CNN Coverage:
http://cnn.com/...
An Introduction:
March 13th Kick Off Event Day:
MISSION: The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges that we face as Americans. As voters and grassroots volunteers, we will support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them.
I like that it is an anti-obstructionist answer to the Tea Party that doesn't view public service/government as inherently evil, and instead as an expression of our collective will, with an independent minded bent to it.
Surely there are independents out there who are into being anti-obstructionist, as in being anti-filibuster-addiction as an electoral strategy, and anti-corporatocracy (think the recent SCOTUS decision), opposing fear-based politics, valuing diversity, and the like, and that want to remind elected officials that the Tea Party isn't representative of all independents in America.
In a short time they've gathered 100,000 supporters on facebook, set up a website, recorded many videos, set up a national day of events, and garnered national media attention.
With an election coming up that is supposed to be low turn out, and predictions that the national winds are blowing against the left, I am very excited to see a movement that will energize voters and engage people constructively in politics who have not been engaged before or who have stopped engaging because all of the negativity.
I know some have concerns because they wont officially align themselves with democrats & liberals, but as long as their focus is on constructive participation in politics then these are people I want voting and want to be engaged in the dialogue. This is a chance to build a coalition of people who believe in government as a force for good when done right. And it is such a blank slate right now, with a focus on just having a dialogue, that I encourage anyone who can make the time this Saturday to go to an event. It isn't often that you get to shape a canvass from the start, and we shouldn't miss this opportunity.
Find an event near you this Saturday, or start your own:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/...
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Update 1:
Several people have asked about the name, so I wanted to share some information about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Green Dragon Tavern was a public house used as a tavern and meeting place located on Union Street in Boston's North End.
Purchased in 1764 by the St. Andrews Lodge of Freemasons for its 1st floor meeting rooms, the basement tavern was used by several secret groups and became known by historians as the "Headquarters of the Revolution". The Sons of Liberty, Boston Committee of Correspondence and the North End Caucus each met there. The Boston Tea Party was planned there and Paul Revere was sent from there to Lexington on his famous ride. In January 1788, a meeting of the mechanics and artisans of Boston passed a series of resolutions urging the importance of adopting the Federal Constitution pending at the time before a convention of delegates from around Massachusetts. The building was demolished in 1854.
The current Green Dragon Tavern is located on 11 Marshall Street in Boston's North End. Its publicity states that it is the "headquarters of the revolution", though its relationship to the demolished original pub is not immediately apparent.
http://www.teagarden.com/...
"It started in the Green Dragon Tavern. If a man ordered tea, he was a Tory. If he ordered coffee, he was a Patriot."
Is Coffee worse as a logo than that most American of creatures the elephant?
I also took a moment to transcribe a section from the introductory video that I was particularly fond of:
We want to see cooperation among people in Congress and government, and we want to see people are representing us move towards solutions to the problems instead of strategically obstructing any form of Congress. Many people believe this is an effective electoral strategy to win republican seats in 2010 and we object to obstructionism and extreme political tactics, that are, I think are fear based, not reality based, and in many ways just deliberate misinformation. So we’re organizing. We want people to understand we are voters, that we’re going to come out to vote, we’re going to participate in the process. We are going to make sure we hold people accountable for obstructing progress in government. We need everyone engaged in the political process. That is the only way government can function as an expression of our collective will.
I know some people are unhappy that they haven't promised to officially align themselves the democratic party, but I think compared with where the pro-obstructionist right is right now, that this movement is a good thing. And it is virtually a blank slate right now. I am a very loyal democrat, and I view this movement as an opportunity, not a threat. The national day of kick off events is this Saturday. You have a chance to go be among the first to paint on the canvass, to give guidance and direction to its future, so please don't dismiss them out of hand. If you want this party to share your values, then show up and share your values at this new beginning.
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Update 2:
I just learned they are getting more national media coverage tonight.
http://www.cnn.com/...
"The Coffee Party USA will be featured TODAY on CNN The Situation Room, 5:00pm EST/ 2:00pm PST."
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Update 3:
Today's new video (thanks for the link Just Bob):