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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What Story or Stories Stuck With You This Week?
1) That Right There is What Patriotism Looks Like
I can't get it out of my mind, the first interview on Wednesday night with Feidin Santana, the young man who revealed his video of Walter Scott's murder after carefully considering the ramifications to everyone. His calm idealism about what is right, the earnestness with which he struggled to be precise about what he actually registered at the time versus what he saw later on his video, and his openness about his fear of reprisal made him the most heart-breakingly perfect man to be behind that camera.
It was his final words that addressed the gap between the ideal United States and the reality he had just taken in that made me well up and have kept a hold on me ever since.
If you haven't watched the whole thing, please find time to do so. You will love this man's integrity. Otherwise, forward to his final comment at 12:30.
(My own transcription, not an official one. Any errors are mine.)
Anything you want to add? Anything I didn't ask you?
Well, I guess I um....This is a very complicated situation and I'm from Dominican Republic. And in Dominican Republic we look for the authority of the United States, you know, we follow over here you know, the way it's treated over here you know, the people, you know? Not just Dominican Republic, the whole Hispanic countries, you know, and all over the world.
You look up to us?
Yes. I don't think this is a good way, to, you know, for us to see this, you know?
What do you hope happens because you captured that scene on your cell phone? What do you want to come from this?
Well I hope, like I say, I'm putting myself out here to talk and to express this cannot be happening. Not just in north Charleston, but in the whole nation, I would say in the whole world. This needs to stop. The cops taking advantage of their power, to the minority and to the people.
I wonder what lessons Feidin Santana has learned and will continue to learn. I want to say he learned that empathy and truth and justice are strong enough to overpower very real and justified fear. I want him to continue to believe that the only way your country can reach its ideal is for you to
push it towards that ideal.
2) On a Lighter Note: Driving Lessons
I can't get this one out of my head either, for different reasons. Put yourself in the young lady's shoes when you read that, for security reasons, Secret Service Agents Taught Malia How to Drive.
Now, I don't know what your learning-to-drive experience was like, but I have a feeling this arrangement made for some highly illuminating instructions, far more informative than if she'd gone out to drive around the parking lot with her dad slamming his imaginary brakes.
And, while Malia still has to be followed by security, she still can get in her car and drive away, probably once or twice around the traffic circles and then back home, but hey. She gets to drive. And she's being taught how to drive by bad-asses.
What lessons would you like the Secret Service to give you?
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 John Crapper ♥ for Seattle & Puget Sound Kos
So John Crapper claims to have had a meet-up this past March 29th. Wull, there is no photographic evidence, so I'm skeptical. He claims that momomia, Flamingogrrl, MiddleEaarth, TBone Apollo, LarisaW, bleeding blue, notrouble, John Crapper S.O., and Michael Foster were in attendance. Hmmmmm.....
Kidding aside. ;) John's got a great vision to organize the Seattle area:
I brought people up to date on my progress in preparing to launch a new environmental communication's hub called Northwest Climate Voices. I've scheduled webinars for the second week in April to orient environmental activists to both the Daily Kos site and Northwest Climate Voices in preparation for the launch. If all goes well, NWCVs will regularly post on Sunday late afternoon.
His diary includes an environmental event calendar and those in attendance provided ideas for future meet-ups. Great job, John and all the Seattle and Puget Sound folks!
Please visit John Crapper's diary for more information. You can still REC it. You can join Seattle & Puget Sound Kos by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
Kossacks Receive Warm Welcome from Embassy Staff
by Thinking Fella ♥ for Four Corners Kossacks
Thinking Fella's doing everything right to grow his group in Durango. Regularly scheduled meet-ups. Exciting, might I say, EPIC meet-ups to draw much needed attention. A former Precinct Captain, he recently won a position on his local Democratic Party Executive Committee. He's charmingly endeared himself to all who attend his meet-ups and those he chats with online. Yep. Doing everything right. PLUS, he writes very entertaining diaries to enthuse his locals to attend, such as the one for this meet-up: Four Corners Kossacks Meet-up: International Diplomatic Outreach. Great job, Thinking Fella! Keep those Durgangotangs hopping!
Here's one photo:
L-R: Thinking Fella, red moon dog, relleno, Mrs. relleno, ERRN, Gary Norton, nzanne & HeroMachine
Please visit
Thinking Fella's diary for many MORE photos plus delicious food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
Four Corners Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
Thinking Fella.
