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.
|
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.
|
Do You Like Hot Rods ?
I like 'em OK. There are Hot Rod shows 2 or 3 times a year here. We go to 'em sometimes. It's a chance to get out of the house and walk around in the sunshine, see if there's anything new with the Hot Rodders. There never is of course. Hot Rod culture is pretty much frozen. It's all about the nostalgia; nostalgia for a dimly understood, and largely non-existent, past. Look at the two rods in this picture. Hot Rods only come in a few styles. These two are called "Bucket-Ts" and they're all pretty much the same; a big, super-charged V-8 on primitive frame rails with a body that had originally been a Ford Model T Runabout. Real Hot Rodding was about modifying cars to make them go faster. I dare anyone to mash the accelerator on one of these Bucket Ts; all that power, not much suspension, little skinny front tires and no protective bodywork is a recipe for disaster. These Hot Rods aren't built to go fast, they're built to look at, to cruise around in and look cool. All show and no go.
American car culture used to be regional. In the Midwest, the birthplace of the automobile, it was dedicated oval track racers, the roots of Indy-car racing. In the South it was bootleggers modifying innocent-looking sedans in order to outrun the Revenuers. This was the genesis of NASCAR racing. Hot Rods were a Southern California thing. When I was a child I used to hear Hot Rod stories from my Dear Old Mom; San Fernando High, Class of 1940. Along with Bucket-Ts and Deuce Coups, the other major Hot Rod style is the Highboy Roadster. Modern Highboys are stylized versions of the original Roadsters which looked like the one in this picture. They were based on the Ford Model A Roadster and the original hobbyists called their cars Roadsters, not Hot Rods. Hot Rods was a newspaper term used in articles about those crazy kids and their souped-up jalopies. The idea was to go fast. Fenders and bumpers were removed to save weight and the engines were modified. Number 51B has a flat-head V-8 but the Model A came with a four-cylinder engine and early enthusiasts invented all kinds of tricks to get more power from the original "four-banger." Yes, there was street-racing in those days, and that's what riled up the citizenry, but in 1937 the Southern California Timing Association* was formed. They regulated the sport and organized time trials. They set up what were called speed traps on dry lake beds in the Antelope Valley north of L.A. Racers were allowed a mile or so to get up to speed and the traps measured their final high speed, or top end, fastest car wins. This sort of competition is still held at El Mirage Dry Lake and, most famously, at the Bonneville Salt flats in Utah.
So yeah, the Hot Rod culture is a weird, nostalgic remnant of a once-thriving Southern California subculture. That culture really took off after the War when GIs returned with technical skills and some money, looking for action. I'm glad folks are keeping the memories alive but I'm not sad that car culture is no longer as vibrant as it once was. When you think about it, Hot Rodding was all about burning more fossil fuel faster and we really don't need to be doing that anymore. I just wish the World War II Victory culture, which was contemporary with the car culture, would also fade into caricature and irrelevance.
OK, another Tuesday, another Azazello CUA. What's up y'all, any cool links, any new Meet-Ups in the works and ...
Do You Like Hot Rods ?
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
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 AndyT ♥ for Dallas Kossacks
For our first Meet-up we kept it social for the most part. We discussed our histories in activism and what got us involved. Our lurker, CJ, had some questions about how Daily Kos works and we were happy to explain the basics. Some of the topics discussed were fracking, trans teens, LGBT activism, police violence, increasing the minimum wage and income inequality. We also got to know each other a little bit.
It's always a treat and privilege to meet fellow progressives. I personally feel right at home with them almost immediately. I had a great time and I believe everyone else did as well.
So come see us on May 23rd at Ojeda's!!!
Texnance, dalfireplug and Andyt photographed by lurker CJ
Please visit
AndyT's diary. You can still REC it. You can join
Dallas Kossacks by sending a
Kosmail to AndyT.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
DKos Asheville brought its eighth community meet up to life this past weekend with a historic appearance of a civil rights icon, Dr Fergie Reid, in Roanoke Virginia.
As reported by Roanoke's NBC Station, WSLS10:
A living legend was honored in Roanoke on Saturday. A special event was held at Hotel Roanoke recognizing William Ferguson Reid. Dr. Reid was the first African-American elected to the Virginia General Assembly in the twentieth century.
