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 at Daily Kos 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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The orange pinpoints are the location of each organized group of Daily Kos readers.
If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links.
If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
View Interactive Map of Daily Kos Regional Communities in a full screen version.
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Do You Listen to NPR ?
I do, quite a bit in fact, although I think National Public Radio is a perfect example of Sturgeon's Law1 and I can't tell you how many times I've turned the radio off in disgust after hearing some Neoliberal drivel. Conservatives think NPR has a liberal bias, they even tried to zero out government funding for the network in 20112. I think they're confused. If you listen to Diane Rehm, for example, you know that every time she covers an economic or political issue one of her guests is sure to be from the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation or the American Enterprise Institute. Equal time for lies, you might say. The absolute worst is a thing called Marketplace, a corporate propaganda fest produced in association with that bastion of liberalism, the University of Southern California. I'll never forget one of their segments, "Don't like paying for a movie ticket and having to watch ads on the big screen? Better get used to it, because theater advertising is here to stay." That's what they do in a nutshell. They sell corporate policy, helping to ease the way for innovations in Korporate America's ongoing screw-the-public project. What is it that Liberals seem to like about NPR ? It's a tone, or a sensibility. Here's Paul Waldman, writing in The American Prospect3:
NPR is a number of things—some people might be thinking of "Fresh Air" or "This American Life" when they answer that question. But chances are most are thinking of the two flagship shows, "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," which have by far the network's biggest audiences. These shows are among the most assiduously even-handed presentations anywhere in the American media, but there's a reason why they are so appealing to liberals. They may not have aggressively ideological content, but they do reflect a liberal sensibility. They're careful, reasoned, polite, cosmopolitan, serious with the occasional touch of whimsy—in short, everything liberals either are or imagine themselves to be. And everyone at NPR seems so nice—how could you not trust them? So liberals do, and most of them listen.
I've had a chance to examine this sensibility, the NPR style, more closely in a book I'm reading. I've been reading about Russia for decades. It started with Dostoevsky back in college, I guess, and I've been reading Russian literature and history ever since. Anyway, the book is called
Midnight in Siberia and it's written by David Greene, the host of NPR's
Morning Edition. Greene took a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway and this book is the result. I haven't learned anything new about Russia from
Midnight in Siberia, not a single new insight, but I have learned about NPR reporting. (If you want to read about Siberia, I recommend
Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier, who did the trip in a beat-up Russian mini-van.) The chapter headings for example. Each chapter is named after a person that Greene talked to; Rose, Sergei, Boris etc. This reliance on individual, personal stories is a hallmark of NPR reporting. It gives their stories authenticity and "truthiness" but lack of context can be a problem. I once heard an NPR reporter explain that, "We can't cover stuff like climate change for lack of
individual human stories." There's a logical fallacy called the
Fallacy of Composition4 that applies here. You can't really assume that an individual you've interviewed fairly represents the reality, or the opinion, or the group, or class, that the individual belongs to. You need numbers to see the larger picture. There's also a
class bias in NPR's reporting and it shows up in Greene's book as well. NPR's reporters are
upper-middle class and it shows. They may not be true .1%-ers, but they've all been to good schools, traveled and have good jobs. They live in "nice" neighborhoods and they've spent their lives with folks from the same class. They believe in the economic system that has given them a good life and
won't question that system even if it isn't working for most Americans. Here's a quote from Chapter 17,
Yet Another Sergei:
“Sure, a person feels free if he has means,” Sergei our driver says.
“When a person gets up in the morning, what does he think about? His job and making money for his family. Today people don’t feel secure that they can do that. Compare this life to socialism. Our old life was comparable to what countries like Sweden and Finland have today. But here? Bureaucrats are the only people who live good lives, and they don’t care about the common people.”
He graduated from a university in Krasnoyarsk and became head of a transportation company. But his job evaporated during the recent economic crisis. “So I decided why not work as a taxi driver? I have to support my family—my wife and seventeen-year-old daughter.”
I point out that many people in the United States lost jobs and struggled through the economic crisis, and Sergei doesn’t deny that. But his wish for socialism as the solution fascinates me. He doesn’t want a less intrusive government—in fact, he wants government to be more involved, just more responsive to the needs of the people.
“You know, we had our chance in perestroika. The setup of our society changed. That was our moment to develop some kind of democracy. Instead our economy was converted in a way that just put bribes in the hands of officials—right into their pockets.”
See what I mean ? He points out that "many people lost jobs in the US and struggled through the economic crisis."
Struggled is in the past tense; presumably the economic crisis is over and they've all got good jobs now. Greene is "fascinated" that Sergei sees some kind of socialism as a solution and that he doesn't fear intrusive, big government. Who knows, maybe Sergei wants socialized medicine instead of none at all, or a pension when he's too old to work? Oh those crazy Russians. The whole book is like that, just reeks of unconscious class privilege, and so does NPR.
