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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Good morning Kogs and Kossacks in Dailykosland!
Merry Monday and welcome to the working week...
Have you ever placed a bet on a horse race?
My mom loved horse racing. When she lived in DC and Maryland, she went to the Pimlico and Laurel racetracks almost every weekend for 40 years. Those decades at the track put a compendium of horse racing knowledge and history on the tip of her tongue. She knew all the stables, all the trainers, all the jockeys. She knew all the champion horses, and their bloodlines. She never bet big money, mostly $2 bets in weird combinations: exactas, trifectas, boxes, keys, wheels, you name it. She usually won more than she lost, and was perfectly happy just to break even. To leave home with $100 and come back home with $100 after a whole day of parking and eating and soft drinks and and losing some and winning some? That was her idea of a perfect Saturday.
After she came to live with me, she was not well enough to go to the racetrack anymore, but no matter how sick she was, the Triple Crown still held her interest. Sometimes I would bring her the racing form and she would put on her glasses and study it and make all kinds of marks and calculations. If she got really excited about a horse, I would go out to Suffolk Downs and put a bet down for her. She had all kinds of systems. She was a fairly good handicapper.
But all that studying and research isn't really necessary. The arbitrariness of who wins is part of the fun of betting. Favorites lose all the time and long shots win all the time. Having a system and actually trying to pick winners based on previous wins and track records and training times is fun, but you are just about as likely to win picking odd number combinations, or choosing the jockey's whose silks are your favorite color. I used to pick horses based on whether its name sounded like a cool name for a band!
Thoroughbred horses are bred to love to run, so I used to think that they enjoyed being in the races. It seemed certain horses knew what was going on and had a natural competitive spirit. Considering how much they are worth, I also assumed they were treated exceptionally well: who would mistreat a multimillion dollar investment? But apparently cruelty in horse racing is an open secret, and recently PETA has been engaged in a major undercover sting. I feel uneasy now about giving financial support to a sport that mistreats animals in any way. I certainly never went to the dog track because of cruelty fears.
But even though I haven't made bets for years, I still love to follow the personal stories around horse racing, and there were lots of great stories this year. Two brothers who are both jockeys, racing against each other. Folks betting on Samraat because more Derby winners have names that start with S than any other letter. Learning that General A Rod was not named after the baseball player. Finding out that one of the jockeys gives 10 percent of his winnings to City of Hope, a children's cancer research/treatment center in Los Angeles. Cheering for a woman named Rosie Napravnik, hoping she might be the first female jockey to win the Derby. So many in Boston rooting for a horse named Wicked Strong.
And I also heard about a mare called Love the Chase that nobody thought was worth anything. A stable employee was overheard saying about her: "Anyone who buys this horse is a dumbass." Throughbred broodmares routinely sell for millions and this mare was purchased for only $8,000 by two men who named their partnership DAP: "Dumb Ass Partners". DAP paid a stud fee of only $2,000 for sire Lucky Pulpit, when the top stud fee is more than 50 times that. The colt, originally named Junior, was born with four white feet, which is considered bad luck in racing superstition. He trained at a track usually reserved to quarter horses, and no horse who had ever trained at that track had ever won the Derby. But his trainer, who at 77 had never won a Derby before, had a dream that Junior would win the Kentucky Derby. And one of Junior's owners was going to have his birthday on Derby Day 2014. When it was time to give Junior his official racing name, they threw names into a hat and asked the waitress in the diner to pick one. Would it be Lucky at Love? Big Chapter? Sea Bisquick? Fortunately the name she drew was a little better: California Chrome.
And the jockey that rode California Chrome to victory on Saturday, Victor Espinoza, is the one who gives 10% of his winnings to help children with cancer.
Have you ever paid attention to the human interest stories associated with the Triple Crown races? Did you watch any of the Derby on television? Have you ever been to a race track in real life? Do you dislike the industry because of the way the horses are treated?
Have you ever placed a bet on a horse race?
Start up soundtrack
The Race Is On by George Jones on Grooveshark
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
by NinthElegy ♥ for DC Kossacks
NinthElegy held her inaugural meet-up for the new DC Kossacks on Saturday, April 19th. She packed her tony bamboo picnic hamper with a healthy salad and artisan triple-chocolate cupcakes garnished with Eastern Redbud blossoms from her neighborhood tree. Such lovely details to reward her attendees. The timing was perfect for a picnic among the cherry blossoms on the mall.
Some photos of the newly forming DC Kossacks:
L-R: webgenie, mimi & Sasha and Edward Adams
Please visit NinthElegy diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join DC Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to NinthElegy.
by joanbrooker ♥ for New York City
The NYC Kossacks rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Chacounne and also had the bonus of another last minute visitor, 714day!
Here's one photo:
L-R: Sidnora, Chacounne & 714day
Please visit joanbrooker's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to sidnora.
by EagleOfFreedom ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
EagleOfFreedom has resuscitated the Seattle Kossacks. Many groups have been started there but with the support of this series I think we've got Seattle going again. This is the second meet-up EagleOfFreedom has successfully completed. His diary was really fantastic. Their special guest was Ojibwa. If you read the diary and the comments you can see they are all ready to work together on things like GOTV!
