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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What's the Most Foreign Place You Ever Visited?
(Disclaimer: I mean no disrespect to anyone currently living in the south. This happened back in 1977.)
I haven't traveled much, but the most foreign place I ever visited was in my own country when I walked into the Civil War Surplus and Head Shop in Kennesaw, Georgia in 1977. The culture shock I experienced was the result of my own southern California-bred naivete about the Civil War. I'd only read Gone With the Wind and bland history textbooks. To me the Civil War was ancient and long supplanted by other wars. Nor would I have found this place without my peripatetic tour guide brother, an American history major and DFH with a twisted sense of humor.
Richard had been traveling the country in his VW van and fetched up in Kennesaw, Georgia where he worked as a cab driver in nearby Atlanta. He invited me to visit during my college spring break, even paying my airfare, and for the entire week catered to my rather macabre tastes by trotting me around to some of the more startling locales. He had the rarest of traits in his ability to stand back and let me take in the sights without offering lecture, explanation or judgement.
On my first day in Kennesaw we walked downtown to the Wildman's Civil War Surplus and Head Shop. The name was changed in the 80's to Wildman's Civil War Surplus and Herb Shop because it became illegal to use the words "head shop" in advertising.
70's poster, still sold in Wildman Dent Myers' shop, wearing Confederate regalia.
Some things never change.
By the end of the week I realized I knew nothing,
nothing at all about real U.S. history.
Dent Myers' shop was but the introduction to my week in the old confederacy, the prelude to climbing Kennesaw Mountain to see the Civil War cannons and driving into Atlanta for the Cyclorama (an experience worth its own diary).
But Dent's shop stuck in my mind for decades, as it represented a refusal to let go of a lost way of life. I brought home a reminder in the form of an iconic poster of Dent in Confederate uniform, chomping a cigar and declaiming "HELL NO I ain't forgettin!"
As I gazed around the crowded and filthy shop (Dent is something of a hoarder) I felt increasingly uneasy and embarrassed, but as a visitor to any foreign land was polite. Among the Civil War weaponry and bizarre taxidermy (a mounted boar's head with a plastic human hand sticking out of its mouth; right up my alley) were several startling displays of racism, such as a life-sized Klansman, hood and noose included, and some cringe-worthy caricatures of black people. Dent maintained that the more objectionable articles were of either historical or humorous value, and his shop has prevailed for over 40 years. As The Carpetbagger noted on his fine 2013 blog:
Dent is a true enigma. To some he is a beloved folk hero, to others he is nothing more then a disgusting racist.
and
Free speech is something we all cherish, but that doesn't stop it from scaring us every once in awhile. Dent Meyers is a man from a different time, possibly a different century. He is unrepentant in his love for the confederacy and still claims allegiance to Jefferson Davis. Old Dent is not a one note pony. His affable nature is almost as disarming as the collection of racist memorabilia that he displays. He does not trust the federal government or doctors and believes strongly in holistic medicine, that he sells in his shop. He is also well known for carrying two loaded guns with him at all time. A fascinating and confusing character study of a man.
photo credit: Jacob the Carpetbagger, 2012, posted with permission.
Despite Dent's charm and folksy humor, I didn't buy that this was some sort of museum of absurd and historical artifacts. This was no museum about racism-- this
was racism, and though I wasn't willing to label it that to Dent's face (I already viscerally understood my status as outsider) I was still profoundly uncomfortable and embarrassed. I was as embarrassed as if my own over-the-top uncle was acting out in public, embarrassed that this was a perfectly acceptable retail establishment right here in my very own country; in my very own country that had passed civil rights laws and eliminated the doctrine of separate but equal. I was embarrassed at my belief that changing laws had somehow also changed hearts and minds. What Dent was embodying was no re-enactment, no ironic wink at history. Dent was perfectly at home among his memorabilia. I wondered how he talked to other locals when us outsiders weren't around.
It's not that I concluded all southerners were bigots, though it felt as if we inhabited different countries. I knew there were people like Richard living there. I knew there were people who grew up in Kennesaw feeling as much the outsider in their culture as I felt growing up in mine in San Bernardino. But where I grew up there was no compelling and constantly memorialized past, no relevant history other than vintage black and white Hollywood movies or comical images of Gold Rush days. In Atlanta and Kennesaw I saw a Civil War history more vividly tangible than Vietnam and more intensely frightening than World War II, and it shook me.
It was as if it had all only happened a generation ago instead of a century ago.
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
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If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
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Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The Los Angeles Kossacks ranks have increased by 40% in the last few months. New members attended the latest recreational field trip to see the retired space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Back Row L-R: Vyan, Chiwere, susans, Otoelbc, mommyp00ka, Ducktape
Front Row L-R: Robin, 714day, Little Loner, Moody Loner, jakedog42 and grandaughter, SanFernandoValleyMom
Please visit susans's diary for details on the Space Shuttle. You can still REC it. You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to susans.
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
Organizer John Crapper completed another meet-up, from his agenda:
Next, I updated the group on our efforts to identify campaigns we would like to assist in the upcoming elections. There are three that have been under active discussion but nothing has been firmly decided. We all agreed it was important to pick races that would help Washington Democrats regain control of the Senate.
Next, I asked for ideas, suggestions and assistance identifying future guest speakers. In connection with that I urged all to invite their friends to become Kossacks and join us to enhance our clout.
Longtime Kossack
LarisaW, President of
Progressive Radio Northwest (PRNW), was in attendance. She is leading an effort to bring back progressive radio to the NW.
