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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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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Where do YOU get your News from?
But before we get into that, I'll be asking in the Tip Jar about your homework assignment from last week...
Does it seem like there are more and more public political events taking place to you? It sure does seem that way to me. But I wonder if that has something to do with how I get my news and less to do with how many political events are taking place?
I used to be your average American voter who, every Sunday morning for decades, watched Face the Nation, Meet the Press and This Week to catch up on the political News of the week. I got the local paper (owned and published by a local family since 1908) every day and read the Editorial page each weekday and on Sundays. I watched the Nightly News at either 5 pm or 11 pm, and it didn't matter if it was ABC, CBS or NBC.
But the rise of the internet, and more specifically, my regular daily visits since the early to mid-2003 era to a little website called dailykos.com changed the way that I got all of my news.
Other than Brian Williams, I don't know the names of any other broadcast Nightly News anchors. I quit watching the 3 Sunday political shows a couple of years ago. Bob Schieffer is pedantic and never ever asks a single interesting question of anyone. I can't stand listening to George Will, and George Stephanopoulos has also got Bob Schieffer's disease. Meet the Press died right along with Big Russ, so far as I'm concerned (although what I really miss is the old version, with a panel of journalists and a single Politician whom they all grill mercilessly).
I quit the local paper more than a decade ago.
So where do I get News? For many long years, I got links to all of the News fit to read right here on Daily Kos. Not all of the news, mind you, but links to the News out there on all sorts of News and News-related sites. The past year or so, I've started to watch Twitter for breaking News. I used to think, as I watched the local news and then the cable news/opinion shows, "woah, I read this story on Daily Kos three days ago". Now? I follow HUNDREDS of Twitter accounts who are Reporters, from nearly every continent, and who represent hundreds of news outlets, from print papers (yes, there are still some of them left) to radio to broadcast local news to internet only independent News outfits. So if there is something happening, somewhere in the world, there is a good chance a Tweet or ten about it is in my Twitter Timeline, right now. I do still watch a lot of MSNBC, but only because I live alone and like background noise. Plus, I have liked Rachel Maddow ever since Keith Olbermann brought her onto the network. I'm convinced that she is our Walter Cronkite. She has the same level of smarts, attention to detail and (regardless of her youth) the gravitas necessary in a Trustworthy News Anchor. If another disaster of some sort were to befall the United States? I'd want to hear it from Rachel Maddow, without a doubt.
But all of those Facts and Information color the way I look at things. I try very hard to keep that in mind when talking to people who don't get their news the way I get mine. There is nothing worse than a know it all, which I know personally, because I've been accused of being exactly that since I was quite young - a consequence of having a terrific memory. People like to talk about how they feel about the news they've heard. They don't want answers, they want a "yeah, I grok you" response.
So how about the rest of you? Are you, like me, an Internet Newshound with a sidedish of cable 'news/opinion'? Or do you still get a local paper, or maybe the New York Times? Do you watch Network Nightly News or a local broadcast station News show, at 5 or 11 pm?
And before I let you loose in the comments, here's your Assignment #2 on the Road to Action:
Does YOUR state allow online Voter registration? If you don't know, you can find out one of two ways: 1) Check your Secretary Of State's website which should contain your State's Elections information, including Voter Registration or 2) Contact your State Democratic Party which you can find by using the drop-down Menu on the top, right-hand side of the Democrats.org/In_Your_State page and choosing your State.
If it does, your Challenge this coming week is to find someone who is NOT YET a registered Voter (I'll make it easy, pick a young adult relative or young adult child of a friend) and help them get registered online! There are 30 day deadlines for Voter Registration coming up at the speed of light, so get on it kossacks and take this 2nd step on the Road to Action with me, will you? I've done this a couple dozen times in the past few years. Here in WA State it's really easy, so long as the person ALREADY has a State issued photo ID which required a signature (like a Driver's License). Even for those who have stranger-phobic issues, this Challenge should be doable for you.
I look forward to reading your stories about the stranger (or near-stranger) you asked if they were a registered voter this past week, today. So, on to the raison d'etre for the C!U!A! diaries - WHO had a Meetup recently and WHERE is the next one in YOUR area?
Happy Humpday!
And, because I'm still
happy, happy, happy over my youngest daughter getting MARRIED this past Saturday, here's a peek at the happy couple. Isn't she lovely? (Yes, I am most certainly prejudiced in this instance!)
