Please help create August 28th a night of Solidarity for the Party

The Irony between the two Parties

It is a great irony that the party that stresses radical individualism tends to march in step during campaign time while the party that values the social contract with a rational approach of strengthening the quality of life through common efforts is habitually a cacophony of disparate voices in seeming conflict with itself.

Its hard for outsiders to understand us because we are so passionate, vocal and committed.

They don't see that we are also appreciative of our diversity, disciplined and absolutely resolute to achieve victory this year.




As everyone knows the last night of the convention falls on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream Speech".



The campaign has taken a bold step in opening up that final night so that we have a truly open convention

August 28th will be one of "those" moments.

Senator Obama's unique abilities promises to make it one of "those" moments. For those of us old enough to remember them we used to have leaders that would lift us to a new place and we remember those moments. President Kennedy, Senator Kennedy, Dr King were able to find exactly the right vision at the right time and bring us together and take us to a new place.

August 28th is likely, very likely to be one of those moments.

For most of us we will be experiencing it in our homes with our friends wearing out the remote switching from station to station trying to get the predictable tedious MSM announcers out of the way while they try and comment and direct and explain what is happening to us.

There may be an alternative.

Two weeks ago I floated an idea that we all experience that very special night by getting the campaign to simulcast the last night of the convention into theaters across the country. Imagine experiencing the night with other committed Democrats rather than having to depend on CNN to tell us what is happening. Imagine hundreds, thousands of theaters across the country with Democrats joining in a night of Solidarity and by passing the main stream media completely to do it.

I got an impassioned response. Many people continue to PM me to find out if there has been any follow up.

I passed the idea to the campaign and also through the Convention committee in Denver. I have reason to believe that the campaign has received the idea.

Then following up I decided to submit an application for a group that would advocate that the final night be simulcast into theaters. (Inspired by the Obama supporters who joined together to show their concern about Senator Obama's votes on the FISA compromise by starting a group that had several thousand -at least 17,000- members)

As anybody who has tried to communicate with the campaign knows they keep their counsel and wisely don't engage in a lot of direct dialog with each individual supporter. Beyond the computer generated response I received no response for several days. Then I received a generic query asking me to explain the idea in more detail. I explained in detail that the point of the group was to build public interest in simulcasting the last night of the convention to theaters so that every Democrat in the country could join.

I received a generic thank you for my response and a request that I resubmit my request.

I resubmitted my request and the CONVENTION SIMULCAST GROUP was approved.


I would like to invite all Democrats who would like to join in a night of solidarity on August 28th to join this group and help by spreading the idea through other internet avenues (of which I am largely illiterate)and other social networking avenues.

Here are the possible advantages:

1) If several thousand or even more people signed up it would, at a minimum, start to create a buzz about how excited Democrats are about seeing and participating in the nomination of Senator Obama.

2) It would help to inform the mass media that while we fight among ourselves we in fact hold our party and each other in high regard and it would dispel the idiotic meme that the netroots community is anything less than 100% committed to see this nightmare end and a new era of leadership of our country start with President Obama.

3) If it succeeds then it would mean that we would all be able to go to community based events where we could grow stronger by seeing that this enthusiasm is living and vital in the communities we live.

4) It would have a practical impact at the organizational level. Every Congressional District could organize the event at its local theaters and help introduce its congressional and other candidates in person to the party members in that area. The party could use it to get up to day contact information and sign up volunteers.

5) If it did catch on in big numbers it could help raise a substantial amount of money for the convention and the party - again reinforcing Senator Obama's principle of moving away from corporate sponsorship and making this a mass based party that takes its money and its direction from the bottom up.

6) If it was successful it would also reinforce the principle of organizing and taking initiative from the bottom up.

7) Again successful it would provide another dramatic contrast in juxtaposition on how the Democratic Party is approaching this General Election campaign versus the Republican Party.

8) It would also be a tremendous slap in the face of the MSM. Rather than have to tolerate their trivial and superficial clap trap Democrats in large numbers were willing to pay $ 8.00 a head go to the theater, take their families and friends rather than having to watch it free at the hands of the MSM.


I got the idea from sitting in a theater watching the previews and seeing a commercial for the spokesman of the dull thinkers, Glen Beck and his upcoming concert - that was being simulcast into the theaters. If he can do it - what can we do?

