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 at Daily Kos 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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The orange pinpoints are the location of each organized group of Daily Kos readers.
If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links.
If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
View Interactive Map of Daily Kos Regional Communities in a full screen version.
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Grey Thursday/Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Sofa Sunday/Cyber Monday/Giving Tuesday Ads Getting You Down?
Well, never fear, the retail calendar is winding down
This was me by 4 November 2014
Silly me. I thought I had hit my tolerance threshold for the continued loop of unbearable ads during election season. So, even though November 5th brought great sadness on the governing and ideological front, it would finally bring some relief from the annoying ad syndrome that had been littering my sonic and visual environment for the last three months.
But I had forgotten to check the calendar. The retail calendar, I mean. As the infographic in the link suggests, there are (were) 325 discrete marketing events for retailers to take advantage of in the year 2014. A quick math check [365-325 = 40, right?] tells me that we are left with only 40 marketing-free days for entire calendar year; that's 4-0-f-o-r-t-y, in all it's Biblical and pre-modern significance . (Quirky aside: Who knew that retailers followed the tenets of ancient astronomy and astrology? Honestly, who knew?)
The ways of the Ancients follow us into the future
Since the period from November 9th through to the end of the calendar year marks the beginning of the marketing blitz toward profitability for the retail sector, my relief from obnoxious ads would be short lived, only four of that annual total of 40 would be observed before I was bombarded with the clarion call from automakers that the true path toward Black Friday savings lay in purchasing a new car. After only 10 days of the Honda "saleabration" I had to reach for the mute button. While reaching I suddenly realized, this was the new
Barbara Comstock ad. During the final push of election season, the Barbara Comstock campaign was on a 90 minute loop on metro DC channels. Between the Comstock ads from Northern Virginia and the
Larry Hogan ads for Maryland Governor, I was muting the television for every third ad run. Here it was just three short weeks later and
Black Friday had become the GOP. The Republicans, along with suppressing the vote and screwing up the country had also ruined my tolerance for the deep timbred voice-over.
Here's the thing though. As I write this, it's now Saturday night. Black Friday is but a memory, a by-gone hook for all local news coverage to hang two point five days of coverage upon, complete with live shots from shopping center parking lots across the nation.
One down only 27 more shopping days 'til Xmas
I watch these and think:
The only thing dumber has to be the live shots from outside during a hurricane. Who wants to look at a half-full parking lot? Headlines such as "Black Friday a bust thanks to Grey Thursday" ran all day yesterday. This will not go down as journalism's finest hour. Black Friday may be over,
but the incessant labeling of days with cutesy names to promote ever more spending goes on.
And with that, the ads and the news stories continue, unabated. The local news is all aflutter with Small Business Saturday stories. Shopping has become news, as well as entertainment. And our incurable national sickness is spreading!
Not really such a bad idea if it wasn't one of many
No longer content to define US holiday season as the "Season to Spend," marketing trends have pushed their way into the U.K., where Thanksgiving isn't even a holiday. Still, that Thursday (called "Brown Thursday, since it's not Thanksgiving there) as well as Black Friday have become important business trends for the British Financial and Mainstream Press to track.
Sunday's always a hard day to name
Various international news outlets today tell me that the day when this diary will be published is Sofa Sunday, and doubtless a more aptly named day there has never been, given the wholesale relinquishing of the seventh day of the week to the NFL, and our general, societal inclination toward couch potatohood. Who could have come up with a better moniker for the 3rd (or is it now the 4th?) day in a row of the national spending orgy which the retail, advertising and media professions seek to hoist upon us this time of year?
Clearly, my obsession with these oddly named days is but a symptom of the larger ill that grates my sensibilities. The consumer economy is the heart of our economic survival. And yet rampant consumerism with both its race-to-the-bottom labor policies and its unsustainable replace-and-grow ideology for continued profit expansion does not offer a promising future, save that for the commercial media. At what point do we bounce up against the absolute limits of consumerism as the engine that fuels our economy? When those of us who no longer earn a living wage working in retail can no longer purchase the goods our consumer society depends upon selling, what then? When record retail sales days like Cyber Monday offer both staggering sets of sales numbers and the potential to undermine brick and mortar businesses at the same time (and thus the tax base that fuels local government, community and social services), where do we turn from there?
