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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Did you ever regret posting something ?
Good morning CUA. I hope you'll forgive me for going local two weeks in a row, but I just can't get enough of the Thucydides Affair. It's a delicious political story with electoral implications and it got me thinking about blogging, trolling, usernames and anonymity. Arizona's own Mother Mags wrote about it HERE, HERE, and HERE. I know a lot of you have read these but for those who haven't, the story goes like this: In Arizona, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is an elected official. The Superintendent is the Secretary of the State Board of Education and oversees all public education in the state. The current Supt. is John Huppenthal (Wikipedia HERE). He was elected in 2010. His platform ? A vow to get rid of the Mexican-American Studies program in Tucson Unified School District by implementing the anti-MAS law passed by the legislature and pushed by his predecessor, and current AG, Tom Horne.
He was successful. The MAS program was shut down and, as you might imagine, this made Mr. Huppenthal an unpopular figure here in the Old Pueblo. No doubt this is why the Superintendent liked to read, and drop comments in, Tucson websites like the Tucson Weekly and Blog for Arizona. He was a frequent commenter at BfAZ using the name Thucydides. He commented so frequently that he earned a nickname, "Thucky," and it was the people at BfAZ who eventually connected Thucky to Huppenthal (BfAZ, June 2). The connection was made public and it all came out; all the right-wing, racist crap that he had been posting anonymously. Here's a handy Top Ten list from the Feathered Bastard ☛ Phoenix New Times and here's Thucky's apology from last Wednesday's press conference. Here's a guy with some regrets.
So, clearly, Thucky was a sock-puppet. You can almost see the light going on in his pointy little head, "Hey, I can go online anonymously and talk about what a great guy Huppenthal is, genius." Was he a troll ? I'm not sure. As I understand it, a troll is something like a pyromaniac. They make offensive comments just to see the reaction. I don't think Thucky was doing that. I think he actually believes that his positions are well thought out and correct and that he was educating fuzzy-headed liberals. A lot of conservatives are like that; they're ignorant as pigs and don't know their asses from a hole in the ground, but they like to make ridiculous historical references and flatter themselves that they're actually pretty damned smart. I think Huppenthal believes his own bullshit. You can tell this from his choice of usernames.
There's "Thucydides;" he thought he'd sound erudite if he used a name from ancient Greek literature. I guarantee that Huppenthal never read Thucydides. I couldn't force myself to finish the History of the Peloponnesian War and I used to read stuff like that all the time. It was a long damn war and if I remember correctly, each chapter ends with the same sentence. By the time I got to "...thus ends the third season of the war of which Thucydides is historian," I gave up. Same with "Socrates." He thought he'd impress the dummies by using the most famous name in Greek philosophy. I doubt he ever read anything Plato wrote, certainly not Book II of the Republic. I was reminded by a letter-to-the-editor in my morning paper of the story of Gyges Ring. Book II contains a dialogue about the myth of Gyges Ring. In Greek folklore, Gyges had found a magic ring. When he turned the ring a certain way, he became invisible. The question inspired by the myth is this: Are you a good person because your motives are pure or are you a good person because you're afraid of being discovered ? What evil might you do if you could get away with it by using a cloak of invisibility ? In other words, what filth might you spew if you knew your real identity would never be discovered ?
Obviously, Huppenthal was too clever by half. He didn't think it through. I'm sure he is sincere in his beliefs, but he knew damned well that they would not be well-received, especially among the liberals in Tucson. So he used aliases, different usernames. He thought he had the cloak of invisibility. I think all public figures, office holders or candidates for office, should post under their real names. Some of us need anonymity because we may have co-workers, clients or business associates who might not know about our politics and might not approve. This is especially true in red states. Some of us have written about personal issues that we wouldn't have revealed to anyone in real life. When I think about it, I'm not sure I really need to post anonymously. I'm pretty outspoken in real life and I don't intend to write about personal things here. And besides, once you start going to meet-ups you've pretty much lost your anonymity anyway. I'm not ashamed of anything I've written here, not even those late night comments I sometimes write when I'm a little, errr, tired. I have no regrets, well maybe a couple of insignificant ones, but nothing like Thucky.
So that's my offering for this morning: musings on the ethics of blogging and anonymity. What's on your mind today ? Got any good links ? How's the weather or whatever, and ...
Did you ever regret posting something ?
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 John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
Organizer John Crapper completed another meet-up, from his agenda:
Next, I updated the group on our efforts to identify campaigns we would like to assist in the upcoming elections. There are three that have been under active discussion but nothing has been firmly decided. We all agreed it was important to pick races that would help Washington Democrats regain control of the Senate.
