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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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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Did you get up to see the Blood Moon on Wednesday morning?
I did. I'm into that kind of thing. I really love the night sky. There's a reason they call it the Heavens. At approximately 3:51 AM PST on Wednesday a total eclipse of the moon took place. The moon turned blood red in color. I've seen them before but none ever so dark red. I assume some of that was due to smoke in the air from all the wild fires in California, which thankfully are being contained and put out. But what a beautiful sight!
When the moon passes entirely through Earth's shadow it becomes fully eclipsed. The reason it looks red is some sunlight bends through the atmosphere of the Earth towards the center of Earth's shadow the same way sunlight bends in the atmosphere at sunset or sunrise to reach our eyes. As this bit of light bends in the atmosphere all the colors of the spectrum get scattered and removed except for the long wavelengths of red light which illuminate the moon making it appear dark red.
This was the second full lunar eclipse this year. There will be two more next year making for an astronomical event known as a tetrad which is defined as four successive total lunar eclipses, with no partial lunar eclipses in between, each of which is separated from the other by six lunar months (six full moons). Well that's pretty specific to be sure. How frequently does this happen? During this century there will be 8 of these between 2000 and 2100. Here are the dates of our current tetrad:
2014:
Total lunar eclipse: April 14-15
Total lunar eclipse: October 7-8
2015:
Total lunar eclipse: April 4
Total lunar eclipse: September 28
Some have decided the tetrad happening this year and next year is the prophecy for "the end of times." Mark Blitz and John Hagee in their book published in 2013 titled "Four Blood Moons Something Is About to Change" claim this specific lunar tetrad is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy based upon this sentence: "The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes."
I'm not buying it literally or otherwise. This astronomical event occurs regularly. I know eclipses of the sun and moon were commonly said to be predictors of terrible events wrought by the hand of God or Gods in a plethora of cultures and civilizations all over the planet for millennia, but lunar and solar eclipses happen quite frequently within the same year due to the alignment of the sun, earth and moon.
A full lunar eclipse is seen by lots of folks because the Earth's shadow is far larger than the size of the moon so a total lunar eclipse lasts a few hours from start to finish as the moon travels through this large Earth shadow. For this reason a big chunk of the planet is able to see it. During a total solar eclipse however the small shadow of the moon only falls on an area about 166 miles in width on the Earth's surface, so far fewer people get to see a full solar eclipse and they don't last very long from start to finish.
So the sun being turned to darkness and the moon to blood actually happens frequently within the same year. It's simple physics folks. Check out what Newton and Copernicus had to say about it.
How many lunar tetrads have happened since 1 AD? Well by the end of 2100, 62 will have taken place during that time span. That's once on average every 34 years (2 or 3 times a lifetime). Of course they don't happen conveniently every 34 years, but you get the point...they aren't terribly uncommon.
Mark Blitz and John Hagee are claiming the reason this is the end of times is because two of the current tetrad of blood moons fall on the first day of Passover and Sukkot which are Jewish Holy Feast days and have thus been dubbed by Christians as "a Biblical Tetrad." The 8th "Biblical Tetrad" since Jesus died is occurring now during 2014-2015. There will not be another "Biblical Tetrad" for almost 600 years. Keep in mind Jewish Holidays are based upon the lunar calendar so full moons happening on Passover and Sukkot will absolutely happen.
But wait one minute here! Seven times back-to-back blood-red moons have fallen on the first day of Passover and Sukkot since 1 AD and this current tetrad marks the eighth time. Humm, why then didn't the end of times take place before one of the seven previous times this has happened since Jesus died?
It's physics at work and not prophetic at all. A simple mathematical equation could easily explain it. It's just the coincidence of these events matching up and just happens to be doing so once again now for the 8th time in the past 2015 years with the next coincidental occurrence happening in another 600 years. So? I must be skeptical, but I believe these guys are cashing in. It made the New York Times best seller list, so they must have made a nice chunk of change.
I walked around to view it from different places for about 40 minutes. The best view was lying on the street in front of my home looking straight up. The street was still warm from the day's sunlight and the air temp was 64 degrees. The sky was crisp and clear. The winter constellations were rising in the east along with Jupiter. Taurus and the Pleiades (Subaru) were overhead being chased by Orion the Hunter. That's apropos since this full moon is the "Hunter's Moon."
I got my little digital camera after a while and took some pictures. They are not great due to the camera being what it is. By the time I took the picture of the moon around 4:30 AM, the top right portion was just beginning to leave the Earth's shadow. I also snapped a shot of Orion. These aren't great but they don't totally suck either.
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 Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Koscadians got together one more time to Stamp Money Out of Politics
L-R: also mom of 5, loggersbrat, Quill, pdxteacher, J Orygun, KitRMP, HRM & Arenosa
Please visit Sara R's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by mimi ♥ for New York City
Here's a great photo recap of all the Kossacks marching in NYC at the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014.
L-R: Raines and Tool holding the banner
L-R: ?, mole jr., Mrs. Mole333, boatsie, The Poet Deploreate, WarrenS, ? mole333 and kathny
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
Coachella Kossacks MeetUp and How to add a link to your signature
by Susan Grigsby ♥ for Coachella Kossacks
Susan Grisby put out the call for other readers of Daily Kos near Palm Desert and now we have the beginning of organizing there.