No longer an also-ran, Cyber Monday rules the bunch
In all the delightful journalism that keeps springing up around Black Fridays, Small Business Saturdays, Strangely Named Sundays, Cyber Mondays and Giving Tuesdays, I see very little discussion of any of these issues. Always just the mad co-dependence that commercial media facilitates between the US public and consumer culture. I suspect the ads and posts and email blasts and tweets will continue throughout the week. I may hate ads, but this economy requires them. Social media will keep the shopping frenzy alive. And at the same time it will remind us of some of the contradictions. And it will implore us to release our better natures, all at the same time. Already my twitter feed is a buzz with solicitations for Giving Tuesday.
In the spirit of the season, let's also make donations cute
Ever since
CNN began naming wars for the news ticker and the weather channel began giving
extreme (and not-so-extreme) weather events really dumb names, we've probably been destined to see this development. Social media loves to turn the days of the week into themes for further posting, tweeting, snapping or chatting. The retail world, as dependent as it has become on both e-commerce and social media marketing cannot really be blamed for following this path, one could argue. I won't argue that, because the consumption itself makes me crazy at times like this, but I could. And others do.
I can only image that Waddle Out Wednesday
Champion waddlers from whom we can learn
or
Turn-Around-and-Go-Back-Again Thursday can not be far behind.
All this shopping has me wondering which way is out?
What Part of this Crazy Cultural Consumerist Circus
has You Shaking Your Head?
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Southwest Ohio Kossacks are organizing now. Please kosmail akadjian to receive an invite to join the group. There's lots to do in Ohio and we need YOU to reach our political goals. Also, please direct any commenters or diarists you encounter from Cincinnati or Dayton at Daily Kos to join this group. Thanks!
PRETTY COOL UPDATE: Since akadjian and I reached out on 11/20/14 to call for members to Southwest Ohio Kossacks, we went from zero to 14! Twelve of those were in two days after our CUA headline campaign for them. Here they are:
akadjian, Virally Suppressed, wild hair, ManfromMiddletown, Don midwest, BlueInRedCincy, Smiths, CarolDuhart, drshatterhand, calebfaux, Rox Girl, dg1532, darkrogue and
DaytonMike. Wow. Let's get cookin' in the Cincinnati and Dayton area! We got stuff to do!
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 Thinking Fella ♥ for Four Corners Kossacks
On Saturday, November 8th, 2014, the Four Corners Kossacks met to have a beverage or two, lament our electoral losses, cheer our wins, get updates on races still ongoing, listen to past local election history, learn more about each other, and plot our future strategies.
L-R: Thinking Fella, Matt S., (McLachlan campaign manager) red moon dog, nzanne, Gary Norton, Wally White, (termed-out former La Plata County Commissioner & long-time Dailykos lurker) and Jeff H.
Please visit Thinking Fella's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Four Corners Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Thinking Fella.
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
Four days after the mid-term elections Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks had lunch with Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, WA 34th, Chair of the Environment Committee and serving on the Finance, Transportation and Local Government Committees.
Special thanks goes to bleeding blue for making this all possible!
Invited attendees: Marcee Stone-Vegich - Chair of the 34th LD & Ted Barker Vice Chair, Robin Everett - Washington State's Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign Coordinator and Mary Manous with Weldon DeBusk both on the development team creating the Cascadia Climate Action Calendar which compiles monthly the events and actions of all major environmental groups in the Puget Sound Area.
My take-away as leader of Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks from this meeting. Political reality can't be changed. We must deal with it as best we can. We must also support those fighting for climate sanity as best we can. But when it comes to climate change we cannot afford to wait on politics to be "right" to get something done. We can't afford to just chip away at the edges. We need to pursue the most effective path possible to make climate sanity a reality. Under current circumstances politics may not be that path in the next two years in Washington State.
Instead it will be the Climate Action Hub. And in my neck of the woods it will be promoting the Cascadia Climate Calendar and urging people to get involved.