Next, I asked for ideas, suggestions and assistance identifying future guest speakers. In connection with that I urged all to invite their friends to become Kossacks and join us to enhance our clout.
Longtime Kossack
LarisaW, President of
Progressive Radio Northwest (PRNW), was in attendance. She is leading an effort to bring back progressive radio to the NW.
All photos courtesy of mlharges:
L-R: John Crapper - John Crapper, his SO & momomia - TBoneApollo - Piren
L-R: EagleKeeper - Flamingogrrl - doingbusinessas - momomia
Please visit John Crapper's diary for MORE photos and commentary! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
by Avilyn ♥ for New Jersey Kossacks
The New Jersey Kossacks held their inaugural meet-up on June 14, 2014. Thanks so much to Avilyn for taking up the reins and leading this important group. She noticed in all of the Christy diaries that many New Jersey folk came out of lurking or signed up to comment. She was motivated by this to start this group. I'm glad because there's a lot of work to do in New Jersey. I also noticed in her start-up diaries that many people couldn't attend this event but wanted to be invited to the next event. She had 18 Kossacks sign up with her first announcement of the new group. This is excellent and I'm sure there are more New Jersey Kossacks out there.
Here's the group photo:
L-R: Christin, Mr. Christin, belinda ridgewood, zitherhamster
Please visit Avilyn's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New Jersey Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Avilyn.
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!
Friday, July 4th
Mexican Kossacks Connect with San Miguel Democrats Abroad 10th Anniversary
Tickets (including both entry and buffet) are available at 200 pesos (about $16) each at La Conexion (Calle Aldama #3 office only); Solutions (Calle Mesones #57 office only) and at the door. Entire event covered against rainout.
Buffet will include hamburgers, “new and improved” veggie burgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad and carrot cake. The cash bar will feature various beers, wines, soft drinks and bottled water. Sponsored by San Miguel Democrats Abroad.
TIME: Noon - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: La Hacienda de San Miguel
On the street between Salida Celaya and the Libramiento • San Miguel de Allende
ORGANIZER: Send roberb7 a kosmail to make arrangements to connect with other Kossacks.
RSVPs:
1. roberb7
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Democrats Abroad - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Chapter
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 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. winifred3
25. texasdad
26. texasmom
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
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
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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. Elisa Batista
12. Denise Oliver-Velez
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
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
68. nomandates
69. thepegster
70. Ooooh
71. figbash
72. TrueBlueMajority
73. tgypsy
74. slowbutsure
75. cooper888
76. gotmooned
77. Muskegon Critic
78. belinda's dad
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd
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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. linkage (videographer)
5.
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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 only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9. DoReMI
10. Mideedah
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. GwenM
2. dkmich
3. NormAl1792
4. tgypsy
5. gregsullmich
6. SharonRB
7. SharonRB's friend
8. Muskegon Critic
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. Tim Delaney
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. norm
10. figbash
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7. slowbutsure
8. cooper888
9. gotmooned
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Denise Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7. TrueBlueMajority
8. belinda's dad
9.
10.
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Seattle, Portland & Texas Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. linkage
6. nomandates
7. texasmom
8. texasdad
9. TexMex
10.
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Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7. Cedwyn
8. Pam Miles
9. shermanesque and
10. doggie269
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Sunday, July 20th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Meet-up with Lyon County Democrats & Governor Candidate Paul Davis
Paul Davis (D-KS) who is running against Sam Brownback will be present. Potluck Dinner format and short meeting for Kossacks/Democrats afterwards. There will also be several other candidates and a full meeting of the county party.
POTLUCK!
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Emporia Senior Center
603 E 12th Ave • Emporia, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Tim Huelskamp Asserts Benghazi is a Bipartisan Conspiracy.. And the Man who Could Beat him this year
Saturday, July 26th
Meet the Candidates in Hutchinson, Kansas!
• Jean Shodorf (Candidate for Secretary of State)
• Brian E Davis (Candidate for State House of Representatives)
• Jim Sherow (Candidate for 1st District US House of Representatives)
• Jill Docking (Candidate, Lt. Governor)
• Various County Party Leadership
TIME: 11:00-3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyle Park
100 E. Ave. B • Hutchinson
BBQ, watermelon and other food provided. Bring a lawn chair.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
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. arizonablue
6. Mr. arizonablue
7. Kane in CA
8. puzzled
9. Late Again
10. Mr. Late Again
11. rasbobbo
12. DaNang65
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Maybees:
dewey of the desert
Mr. dewey of the desert
PSzymeczek
Skippah
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
Saturday, August 9th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
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.