Here's the charter group! Go Susan! Special thanks to susans for driving down from L.A. to lend support.
L-R: ruscle, ruscle+one, Susan Grisby & blue drop
Look at all that orange! Shirt, tops and a hat! Sweet.
Please visit Susan Grigsby's diary for MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Coachella Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Susan Grigsby.
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a registering-to-vote event for Ford County, Kansas in Dodge City to reach out to Latino voters there. He partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Ford County Democratic Party. 150 people attended to listen to John Thomas (KS House District 119 Candidate), Jean Schodorf (Secretary of State Candidate), Jim Sherow (US House, KS District 1 Candidate), Mark Low (Kansas House Candidate, District 115).
"LULAC volunteers sat at their table and handled registration after registration as people came to the event to listen to how they could change their state. We knew that not only were we helping to register new and first time voters, we were helping to bring a message into a community that has been ignored - and to help them take that message back to their friends and families."
This is a great example of reaching out to disenfranchised communities and helping them vote. Because If Democratic base voters turn out, we win. Can't be said enough. More regions need to do this.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Meetup Success! C+J/NE Kossacks Sept 6th
by nhox42 ♥ for New England Kossacks
The New England Kossacks got together at the home brillig and mik north of Boston. Kossacks drove from all over New England to attend. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Folks in attendance were: brillig, mik, K1, K2, Simple, nhox42, Ed Tracey, GreyHawk, Kathy, TrueBlueMajority, theKgirls, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, mayim, dtheo, RubDMC, AnotherMassachusettsLiberal, Debbie in ME, ialonelady, CwV, sardonyx, Noor B, Andy, James and Alex.
New England Kossacks
Please visit nhox42's diary for MORE photos! Including yummy food pr0n. Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New England Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to nhox42.
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, October 11th
Silicon Valley Kossacks' Day of Action Canvassing and BBQ with the Mike Honda Campaign (CA-17)
TIME: 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Mike Honda for Congress
SEIU Bldg. 2302 Zanker Road • San Jose
ORGANIZER: Send Glen The Plumber a KosMail or tweet to attend
RSVPs:
1. Rep. Mike Honda
2. Glen The Plumber
3. remembrance
4. TheLittleOne
5. Lusty
6. slowbutsure
7. madhaus
8. Jan D.
9. Joe D.
10. navajo (2:30)
11. Meteor Blades (2:30)
12. DancinMan
13. Eileen S.
14. Cindy W.
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Maybees:
shanikka (2:30)
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Latest diary: Silicon Valley Kossack’s Day of Action with the Mike Honda campaign 10/11
Sunday, October 12th
Koscadians Lunch at Siri Thai
TIME: 12:30 PM
LOCATION: Siri Thai
5234 SE Powell • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Sara R
2. Kit RMP
3. llbear
4. Drewid
5. Sapere aude
6. MikePhoenix
7. Joe Jackson
8. loggersbrat
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Koscadia Meet Ups, October 8 and 12
Saturday, October 18th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnicking on the National Mall
DC Kossacks is a regional group intended to organize meet-ups, discuss issues, strategize participation in pertinent activism, and build community for those of us who live in and around Washington DC.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: National Mall
Take the Blue/Orange line to Smithsonian Metro Station. Exit the escalators and walk straight ahead across the first small lawn to the trees and grassy areas directly ahead. Look for a large plain orange cloth. That'll be us. It will help us recognize each other if you bring something GOS orange! • DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest entry: http://www.dailykos.com/...
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
4. kathny
5. sidnora
6. rubyr
7. joanbrooker
8. blue jersey mom
9. Nancy
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Maybees:
mconvente
mole333 and family
Son of Broccoli
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup Sunday 10/19 w Special Guest - NAVAJO
Saturday, October 25th
or
Sunday, October 26th
Salt Lake City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Beans & Brews
5938 S. State Street • Murray
ORGANIZER: Send jlms qkw a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. jlms qkw
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, October 25th
SFKossacks Attends Daily Kos Day at MoveOn.org's GOTV Offices
TIME: 10:00 AM
MoveOn's Voters Rising Office Location
Berkeley
2177 Bancroft Way (map)
Berkeley, CA
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. kimoconnor
4. skywriter
5. jotter
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Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
jpmassar
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! Daily Kos Teams With MoveOn.org's GOTV Events — Do You Cold Call Well?
Saturday, November 8th
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. Kitsap River
3. Charles Curtis Stanley
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Seattle Meet Up - Dog Day Activities
Saturday, December 13th
SF Kossacks Holiday Party at Daily Kos HQ
The usual Pot Luck drill - sign-up list posted soon
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately by kosmail • Berkeley
Near Ashby BART
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Will Rockafellow
3. Susan Gardner
4. Meteor Blades
5. Faith Gardner & Roxie!
6. navajo
7. side pocket
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. smileycreek
10. paradise50
11. remembrance
12. Glen The Plumber
13. TLO
14. jakedog42
15. edrie
16. dharmasyd
17. catilinus
18. boatsie
19. liberated spaces
20. citisven
21. kimoconnor
22. susans
23. maggiejean
24. 714day
25. Steven Payne
26. scaboni
27. skywriter
28. jpmassar
29. jotter
30. aha aha
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Maybees:
Thinking Fella
high uintas
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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.