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!
Let's start the working week with a Moral Monday.
Do you answer anonymous phone calls?
The answering machine is the greatest thing ever invented, because, kids, before the answering machine you had to answer the phone to know who was calling! A ringing phone was a mystery: was it good news or bad? Was it someone you were avoiding, or someone you were dying to hear from?
As soon as I got my first answering machine I never picked up another call without screening it. Period. Everyone knew that when the machine came on that they should start talking and if I wanted to talk to them, I'd answer.
I had worked at a lot of jobs where it was my responsibility to answer the phone, and within a certain number of rings, and deal with whoever was on the other end regardless of their attitude or state of agitation. Not answering the phone at home was a luxury that meant I was at home and not at work.
Caller ID was even better because I knew who it was before they started talking, because, kids, before speed dialing, I knew my friend's phone numbers by heart. Calls that said "unknown number" or "blocked" did not get answered. Everyone knew they had to unblock their numbers (* 82) or else I would not pick up the phone.
Now we have avatars and pictures that pop up so you can see people's faces, and I have distinctive rings for work and close friends and family. As soon as the phone rings I know who it is, and when calls (on my home phone) come up that say "unknown number" I just don't answer them. Most of the time an unknown number calls, the person does not leave a message, and I assume that it was a sales call, or someone else I didn't want to talk to anyway.
For the last few years I've been ducking bill collectors for unpaid medical bills of my own and of my mom. But every once in a while I got conned into picking up the phone. I'd get calls from cities where I knew people, and if I wasn't looking closely I'd see Washington DC or New York City and think—oh, that's my friend/relative from DC or NYC—but it would turn out to be a bill collecting call center.
Sometimes they spoof their Caller ID. One time I got a call from 000-000-0000! I answered it out of sheer curiosity. One time I received a call where the caller ID showed MY OWN PHONE NUMBER. That was weird.
But for the last couple of months I have been answering anonymous calls. Calls from numbers I don't know, even calls that look like telemarketer calls.
Because I want to be in political polls.
I was one of those people who frequently and indignantly said, "These polls are crazy. Who are they polling? They never call ME!"
Since I started picking up the phone I've been in three polls so far.
I got one right before the Massachusetts gubernatorial primary, where I said I was undecided (I went back and forth between Berwick and Coakley).
One since the primary that only asked me about female candidates: Martha Coakley, Deb Goldberg (running for Treasurer) and Maura Healey (running for Attorney General).
Last week I was in a catch-all poll that asked about a million different things, including my opinion of "Congress" on a scale of strongly approve to strongly disapprove. They got an earful about why I hate that question—it does not give me the chance to disapprove more strongly of the Republicans than the Democrats—but the following questions warmed my heart, asking me separately whether I approved of "Democrats in Congress" and "Republicans in Congress". (I hoped they would ask separately about the House and Senate but no such luck.)
For even more fun, I'm on a LOT of Rcon lists (does anyone want to hear that story again?) . About a month ago the RNC actually had the nerve to call and ask me for a 3Q donation of $100! My response: "I'm not sure what in my contribution history gave you the idea that I would make a gift of that size." When conservative pollsters call, I tell them the truth in every respect. When they ask my party affiliation I say: I am registered "independent/unenrolled", which is true. When they ask who was the last Republican I voted for, I say John McCain. I am happy to have them assume that vote was in 2008, but it was actually in 2000 when I took the Republicon ballot in the MA primary to try to stop GWB. Rs think I am a swing voter they can persuade. I hope they waste lots of time and money on me!
I really had it out with a forced birth pollster a few weeks ago. I said to her that I wished "the movement" would pay more attention to what happens to babies after they are born. I said I was frustrated that there is so much attention paid to forcing women to give birth, while at the same time "the party" encourages people to vote against programs like WIC and Medicaid expansion and food stamps and job training and other things that help single women care for small children. I didn't say it in an angry way, I framed it as being very sad that more was not being done to help babies after they are born (which is true). Her head was spinning and of course she had no answers. I love these kinds of calls. How far can I push them while still leaving them with the impression that I am a swing voter? It's political improvisational theatre. Keeps my skills sharp.
