Netroots Nation 4 - Somewhere to the East of Eden

by: Rob Kailey

Tue Jun 28, 2011 at 16:19:14 PM MST

As I've indicated before, I met some truly terrific people at NN11.  One, more than any other, inspired shame, and I hope action in the future because of it.  His name is Diego.  On Thursday of the event, there was a DFA scholar's lunch.  I sat with the ever impressive Michael Shay to my right, and across from me was Diego.  (I apologize to the beautiful woman to my left, but I have no hearing in my left ear.  I simply could not be part of any conversation that direction.)  Diego is vivacious and enervating.  The man's smile is infectious.  As he talked, I began to feel shame, for two reasons.

The first is weak.  I have been blogging and supporting Montana blogs for far too many years.  Yet Diego's story somewhat convinced me that I had no reason to be in Minneapolis among such dynamic people.  I work my ass off to have a life that is proscribed in holy American writ, and still promote progressive values and action.  I've done progressivism.  Diego lives it, because he must.  He laughingly told the story of the first time he flew, and how his mother swore to disown him because he would be arrested for lack of papers.  Now, he seem to have little trouble passing the TSA  purity exam, and his mother is fine with him flying ... just so long as he doesn't get "caught". He described his aspirations, having worked himself through college (as I have as well, just not under those circumstances).  Michael and I both joked with conviction that this young man will be a serious power in America someday.

The deepest point of my shame is this.  I support Jon Tester.  I have and will continue to do so.  Yet Jon's aversion to granting any amnesty for illegal aliens is an affront to the need we Americans have for young people like Diego.  Jon is wrong on this point, dead wrong.  And though I've done nothing to hurt this young man, I do feel shame because my supported representative in Congress has.  Diego came to this country when he was 4.  That's 4 years old.  It's time that the 'document' shit was given a rest.  This young man deserves a place in our culture, and I will not feel shame because I have done nothing to assure it.  I didn't do this to him, but I deserve some shame because I accepted that it would happen.  No more.

For the record, I had no idea that Diego was gay until I reread his DFA profile preparing for this post.  If anything, that steels my resolve.  I ran into Diego the last day I was in attendance, shook his hand, and assured him that I will do all I can to change Jon Tester's mind concerning young people like him.  I consider this a principled conviction.  There are those AINGREE enough at Tester's personal attack on their world and person that they will not check that little box next to Jon's name come election time.  Those people are leaving Diego's fate up to Denny Rehberg, which will be no better, and probably worse.  I think Tester can be swayed, but only if we address him as our representative, not our slave in the Congress.  I seriously doubt that more than 5% of Montanans have met people like Diego, young folk who have every right to be in this state and this union.  People who wish to sway opinion on this matter would be well served to argue with those who might, as opposed to using another single issue to defeat their hopes and dreams.

The DREAM act is not dead.  It is still very much alive, which gives us the opportunity to change Tester's mind.  Obama is helping the effort, even without the work of Congress.  If you think Dennis Rehberg will vote for it, then feel free to accept whatever butt-hurt Tester has caused you personally.  But I have felt shame, and I don't like it.  Diego deserves his chance, and that's worth working for, for me.

Netroots Nation 1

by: Rob Kailey

Thu Jun 16, 2011 at 12:44:06 PM MST

What's truly been amazing so far are the people.  After arriving, I felt very out of place.  I kept seeing people I recognize from blogging but who have no reason to recognize me.  That is, until I ran into Matt Singer.  Since then I've gotten to meet a ton of great people, some with the tried and true "You don't know me but ..."  I've been reading many of these folks for years, and it's terrific to put a voice to the words, so to speak.  I'll save the actual name dropping for when there's more time.

Except for one.  It looked like I wasn't going to be able to make it to Ellie Hill's session on Saturday afternoon, and having read of her invitation to the White House on Friday, I was looking at that as a missed opportunity.  Already adoring her because of her activity and Tweets during the Montana legislative session, I learned yesterday that she too was a DFA scholar to Netroots Nation.  I seriously didn't know that before.  Having told a few folks of my regret at missing her, there were Democracy for America folks who went out of their way to tell me that she had arrived last night, and was sitting at the bar in which the NN DFA meet'n'greet was being held.  So, I got to meet Ellie  Hill after all, and what a truly amazing person she is.