Well here is what the Idaho caucus was like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5fwJEWLUv8


If they can do it - can we? Yes we can

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

If you like the idea please join in making it happen

1) Go to http://www.barackobama.com/index.php and sign up for the Convention Simulcast Group

2) Help get all of your friends and contacts through other social networking sites to join. Please spread the news to other similarly minded groups

3) And add your name below:

Thank you. If there is interest in the idea I will publish updates.

Immelda Marcos has shoes.

grantcart, you are getting it done.

The ghosts of Paine and Madison smile over your posts on DU.

I kinda like 'em myself.

Bravo.

:kick: :kick: :kick:

:patriot:

i have goosebumps!

(pssssst, put a word in for foreign theatres too ;)

Can you get a bunch of people to sign up in your city?

what city are you in?

my comp is old and i can't even get that blog address to read correctly. :(

just thinking out loud here but could forward your post/idea to an independent theatre here and/or some activist groups.

and hopefully the Obama campaign will take care of it directly. If not someone may want to promote it.

Just go to BarackObama.com and sign in (if your not registered yet you will need to register) and then search for Convention Simulcast Group.

Been to Winnipeg in the middle of winter burr the have a large Mennonite community there that would love this lol.

What a great idea!

That could be a lot of fun and it would serve a purpose.

That's what I call a win-in.

Obama ought to hire you.

:patriot:

I am so tired of reading the bitter comments made by the supporters of one other Democrat that it makes me sick.

If they can't jump on the Obama bandwagon now, then they might as well just get the hell out of the way.
Seriously.

I am not sure if the equipment they use for those are capable of doing a simulcast thing or not but man would it be fun to be outdoors in the park on a late August evening....

Either way very cool stuff as always grant.

all acroos the country - with only 34 days to go and the olympics coming up we have a very small window to do anything that requires too much logistical work.

...they did movies in Centennial Park on Thursday nights. The equipment is here and shouldn't require much effort other than permission and having it set up.

This is a great idea - thanks!

but it needs to be someplace where we can eat and drink and throw food and throw up and ...

Absolutely. This is a historic time. We can all participate, in a positive way.

I'll forward to everyone I know.

k&r

:hi:

:patriot:

:thumbsup:

Let's unite to fight Bush 3!

I will pass this on to my Dem Town committee as they were already planning a party for that night so we could watch the nomination togeter

there is a place in chicago called the brew and view. what a combination that would be.

:woohoo: :bounce:

Grantcart, you are too much ~ ideas and creative questions are dancing in my head ---- "woohoo:

I am so excited and will email this to all my friends right now!

Fired Up, ready to go!

broke every record the elementary school ever had for staying in the hall - eventually got two desks one in and one out.

If I went to school I would have been so medicated that they would have had to provide me with an IV drip.

I was a teacher for many years and can spot a Gifted Thinker a mile away!

The smartest kids are those that have more than one desk - I am serious!

I love your idea and I'll support it 100%.

Fired Up, ready to go!

:bounce:

somehow I had a password problem?

Am I the only one ?

if your not already registered then you have to register

then you have to search for groups and find the Convention Simulcast Group and join it.

I can just feel the excitement!

Lord knows we need this after the horrendous primary season we had to endure. If anything, this is just what the doctor ordered! Count me in!!!!

:kick:

Now off to do data entry for the campaign.

We got 200 new registered voters Saturday!!

grantcart ~ let's roll out with the next steps. :bounce:

:kick: I just sent this to two local Democratic Parties. This hot idea has already generated interest.
Already got a Q from one in reply: Is this expensive to do? How do we pay for renting the venue?

I directed them to the link above- thinking maybe they could get some answers and join in discussions on how to make it happen.

so it has to be economically feasible.


It could be done as a fund raiser in each Congressional District.

My advice is to contact your local Democratic Congressperson or Democratic challenger and try and get them interested in it.

We only have 34 days and that is not much time.


Please continue to contact people and have them join the Simulcast Convention Group so that we can build some numbers and get some attention.


Thanks so much OMomma.

can you post this there, and maybe on others places like Huffington, TO, etc.,?

or newspapers that have endorsed Barack

or what about free local community tv ad spots - I wonder if they'd take something like this. nah, probably not a good idea.

better yet, I hope the campaign brings this up themselves publicly to test out interest - that would be awesome

how about Keith O, if he made mention of this on air or on his website you'd get a lot of entries.