OK, that's it for today. What's up with y'all and ...
Do you listen to NPR ?
Latest Updates on 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 joanbrooker ♥ for New York City
New York City Kos gathered to remember and toast Cedwyn with her favorite icons, sippy cups and butterflies. "She touched so many lives and the loss to all of her friends at DK has been profound."
Here's one group photo:
From left clockwise: ericlewis0, DaveG, MBNYC, thirty three and a third, Mets102, sidnora, blue jersey mom, janosnation, Stacey, and joanbrooker.
Please visit joanbrooker's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City Kos by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Koscadia, at it again.
We had a lovely meal together yesterday. The mood was a bit somber as we thought of our absent [Koscadia] friend, Cedwyn. The news of Cedwyn's death did not come until afterwards.
At our lunch, I received a special gift from ericlewis0 intended for both me and Ann, wrapped and framed by llbear. It was the original artwork for the Animal Nuz cartoon of Catwyn receiving her quilt. [Photo can be seen in Sara R's diary]
Here's one photo:
L-R: War4Sale (back of head), Sheila, slampros, watercarrier4diogenes, llbear, ozsea1, loggersbrat, quill, pdxteacher
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to
Sara R.
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kos
Seattle & Puget Sound Kos welcomed Joan McCarter, Meteor Blades, Monique Teal and navajo to their meet-up on January 17th. Almost 40 people attended. All had a great time mingling, listening to the DKos speakers and then finishing up with a Q&A session. Good food, great location and most of all great Kossacks.
L-R: Monique Teal, cinnamon68, N in Seattle, Joan McCarter, seabos84, Meteor Blades speaking, James Wells and John Crapper
Please visit John Crapper's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kos by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
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, February 21st
Colorado Community Caffeinating Liberally Meet-up
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Common Grounds Coffeehouse
44th & Vallejo • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2. ColoTim
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DENVER: Wake Up Before Noon On Saturdays? Join Us, Feb. 21
Saturday, February 21st
Cheers & Jeers Meet-up in Portland, Maine
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Flatbread Pizza
72 Commercial Street • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send nhox42 a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. nhox42
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. Common Sense Mainer
4. Ed Tracey
5.
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Maybees: |
Saturday, February 28th
Four Corners Kossacks International Diplomatic Outreach Junket
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Irish Embassy Pub
900 Main Ave • Durango
ORGANIZER: Send Thinking Fella a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Thinking Fella
2. Hero Machine
3. red moon dog
4. ERRN
5. Mr. ERRN
6. Gary Norton
7. nzanne
8. msaztec
9. relleno
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Maybees:
LucyTooners
Mr. LucyTooners
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Latest diary: Four Corners Kossacks Meet-up: International Diplomatic Outreach
Saturday, February 28th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Busboys and Poets
5th and K Streets • DC
If you can't make this one, we will resume the 3rd Saturday of the month in March and that meetup will be held at 1 pm.
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. patbahn
3. mimi
4.
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Maybees:
Rachel Colyer
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, February 28th
Texas All-State Meet-up with:
• Kath Haenschen: Legislative Preview: The Good, The Bad, And The Really Really Ugly
• Meteor Blades: The Power of Year-Round Precinct Organizing
• Denise Oliver-Velez: Motivating Young People to Vote and Run for Office
• Neeta Lind aka navajo: Maximizing the Daily Kos Forum
• Egberto Willies: How to Attract the Most Readers to Your Message
Please come for an afternoon of camaraderie and progressive strategizing with Big Orange flavor! Out-of-state attendees welcome!
Lunch and Seminar c/o Daily Kos
TIME: Noon - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Max's Wine Dive
"Fried Chicken and Champagne... Why the Hell Not?"
207 San Jacinto Blvd • Austin, 78701 (near convention center and state capital building)
Cocktail time First drink c/o Daily Kos if you attended the seminar, coupons handed out at seminar.
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: CRAVE
340 E. 2nd St (around the corner from seminar) • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send nomandates a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. nomandates
2. Chrislove
3. Meteor Blades
4. Denise Oliver-Velez
5. Egberto Willies
6. Katherine Haenschen aka kath25
7. navajo
8. johnatx
9. mrs johnatx
10. Blood
11. cosette
12. anotherdemocrat - Vege*
13. bastrop
14. Warren Pease
15. Patience John
16. noteaforme
17. blue armadillo
18. RLMAC
19. TexMex
20. JC Dufresne
21. TexasLibertine
22. politik
23. Mr Pea
24. PDiddie
25. Mrs. Diddie
26. suesue
27. mr suesue
28. Sandia Blanca
29. Noisy Gong
30. Essephreak
31. laderrick - Vege*
32. getlost
33. TulsaGal
34. AndyT
35. Carol in San Antonio
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36. blueisland
37. TX Unmuzzled
38. walkshills
39. MargaretPOA
40. rabel
41. on the cusp
42. freerad
43. freerad's guest
44. Wino
45. Mrs Wino
46. Red Tom Kidd
47. Tutone in Texas
48. Mrs Tutone in Texas
49. jfranks
50. 1toughlady
51. scott5js
52. tmc222
53. tmc222's daughter
54. asprivett
55. blue armadillo's guest
56. postmodernista
57. Texan001
58. Texan001's brother
59. tmservo433
60. Gilmore
61. Mrs Gilmore
+84 = 145 RSVPs!
