Okay, nothing exciting going on — but here you are and it’s an eyeball or two I was looking for.
I try to make a practice of going to Netroots Nation.
Wanna split a room tab?
I first went in 2010 and was so inspired and uplifted in the company of the like-minded, I knew I’d keep going back. I usually join other Kossacks from L.A. for the invigorating jaunt to the nation’s largest meet for progressive activists and was already a bit sad knowing that one L.A. attendee will never join us again. A surgical procedure has now forced my traveling buddy, gmats, to stay behind but I’ve booked a double room at Hilton New Orleans Riverside which is at the convention venue.
I am going to attend come hell or high water this year. I have never in my life been more concerned for my nation. We are all assessing what it may require of us to hold the “truths” of the Declaration or the rights in the Constitution. I (as you can see) have been around for awhile, old enough to remember McCarthy trial stuff on TV as hushed family members honed in, my high school was torched during the 60’s and friends were rounded up behind 25 foot ace fences in Washington D.C. with no food, water, or toilets. And more, of course… Never have things been this grave. I’ll ask Tom Steyer what he thinks we ought do. Sure, he’s likely to be there. as he and his very cool wife have often been. Or Stacey Abrams with whom I yimyammed in an elevator in Atlanta. It is a great opportunity to get up close and personal, hear brilliant people speak of their brilliant ideas, attend panels (nary a one lily-white and male), activist sessions, tech seminars, and for a few days, be proud to be exercising my inalienable rights as a true American. I can use a few days of that.
How about you?