Every day is a new day and with that, a new opportunity.
EVERYONE is welcome and please join us each morning at 7:30 AM PACIFIC
to tell us what you're working on, share your show & tell, vent, whatever you want...
...this is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.
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DIVA ALERT NETWORK:
Good morning, Newdies™, it's nice to see you. I had a soggy vacation in Virginia. It rained the whole time. But I still had a very relaxing time and enjoyed visiting with old friends. It stopped raining long enough on the Fourth to shoot some fireworks.
Today I want to say a few words about evil. I'd like to hear your thoughts, too. Follow me below the double gnocchi or just skip to the good stuff.
The title of this diary is a little misleading. It's not really about Dick Cheney. But it is about evil. I don't think Dick Cheney is evil. I don't think Adolf Hitler was evil. That is because I do not set myself up to judge other human beings. What I do judge are actions, and generally the person is responsible for his/her actions in my book. I am not excusing evil; I want "evildoers" punished. But I don't judge souls.
I know I have committed some evil acts. I haven't killed anybody, but I have done things I am ashamed of. What if I had been brought up in different circumstances? I had loving parents and a Norman Rockwell childhood. What if things had been very different? I am reminded of a clip from the great movie "Chinatown." The character played by John Huston has fathered a daughter by his older daughter (a truly evil act), and when confronted by a detective played by Jack Nicholson, he says,
I don't blame myself. You see, Mr. Gittes, most people never have to face the fact that at the right time and in the right place, they are capable of anything.
It's a truly chilling scene. But perhaps the character is right. Perhaps everyone is capable of anything. Aristotle said, "Every action of every man is aimed at some good." The problem, of course, is that what seems "good" to Timothy McVeigh might not seem so good to you or me.
It's hard to find a hero these days. Last year, I had my students write about a column in Sports Illustrated by Steve Rushin. He pointed out that as a sports writer he hated that Lance Armstrong had cheated. And he despised the fact that Armstrong had deliberately tried to destroy people who came forward with the truth. But Rushin's brother had survived cancer, and his brother credited Armstrong and the Livestrong Foundation for his recovery. As do thousands of others. So, Rushin asked, Is Armstrong good or evil? Is he the average of his actions? Rushin basically said, no, he's both. He's good and he's evil. Like most people, I suspect. Some of us aren't quite so public, though.
In The Grapes of Wrath, the ex-preacher, Jim Casy says,
There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing. And some of the things folks do is nice, and some ain't nice, but that's as far as any man got a right to say.
I'm not sure I can completely agree with Casy, but I think he's getting at the notion of judging the act and not the actor. Again, I don't think the act is
separate from the actor or that the actor is not responsible in most cases. But I think the totality of a human being is difficult to determine.
As a society, we decide what is acceptable and unacceptable. We do it in formal ways by making laws and in informal ways by shunning or accepting certain behaviors. But society is far from unanimous in determining what we make illegal and what we shun or accept. And those "norms" change over time. So even when it comes to determining what actions are "evil," each of us must play God. For me, I believe that morality must be reasonable and compassionate. But that definition raises more questions. What's reasonable? What's compassionate?
One part of Jesus' teachings that I always admired was Matthew 7:1: "Judge not, that ye be not judged." So I try not to judge other people, but I will judge their actions. I won't say, "Dick Cheney is evil." But I will say, "Dick Cheney is a war criminal."
What do you say?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the New Day sunrise cloud
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
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Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meatspace community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
NEW GROUPS IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING:
Send a Kosmail to the organizers and ask for an invitation to the group.
• Northern Indiana Area: Kosmail Tim Delaney
• Long Island: Kosmail grannycarol
• Northern Michigan: Kosmail JillS
• Nebraska: Kosmail Nebraska68847Dem
• Westburbia Chicago Kossacks: Kosmail Majordomo
• New York Hudson Valley Kossacks: Kosmail boran2
• North Carolina Triangle Kossacks: Kosmail highacidity
• Caprock Kossacks (Panhandle/Caprock/Lubbock/Amarillo area) : Kosmail shesaid
• West Texas Kossacks (including Big Bend Region and El Paso) : Kosmail Yo Bubba
Note to the above new leaders: Feel free to leave a comment any day reminding readers about your new group. Also, tell us about your progress in gathering members. Kosmail me when you've chosen a good name for your group and have created a the group. Then I'll move you to the NEW GROUPS LIST. When you've planned a date for your first event I'll make a banner for you to highlight your event in our diaries and your diaries.
These are the groups that have started since * NEW DAY * began. Please Kosmail navajo if you have started a group before that.
NEW GROUPS LIST:
• California Central Valley Kossacks - Formed: Jul 29, 2012, Organizer: tgypsy
• New England Kossacks - Formed: Aug 6, 2012, Organizers:
Clytemnestra for Lower New England (Conneticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
nhox42 for Upper New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont)
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: [Founder stepped down]
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash
• Koscadia the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California to Alaska
- Formed Oct 17, 2012, Oganizer: Horace Boothroyd III based in Portland, OR
• Boston Kossacks - Formed: Nov 7, 2012, Organizer: GreyHawk
• Motor City Kossacks South East Michigan (Detroit) Area - Formed: Nov 10, 2012, Organizer: peregrine kate
• Pittsburgh Area Kossacks - Formed: Nov 12, 2012, Organizer: dweb8231
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Organizer: Stepping down, chancew, please contact him if you'd like to step up. He'll change the groups' permissions for you.
