This diary is meant as a general reminder to all progressive democrats, but also serves as an "Action Alert" for NorCal Kossacks. It is my belief that we must, as a community, continue to support local activism, especially in off-cycle years, if we are to wage a 365-day year-by-year campaign and counter the rising tide of Ralph Reed's orcs.
In that spirit, a blatant pimp:
The Silicon Valley for Dean club, along with several other sponsors, is hosting "An Evening with George Lakoff in San Jose" this Friday at 7 p.m. There is also a dinner with Lakoff prior to event, where I'm told he's able to talk a bit more directly about some of his more "partisan work" that he's doing for the party.
Information on the event can be found at ReclaimThe Debate. This important event has a lot of seats available ($10 for the general talk, $100 for the dinner), and I want to urge anyone in the area to attend, if possible.
I attended the California Democratic State Convention over the weekend and, if there was one thing that resonated thoroughout the convention, it was that Democrats need to "speak better" about our values and what we stand for. As most of you know, George Lakoff and The Rockridge Institute have been doing great, important work in that area.
DNC Chair Howard Dean gave the keynote speech at Saturday night's dinner -- the first time in the history of the convention, I'm told, that this event was sold out -- and in his speech Dean spoke passionately about the necessity of Democrats to speak to our fellow citizens from the heart. There is a great majority of folks out there, Dean said, living in the red states, who have lost control of their economic futures. And, because of that, they are clinging to the one aspect of their lives that they perceive that they still have ownership of: their kids.
Dean went on to say that it does us little good to throw policies and programs at these folks, telling them that we will implement programs that will help them raise their kids. What we MUST do, Dean said, is speak to their hearts and to their emotions. We must let folks know that WE FEEL THEIR PAIN. That WE, as Democrats, share their concerns. That, indeed, we have the SAME concerns and want to work with them to address those concerns. We are the party that can empower them to raise their children in a society that truly honors the ideal of the American Dream ... for all Americans.
And folks, learning to talk about our ideals in language that speaks to peoples hearts is what framing is all about. Which is why I am emphatically urging anyone who hasn't seen Dr. Lakoff speak, to do so.
Now, I also want to say a word or two about local activism. This event is being sponsored by the following organizations:
Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley
Peninsula Democratic Coalition *
California For Democracy *
Moorpark Democratic Club *
Santa Clara County Democratic Club *
California Clean Money Campaign *
The Roosevelt Institution *
The Commonweal Institute
As of today, both the dinner and the general talk are lagging in attendence. As Democrats, I think it is imperative that we support events like this, so we can encourage more of them. Because the more we educate, the more troops we have on the ground armed with the tools they need to deliver votes.
In any event, I hope you folks will consider recommending (and forwarding to your Northern California friends), because these are good dedicated democrats putting this event on, and this is a an extremely important event.
Thanks for the indulgence.
Oh yeah, and here's some more event info:
Reclaim The Debate presents:
An Evening with GEORGE LAKOFF in San Jose
George Lakoff is a Professor of Cognitive Linguistics at UC Berkeley and author of the bestseller
"Don't Think of An Elephant! Know Your Values and Frame the Debate"
Professor Lakoff explains why the right-wing has been so successful and teaches progressives how to reframe the debate.
Q&A and Book Signing follows
"One of the most influential political thinkers of the progressive movement"
-- Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee Chair
When: Friday, April 22, 2005
7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00)
Where: San Jose Wyndham Hotel
1350 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Suggested donation: $10 general admission, $5 students with valid ID
Tickets: http://www.reclaimthedebate.com
Private Dinner Reception with Professor Lakoff
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Suggested donation: $100 (7:30 event included)
Tickets available at http://www.reclaimthedebate.com/reception.html
All net proceeds go to further the work of the Rockridge Institute www.rockridgeinstitute.org
More Information: reclaimthedebate@earthlink.net or call (408) 219-4896
Again, thanks, and please support local grassroots activism, which is working tirelessly to put on important events such as this.