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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What is the Meaning of Life ?
How's that for a question ? I love the smell of Philosophy in the morning. I studied Philosophy when I was young. I didn't study as diligently as I might have, but I did manage to read a good deal of it. In Olden Times the answer to my question was simple: We are here to do the will of the Creator. As scientific knowledge increased God retreated, grudgingly, in fits and starts. The idea of a clockwork universe, created by God but operating according to Laws of Physics, caused a great deal of consternation. It meant that the Almighty wasn't personally directing the motion of the planets. After Darwin some no longer believed that God created all living things in their present forms. This was another retreat and people still argue about Evolution and Creation. Some began to wonder if there was a God at all and if He didn't exist, if we aren't here to do His will, what does life mean anyway ? Preachers still preach that God has a plan for each of us, if we can discern it, and this still constitutes the Meaning of Life for many people. Existentialist writers agreed that without God life has no meaning, but they were OK with that. They believed that it's up to us to give meaning to our lives. Of course, humans are the only life form that worries about this sort of thing. Plants and animals know the Meaning of Life. The Meaning of Life is reproduction. It's a biological imperative; the meaning of a frog's life is to make more frogs, it's the same with a fruit fly or a rose bush.
What got me thinking about the Meaning of Life is an agave plant in bloom a couple of streets over. The Agave americana is a wonderful plant. It is native to the Southwest so we see them all over the place in Tucson. The agave answers the question in a spectacular fashion. They bloom only once and then they die. Commonly called Century Plants from the belief that they bloom once in 100 years, they actually bloom after living some 10 to 30 years. During their lifetimes they save up their energy and build up their strength for that one performance, that one suicidal, massive, righteous, monumental, er, inflorescence. When it's time they shoot up a mighty stalk towards the sky. This stalk, or spike, grows as much as 12 inches a day until it's 20 feet high or more. Then it flowers and having fulfilled its purpose the plant dies. That is the Meaning of Life for an agave plant.
Humans have given other meanings for an agave's life, even if they haven't given meaning to their own.
But the miracle of nature was the great Mexican aloe, or maguey, whose clustering pyramids of flowers, towering above their dark coronals of leaves, were seen sprinkled over many a broad acre of the table-land. As we have already noticed its bruised leaves afforded a paste from which paper was manufactured, its juice was fermented into an intoxicating beverage, pulque, of which the natives, to this day, are extremely fond; its leaves further supplied an impenetrable thatch for the more humble dwellings; thread, of which coarse stuffs were made, and strong cords, were drawn from its tough and twisted fibers; pins and needles were made from the thorns at the extremity of its leaves; and the root, when properly cooked, was converted into a palatable and nutritious food. The agave, in short, was meat, drink, clothing, and writing materials for the Aztec! Surely, never did Nature enclose in so compact a form so many of the elements of human comfort and civilization!
William H. Prescott
The concentrated energy stored in the heart of an agave plant is easily converted for human use. For
Geronimo and his band of Chiricahua Apaches on the run from the U.S. Army the agave was a source of emergency rations growing in the hills all around them. They would simply cut off the spiny leaves, or
pencas, and throw the heart of the agave, the
piña, into the campfire. After roasting for a few hours it was sweet and ready to eat.
In Mexico the Indians had another use for it. The sweet sap of the agave, called
aguamiel or honey water by the Spanish, ferments naturally to yield a native beer called
Pulque.
Los Conquistadores, the Spanish, knew about distillation and distilled
Pulque to make a Mexican brandy called
Mescal. The most famous
Mescal is
Tequila. Tequila is a geographical appellation like Champagne. The Sonoran version is called
Bacanora. Formerly available only in mason jars, this Sierra Madre moonshine is now being bottled and has its own government appellation. I tried some commercial Bacanora a couple of weeks ago. It has more the character of an
aguardiente than a smooth, sipping Tequila, but it's not bad.
OK, that's all I got for this Tuesday morning, a little Philosophy, a little Tequila. Now it's your turn, what's on you mind, what's on your agenda and, in 25 words or less please ...
What is the Meaning of Life ?
SPECIAL OFFER FROM NETROOTS NATION
FOR READERS OF CONNECT! UNITE! ACT!
You know you want to go but you're procrastinating, right? NN is offering a limited-time offer of $50 off the current registration of $325. Use the special promo code of Connect to get your registration for $275. This offer will be good until May 31st.
This July 17-20, the largest progressive conference of the year will take place in Detroit, MI: the ninth annual Netroots Nation conference. Each year, thousands of online activists, community organizers and progressive leaders come together for four days of panels, trainings, keynotes and fun networking opportunities.
Highlights include:
• A keynote featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren (and more speakers to be announced soon)
• 80 panels and 40 hands-on training sessions
• A progressive film Screening Series
• A kickoff party sponsored by the Michigan Senate Democrats and the DLCC
• A closing night party sponsored by Alliance for American Manufacturing
• A special Tech Tools Shootout and reception sponsored by Google, New Media Ventures and Netroots Nation
• Annual events including our pub quiz, comedy show and candidate reception and much more!
Also, if you need a scholarship to attend please apply over at Democracy for America.
The five applicants with the most votes overall will automatically win a scholarship. The remaining twenty-five spots will be chosen by the selection committee, with preference towards those with the most grassroots support. The competition ends on May 12th at 11:59pm PT.
Latest Updates on Kossack 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
Ten, count 'em, ten Koscadians got together for political conversation and trendy food truck cuisine at a food truck pod in Portland. They've reported that everyone in attendance enjoyed it.