Please visit
John Crapper's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
John Crapper.
by cooper888 ♥ for Sacramento Kossacks
We heard from navajo and Meteor Blades about the initiative by Daily Kos to have active Kossack groups in each of the state capitals. DK is looking for engaged Kossack's ready to roll up their sleeves and participate in many different types of activism/advocacy. For example, delivering petitions to the state capitol, participating in various protests, marches, rally's at the capitol, etc. As Meteor Blades pointed out this won't happen over night and is a long term strategy but I think if we all take the lead in our respective states we can make this dream happen sooner than DK leadership expects.
L-R: Front row: Sychotic1, tgypsy, tb92, trevizolga, Mrs. side pocket. Second row: Arundsdel (sp?), Laurel in CA, Kestrel, Meteor Blades. Third row: Kestrel's two friends, smileycreek, paradise50, Dave. Back row: Clif, Mr. Arundsdel, Neil, cooper888, side pocket, Left foot forward, got mooned & Nate
Please visit cooper888's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Sacramento Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to cooper888.
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!
Tuesday, December 2nd
Maryland Kos Post-election Meet-up
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Sabatino's
901 Fawn Street • Baltimore
ORGANIZER: Send Navy Vet Terp a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Navy Vet Terp
2. vschultzvidal
3. mimi
4. rb608
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Maryland Kos Meetup - Baltimore Subgroup
Saturday, December 6th
Houston Area Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Cafe Express
3800 Southwest Freeway • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send [organizer's linked user name] a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. nomandates
3. cosette
4. scott5js
5. Blood
6.
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Maybees:
Mr. cosette
MarciaJ720
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: RSVP for our December 6 meet-up!
Saturday, December 6th
Four Corner Kossacks Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
This train is extra special. Not only are the cars over 100 years old, the coal-fired steam locomotive pulling us up the mountain was built in the early 1920's. We'll be riding in the "Cinco Animas" car (built in 1883), which, as would be expected for Kossacks--is a Presidential Class car. See diary for many more details.
TIME: 9:15 AM
LOCATION: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
479 Main Ave • Durango
ORGANIZER: Send Thinking Fella a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Thinking Fella
2. HeroMachine
3. LucyTooners
4. Mr. LucyTooners
5. unfangus
6. Mrs. unfangus
7. Darcy
8. Kim
9. Nan
10. Allison M.
11. Tom M.
12. ERRN
13. ERRN's guest
14. ⇐Cinco Animas car filled
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Maybees:
Gary Norton
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Latest diary: EPIC Four Corners Kossacks Meet-up: Gonna Ride the D&SNGR Presidential Car to 9000' Elevation!
Wednesday, December 10th
Kansas Kossacks Meet-up Focused on Johnton County, What's Next?
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Overland Park Doubletree Hotel
10100 College Boulevard • Overland Park
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees:
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Thursday, December 11th
Kansas Kossacks Meet-up Focused on McPherson County, What's Next?
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Senior Center (location may change)
116 S Main St • Lindsborg
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees:
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! Meeting in Wichita, KS November 24
Saturday, December 6th
Colorado COmmunity Meet-up with Caffeinating Liberally
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Common Grounds
44th & Vallejo • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2.
3.
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Maybees:
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Wednesday, December 10th
Colorado COmmunity Meet-up with Drinking Liberally
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Three Dogs Tavern
32nd & Julian • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2.
3.
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Maybees:
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Latest diary: DENVER: Caffeinating & Drinking Liberally, December Editions COming Right Up!
Saturday, December 13th
SF Kossacks Holiday Party at Daily Kos HQ
The usual Pot Luck drill
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately by kosmail • Berkeley
Near Ashby BART
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
- POTLUCK SIGNUP -
HQ will be providing the main course of our buffet:
• White bean sausage cassoulet
• Marinated chicken skewers
Vegetarian options:
• Butternut squash with farro, parmesan, spinach and onion
• Ratatouille with polenta squares
Please volunteer for beverages, side dishes & desserts needed below.