Here's one group photo:
L-R: mlharges, bleeding blue, Ojibwa, Ms. bleeding blue, ReasonableGunsPlz, John Crapper's Girl, EagleOfFreedom, John Crapper, RickEagle, Momomia, N in Seattle
Please visit EagleOfFreedom's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper, the new leader of Seattle Kossacks.
by peregrine kate ♥ for Motor City Kossacks
The Motor City Kossacks rolled out the red carpet for visiting Dave in Northridge from Los Angeles. peregrine kate details interesting information about Detroit, the upcoming host town of NN14, and describes a delicious dinner in famous Greek Town. Prepping all of us NN14 attendees for our July visit soon!
Here's one group photo:
L-R: peregrine kate, Dave in Northridge, Mr. ICanDoThis, Amber6541. Amber's sister, ICanDoThis, ProvokingMeaning, toneilda
Please visit peregrine kate's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Motor City Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to peregrine kate.
by Azazello ♥ for Baja Arizona Kossacks
The Baja Kossacks just had their 4th Annual Picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. sneakers563. The group is shepherded by Azazello, an official member of DKos since 2009. From his diary and about his state:
More and better Democrats is always a popular subject for debate here in Baja AZ, especially in an election year. Against the charge that Arizona is an incurably red state I often point out that 5 of our 9 US Reps are Democrats. This is true but it doesn't tell the whole story. While we in Tucson are justifiably proud of Raúl Grijalva (Wikipedia HERE) whose first elected office was board member for Tucson Unified School District #1, most of Tucson and all of Cochise County are now represented by Ron Barber (Wikipedia HERE) who is a very Blue Dog indeed. For an example of this Blue Doggedness see this article at Alternet ☛ 5 Million Dirty Reasons for Record Deportations.
He's on top of it and thanks to him for gathering Kossacks together to become stronger.
Here's the group photo:
L-R: Back row: pwoodford, DaNang65, Azazello, itzadryheat, rasbobbo
Front row: ItsAMathJoke, drnatrl, sneakers563, chloris creator, Desert Rose
Please visit Azazello's diary for many MORE photos including food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Baja Arizona Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Azazello.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Thursday, May 8th
Silicon Valley Kossacks Protest KXL at Obama's Personal Appearance
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Downtown with +350.org
80 E Evelyn Ave • Mountain View
Obama is coming back into town on Thursday May 8th for a fundraiser in Mountain View. Join us and tell President Obama to say NO to the Keystone Pipeline and keep your promises on climate!
ORGANIZER: Send Glen The Plumber a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. remembrance
2. Glen The Plumber
3. TLO™
4. navajo
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Obama Returns to Silicon Valley - Meet us at the protest rally!
Saturday, May 10th
Boston Kossacks Attend
Singing for the Planet Concert
Tickets are $25; $20 students/seniors, proceeds benefit www.350MA.org
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Emmanuel Church
15 Newbury Street • Boston
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. HawkWife
3. WarrenS
4. Knockbally
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Next BosKos Meetup - Sat 12 Apr at the Cafe Barada
Tuesday, May 13th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet
for LeftOfYou & Expat Okie
TIME: 11:00 AM, Early lunch!
LOCATION: Yank Sing
Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. LeftOfYou
3. Expat Okie
4. side pocket
5. Justice Putnam
6. dharmasyd
7. Lorikeet
8. jpmassar
9. maggiejean
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Maybees:
annieli
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Saturday, May 17th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnic on the National Mall
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall • Washington, DC
Here is how to find the DC Kossacks picnic: 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.
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, June 28th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, May 24th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. bleeding blue
3. wise piper
4. flamingogirl
5. John Crapper's SO
6. Grey Fedora
7. TBoneApollo
8. N in Seattle
9. momomia
10. momomia's friend
11. Piren
12. Gemina13
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Maybees:
LeftyCoaster
Eagle Keeper
oakroyd
wackoliberal
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Latest diary: Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks - Come Together!
Saturday, May 24th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speaker:
Marianne Williamson, US Congress candidate
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. Lisa
5. Mr. Lisa
6. Lisa's Guest
7. Dave in Northridge
8. jakedog42
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Maybees:
Chiwere
714day
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks - Political Season Meetups II and III
Saturday, May 31st
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Matt Miller, US Congress candidate for CA-33 and Sandra Fluke, California Senate candidate for the CA-05 Senate district. CA-05 Senate and CA-33 US Congress overlap 50%. Both candidates agreed to speak at the same meeting.
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Otoelbc
4. Mr. Lisa
5. jakedog42
6. Joe Bacon
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Maybees:
Chiwere
Lisa
714day
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Latest diary: CA-33; a record breaking and highly visible district
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
TDB • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11.
12.
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. Jim Bode
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd, winifred3
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. loggersbrat
7. N in Seattle
8. vicki
9. Cedwyn
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7.
8.
9.
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Sara R
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. Dragon5616
8. jotter
9. aha aha
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Dee Oliver-Velez
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
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.