No bill collectors have caught me so far (most of them have moved to robocalling anyway): "If you are not [insert name here], please hang up now. [five second pause] By continuing to listen to this call, you confirm that you are [insert name here]."
The Massachusetts governor's race is close, and polling will probably intensify in coming days. So for the next two weeks I'll be breaking a decades old habit. I'll answer the phone every time it rings, even when I don't recognize the number, or the caller ID is blocked, or even when it is obviously from a pollster. I keep hoping that an old flame will call out of the blue having decided after all these years that he was a fool to let me get away, but so far no luck with that!
How many of your calls do you screen by voicemail and answering machines? Have you ever answered a call thinking it was someone you wanted to talk to and found yourself on with a salesman or a bill collector or a charity you have no intention of supporting? Have you ever been called for a political poll? Do you pick up the phone when you are not sure who is on the other end, just for the possible happy surprise?
Do you answer anonymous phone calls?
start up soundtrack
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 John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
On Saturday 10/4/14, the Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks had the chance to have lunch with Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant.
...In 2012, Kshama ran as a Socialist Alternative candidate for WA State Legislature and surprised everyone by winning 29% of the vote. The momentum continued in her campaign for Seattle City Council where she boldly ran on a platform of fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage, rent control and taxing the super-rich to fund mass transit and education. In November she defeated a 16-year incumbent Democrat to become the first socialist elected in a major US city in decades.
Kshama Sawant now chairs Seattle City Council's Energy Committee which covers Seattle City Light, alternative energy sources, energy policies and air pollution regulations.
bleeding blue videotaped the address and the Q&A session that followed:
Please visit John Crapper's diary for more details and photos of the event. You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Dkos Ashevillites got together again to take a break from registering people to vote. A special thanks to Gordon20024, who drove in from Roanke, for providing all the food!
All the attendees went around the table and talked about what they're involved in at Daily Kos. Details about this on each attendee can be read at randallt's diary. Out-of-state special guests were Land of Enchantment and jnhobbs from Nashville! Love that kind of support!
Dkos Asheville is setting a great example of how to Connect, Unite and Act! Kudos to the whole group that is making this team strong!
Please visit randallt's diary for photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
At the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, SEIU, airport workers and Daily Kos (represented by susans and Joshua Bloxom) presented them with a 48,000 signature petition demanding safer working conditions. Also present were representatives of CLUE, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, who submitted a letter of support to the board.
[...]
The SEIU organizers led a short rally outside of the building at One World Way after the meeting. SEIU represents people who do a lot of different jobs at LAX: they work in the terminals as wheelchair pushers, door openers, janitors, various other positions and on the ramp (outside). Some of them spoke at the rally, again in English and Spanish. They asked me to speak, something I was totally unprepared for. I briefly told them about DK and that I would be writing about the event and posting it online.
A special thank you to Josh, who took multiple trains up from Orange County to support airport workers and represent Daily Kos. It was great talking to you and I look forward to another opportunity to spend some time together.
Please visit
susans's diary for more details. You can still REC it. You can join
Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
susans.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Koscadians got together one more time to Stamp Money Out of Politics
L-R: also mom of 5, loggersbrat, Quill, pdxteacher, J Orygun, KitRMP, HRM & Arenosa
Please visit Sara R's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by mimi ♥ for New York City
Here's a great photo recap of all the Kossacks marching in NYC at the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014.
L-R: Raines and Tool holding the banner
L-R: ?, mole jr., Mrs. Mole333, boatsie, The Poet Deploreate, WarrenS, ? mole333 and kathny
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
by Susan Grigsby ♥ for Coachella Kossacks
Susan Grisby put out the call for other readers of Daily Kos near Palm Desert and now we have the beginning of organizing there.
