This is a corrolary to the Diary currently running now. For the record, I'm in the DC area, so I may be going against my own interests here.
It's not big secret that the South/Texas is hostile territory to liberals, minorities, gays, progressives, unions and, free-thinkers.
And that's exactly why YK should be there.
This has been a phenomenal undertaking, taking something that exists only in Cyberspace and transforming it to the real world. Having had experience in convention work I know what logistical nightmares these things can be.
This year, we received a heap of mainstream press coverage, appearances from most candidates, and heaps of vitriol from a certain prime-time cable bloviator. Kids, we're on the map.
But what say we take it to the next level? In 2008, an election year, should also be the year of confrontation. Jaws will drop to the floor if the next YK is held in a red state AND a red city and a red state.
Basically, I'm thinking in terms of Howard Dean's 50-state strategy. We should go everywhere, even where we're NOT WELCOME. The GOP doesn't shrink away from anywhere, and neither should we. Excepting Florida, there's a solid block of states with two Repub senators in the south.
Look, holding a convention in gay- and union-friendly locales certainly gives us peace of mind, to be sure, but hey, don't most of us LIVE in those places already?? A lot of Kossacks moved, in our 20s -- or even younger in some cases -- to the coast cities away from those intolerant small towns and never looked back. But in doing so, we depleted those areas of any potential for growth. I believe it's time to return to those areas, all grown up and make a stand.
Yes, I know, it goes against every fibre of our being. But we will have candidates running in all those states. If they're not afraid to run for election in those states, we shouldn't be afraid to go there for three days for what we believe in.
I believe this is one of the most crucial elections that we've ever had,(Yeah, you're gonna hear that a lot over the next 15 months) both in terms of this country's direction AND the direction of the Democratic party. Having YKOS08 in a Red State would send a statement, and serious statements are what's needed.
Just my two cents.