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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Ever Flown in a Warbird ?
Warbirds were all over the news last weekend. Friday, May 8, was VE Day, when the US and western allies commemorate the surrender of Germany in 1945. Part of the ceremony in Washington, D.C. was a flyover by more than 50 WWII aircraft, now known as "Warbirds." The flyover was organized by an outfit called the Arsenal of Democracy. The planes flew over the National Mall and were grouped into 15 formations representing different WWII battles and campaigns. One of the planes in the flyover was "FIFI,"1 the only airworthy B-292 in the world. FIFI is owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force. The CAF was originally called the Confederate Air Force. Based in Midland, TX, they're a group of rich old farts volunteers dedicated to keeping WWII Warbirds in the air. In addition to participating in events like the VE Day flyover, the CAF tours the country exhibiting their planes and selling Warbird rides. They brought FIFI to Tucson in February.
Now, I had already seen a B-29 on static display, they have one at the Pima Air and Space Museum, but I wanted to see it fly. I wanted to hear those four big radial engines fire up and watch the thing lumber down the runway and into the air. So I went out to the airport Sunday morning. You can go out there and just check out the planes for free, but there's a sales job going on all the while. Rides in FIFI are the most expensive ones they offer. A ride in the bombardiers seat costs around $1500 and, not bein' a rich old fart myself, I knew I couldn't afford that. But FIFI doesn't travel alone. Turns out there's a branch of the CAF in Mesa, the AZCAF, and they have a B-253. This one, Maid in the Shade, which was out at the airport that morning.
The B-25 Mitchell is famous for the Doolittle Raid4, when sixteen of them took off from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific and bombed Tokyo in 1942. Three B-25s were part of the big D.C flyover. They're important for another reason too. It was the B-25 that started the renewed interest in Warbirds. In 1970 the producers Catch-22 assembled a fleet of 17 flying B-25s for use in that movie. They were sold off after the filming and most of 'em are still around, repainted, renamed and doing Warbird exhibitions.
So I went out and watched FIFI take off and I was hanging around checking out the planes and talking with the volunteers. They were trying to sell me a ride the whole time. "I don't know," I told 'em, rubbing my chin. "It's a lot of money and I haven't talked it over with my wife," and so on. Then the volunteer, who obviously had some experience in such things, tells me, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission." "Sign me up," I said. I rode in the waist-gunners seat, starboard side, just aft of the bomb bay. They had a non-working Browning .50 cal. there, all tied down so no one could get hurt. The B-25 has more power-to-weight than the B-29 and doesn't hardly take any take-off run at all. It fairly jumped into the air. We flew around Tucson for about 20 minutes, up across the foothills and around Ventana Canyon and Pusch Ridge. It was way different from a commercial flight. Commercial air travelers are used to soundproofing and insulation. These planes don't have any of that. They're drafty and loud. The radial engines backfire, BAM, BAM, BAM, as the plane descends. I though we were taking flak at first. It was uncomfortable but fun. If I were a kid, 19, 20 years old, like the guys who flew in these things during the war, it might have been a real hoot. For an old fart like me it was a pretty rough ride. I'm glad I did it though, not just for the experience but for the satisfaction that comes from knowing that I chipped in a little bit to help keep these old airplanes flying.
Well there's my little Warbird story. What's up with y'all ? Did you observe VE Day, or Victory Day as it's known in Russia5 ? Any cool links, any new Meet-Ups in the works and ...
Ever flown in a Warbird ?
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
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Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by AndyT ♥ for Dallas Kossacks
For our first Meet-up we kept it social for the most part. We discussed our histories in activism and what got us involved. Our lurker, CJ, had some questions about how Daily Kos works and we were happy to explain the basics. Some of the topics discussed were fracking, trans teens, LGBT activism, police violence, increasing the minimum wage and income inequality. We also got to know each other a little bit.
It's always a treat and privilege to meet fellow progressives. I personally feel right at home with them almost immediately. I had a great time and I believe everyone else did as well.
So come see us on May 23rd at Ojeda's!!!
Texnance, dalfireplug and Andyt photographed by lurker CJ
Please visit
AndyT's diary. You can still REC it. You can join
Dallas Kossacks by sending a
Kosmail to AndyT.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
DKos Asheville brought its eighth community meet up to life this past weekend with a historic appearance of a civil rights icon, Dr Fergie Reid, in Roanoke Virginia.
