This is one of a projected plethora of Netroots Nation diaries that will probably pop up over the next few days. If you were in Pittsburgh, it was great either meeting or almost meet you. If not, I encourage you to make your way to Las Vegas next year.
Maybe you just got home and feel burnt out after four days of intellectually/metaphorically drinking from the fire hose. It was a lot to digest. Maybe you are still a bit hungover from the righteous party at the Alter Bar. While I am still a big hungover, I am more recharged than burnt out.
The most important thing that I took from NN '09 is that this is our movement. If you see a void to be filled, fill it. Don't wait for someone else to do it. We all have the power to influence the conversation. If you feel that strongly about an issue, don't wait for someone else to take the lead. Do your homework, learn about the issue, tell us all about it, and influence the debate. Be the next Slinkerwink and go read her latest diary.
The rest of this diary is some of my personal "thank yous." As long as there is not much of substance here, we might as well use this as an open thread to share exuberance about NN '09 or lamentations about missing the party. Added bonus: I'll declare mojo fest.
As of two and a half weeks ago, I did not even think that I would be going to NN. A few people made this happen for me. Here is a huge shout out to David Waldman, Raf from SEIU, Captain Laser, Constance in California, the team at Carrots and Sticks (Bronwyn, Jeremy, and Chris), and my family (Ed, Jim, Mary, and Linda). Please click the links and give them some traffic.
Next, the whole Netroots team deserves an extra loud shout out. Thanks to Raven, Karen, Mary, and Nolan for all of your work. We can't forget all of the folks who volunteered behind the scenes to pull this off, the many panelists, and the politicians (particularly Darcy Burner and Jerry Nadler) who recognize the Netroots as constituents and supporters. I should also mention Bill Clinton, Joe Sestack, and Arlen Specter for showing up and talking to us.
Update: Opps. Howard Dean. How could I miss him?
The city of Pittsburgh and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center were great hosts. Spiritual Rez rocks.
Next up is all of you. Kossacks are simply amazing people. When I showed up to the convention center on Thursday, my name tag had my real name instead of my screen name. There was no way anyone was going to recognize me without my screen name. Celtic Merlin crossed my name out and wrote in my screen name. All weekend, Kossacks and people from other blogs stopped me and said they had been hoping to meet me. (Am I really that popular here? Thanks.) No one even batted an eye when I planted myself at the Daily Kos booth for a few hours of internetting.
Anyway, I have long called this community my pixelated friends. I'm happy to have finally met so many people in real life. I hope I don't miss anyone, but here is a hello to all of the people I met for the first time: Something the Dog Said, WineRev, Earicicle, jlms qkw, CaBerkleyWV, HGM MA (go read his diary), Democratic Luntz (okay, we meet once before), aurora borealis, SNAFUBAR, Sardonyx, Bruin Kid, casperr, TiaRachel, Perfect Stormer, The Mom Cat, FemLaw, Populista, VaWolf, Julia Rain, Land of Enchantment, Steve Singiser, ct, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, and a couple of guys who call themselves Meteor Blades and Kos.
Finally, couple of "fuck yous" to some people who deserve it.
FU: AP. Much as I hate to, here's a link to the AP story about us. Here's what I am ticked about:
Denim everywhere...
I sure hope two words and a link is still considered fair use. This is yet another example of the traditional media either consciously or unconsciously marginalizing us. Sorry, AP. We can do your job better than you and we can dress up when needed. We didn't need to this weekend. Besides, we are not ones to take fashion tips from George Will. (Relax; it links to Mother Jones.)
FU to my new ill-fitting dress shoes. I still have the bruises on my heels.
FU to anyone who took the opportunity to overcharge us for food and drink.
That is all. Your thoughts?