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Dave in Northridge
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
• I-77 Carolina Kossacks who live from Columbia, SC to north of Winston-Salem, NC. - Formed: Jan 30, 2013, Organizers: gulfgal98 and eeff
• Indianapolis Kossacks - Formed: Feb 6, 2013, Organizer: CityLightsLover
• Southwest Ohio Kossacks - Formed: May 10, 2013, Organizer: Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN
• Northern Arizona Kossacks - Formed: Jul 5, 2013, Organizer: Sam Sara
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011. Contact: JamieG from Md for a group invite.
• New York City Founded by Eddie C - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks, Event Organizer: Azazello
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011
• Nashville KosKats, Founded by ZenTrainer Formed: Jan 30, 2012
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente Formed: Aug 29, 2011
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
• DKos Asheville Founded by davehouck, Formed: Feb 13, 2011 - Organizing Assist by: randallt
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
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Sunday, July 7th
Chicago Kossacks Go to a Ballgame!
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fifth Third Bank Ball Park
34W002 Cherry Lane • Geneva
ORGANIZER: Send NormAl1792 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NormAl1792
2. figbash
3. broths
4. Mr. broths
5-10. edwardssl & her family
11. luvsathoroughbred
12. Mr. luvs
13. never forget
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Maybees:
winifred3
luvweasel
Jennifer Clare
ScottyUrb
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Latest diary: Chicago(land) Kossacks Meet-Up July 7: Take Me Out to the Ball Game
New York Hudson Valley Kossacks
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boran2
Saturday, July 13th
NY Hudson Valley Kossacks' First Meet-up
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Hudson House
2 Main Street • Cold Spring, NY
ORGANIZER: Send boran2 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. boran2
2. thankgodforairamerica
3. betson08
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Maybees:
ask
curly
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Latest diary: [Coming soon!]
Thursday, July 18th
Phoenix Kossacks Meet-up for navajo
TIME: 6:15 PM Reservation name is Daily Kos
LOCATION: Rancho de Tia Rosa
3129 E. McKellips • Mesa
ORGANIZER: Send arizonablue a kosmail to attend.
navajo's in town one day, even though it's a Thursday we hope you can make it.
RSVPs:
1. arizonablue
2. Mr. arizonablue
3. navajo
4. Azazello
5. Mrs. Azazello
6. ninothemindboggler
7. Mrs. ninothemindboggler
8. thomask
9. mrs. thomask
10. BluejayRN
11. Late Again
12. Mother Mags
13. Kane in CA
14. puzzled
15. mexchewy
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Maybees:
Kane in CA
Kane in CA friend
cosmic debris
PSzymeczek
Mr PSzymeczek
Mr. Late Again
dewey in the desert
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Latest diary: Phoenix Kossacks Meetup: Welcome Navajo to The Valley of the Sun!
Saturday, July 20th
Motor City Kossacks Consider Meeting-up in Hell to welcome tgypsy
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
15 miles northwest of Ann Arbor • Hell
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. tgypsy
3. mideedah
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Maybees:
dkmich
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Latest diary: Motor City Kossacks: Meet-up Sat. 7/20, 12-3 PM. Could it be in Hell?
Saturday, July 20th
Southern California Inland Empire
Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 11:00 AM (Tour museum then lunch there)
LOCATION: Palm Springs Air Museum
745 North Gene Autry Trail • Palm Springs
ORGANIZER: Send SoCaliana a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. SoCaliana
2.
3.
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Maybees:
Susan from 29
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Latest diary: SCIEK: Summer Meetup Location
Saturday, July 20th
SFKossacks Welcome angelajean & Family to Elkhorn Slough, there will be otters!
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Elkhorn Slough
[map] • Moss Landing
ORGANIZER: Send lineatus a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. lineatus
2. angelajean
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, July 20th
Dkos Asheville, North Carolina Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Randallt
2. Gordon20024
3. davehouck
4. Joieau
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. Captain Sham
8. Smiley7
9. DawnN
10. Phil S 33
11. LamontCranston
12. Christian Dem in NC
13.
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Maybees:
eeff
Audri
gulfgal98
PearlJamSteelworker
Amy
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville Open Thread 5/18/13: Frogs and tomatoes and snakes, oh my!
Sunday, July, 21st
Northern Arizona Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: TBD, early evening
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • Sedona
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Sam Sara
3. savano66
4.
5.
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Maybees: |
Sunday, August 4th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send Sidnora a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. joanbrooker
2. mconvente
3. belinda ridgewood
4. Yasuragi
5. sidnora
6. Its the Supreme Court Stupid
7. blue jersey mom
8. kathny
9. ask
10. rubyr
11. plf515
12. thankgodforairamerica
13. No Exit
14. gchaucer2
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Maybees:
Ollie Garkey
Ian Reifowitz
andgarden
wader
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Latest diary: New York City Meetup - August - Choose your date
Saturday, November 2nd
SFKossacks BBQ in the Wine Country
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Andrew McGuire's home in the Wine Country
Address to be given privately to RSVPs • Windsor
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
Andrew McGuire is Executive Director of California One Care
RSVPs:
1. Andrew McGuire
2. navajo
3. Shockwave
4. Hunter
5. elfing
6. Hunter/elfling offspring
7. smileycreek
8. paradise50
9. dharmasyd
10. maggiejean
11. norm
12. Lusty
13. dksbook
14. Mr. dksbook
15. kimoconnor
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Maybees: |
Send navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?