Beverages:
20 bottles of wine [15 complete (navajo, smileycreek, enhydra lutris, glescagal, side pocket)]
16 six-packs of beer [6 complete (paradise50, 714day, side pocket)]
8 six-packs soft drinks [8 complete (linkage)]
4 six-packs non-corn syrup soft drinks [0 complete]
4 six-packs diet drinks [0 complete]
6 six-packs bottles of water [1 complete (sfbob)]
Appetizers:
8 appetizers, anything goes here. Whatcha' got? [3 complete (jforests, boatsie, side pocket)]
Side Dishes:
6 green salads needed, each to feed 10 [4 complete (jforests, Lorikeet, ceebee7, remembrance)]
4 (10-12 pcs) dinner roll sets, plus butter cubes [0 complete]
Desserts:
6 hand-held desserts (dozen each) [4 complete (syd, norm, gmats, jpmassar)]
70 paper plates [jakedog42 & susans]
70 dessert plates [jakedog42 & susans]
70 appetizer plates [jakedog42 & susans]
140 cocktail napkins [jakedog42 & susans]
70 dinner napkins [jakedog42 & susans]
100 plastic forks [jakedog42 & susans]
70 plastic knives [jakedog42 & susans]
100 clear plastic beverage cups [jakedog42 & susans]
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Will Rockafellow
3. Susan Gardner
4. Meteor Blades
5. Faith Gardner & Roxie!
6. navajo - 4 bottles red wine
7. side pocket - 2 6-pks beer, 2 bottles of wine, pesto-stuffed mushrooms
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. smileycreek - 1 bottle red, 1 white wine
10. paradise50 - 1 six-pack beer
11. remembrance - gobi aloo, vegetarian
12. Glen The Plumber - apparently, nothing...
13. TLO
14. jakedog42* - plates, cups, napkins & utensils
15. edrie
16. dharmasyd* - brownies
17. catilinus
18. boatsie - Cowgirl Creamery cheeses & crackers
19. liberated spaces
20. citisven
21. kimoconnor
22. susans* - plates, cups, napkins & utensils
23. maggiejean
24. 714day* - 3 six packs of beer
25. Steven Payne
26. scaboni
27. skywriter
28. jpmassar - dessert
29. jotter
30. aha aha
31. jeremybloom
32. norm* - sugar-free cake
33. Lorikeet* - vege salad
34. cooper888
35. got mooned
36. Hunter
37. elfling
38. Cassia
39. Friend of elfling
40. Friend of elfling
41. Friend of elfling
42. Friend of elfling
43. tmservo433
44. Simplify
45. jforests* - greek salad, cheese ball appetizer/crackers
46. jforests SO and baby girl
47. Brian82
48. ceebee7* - green salad
49. Elisa +Ari & Eli
50. jglass
51. jglass's wife + 2 sons (6,9)
52. Walter + toddler
53. Denise
54. Denise's teen
55. Michaela
56. enhydra lutris - 3 bottles wine
57. enhydra lutris's SO
58. Bonnie
59. gmats* - brownies/cookies
60. linkage - soft drinks
61. sfbob - bottled water
Maybees:
Thinking Fella
LaughingPlanet
Mark
*address given
Sunday, December 28th
Koscadia Meet-up with navajo & Pipe Ceremony with Ojibwa to Bless Quilts
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Private home
[Kosmail Sara R for the address] • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R to attend
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Ojibwa
3. Sara R
4. winglion
5. Angie in WA State
6. loggersbrat
7. llbear
8. Drewid
9. also mom of 5
10. watercarrier4diogenes
11. ozsea1
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Maybees:
exlrrp
quill
pdxteacher
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Latest diary: Koscadia Meet Up 12/28 -- special guests navajo and Ojibwa
Saturday & Sunday, January 17-18, 2015
Dkos Asheville 24-hour Meet-up
This is what community is about; sharing, giving, creating together. And this is what being a progressive is about; working for social, economic, and environmental justice.
Each day we start from where we are now; and we move forward from here. -davehouck
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...we have built ourselves a network of like minded brothers and sisters who are in this fight for life. A place we can come to find inspiration, power, solace and community.
-randallt |
TIME: 1:00 pm Saturday till 1:00 pm Sunday
LOCATION: Crown Plaza Resort Asheville
One Resort Drive • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. LamontCranston
8. Otteray Scribe
9.
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Maybees:
Joy of Fishes
IamGumby
smiley7
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Open Thread
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.