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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.
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Have You Ever Hitchhiked, or Picked Up a Hitchhiker?
Was it Jim Morrison's fault hitchhiking died out?
If you give this man a ride
Sweet family will die
Killer on the road...
~~ The Doors 1970
When I was 13 my hippie brother Richard graduated from college where he had avoided the draft, first with his student deferment and then with a high lottery number. He immediately decided to ditch the Inland Empire and hitchhike about the country. I remember the thrill of watching him leave our apartment with only a backpack and a cardboard hand-lettered sign that read "Oregon or Bust!"
Richard was no romantic. He was quick to adjust his plans. After three unpleasant and quickly aborted rides and too many long hours waiting by the side of the road (at 6'4" he may have been too imposing a presence), and before ever getting out of southern California he boarded a Greyhound bus. A few days later we got a postcard from Corvallis, Oregon where he fetched up for a few months, working and saving for the beat-up VW van he continued his cross-country travels in.
Whatever happened to hitchhiking, so popular in the 60's and 70's? Was it an outbreak of mass murderers, an outbreak of sanity as to its dangers, or something else? In the 1950's, around the time Kerouac's On The Road was published and launched the counterculture, the FBI began a Reefer-Madness like scare campaign to stoke paranoia against hippies and other marginalized people. Their goal got an assist from a few frightening high-profile cases involving young middle-class white girls.
As Molly Osberg writes in The End of the Open Road: The Inside Story of How Hitchhiking Died:
Which isn’t to say that gruesome and terrible things don’t happen to hitchhikers; they do. Just statistically not most often to girls like me, or to my female friends who have hitchhiked across the country with friends, camping in Yosemite and making small talk with Boomers in rickety Volvos. Unfortunately, as Strand tells me, “the sad fact of reality is that women are raped and murdered no matter what they do.” And, as with pretty much all violence in America, brutal acts on the road are most often perpetrated against our most neglected and invisible populations.
The more hitchhiking came to be seen as dangerous, even deadly, the more people dropped out of both picking up hitchhikers and thumbing rides. If the percentage of psychos or people who intend you violent harm remains constant in the world, then hitching or offerine a ride
have by definition become more dangerous as more regular folks drop out. There always was a slight risk of danger (which contributed to the thrill and rebellion of it all, perhaps), but it was slight: A 1974 study commissioned by the California Highway Patrol looked into the crime rate involving hitchhiking and found it only amounted to 0.63% in statewide crime statistics. It may be that the danger has been magnified because the innocent and goodhearted alike have opted out. This is a shame because it really is the cheapest way to travel.
Given our crumbling infrastructure, the decline in car ownership among younger people, and the number of empty seats in most passenger cars it seems logical that hitchhiking could be resurrected, perhaps in a newer and ostensibly safer form. People already now set up ride-sharing via Craigslist, and providing rides for a low fee could be a way to offset the price of car ownership.
Given the way cell phones with cameras and videos have changed law enforcement, might they not also change the practice of hitchhiking? Young people tend to have cell phones, if nothing else. There are apps that can instantly transmit photos and videos into the cloud. So let's say you thumb a ride. Before getting in you post a picture of the driver's license plates along with one of the driver and set your GPS to track your movements. Likewise, the driver could snap a photo of the hitchhiker and post his location and route. With each person leaving a clear trail of their interaction might it not feel safer, and promote a low-cost means of transportation, as well as a rediscovered love of the road?
If gas prices were to steeply rise again, and younger people continue to not be able to afford cars, could hitchhiking have a renaissance?
Or will fear prevail?
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 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
10. Gemina13
11. TBone Apollo |
Maybees:
tenayaca
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Latest diary: S&PS Kos - Take the Initiative with Yoram Bauman
Sunday, May 31st
Los Angeles Kossacks Potluck
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Private Home
[Address given privately to RSVPers] • North Hills
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. susans - vegetarian main dish
2. Otoelbc
3. matts2
4. Mrs. matts2
5. Joshua Bloxom - dessert
6. Shockwave
7. Santa Susanna Kid
8. gmats
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Maybees:
philipmerrill
jakedog42
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Latest diary: Potluck in Los Angeles on May 31st
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.