L-R: (1) markdd, llbear, PSNPDX (2) markdd (3) Ozsea1 (4) winglion
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Asheville Kossacks had another successful meet-up with excellent food supplied and prepared by Gordon20024. There's excellent food pr0n in the diary, btw. Steelergrrl brought tomato plants to give away. randallt handed out large Register to Vote signs along with information handouts on the new North Carolina voting law and a comprehensive guide to obtaining an ID for voting. Asheville Kossacks have been setting the example of GOTV for the rest of us. Kossack cultjake told an informative story on his new work on the precinct level of politics. randallt also made Asheville Kossack nametag lanyards for everyone. I'm impressed with all the ideas he's thought of to Connect, unite and activate his group.
See diary for identities
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
by Dave in Northridge ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
On April 26, a number of us Los Angeles Kossacks assembled at Casey's Irish Pub in downtown Los Angeles for the first of THREE political events, each connected with the huge field of candidates running to replace Henry Waxman in the 33rd Congressional District, which covers the beach areas of Los Angeles from Malibu in the north to Palos Verdes in the south and swings inland to cover some of the more liberal bastions of the West Side. Our candidate today was David Kanuth, the youngest of the 18 candidates and, possibly significantly, the best fundraiser.
Please visit Dave in Northridge's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Dave in Northridge.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Tuesday, May 13th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet
for LeftOfYou & Expat Okie
TIME: 11:00 AM, Early lunch!
LOCATION: Yank Sing
Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. LeftOfYou
3. Expat Okie
4. side pocket
5. Justice Putnam
6. dharmasyd
7. Lorikeet
8. jpmassar
9. maggiejean
10. citisven
TABLE IS FULL!
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Maybees:
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Saturday, May 17th
Kansas-Missouri Kossacks Attend the Moving Kansas Forward March & Rally for Progress at the Brown v. Board 60th Anniversary State-wide Event
TIME: March starts at 10:30 AM - Rally at State Capitol starts at 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site
1515 SE Monroe St. • Topeka
Schools still aren't equal in Kansas.
Busses are available that will transport people from: Salina, Hays, Pittsburg, Derby, Wichita, Kansas City with car pools from Lawrence, Manhattan and elsewhere. If you are in Kansas, we'll do anything possible to have you gather in Topeka to celebrate this important milestone.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Syoho
3. StepLeftStepForward
4. K4Dean
5. Representatives from Women4KS
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Maybees:
BlueBarnStormer
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Latest diary: Kansas Kossack Gathering(s): May 10, May 17..
Saturday, May 17th
Motor City Kossacks Traveling Road Show of Meet-ups for NN14 Prep
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Grand Trunk Pub
612 Woodward • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. Brainwrap
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Attn Motor City Kossacks: May-June Meet-ups in Detroit, AA/Ypsi, Lansing, & Oakland Co. (NN14 prep)
Sunday, May 18th
Motor City Kossacks Traveling Road Show of Meet-ups for NN14 Prep
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Sidetrack Bar and Grill
56 E. Cross St • Ypsilanti
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. Eclectablog
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Attn Motor City Kossacks: May-June Meet-ups in Detroit, AA/Ypsi, Lansing, & Oakland Co. (NN14 prep)
Saturday, May 17th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnic on the National Mall
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall • Washington, DC
Here is how to find the DC Kossacks picnic: 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.
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. webgenie
3. mimi
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, June 28th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. mdmslle
3. webgenie
4. mimi
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, May 24th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. bleeding blue
3. wise piper
4. flamingogirl
5. John Crapper's SO
6. Grey Fedora
7. TBoneApollo
8. N in Seattle
9. momomia
10. momomia's friend
11. Piren
12. Gemina13
13. cinnamon68
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Maybees:
LeftyCoaster
Eagle Keeper
oakroyd
wackoliberal
Penny GC
SirVantes
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Latest diary: Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks - Come Together!
Saturday, May 24th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Betsy Butler, California Senate candidate
Marianne Williamson, US Congress candidate
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. Lisa
5. Mr. Lisa
6. Lisa's Guest
7. Dave in Northridge
8. jakedog42
9. SanFernandoValleyMom
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Maybees:
Chiwere
714day
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks are hot; 2 great meetings coming up (May 24 and 31)
Saturday, May 31st
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Matt Miller, US Congress candidate for CA-33 and Sandra Fluke, California Senate candidate for the CA-05 Senate district. CA-05 Senate and CA-33 US Congress overlap 50%. Both candidates agreed to speak at the same meeting.
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. jakedog42
5. Joe Bacon
6. tmservo433
7. SanFernandoValleyMom
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Maybees:
Chiwere
Lisa
714day
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks are hot; 2 great meetings coming up (May 24 and 31)
Saturday, May 31st
Houston Area Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. Bree Davis
3. MarciaJ720
4. cosette
5. Mary
6. Alan
7.
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Maybees:
Mr. cosette
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, May 31
Saturday, June 14th
Inaugural New Jersey Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Cranberry's Gourmet Cafe
10 Cedar Brook Drive, Cedar Brook Corporate Park • Cranbury
ORGANIZER: Send Avilyn a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Avilyn
2. belinda ridgewood
3. zitherhamster
4. avamontez
3. Christin
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Maybees:
Trosk
profewalt
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Latest diary: First New Jersey Kossacks Meetup!
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:30 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11.
12.
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd, winifred3
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
4. Ninepatch
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7.
8.
9.
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9.
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Dee Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Seattle & Portland Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. Cedwyn
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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?? Table:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
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.