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, April 11th
Motor City Kos Meet-up
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Sweet Potato Sensations
17337 Lahser Rd • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. DoReMI
3. Mideedah
4. BFSkinner
5.
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Maybees:
dconrad
LakeSuperior
2thanks
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Latest diary: Michigan/Motor City Kossacks Weekly Open Thread: Meetup! Sat 4/11, 5:00 PM, Sweet Potato Sensations
Saturday, April 11th
Houston Kos Welcome Smoh
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill in Meyerland Plaza
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Smoh
2. Chrislove
3. cosette
4. |
Maybees:
nomandates
Deja
Mr. cosette
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Come and Meet Smoh on April 11!
April 17th-19th, 2015
Democrats Abroad - Mexico, are having their Annual Meeting
Friday, April 17th: Reception in Ajijic
TIME: 5:30-7:00 PM
Tom Guild, a congressional candidate from Oklahoma, is the special guest.
LOCATION: [private residence] Lake Chapala
Saturday, April 18th: Annual meeting and elections in Chapala
TIME: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cash bar at 2:00 PM, Lunch at 3:00 PM
TIME: 7:00 PM
Randy Noojan’s HARD TRAVELIN’ WITH WOODY GUTHRIE at the Club Exotica in Ajijic
Sunday, April 19th: Movie “Iron Jawed Angels” at the Cinemas del Lago in Ajijic,
TIME: 01:30 PM
Cost: $38.
LOCATION: Hotel Villa Montecarlo
Hidalgo 296 • Chapala
ORGANIZER: Send roberb7 a kosmail if you have questions
RSVPs:
1. roberb7
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, April 18th
San Francisco Kos Welcomes blue jersey mom to Town
Potluck style BBQ
We need volunteers for the following:
Compostable forks
Beer & Wine
tortilla chips
5-6 side salads/dishes of any type
Sausages including veggie type and buns
3 appetizers
2 desserts
Note: We have one severe nut allergy. ER visit severe. Avoid or label, please.
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 [does NOT need to bring anything! Our guest!]
2. navajo - [2 bottles of wine]
3. side pocket - [12 pack of beer, one bottle red wine]
4. Mrs. side pocket - [potato salad, AND deviled eggs]
5. maggiejean - [polenta, mushroom and asparagus side dish & wine]
6. kimoconnor - [carne asada, tortillas & fixins]
7. dharmasyd - [creamy cole slaw]
8. norm
9. remembrance - [side dish]
10. Glen The Plumber
11. TLO
12. Lorikeet - [lazy fruit, of some sort]
13. dsb - [side dish]
14. FogCityJohn
15. boatsie - [kitcherie]
16. lineatus
17. LaughingPlanet - [non-alcoholic beverages]
18. EagleOfFreedom
19. ceebee7 [Greek salad]
20. Simplify - [sausages & buns]
21. patg - [dessert]
Maybees:
slksfca
Ebby
Saturday, April 25th
Dallas Kos Meet-up!
Why: Margaritas, fajitas, burritos and other fine quality progressive company!
Part of the plan: discussing creating a "taskforce" of people ready to swoop down on the county courthouse when marriage equality reaches Texas to greet happy couples with roses and banners celebrating the new recognition of their unions!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Uncle Julio's Mexican Restaurant
4125 Lemmon Ave • Dallas
ORGANIZER: Send AndyT a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. AndyT
2.
3.
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Maybees:
tom 47
Chrislove
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Latest diary: Dallas Kossacks Meet Up April 25th
Saturday, April 25th
DAILY KOS CONNECTS KANSAS CITY
LOCATION: Alamo Drafthouse
1400 Main Street • Kansas City
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.
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 at nearby Anton's Taproom & Restaurant. We've reserved their Beer Garden, you'll need a wristband from the day event to get in.
