Progressive Democrats of NC Monday NIght

Submitted by loftT on

Since you probably didn't see Pete's question last week, I'm repeating it here as a way to get things started...

Question for Progressives
Submitted by petemacdowell on Mon, 06/25/2007 - 10:13pm.

Those of us who have been building PDNC have been grappling with a core issue:

How do we make chapters work well? It would be very helpful to have your thoughts about the best experience you have had in a political group: where you accomplished important things, had fun, and made friends.

We have all seen in now and then, but it seems harder and harder to do in a hyperspeed culture. Your thoughts?

Pete MacDowell
PDNC President

Comments

What's with Pete?

Submitted by James on

One way to make chapters work is to build them around frequent, interactive and organic discussion. That means using the interTubes. Maybe Pete could swing by and join the discussion in person . . . just a thought.

A hyperspeed culture requires hyperspeed communications, first and foremost.

Right?

I'm inviting him again

Submitted by loftT on

right now. If email doesn't work, calling is the next step.

The hyperspeed culture can be your friend

Submitted by loftT on

if you treat it right. For PDNC I think that means a much more inviting face. The content of the website needs to change at the speed of news. If it's not being done in some pre-programmed way then it needs to happen via users like it does here.

We can also start inviting people into the process more. Ask us what we think and let us vote on things. Once there is discussion, the important issues will surface. Then, put it to an online vote of registered members. What could be more directly democratic?

So, what's everyone working on?

Submitted by dancewater on

I went to the US Social Forum last week - that was impressive! I blogged on it at my blog, dancewater.

And I went to the movies on Saturday night - SiCKO - and handed out PDA flyers about Conyers bill HR 676. I think we have a real opportunity with this film to advance the cause of health care for all Americans. If you think this is a worthwhile goal, then I urge you to download flyers from the PDA site and hand some out! I also put on the flyer the name and phone number of our local congressman (Shuler) so people can call to ask him to co-sponsor. I also included at note on the flyer that said to email me if they want more information on the local Progressive Democrats group.

I am the state coordinator for PDA in NC, and the reason I do that is because I really believe in what PDA supports, and they happen to be the ONLY organization that supports the Progressive Caucus. And I strongly feel the Progressive Caucus deserves our support.
Susan

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com
http://newsaboutafghanistan.blogspot.com

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com

Susan you're a busy bee,

Submitted by loftT on

I'll go check out your blog, but can you describe the Progressive Caucus for us? Who is it composed of and what's the criteria to be a member?

the Progressive Caucus

Submitted by dancewater on

is the largest caucus in the US House of Representatives. It is composed of Kucinich, Woolsey, Barbara Lee, Waters, McGovern, McDermitt, Watt, and about 70 more. They are the ones who made up the "Out of Iraq" caucus too. They are the ones who propose and promote progressive ideas and bills. I like all of them!
Susan O.

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com
http://newsaboutafghanistan.blogspot.com

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com

PS. as to criteria...

Submitted by dancewater on

I think you can just declare yourself a member, but (like the Blue Dogs caucus) I don't think anyone would join up unless they were in agreement with their positions on the issues. Rep. Miller is in my eyes, a progressive, but he will not join up with any caucus. I am not sure why.
Susan O.

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com
http://newsaboutafghanistan.blogspot.com

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com

Update on Progressive Candidates this year?

Submitted by Oliver Queen on

With Brad out of the Senate race, who are the big progressive challengers this year? Obviously I know John Autry, but who else?

1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.

I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks

And he's a Charlottean.....

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

That's always appealing to the rest of the state.....Charlotte, the heart of the great state of Mecklenburg.

I'm not sure its any better for Republicans from this area. It's certainly a hurdle.....least, that's what I've been told.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Too bad he's not running in the 9th.

Submitted by working for change on

Mecklenburg County, where John Autry lives and is actively involved in MoveOn, makes up the largest portion of 9th district while having only 29 precincts in the 8th.

I think John could do a better job at pulling in the "Charlotte Liberals" to vote against Myrick than he could in getting the more conversative Democrats across the rural counties of the 8th to vote for him instead of Hayes.

And from a financial standpoint, John would certainly be no worse off, as Myrick and Hayes have about equal campaign resources.

Full disclosure: I consider myself a Charlotte Liberal and live in the 9th, so I welcome a contender against ol' sorry Sue.

Larry Kissell is MY Congressman

It's frustrating

Submitted by Linda on

When you sit in other districts that can't seem to field a viable challenge to the Republican challenger, and watch people tussle over the apparently golden bone that is NC-08. Seems to me that there are plenty of districts in NC that need to have good Democrats running. Perhaps this is where the state party can be particularly helpful in convincing good candidates to run in the 9th, and the 6th, etc.

Autry says he's progressive

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

but last year on his web site he didn't have anything at all about the Iraq war, immigration, gay marriage or a woman's right to choose - all very prime progressive issues and all very hot topics last cycle. Hopefully he'll address those this cycle since many won't have a chance to hear him speak in person.



***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Yearly Kos

Submitted by Gordon Smith on

I'll be posting this question on the front page soon, but I thought I'd bring it up here first.

Any of you going to Yearly Kos in Chicago in August?

We're organizing an NC delegation/caucus at the convention, and I'd love to connect PDNC folks with other state bloggers. Also, if no PDNC folks are going, I'd be happy to carry any messages/ideas/plans.

Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us

not able to go

Submitted by dancewater on

but I would like to see Daily Kos have a more progressive and open discussion about Israel and Palestine issues. It is really silly not to openly discuss our country's support for the Israeli government, and to discuss our government's attitude and positions towards the Palestinian government. There is more open discussion in Israel than there is here in the USA.

By the way, I don't really like Hamas, but I can see that if Hamas fails, they will be replaced by an al qaeda like organization....... so, in my opinion, we had better learn to dialog with Hamas.
Susan O.

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com
http://newsaboutafghanistan.blogspot.com

dancewater
http://dancewater.blogspot.com
http://warnewstoday.blogspot.com
http://facesofgrief.blogspot.com

yearly kos - I will be there!

Submitted by chun yang on

Screwy, I was at the conference last year and will be there this year, too. I would love to help with any NC caucus. I am going early(Tuesday) and have already signed up to volunteer - not sure where they will use my limited skills, but I am happy to help out. I attended the Southern Caucus last year and found it was useful to hear from others how we are dealing with similar issues.

sorry you can't attend

Submitted by chun yang on

Could I bring you back a tee shirt or something? Last time there were some free ones around - one for the cool party Mark Warner threw - I got one that was the wrong size for me(okay, it was too small) but I sent it to a friend in Virginia who liked Warner enough to wear it.

I'll take freebies!

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

I actually think there might be something I can buy for the Second Life thing. They gave my avatar a free tee shirt and she's wearing it. I'm excited to at least get to hear the panels in this way. Better than nothing. Give me a couple of years and I'll be heading out there with you.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.