As reported by Roanoke's NBC Station, WSLS10:
A living legend was honored in Roanoke on Saturday. A special event was held at Hotel Roanoke recognizing William Ferguson Reid. Dr. Reid was the first African-American elected to the Virginia General Assembly in the twentieth century.
In March of this year, Reid celebrated his 90th birthday. In an effort to continue his long history of expanding voters' rights, people are taking part in a campaign called "90 for 90." The goal is to register new voters for the election. People across the state are working to register 90 new voters in each of Virginia's precincts.
randallt (Connect! Unite! Act! State Leader for North Carolina), Chris LaGrant (Campaign Manager for Virginia State Senate candidate Mike Hamlar), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Sr. (Civil Rights Leader & 90 for 90 Icon), Freeda Cathcart (Democratic Activist), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Jr. (Son of Dr. Fergie, Sr.) and Gordon20024 (DKos Meet-up Benefactor)
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
DKos Asheville by sending a
Kosmail to randallt.
by Chris Reeves ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
&
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
More than 140 readers of Daily Kos and friends came together in Kansas City to discuss the future of Kansas, Missouri and the Democratic Party - as well as what they can do about it. All of the speakers were excellent and many of the attendees loved meeting the writers at Daily Kos and underlining the fact that we are there for them. We had a great day starting with a continental breakfast and enjoyed the spaciousness of a really swell theater for the presentations. There was a greeting by navajo, a presentation by Chris Reeves and Reuben Eckels, a speech by David Nir and a talk by Joan McCarter. We had a casual pizza buffet for lunch. We resumed with Markos giving a preview of DK5 and then an Ask Me Anything session. Next up was an interview by Monique Teal of Patricia Bynes, Dr. Jacob Wagner spoke next and then we finished off with a Meteor Blades's summary of the purpose of the event and then we Skyped in the Roanoke event and an address by Dr. Ferguson Reid, Sr.
Markos addressing the crowd
Markos chatting during a break
Please visit Chris Reeve's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Chris Reeves.
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, May 16th
Colorado Community Caffeinating Liberally Meet-up
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Common Grounds Coffeehouse
2139 W. 44th Ave (Vallejo) • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DENVER: Come Have Coffee On Saturday May 16, Because It'll Probably Be Raining.
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
4. asterkitty
5. ericlewis0
6. Design the Future
7. mattc129
8. blue jersey mom
9. rubyr
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Maybees:
Its the Supreme Court Stupid
wader
NancyWH
garth
joan brooker
thirty three and a third
followyourbliss
Catskill Julie
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Latest diary: REMINDER: NYC Meetup May 16 - Can you help PEREGRINE KATE find a place to stay??
Saturday, May 23rd
Dallas Kos Meet-up, Let's Build Community!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Ojeda's Mexican Restaurant
4617 Maple Avenue • Dallas
ORGANIZER: Send AndyT a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. AndyT
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Dallas Kossacks Meetup Report and Next Event
Saturday, May 30th
Houston Kos Monthly Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill in Meyerland Plaza
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. scott5js
3. cosette
4. NoBlinkers
5. Baby NoBlinkers
6. Mary
7. JJR1971
8. TDDVandy
9. Blood
10. jmbar2 |
Maybees:
Mr. cosette
Mr. NoBlinkers
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meetup Scheduled for May 30 (RSVP Today!)
Saturday, May 30th
Seattle Puget Sound Kos Meet-up with Guest Speaker Yoram Bauman
Connect, Unite and help plan Action for 2015!
Cost: $20.00 with selected menu
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper's SO
3. bleeding blue
4. LarisaW
5. momomia
6. Eagle Keeper
7. Piren
8. Flamingogrrl
9. doing business as |
Maybees:
tenayaca
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Latest diary: S&PS Kos - Take the Initiative with Yoram Bauman
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. Jen Hayden for 6/28 only
9. Joan McCarter
10. mcmom
11. peregrine kate
12. BoiseBlue
13. Mrs. BoiseBlue
14. figbash
15. MTmofo
16. woolibaar
17. markdd
18. Mrs. markdd
19. Earthling1
20. Earthling2
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Maybees:
NormAl1792
winifred3
dharmasyd
foresterbob
714Day
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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
• Glacier National Park: Red Rock Falls (Photo Diary) and Meet Up Stuff
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.