You'll also get a chance to meet the blog's founder, Markos Moulitsas and some of the Daily Kos staff:
• Meteor Blades, Senior Political Writer — The Value of Year Round Precinct Organizing
• Jen Hayden, Social Media Editor
• Neeta Lind aka navajo, Director of Community Building — How to Maximize the Daily Kos Forum
• Joan McCarter, Senior Political Writer — Online to on-the-ground Activism
• David Nir, Political Director — Midwest Politics and the Future
• Will Rockafellow, General Manager
• Monique Teal, Activism Team Member — Interview with Patricia Bynes
• Markos will give a preview of DK5, our new upgraded site plus an Ask Me Anything session
Special Guest Speakers:
• Patricia Bynes, Ferguson Township Committeewoman — The Next Steps Between Issue Organizing and Electoral Action
• Chris Reeves, Connect! Unite! Act! for Kansas & Missouri — Update on Kansas/Missouri Politics
• Jacob Wagner, Director of Urban Studies at UMKC — The Future is Urban: Kansas City Region and the Implications for State/National Politics
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've granted two scholarships! We have five more scholarships available thanks to our Benefactors and Angels. Please kosmail navajo if you need a scholarship to attend. |
Friday Night Pre-event party for Out-of-Towners and Interested Locals:
Location and time: TBD
Sunday Brunch for Out-of-Towners and Interested Locals:
Location and time: TBD
If you are at more than a 3 Hour drive, we have a discount on hotels for FRIDAY and SATURDAY night. Choose between the Park Place Ramada or the nearby Holiday Inn for $40 per night - a discount of approximately 66%. You must kosmail tmservo433 to reserve. Transport back and forth from event to Hotel is also included. |
Grow our network, unite our progressive communities, help win elections!
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
11. Joy of Fishes
12. TexDem
13. VeloVixen
14. Vet Wife
15. Mr Vetwife
16. Guest
17. Chun Yang
18. MySpentYouth
19. Guests
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Dr. Fergie Reid and Jr coming to Roanoke
Saturday, May 2nd
5th Annual Baja Arizona Kossacks Picnic
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Garfield Park
Tombstone Canyon Rd. • Bisbee
ORGANIZER: Send Azazello a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Azazello
2. ItsaMathJoke
3. rasbobbo
4. ramara
5. sneakers563
6. DaNang65
7. Bisbonian
8. itzadryheat
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Maybees:
pwoodford
Mother Mags
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Latest diary: Baja Arizona Kossacks Open Thread: 5th Annual Picnic
Saturday, May 16th
NYC Kossacks Welcome Peregrine Kate!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (corner of Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. kathny
2. peregrine kate
3. belinda ridgewood
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Maybees:
Its the Supreme Court Stupid
wader
asterkitty
rubyr
NancyWH
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup May 16 - with Special Guest PEREGRINE KATE!!
June 26, 27 & 28th, 2015
EPIC Glacier National Park Meet-up II
ACTIVITIES:
June 26: TBD
June 27: TBD
June 28:
Day - TBD
Evening - 5:00 PM, BBQ potluck with Jen Hayden at the lower picnic area at the Historic Tamarack Lodge, 9549 U.S. 2, Hungry Horse, MT 59919. Entertainment at 6:00 PM by Truckstop Honeymoon
TIME: 24/7
LOCATION: Exact location inside park TBD
[Address] • Glacier National Park
ORGANIZER: Send Ojibwa a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Ojibwa
2. state of confusion
3. Thinking Fella
4. side pocket
5. Mrs. side pocket
6. navajo
7. jakedog42
8. paradise50
9. Jen Hayden for 6/28 only
10. Joan McCarter
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Maybees:
woolibaar
NormAl1792
markdd
peregrine kate
mcmom
dharmasyd
hulibow
mr. hulibow
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Latest diaries:
• A 2015 Glacier National Park Meetup?
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier Park Meet Up: Travel and Lodging
• The EPIC 2015 Glacier National Park Meet Up: Camping
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier National Park Meet Up: Tours
Announcing Asheville, North Carolina as the location
for our next Regional Event! 9.26.15
Asheville, N.C. is the destination for September 26, 2015! DKos Asheville, the In-Real-Life group under the leadership of randallt, has been setting the example for other IRL groups across the nation regarding registering people to vote, getting out the vote, having a state open thread and setting up strategy conferences for their region. Because of this impressive leadership we've asked randallt to be the State Leader for all of North Carolina. We've got important work to do on the ground there and randallt has shown he's the person to make that happen.
All states are welcome to attend this event and if you do you can expect to meet Markos Moulitsas in person, as well as some of the Daily Kos staff. More details regarding this regional event will be shared in the future so please stay tuned to Connect! Unite! Act!
For now, SAVE THE DATE and spread the word!
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.