Randi Rhodes, ask her for a plug. same for Ed Shultz.

let's think huge!!

Signed up and will spread the word.

Great idea.

There are so many Democratic Clubs around and we are in some of their groups that receive emails.

What is the best way they could get involved?

Step two is contact your local congressional candidate and ask them if they are interested in it.


Will have more specific follow up tomorrow but the first thing is we need to build a bigger base group so that we can show viability and interest.


Thanks

I expect to see your names in the list by morning! Hop to it! :bounce:

Hey grantcart - have you added it to Facebook too? That may be a good place to publicize it.

it's vital to our efforts.

This is a Morning Kick for a fabulous idea.

This is beautiful and we can all have a chance to meet Obama backstage in person just for donating at least 5 bucks by the end of July:kick: :party:

Dear z,

I wanted to make sure you saw this opportunity to be a part of our convention in Denver this August.

If selected, you and a friend will go Backstage with Barack and be a part of history.

As we continue to build our 50-state strategy, your support is crucial to preparing for victory in November. Please take a moment and make a contribution so you can be a part of this special opportunity.

It would be great to see you in Denver!

Thanks for all you do,

Tom McMahon


------ Original Message ------
From: Steve Hildebrand, BarackObama.com
Subject: Backstage with Barack?



Friend --

I'm out here in Denver, Colorado visiting the site of the Democratic National Convention, and there is excitement in the mountain air.

Folks are working hard on Barack's plan for a truly open convention. It will be a historic event, and you can be a part of it.

If you make a donation in any amount before midnight on July 31st, you could be selected to travel to Denver for the last two days of the convention, including the final event -- Barack's acceptance of the Democratic nomination for President before 75,000 people.

Ten supporters will be selected from all over the country, and each will be able to bring one guest. We'll provide airfare, accommodations, and two days of convention activities -- including a private meeting with Barack before his historic speech.

Our team shot a short video of the stadium to give you a sense of the event. Watch the video and make a donation of $25 today, and you could go Backstage with Barack:

https://donate.barackobama.com/backstage

Supporters like you are the reason this campaign has been possible. We are thrilled that some of you will be able to celebrate what you accomplished with us in Denver.

But we have a long way to go, and Barack can't do this without you.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve Hildebrand
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America

the song by Queen Latifah, which would be nice to have her sing ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prhF6LE89z4

the idea from this thread to the 3 CA Democratic Headquarters in my area.

1. Did a google of Los Angeles County Democratic Headquarters

2. Faxed 3 pages of your brilliant idea to the fax numbers listed in the google.
If everyone on this thread can do the same thing, we can get this Party Started!

August 28th is a heart beat away and I want to be sitting in a nearby venue with my passionate Democratic Buddies and cheering for our Party!

Fired Up and Ready to roll!

I don't see that.

Help!!

:kick:

I'd missed it the first time around.

Frank Rich, the NYTIMES columnist.

He writes close to the junction where popular culture meets U.S. politics, and the ideas you advance here -- including converting local film screens into information subtations for democracy -- might strike Frank Rich as topic-worthy.

Which it certainly is, no matter what Frank Rich thinks one way or the other.

BatMan and the Hulk can take a night off while we Democrats take over those screens.

Here's a kick for a Saturday morning for an outstanding post.

In fact ~ Obama is Superman so it fits.

Keep kicked please everyone and call your Democratic Headquarters in your area and tell them that you will fax them the information from this thread.

Suggest venues to them that you think would be perfect.

I am not sure if this will work since you probably have to be logged in first, but I copied the link to the group.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ConventionSimulcastGroup

Only post here occasionally but signed up for the group on the Obama site.

Your (sic) Invited To A Convention Party

Thursday August 28th, from 7-10pm at the Center Theatre

in Dover-Foxcroft Maine



The Piscataquis County Democratic Committee

would like to invite you to join us in Dover-Foxcroft

on Aug 28, to view Barrack Obama make his

historical acceptances speech at the Democratic National

Convention in Denver on the large screen at the

Historical Center Theatre.

Bring Your Balloons, Signs and Celebrate

This Historical Event in American History.

“It’s the next best thing to being there”

Suggested Donations $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple

Make checks payable to the Piscataquis County Democratic Committee.