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
Coachella Kossacks MeetUp and How to add a link to your signature
by Susan Grigsby ♥ for Coachella Kossacks
Susan Grisby put out the call for other readers of Daily Kos near Palm Desert and now we have the beginning of organizing there.
Here's the charter group! Go Susan! Special thanks to susans for driving down from L.A. to lend support.
L-R: ruscle, ruscle+one, Susan Grisby & blue drop
Look at all that orange! Shirt, tops and a hat! Sweet.
Please visit Susan Grigsby's diary for MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Coachella Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Susan Grigsby.
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a registering-to-vote event for Ford County, Kansas in Dodge City to reach out to Latino voters there. He partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Ford County Democratic Party. 150 people attended to listen to John Thomas (KS House District 119 Candidate), Jean Schodorf (Secretary of State Candidate), Jim Sherow (US House, KS District 1 Candidate), Mark Low (Kansas House Candidate, District 115).
"LULAC volunteers sat at their table and handled registration after registration as people came to the event to listen to how they could change their state. We knew that not only were we helping to register new and first time voters, we were helping to bring a message into a community that has been ignored - and to help them take that message back to their friends and families."
This is a great example of reaching out to disenfranchised communities and helping them vote. Because If Democratic base voters turn out, we win. Can't be said enough. More regions need to do this.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Meetup Success! C+J/NE Kossacks Sept 6th
by nhox42 ♥ for New England Kossacks
The New England Kossacks got together at the home brillig and mik north of Boston. Kossacks drove from all over New England to attend. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Folks in attendance were: brillig, mik, K1, K2, Simple, nhox42, Ed Tracey, GreyHawk, Kathy, TrueBlueMajority, theKgirls, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, mayim, dtheo, RubDMC, AnotherMassachusettsLiberal, Debbie in ME, ialonelady, CwV, sardonyx, Noor B, Andy, James and Alex.
New England Kossacks
Please visit nhox42's diary for MORE photos! Including yummy food pr0n. Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New England Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to nhox42.
by ZenTrainer ♥ for Nashville KosKats
August 16th, the KosKats met up at the lake at Shipwreck Cove; Patrick is Lucky, Zen Trainer, Mr. and Ms. Sow Hat and 2 red county anonymous dems.
From Zen Trainer:
The Democrats aren’t even trying here. We talked about how to get someone with some sense in here running our state party. I had a name in mind - Mary Mancini.
[...] The other thing we talked about is Moral Mondays. I’d like to really concentrate on getting our legislature to force our Governor to accept expanded Medicaid for our state. I need big time help for that. Most of the KosKats who came to this meet-up don’t live in Nashville, they are on the outskirts. So we need some more local KosKats to step up.
L-R: Photo 1 - Mr. Sow Hat, Patrick is Lucky & Sow Hat Photo 2 - Patrick is Lucky & Zentrainer
Please visit ZenTrainer's diary for photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Nashville KosKats by sending a Kosmail to ZenTrainer.
by mimi ♥ for Maryland Kos
A joint meet-up of the Kossacks from Virginia, Maryland and DC happened on August 23rd. What a nice turn-out with great political discussion. Thanks to team leaders JamieG from Md and NinthElegy for organizing.
Here's one photo:
Back row: STI (JamieG's husband), Sturunner, jhutson, Uncle Cosmo, TRsCousin
Midde row: VeenaS1, Diana in NoVa, Aximill, mollyd, mdmslle, JamieG from Md, JG in MD, a gilas girl
Front row: louisev, patbahn, Laura Wnderer, BDA in VA
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it.
You can join Maryland Kos by sending a Kosmail to JamieG from Md.
You can join VIRGINIA KOS by sending a Kosmail to JamieG from Md.
You can join DC KOSSACKS by sending a Kosmail to NinthElegy.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
The Kosacadia Kossacks (rsmpdx, winglion, loggersbrat & Sara R) got together at their local Food Truck pod. They stamped money to support the Stamp Stampede which was organized by Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream as a citizen effort to promote a Constitutional amendment to undo the pernicious effects of the Citizens United decision. Sara R has set up a Daily Kos group to rally others to this cause, please send them a Kosmail if you'd like to join in.