That was easily one of the highlights of the conference so far.

Netroots Nation Scholarship

by: Rob Kailey

Mon Apr 25, 2011 at 12:38:06 PM MST

Given the events of the last several weeks, it is likely that some regret their support of my candidacy.  If you do, don't fret. I didn't make it based on the popularity contest of it all, nor did I fantasize that I would.  The auto-scholars all had over 900 supporters, which is far too many for a small market blogger to get.  I am the equivalent of an 'affirmative action hire'.  Democracy for America still holds to the ideals of it's founder, Gov./Dr. Howard Dean.  They still believe in the 50 state project; and though I am not privy to the thought behind the selections, I can guarantee that being from Montana pretty much sealed the deal.

But there is more news.  There is a Round 3.  There are 8 more scholarships available, and voting will go as previous.  These exceptions apply.  It doesn't appear that the voting pool will be promoted on the DFA website, so it will all be up to self-promotion.  The top 3 supported candidates get auto-bids.  The remaining 5 will come from the selection committee.  The voting will go until May 5th.  If you want in, then apply and let me know.  I will do the best I can to promote you, and I'm certain that there are those out there in the community who can at least garner more than my 109 supporters.

Netroots Nation Scholarship Update

by: Rob Kailey

Mon Mar 28, 2011 at 16:07:08 PM MST

To make it to round two, I must be selected for that by a committee.  I knew that going in, so it isn't a big surprise.  Even after round two, there will still be 34 scholarships up for grabs, again selected by committee.  Votes of support carry over, and 99 of you have supported me so far.  For that, you have my deepest thanks.  One person 'supported' me by attempting to smear me, and that's fine too. I even appreciate that.

At one point, I was up to #24 in the polling.  But in the last day, I have been surpassed and now reside at #31.  The people who have overtaken me geographically fall out like this:  1 from Michigan, 4 from Florida, 2 from Texas and 1 from California.  (The guy from Alaska was already ahead of me, and he's falling back too.)  It's a simple fact that I am asking for support from a small market, and that's just the way it works.  That market may be tapped out, but if not, please support me here.

Many of the folks more well positioned than I are community organizers and activists.  I am just a working schmo and blogger with a particular distaste for stupidity. I have ideas to bring to the table, but that may not be what is desired or needed.  Ironically, Democracy for America is holding a seminar in Bozeman this week, and I can't attend because my work life is coming to the end of the fiscal year, and that is my priority.  Funny that.  Since I don't really know what the selection committee will be looking for, we'll see what happens.  For me, confidence remains high.

Again, thank you for your supporting votes.  And if there are people you know who want to help a Montana boy teach these elitists how it's done in rural America, please get them to support me to go to Netroots Nation.

UPDATE to the UPDATE:

Round one of the Democracy for America Netroots Nation scholarship is over, and the selection committee has done their job in choosing the 17 candidates who join the top 3 supported for scholarship.  You can check out the 20 recipients here.  Woohoo and congratulations to Blue Gal, who I voted to support.  She and Driftglass can now go to the conference, and this is a good thing.  If you are unfamiliar with their work, then please check them out either at their own websites or Blue Gal's submissions to Crooks and Liars.  For the record, Blue Gal is wicked funny and hella smart.  Driftglass is just freaking brilliant.  If you aren't reading them, then you're truly missing out.

Of the 17 committee selections there are a few surprises. Several of them are offline activists, not surprising on the surface.  Those folk are needed now more than ever.  But it is somewhat amusing that they are scholarshipped to "Netroots Nation".  I find that amusing in a kind-hearted sort of way.  I am happy for them. One young woman is neither an activist (online or off) nor is she a blogger. But this opportunity seems to mean a great deal to her, and these are the people that should be attracted to join a progressive movement.  It does appear that the selection committee is seeking geographic diversity, and that also is a good thing.  I have begun to worry that Howard Dean's message of a 50 state strategy was starting to fall on deaf ears.

