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.
Our next meetup is Saturday, July 20, one week from today, 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. If you're planning to come, or if you're a maybe, please let randallt know so he can put you on our list of attendees. You can see the list on each day's "New Day" diary; currently we have twelve planning to attend and five maybe's.
If you haven't been to the Bywater before, it is a private club; if you are not a member, just let them know that you are a guest of Randall (they know we're coming). We will be outside by the river; there are some grills there, and folks are planning to bring charcoal for grilling, and various foods, veggies, snacks, plates and utensils, etc. Since the Bywater sells alcohol, please don't bring your own alcohol. Don't forget a hat to protect from the sun (or the rain). Randall reminded me that the outdoor awning is big enough to provide shelter in case of a scattered afternoon shower.
Late last Saturday, a friend of mine called. She had not yet been to a Moral Monday and really felt moved by events to be there. She did not want to join the bus trip as, like with me, it would be physically uncomfortable for her. So we decided to drive down together; we took her car and I did all the driving (my body doesn't like riding).
It's a long way. By map, it's four hours each way; but we took several breaks each way (her car was not exceptionally comfortable, so stopping to stretch was something both of us found desirable). It makes for a long day.
But as I previously wrote on my first trip, it is worth it. Here is what I wrote as part of a comment I posted to MsSpentyouth's diary on Tuesday ...
when you're in that crowd, when you see the faces of those beautiful people, and feel their spirit, when you hear Reverend Barber speak, when you watch those who have volunteered for arrest walk through the crowd and into the General Assembly building, it is all worth it. It is a very moving and joyful experience. It is also at the same time an experience full of deep meaning as you watch those in handcuffs being lead away by police.
As I also mentioned in the comment, it looks like there will be three more Moral Monday protests at the General Assembly building in Raleigh; then the organizers plan to take the message throughout the state. So if you've been wanting to go and join the protests, but haven't had a chance to yet, you've got three Mondays left to make the trip.
The Buncombe County Democratic Party is sponsoring a bus trip for this Monday. They've filled one bus and are filling a second. The itenerary appears to be the same as the previous Asheville trips. More info and registration here.
If you haven't seen video of the protests yet, Leslie Salzillo included this one in her Tuesday diary about the Moral Monday protests ...
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Back here in Asheville, it's still raining; but then you knew that already. Let us know of any events going on in the area that you think we might be interested in. And of course, if you can make it to our meetup next Saturday, please do; we would love to see everyone.
Enjoy your Saturday!