Please visit Sara R's diary for details. You can still REC it. You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
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, September 27th
Houston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: El Tiempo Cantina
1308 Montrose Boulevard • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. MarciaJ720
3. scott5js
4. cosette
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Maybees:
Mary
Alan
Mr. cosette
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, September 27
Saturday, September 27th
BosKos Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Appleby's
across from the North Quincy MBTA station • Boston
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. HawkWife
3. RhodeIslandAspie
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Maybees:
CwV
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Latest diary: Next BosKos & NE Kossack Meetup - Sat 27 Sept 2014
Saturday, September 27th
LA Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Guild Restaurant
611 W 7th St • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. Otoelbc
4. SanFernandoValleyMom
5. benamery21
6. jeremybloom
7. gmats
8. Philip Merrill
9. Vyan
10. KatSkanne
11. cynfowler
12. alguien
13. Ducktape
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Maybees:
Joe Bacon
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Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks Political Action Meetup
Sunday, September 28th
Koscadia Meet-up
TIME: 12:30 PM
LOCATION: à la carts Food Pavilion
SE 50th and Division Street • Portand
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Sara R
2. winglion
3. llbear
4. loggersbrat
5. also mom of 5
6. quill
7. pdxteacher
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Maybees:
liz
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Latest diary: Koscadia Meet Up, Sunday, Sept. 28
Saturday, October 4th
Four Corners Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Carver Brewing Company
1022 Main Avenue • Durango
ORGANIZER: Send Thinking Fella a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Thinking Fella
2. nzanne
3. Lady911
4. ERRN
5.
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Maybees:
several lurkers!
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Four Corners Kossacks: First Official Meet-up! Please join us!
Seattle City Council member
Kshama Sawan
Saturday, October 4th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
SPECIAL SPEAKER: Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant who gained national attention in her successful campaign to get $15.00 min. wage passed in Seattle
TIME: 12:30 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
SET MENU COST: $25.00 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, gratuity, tax and your choice of entree from a limited-choice menu)
Space will be limited to the first twenty who RSVP for this event and I'm working to have the room filled to capacity, so don't delay. CAPACITY REACHED. Waiting list only now.
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. Basilia B. - guest of John Crapper
3. Alan H. - guest of John Crapper
4. John Crapper's SO
5. bleeding blue
6. momomia
7. doingbusinessas
8. cinnamon68
9. Piren
10. Eagle Keeper
11. LarisaW
12. Rennie S - guest of Larisa
13. Phil H. - guest of Larisa
14. Nelson S. - guest of Larisa
15. Diachronic
16. FlamingoGrrl
17. Grey Fedora
18. PennyGC
19. anonymous
20. anonymous
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Waiting List: |
Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Kshama Sawant - Oct. 4
Saturday, October 4th
Dkos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Cantina at Historic Biltmore Village
10 Biltmore Plaza • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Lamont Cranston
5. DawnN
6. SteelerGrrl
7. SteelerGuy
8. swhelden
9. Ottery Scribe
10. Burns Lass
11. Family guest
12. smiley7
13. people power granny
14. Gordon20024
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Maybees:
munchkin
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Weekly Open Thread
Sunday, October 5th
Connecticut Kossacks Meet-up
It's prime door knocking and phone banking time, so thankgodforairamerica is hoping some Kossacks will come to the Democratic headquarters (next door from the Shamrock) to meet some of the people working on the campaigns to connect.
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Shamrock Restaurant
210 Meadow St • Waterbury
ORGANIZER: Send thankgodforairamerica a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. thankgodforairamerica
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, October 11th
Silicon Valley Kossacks' Day of Action Canvassing and BBQ with the Mike Honda Campaign (CA-17)
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: Mike Honda for Congress
10601 S. De Anza Blvd. #106 • Cupertino
ORGANIZER: Send Glen The Plumber a KosMail or tweet to attend
RSVPs:
1. Glen The Plumber
2. remembrance
3. TheLittleOne
4. Lusty
5. slowbutsure
6. madhaus
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Maybees:
navajo
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Latest diary: Silicon Valley Kossack’s Day of Action with the Mike Honda campaign 10/11
Saturday, October 18th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnicking on the National Mall
DC Kossacks is a regional group intended to organize meet-ups, discuss issues, strategize participation in pertinent activism, and build community for those of us who live in and around Washington DC.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: National Mall
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. It will help us recognize each other if you bring something GOS orange! • DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest entry: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Sunday, October 19th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. ericlewis0
3. belinda ridgewood
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Maybees:
mconvente
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Saturday, November 8th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Seattle Meet Up - Dog Day Activities
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.