Good morning!
This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread where we try to get together every Saturday morning around eleven, and then drift in and out throughout the day. We hope this group serves to reinvigorate us locally and regionally here on Daily Kos, building on the sense of community that's grown through our online engagement. DKos Asheville can give us all a better sense of connection, a better understanding of who these people are that we stand with, work with, and share with in the political process. We hope, through this community, that we can do a better job of leveraging our orange passion for progressive politics to help elect more and better Democrats.
If you would like to host a weekly open thread, please let us know.
We have set a date of Saturday, July 20, for the next meetup, with a start time of 1:00 or so; and we'll be at the Bywater once again. So, use the comment section for planning and for any questions you might have.
Thanks again to SteelerGrrl for hosting the weekly open thread last week! I loved reading about her tomato gardening. Mine are off to something of a slow start; but at least they're hanging in there.
Late to the thread last week was Phil S who lives in Greensboro and is looking for a ride to the meetup. So if you're coming from that part of the state and have room in your vehicle, let him know.
DawnN reminded us that today is the March Against Monsanto, 2:00, Pack Square. Here's an article about at the Citizen-Times. The march "will begin and end at Pack Square Park, with a rally to follow with music, speeches, organic vendors and more". Also from the article ...
The march is in part a response to a recent U.S. law, HR 933, that suspends part of the federal Plant Protection Act, allowing for distribution of genetically modified seeds.
The article says that more than 1500 people have confirmed that they are planning to attend; so this should be a pretty cool Asheville event. I've had it on my calendar, and will try to get showered and dressed and fed and out the door. It's certainly a perfect day for it.
So for those of you who haven't planned your day yet, this looks like a good choice for a very good cause.
And speaking of which, there was an interesting article at Grist this week reporting that insects are developing resistance to Monsanto's genetically modified corn, and that farmers are once again turning to insecticides for their fields, which kinda defeats the whole purpose of genetically modified crops.
Let us know what you're doing; if there's any events around the area that you think we might be interested in, if there's something interesting going on in your garden, if you found a really cool hiking trail or waterfall, or whatever you wish to share.
And enjoy your Saturday!