As should be obvious by now, I was not selected in the first round. I begin the second round positioned at number 15, and well behind the current top three.  I am tied, at 103 supporters with 3 other gentlemen. That alone surprises me more than I can admit.  There are still 20 scholarships up for grabs, and April 17th is the cut-off.  If you know anyone else who wants to see a better Montana online, then have them give me a shout-out of support.  Thanks again.

Netroots Nation Scholarship

by: Rob Kailey

Sun Mar 13, 2011 at 18:12:58 PM MST

The scholarship is based, as so many things on the Interwebs are, on the number of favored votes one has received.  My application has been submitted and now it's up to you folks.

I need your support.  There are a lot of worthy folk out there vying for these scholarships, and myself and two others are the only ones from the Northern Rockies.  So please, help send a Montana boy to Netroots Nation.

I need to thank jhwygirl for giving me the poke to the ribs I probably needed to get over my fear of crowds and exposure.  Her faith in me is probably poorly deserved, but she has my thanks anyway.  And deep thanks to my beloved Chris for thinking I might actually do some good by attending.  Her faith in me is beyond my measure.

Support Wulfgar to attend Netroots Nation.

UPDATE:  Wow.  You folks are simply the best.  In two days I've climbed to number 42 on the list.  Only the top 3 get automatic scholarships and I had no illusions of cracking that nut.  My goal was to make it into the top 30, with being in the top 20 kind of a fantasy.  You folks are making that happen.  I couldn't be more grateful (and a touch embarrassed.)  There is still a little ways to go, and this is a small market for winning what is something of a popularity contest.  So if you know someone who hasn't voted yet, please give them a nudge.

And if you haven't supported me because you think I'm a jerk, consider it this way.  Helping send me to Netroots Nation might teach me some manners. Please, help a guy out, here.  

Going to Netroots Nation?

by: Kaili Lambe

Thu Mar 10, 2011 at 07:44:19 AM MST

I was recently hired as a Political Campaign Manager at Democracy for America (DFA), and in addition to getting involved in local issues, I am helping run the Netroots Nation Scholarship Competition, which just launched this week.

Apply or vote here.  

Pre-Clinton babbling...

by: Jay Stevens

Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 17:08:15 PM MST

Waiting for Bill Clinton to speak. Ellie Hill of the Pov and Netroots scholar (hooray!) is here, and we scored ringside seats. In the meantime, here's some notes...

Two conferences so far, the first on the Blue/Green alliance of unions and environmentalists, and the challenges and rewards of working on issues together. Great quote, from a union rep: "A job isn't really green unless it puts green in the worker's pocket." That's the thing, eh? Most of the green jobs do put money in pockets.

A rep (apologies to the panel for missing names) from the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) talked about a weatherization training program (notably with Cory Booker's aid in Newark) -- pretty cool. Combines environmentalism (energy conservation), worker training and unionization, and anti-poverty efforts. The folks they train are without jobs or means, some in transition from prison. The training allows them to join the union and get access to further training, allowing them to get valuable, well-paying skills. Gives them a career. Is there a Montana program?

Sierra Club member...pointed out "Climate Crossroads," a climate change social networking site...check it out...

...more later...looks like the Clinton talk is set to kick off...

Netroots Nation

by: Jay Stevens

Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 12:15:35 PM MST

Anyhow, if you're curious about what's going on, there are way to follow the panels -- video, Facebook comments -- I think you should check out NN in Second Life...

Web 2.0 on Steroids: A FREE Portal to Netroots Nation

by: Netroots Nation in Second Life

Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 16:33:02 PM MST

This week our friends at Democracy For America are announcing another round of winners for their Netroots Nation scholarship contest. If you weren't on the list of winners and you can't find the money/time/energy to get to Pittsburgh August 13 to 16 for the convention, don't despair...there is another way!

For the third year in a row we'll be taking advantage of the rich multimedia capabilities of Second Life to bring you live streaming audio and video from Netroots Nation right to your own computer monitor. Through Second Life we're able to bring you not only streaming video, but also real time discussion and participation in the panels from the comfort of your own home, exclusive online panels and information displays from nonprofit organizations, online retailers and great progressive companies. Oh, and did we mention it's free?

Join us over the fold and we'll walk you through the particulars of how to participate and how to support our work with sponsorships.