In March of this year, Reid celebrated his 90th birthday. In an effort to continue his long history of expanding voters' rights, people are taking part in a campaign called "90 for 90." The goal is to register new voters for the election. People across the state are working to register 90 new voters in each of Virginia's precincts.
randallt (Connect! Unite! Act! State Leader for North Carolina), Chris LaGrant (Campaign Manager for Virginia State Senate candidate Mike Hamlar), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Sr. (Civil Rights Leader & 90 for 90 Icon), Freeda Cathcart (Democratic Activist), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Jr. (Son of Dr. Fergie, Sr.) and Gordon20024 (DKos Meet-up Benefactor)
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
DKos Asheville by sending a
Kosmail to randallt.
by Chris Reeves ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
&
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
More than 140 readers of Daily Kos and friends came together in Kansas City to discuss the future of Kansas, Missouri and the Democratic Party - as well as what they can do about it. All of the speakers were excellent and many of the attendees loved meeting the writers at Daily Kos and underlining the fact that we are there for them. We had a great day starting with a continental breakfast and enjoyed the spaciousness of a really swell theater for the presentations. There was a greeting by navajo, a presentation by Chris Reeves and Reuben Eckels, a speech by David Nir and a talk by Joan McCarter. We had a casual pizza buffet for lunch. We resumed with Markos giving a preview of DK5 and then an Ask Me Anything session. Next up was an interview by Monique Teal of Patricia Bynes, Dr. Jacob Wagner spoke next and then we finished off with a Meteor Blades's summary of the purpose of the event and then we Skyped in the Roanoke event and an address by Dr. Ferguson Reid, Sr.
Markos addressing the crowd
Markos chatting during a break
Please visit Chris Reeve's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Chris Reeves.
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, May 30th
Houston Kos Monthly Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill in Meyerland Plaza
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. scott5js
3. cosette
4. NoBlinkers
5. Baby NoBlinkers
6. Mary
7. JJR1971
8. TDDVandy
9. Blood
10. jmbar2 |
Maybees:
Mr. cosette
Mr. NoBlinkers
|
Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meetup Scheduled for May 30 (RSVP Today!)
Saturday, May 30th
Seattle Puget Sound Kos Meet-up with Guest Speaker Yoram Bauman
Connect, Unite and help plan Action for 2015!
Cost: $20.00 with selected menu
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. bleeding blue
4. LarisaW
5. momomia
6. Eagle Keeper
7. Piren
8. Flamingogrrl
9. doing business as
10. Gemina13
11. TBone Apollo |
Maybees:
tenayaca
|
Latest diary: S&PS Kos - Take the Initiative with Yoram Bauman
Sunday, May 31st
Los Angeles Kossacks Potluck
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Private Home
[Address given privately to RSVPers] • North Hills
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. susans - vegetarian main dish
2. Otoelbc
3. matts2
4. Mrs. matts2
5. Joshua Bloxom - dessert
6. Shockwave
7. Santa Susanna Kid
8. gmats
|
Maybees:
philipmerrill
jakedog42
|
Latest diary: Potluck in Los Angeles on May 31st
June 26, 27 & 28th, 2015
EPIC Glacier National Park Meet-up II
ACTIVITIES:
June 26: TBD
June 27: TBD
June 28:
Day - TBD
Evening - 5:00 PM, BBQ potluck with Jen Hayden at the lower picnic area at the Historic Tamarack Lodge, 9549 U.S. 2, Hungry Horse, MT 59919. Entertainment at 6:00 PM by Truckstop Honeymoon
TIME: 24/7
LOCATION: Exact location inside park TBD
[Address] • Glacier National Park
ORGANIZER: Send Ojibwa a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Ojibwa
2. state of confusion
3. Thinking Fella
4. side pocket
5. Mrs. side pocket
6. navajo
7. jakedog42
8. Jen Hayden for 6/28 only
9. Joan McCarter
10. mcmom
11. peregrine kate
12. BoiseBlue
13. Mrs. BoiseBlue
14. figbash
15. MTmofo
16. woolibaar
17. markdd
18. Mrs. markdd
19. Earthling1
20. Earthling2
|
Maybees:
NormAl1792
winifred3
dharmasyd
foresterbob
714Day
Leftcandid
|
Latest diaries:
• A 2015 Glacier National Park Meetup?
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier Park Meet Up: Travel and Lodging
• The EPIC 2015 Glacier National Park Meet Up: Camping
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier National Park Meet Up: Tours
• Glacier National Park: Red Rock Falls (Photo Diary) and Meet Up Stuff
Announcing Asheville, North Carolina as the location
for our next Regional Event! 9.26.15
Asheville, N.C. is the destination for September 26, 2015! DKos Asheville, the In-Real-Life group under the leadership of randallt, has been setting the example for other IRL groups across the nation regarding registering people to vote, getting out the vote, having a state open thread and setting up strategy conferences for their region. Because of this impressive leadership we've asked randallt to be the State Leader for all of North Carolina. We've got important work to do on the ground there and randallt has shown he's the person to make that happen.
All states are welcome to attend this event and if you do you can expect to meet Markos Moulitsas in person, as well as some of the Daily Kos staff. More details regarding this regional event will be shared in the future so please stay tuned to Connect! Unite! Act!
For now, SAVE THE DATE and spread the word!
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.