Here's the charter group! Go Susan! Special thanks to susans for driving down from L.A. to lend support.
L-R: ruscle, ruscle+one, Susan Grisby & blue drop
Look at all that orange! Shirt, tops and a hat! Sweet.
Please visit Susan Grigsby's diary for MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Coachella Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Susan Grigsby.
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a registering-to-vote event for Ford County, Kansas in Dodge City to reach out to Latino voters there. He partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Ford County Democratic Party. 150 people attended to listen to John Thomas (KS House District 119 Candidate), Jean Schodorf (Secretary of State Candidate), Jim Sherow (US House, KS District 1 Candidate), Mark Low (Kansas House Candidate, District 115).
"LULAC volunteers sat at their table and handled registration after registration as people came to the event to listen to how they could change their state. We knew that not only were we helping to register new and first time voters, we were helping to bring a message into a community that has been ignored - and to help them take that message back to their friends and families."
This is a great example of reaching out to disenfranchised communities and helping them vote. Because If Democratic base voters turn out, we win. Can't be said enough. More regions need to do this.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
by nhox42 ♥ for New England Kossacks
The New England Kossacks got together at the home brillig and mik north of Boston. Kossacks drove from all over New England to attend. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Folks in attendance were: brillig, mik, K1, K2, Simple, nhox42, Ed Tracey, GreyHawk, Kathy, TrueBlueMajority, theKgirls, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, mayim, dtheo, RubDMC, AnotherMassachusettsLiberal, Debbie in ME, ialonelady, CwV, sardonyx, Noor B, Andy, James and Alex.
New England Kossacks
Please visit nhox42's diary for MORE photos! Including yummy food pr0n. Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New England Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to nhox42.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, October 25th
or
Sunday, October 26th
Salt Lake City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Beans & Brews
5938 S. State Street • Murray
ORGANIZER: Send jlms qkw a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. jlms qkw
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, October 25th
SFKossacks Attends Daily Kos Day at MoveOn.org's GOTV Offices
TIME: 10:00 AM
MoveOn's Voters Rising Office Location
Berkeley
2177 Bancroft Way (map)
Berkeley, CA
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. kimoconnor
4. skywriter
5. jotter
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Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
jpmassar
EagleOfFreedom
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! Daily Kos Teams With MoveOn.org's GOTV Events — Do You Cold Call Well?
Saturday, November 8th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th Legislative District, Deputy Majority Whip and Chair of the Washington State House of Representatives Environment Committee will be our next guest speaker sharing his thoughts and plans for Washington State and the Seattle Puget Sound Area.
Cost with Set Menu: $25.00 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, gratuity, tax and your choice of food from a limited-choice menu)
TIME: 12:30 PM - No seating after 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper's SO
3. Cinnamon68
4. bleeding blue
5. momomia
6. Larissa W.
7. Ted
8. Heather
9. Marcee
10. Robin - Sierra Club
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Maybees:
Penny GC
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon - Nov. 8th
Saturday, December 13th
SF Kossacks Holiday Party at Daily Kos HQ
The usual Pot Luck drill - sign-up list posted soon
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately by kosmail • Berkeley
Near Ashby BART
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Will Rockafellow
3. Susan Gardner
4. Meteor Blades
5. Faith Gardner & Roxie!
6. navajo
7. side pocket
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. smileycreek
10. paradise50
11. remembrance
12. Glen The Plumber
13. TLO
14. jakedog42
15. edrie
16. dharmasyd
17. catilinus
18. boatsie
19. liberated spaces
20. citisven
21. kimoconnor
22. susans
23. maggiejean
24. 714day
25. Steven Payne
26. scaboni
27. skywriter
28. jpmassar
29. jotter
30. aha aha
31. jeremybloom
32. norm
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Maybees:
Thinking Fella
high uintas
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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.