Maybees:
BlueMississippi
BlackSheep1
Deja (+1-2)
boadicea
Ignacio Magaloni
neverontheright
manoffire
+2
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* Needs vegetarian meal
Latest diary: Texas Meetup on 2/28: Now with Big and Burnt Orange Flavor
Thursday, March 5th
San Francisco Kos Welcomes joanbrooker to Town
TIME: 6:15 PM
LOCATION: Triptych, near Civic Center BART
1155 Folsom Street • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. joanbrooker
2. navajo
3. norm
4. side pocket
5. Richard F.
6. jpmassar
7. citisven
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Reservation has been made for 15 people.
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Maybees:
dharmasyd
KC208
Plumbers, party of 3
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Saturday, March 21st?
Motor City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 7:00 PM or TBD
LOCATION: Taqueria Mi Pueblo
7278 Dix • Detroit (Corktown-ish)
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. DoReMI
2. mideedah
3. BFSkinner
4. peregrine kate
5.
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Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
ChemBob
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Latest diary: Michigan/Motor City Kossacks Weekly Open Thread: Meet-Up, Sat 2/14, 7:00 PM, Corktown(ish) Detroit
Saturday, April 18th
San Francisco Kos Welcomes blue jersey mom to Town
Potluck style BBQ
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: kimoconnor's garden
[Address given privately to RSVPs] • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. blue jersey mom
2. navajo - [2 bottles of wine]
3. side pocket
4. Mrs. side pocket
5. maggiejean
6. kimoconnor
7. dharmasyd
8. norm
9. remembrance
10. Glen The Plumber
11. TLO
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Maybees: |
Saturday, April 25th
DAILY KOS CONNECTS KANSAS CITY
Our first regional Daily Kos gathering.
Join us for a day of camaraderie and progressive strategizing with Big Orange flavor. In a day-long seminar, learn how our Connect! Unite! Act! team maximized the Daily Kos forum to effect change in Kansas state politics. We are going to duplicate that effort across the nation. Participants will focus on organizing from the ground up.
You'll also get a chance to meet the blog's founder, Markos Moulitsas and some Daily Kos writers, such as Joan McCarter, Meteor Blades, David Nir, Jen Hayden and others.
TIME: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Alamo Drafthouse
1400 Main Street • Kansas City
SCHEDULE:
8:00 AM - Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM - Presentations, panels and Q&A's begin
Noon - Lunch served
1:30 PM - More presentations, panels and Q&A's
6:00 PM - After Party
REGISTER HERE: $30 registration fee at Eventbrite
Benefactor level is also available if you plan to attend and buy a scholarship for someone, you and your attendee can have a front row seat. Angel level is also available if you can't attend but want to help someone else attend.
We have five scholarships available thanks to our Benefactors and Angels. Please kosmail navajo if you need a scholarship to attend. |
Grow our network, unite our progressive communities, help win elections!
RSVPs:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. tmservo433
3. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. David Nir
7. Jen Hayden
8. Monique Teal
9. Neeta Lind aka navajo
10. Cindy Kelly from Women4KS
11. Peter Gogol
12. Jeffrey Zamrzla
13. Brian82
14. C.M.
15. Sandzen
16. kj in missouri
17. artguy4life
18. Chris
19. pyoung
20. Madge Montgomery
21. cdtribble
22. Mrs. cdtribble
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Maybees:
ColoTim
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Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2015
DKos Asheville's Roadtrip and Two-Day Retreat to Roanoke, Virginia
From randallt:
After seven successful and engaging meet ups, DKos Asheville's core members decided to take our next gathering on the road. The first reason was that our chef and benefactor for all our meet ups has been Gordon20024 and we wanted say thanks by traveling to be with him instead of having him drive to be with us. We asked and he was thrilled and so the idea was born. Another reason is that it offers us the opportunity to meet more Kossacks from around the region including Virginia and parts of North Carolina to the north and east of us.
Grow our network, grow our community, help win elections.
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TIME: 1:00 pm Saturday till 1:00 pm Sunday
LOCATION: Hotel Roanoke, Conference Center
110 Shenandoah Avenue • Roanoke
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. gordon20024
2. davehouck
3. randallt
4. Joieau
5. LamontCranston
6. Steerler Grrl
7. Steeler Guy
8. Otteray Scribe
9. DawnN
10. emmasnacker
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Open Thread
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.