All photos courtesy of mlharges:
L-R: John Crapper - John Crapper, his SO & momomia - TBoneApollo - Piren
L-R: EagleKeeper - Flamingogrrl - doingbusinessas - momomia
Please visit John Crapper's diary for MORE photos and commentary! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
by Avilyn ♥ for New Jersey Kossacks
The New Jersey Kossacks held their inaugural meet-up on June 14, 2014. Thanks so much to Avilyn for taking up the reins and leading this important group. She noticed in all of the Christy diaries that many New Jersey folk came out of lurking or signed up to comment. She was motivated by this to start this group. I'm glad because there's a lot of work to do in New Jersey. I also noticed in her start-up diaries that many people couldn't attend this event but wanted to be invited to the next event. She had 18 Kossacks sign up with her first announcement of the new group. This is excellent and I'm sure there are more New Jersey Kossacks out there.
Here's the group photo:
L-R: Christin, Mr. Christin, belinda ridgewood, zitherhamster
Please visit Avilyn's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New Jersey Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Avilyn.
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!
Tuesday, July 15th
Nashville Kossacks Meet-up at a Music Venue
The Players featuring Brent Mason, John Hobbs, Paul Franklin, Eddie Bayers, and Michael Rhodes
Price: $10.00 [Tickets]
DINNER TIME: 6:00 PM?
SHOW TIME: 9:30 PM
LOCATION: 3rd and Lindsley Music Venue, Bar & Grill (menu)
818 3rd Ave. S • Nashville
ORGANIZER: Send ZenTrainer a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. ZenTrainer
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Nashville KosKats Meet-Up July 15th
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
A 0.6 mile walk from the host hotel, the Marriott
The blue dots represent the walking-on-foot route. The grey lines are the People Mover routes.
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. winifred3
25. texasdad
26. texasmom
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
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
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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. Elisa Batista
12. Denise Oliver-Velez
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
68. nomandates
69. thepegster
70. Ooooh
71. figbash
72. TrueBlueMajority
73. tgypsy
74. slowbutsure
75. cooper888
76. gotmooned
77. Muskegon Critic
78. belinda's dad
79. ericlewis0
80. mideedah
81. sherman54
82. Larry Kestenbaum
83. ChemBob
84. Shenna Bellows (ME-Sen)
85. MI Sooner
86. Hope Despite All
87. Puddytat
+ Ten scholarship recipients
Maybees: Turbonerd
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Thursday, July 17th
Daily Kos Caucus
TIME: 1:00 - 2:15 PM Please note this time change to accommodate Vice President Biden's Keynote at 3:30
LOCATION: Cobo Center, Room 353
Caucus lead by Markos Moulitsas and staff
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 tables 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 only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. ChemBob
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9. DoReMI
10. Mideedah
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. GwenM
2. dkmich
3. NormAl1792
4. tgypsy [Honorary]
5. gregsullmich
6. SharonRB
7. SharonRB's friend
8. Muskegon Critic
9. ICanDoThis
10. Mr. ICanDoThis
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. Tim Delaney [Honorary]
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl [Honorary]
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616 [Honorary]
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433 [Honorary]
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9. norm
10. figbash [Honorary]
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7. slowbutsure
8. cooper888 [Honorary]
9. gotmooned [Honorary]
10. zenbassoon [Honorary]
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Denise Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7. TrueBlueMajority [Honorary]
8. belinda's dad
9. MBNYC
10. ericlewis0 |
Seattle, Portland & Texas Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. linkage
6. nomandates
7. texasmom
8. texasdad
9. TexMex
10. 4Freedom [Honorary]
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Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7. Cedwyn
8. Pam Miles
9. shermanesque and
10. doggie269
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
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
4. linkage (videographer)
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Friday, July 18th
Rally from Netroots Nation to Sound Call: ‘Turn on the Water. Tax Wall Street’
Nurses, Activists, Cite Public Health Emergency Demand Moratorium End to Water Shutoffs
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Cobo Center, Washington & W. Congress St
RALLY: 1:45 PM Hart Plaza
Latest diary: New Protest re: Detroit Water Shutoffs--Fri. 7/18, 12:30 PM @ Cobo Center (NN14 site)
Sunday, July 20th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Meet-up with Lyon County Democrats & Governor Candidate Paul Davis
Paul Davis (D-KS) who is running against Sam Brownback will be present. Potluck Dinner format and short meeting for Kossacks/Democrats afterwards. There will also be several other candidates and a full meeting of the county party.
POTLUCK!
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Emporia Senior Center
603 E 12th Ave • Emporia, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Tim Huelskamp Asserts Benghazi is a Bipartisan Conspiracy.. And the Man who Could Beat him this year
Saturday, July 26th
Meet the Candidates in Hutchinson, Kansas!
• Jean Shodorf (Candidate for Secretary of State)
• Brian E Davis (Candidate for State House of Representatives)
• Jim Sherow (Candidate for 1st District US House of Representatives)
• Jill Docking (Candidate, Lt. Governor)
• Various County Party Leadership
TIME: 11:00-3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyle Park
100 E. Ave. B • Hutchinson
BBQ, watermelon and other food provided. Bring a lawn chair.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5. arizonablue
6. Mr. arizonablue
7. Kane in CA
8. puzzled
9. Late Again
10. Mr. Late Again
11. rasbobbo
12. DaNang65
13. Stripe
14. Sun Tzu
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Maybees:
dewey of the desert
Mr. dewey of the desert
PSzymeczek
Skippah
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
Saturday, August 9th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, August 9th
LA Kossacks Meet-up
With guest speaker Bill Zimmerman
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • Downtown Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. Knucklehead
6. SanFernandoValleyMom
7. Otoelbc
8. Chiwere
9. Vyan
10.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
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.