meet-up. I chatted with almost everyone individually and then spoke to the whole group about what Daily Kos can do for them in terms of organizing and helping their ranks grow. Not one person wanted to rehash the online dispute. Everyone wanted to move forward. What a great group! The evening was extremely enjoyable and I look forward to working with Arizona Kossacks on ACTION items in their state going forward."
Here's one photo:
See Mother Mag's diary for individual headshots and usernames ~Photo Courtesy of Richard
Please visit Mother Mags diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it.
You can join Phoenix Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Mother Mags.
You can join Baja Arizona Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Azazello.
Uniting Kansas: Recap of Meetup, Hutchinson (Video)
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a successful event featuring 3 candidates and a AFL-CIO endorsement.
Despite 100+ degree temperature, and a normal size crowd (about 50/60) the event in Hutchinson quickly went viral, with a few thousand watching the streams online, thanks to agressive sharing, emailing and people encouraging others to spread the live stream of the video.
Please visit
tmservo433's diary for the videos of this event. You can still REC it. You can join
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
tmservo433.
Connecting Kansas:
Democrats Unite in Emporia
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
So our latest hero, tmservo433 provides a great re-cap to the event we promoted here for him.
At the time Paul Davis spoke, I had an in room headcount of 166, which is a heck of a turnout. Sam Brownback couldn't bring in 200 in the Kansas City Metro when Rick Santorum came to town.
Kossacks showed up. Several Kossacks were in the hall, as well as individuals who noticed I still had on my Netroots gear, and were happy to come and tell us how they are working for change in our communities.
tmservo433 is doing great work seeking out Kossacks and moving his state's progressive agenda forward.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, August 16th
Motor City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Roadside B&G
1727 S. Telegraph Road • Bloomfield Township
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. sydneyluv
3. DoReMI
4. 2thanks
5. Dr Arcadia
6. Estraven
7.
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Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
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Latest diary: Motor City Kossacks: Meet-up Sat 8/16, noon, Roadside B&G, Bloomf'd Twn
Saturday, August 16th
Nashville KosKats Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Shipwreck Cove at the Elm Hill Marina
3361 Bell Road • Nashville
ORGANIZER: Send ZenTrainer a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. ZenTrainer
2. Jon Sitzman
3. Sow Hat 1
4. Sow Hat 2
5. oh4thelove
6. Red Country anonymous 1
7. Red Country anonymous 2
8. Meg
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Maybees:
Patrick is Lucky |
Latest diary: Nashville KosKats, please help! Plus meet-up news
Sunday, August 17th
Silicon Valley Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Gordon Biersch
33 East San Fernando Street • San Jose
ORGANIZER: Send Glen The Plumber a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Glen The Plumber
2. remembrance
3. TheLittleOne
4. Lusty
5. madhaus
6.
7.
8.
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Maybees:
Senor Unoball
Cali Scribe
Mr. Scribe
navajo
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Latest diary: Teabaggers Join the Carpetbagger to Unseat Mike Honda
Saturday, August 23rd
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper SO
3. doingbusinessas
4. cinnamon68
5. bleedingblue
6. momomia
7. CaptainSnagger
8. Smrichmond
9. LarisaW
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Maybees:
mlharges
N in Seattle
Penny GC
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks "Dog Day Afternoon" Meet-up
Saturday, August 23rd
VA/DC/MD Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 12:30 - 4:40 PM
LOCATION: Union Station
Food Court • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send JamieG from Md a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. JamieG from Md
2. mollyd
3. Diana in NoVa
4. NinthElegy
5. mimi
6. STI
7. VeenaS1
8. JanetT in MD
9. webgenie
10. Edward Adams
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Maybees:
BDA in VA
dadadata
Uncle Cosmo
Tamar
stevenwag
Teacherken (small possibility)
TheOtherMaven
cobart
Elizabeth Amy Miller
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Latest diary: Union Station MD/DC/VA Meetup, Aug 23rd
Sunday, August 24th
Portland Kossacks Meet-up to Stamp Big Money Out of Politics
ACTION planned: Join the Stampede of tens of thousands of Americans legally stamping messages on our Nation’s currency to #GetMoneyOut of Politics. As more and more stamped money spreads, so will the movement to amend the Constitution. The Koscadia Kossacks will be bringing Ben & Jerry's stamps to the event so bring your cash to help spread the message about reversing Citizen's United.
TIME: 12:30 PM
LOCATION: à la carts Food Pavilion
SE 50th and Division Street • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Sara R (2 stamps)
2. winglion
3. llbear
4. rexymeteorite (1 stamp)
5. James Allen
6. Damnit Janet
7. Wesley
8. loggersbrat
9. Angie in WA State (birthday girl!)
10. 6412093
11. ozsea1 (1 stamp)
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Maybees:
watercarrier4diogenes
Danni
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Latest diary: Koscadia Meet Up, Sunday, August 24 - Stamp Stampede!
Sunday, August 24th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. kathny
2. belinda ridgewood
3. rubyr
4. joanbrooker
5. mconvente
6. ericlewis0
7. No Exit
8. sidnora
9. gchaucer2
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Maybees:
BaritoneWoman
jfdunphy
David Nir
Lysis
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup Sunday August 24 at Spitzer's
Saturday, August 30th
Houston Area Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Simply Pho
2929 Milam Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. nomandates
3. scott5js
4. Blood
5. cosette
6. doraphasia
7. TDDVandy
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Maybees:
Mr. cosette
Mr. doraphasia
Mary
Alan
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, August 30
Saturday, September 6th
New England Kossacks Potluck & BBQ
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: brillig & mik's home
Address given privately to RSVPs • north of Boston
ORGANIZER: Send nhox42 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. nhox42
2. brillig
3. mik
4. Common Sense Mainer
5. Bill in Portland Maine
6. mayim
7. Jane in Maine
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Maybees:
northerntier
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Latest diary: C+J/NE Kossacks Meetup September 6th!
Saturday, September 6th
Sacramento Kossacks Meet-up
Potluck with BYOB
Special Guest: Derek Cressman with Yes on 49 - Money Out Voters In
TIME: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Kestrel's home
Address given privately to RSVPs • Sacramento
ORGANIZER: Send cooper888 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tgypsy
2. cooper888
3. gotmooned
4. Kestrel
5. shigeru
6. TrevizOlga
7. paradise50
8. smileycreek
9. merelyfearless7
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Maybees:
navajo
Meteor Blades
Laurel in CA
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Latest diary: Sacramento (area) Kossacks Meetup With Featured Guest!
Join the Sacramento Kossacks Google Group to receive invites for future events.
Saturday, September 6th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, September 13th
Pikes Peak Region Kossacks Inaugural Meet-up!
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Panera Bread
7344 North Academy Boulevard (general address) or 7351 Atlas Walk Way (mall address) • Colorado Springs
ORGANIZER: Send thanatokephaloides a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. thanatokephaloides
2. tmservo433 (visiting from Kansas)
3. AmberChaos
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Our First Meeting: An Announcement
Saturday, October 4th
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. Lamont Cranston
5. DawnN
6. SteelerGrrl
7. SteelerGuy
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Sunday, October 19th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. ericlewis0
3. belinda ridgewood
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Maybees: |
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.