I went to Austin, TX this past long weekend for Netroots Nation, which was a great time. This diary, actually captured one of the activities I was involved in -- registering voters in Austin:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/20/145555/836(Pic #2)
Tay Tay was also there at the convention, and we helped out putting together Care packages for the troops, which you can see a photo of in that diary (well, not of us, but you get the idea). And be sure to check out the photo of Jon Powers! He is SO NICE. He helped me out at least twice, so in addition to being that thoughtful Iraq vet who helped Iraqi orphans when he got home, he's also plain and simple a gentleman in a time where we see less and less chivalry. Also, and this will warm everyone's heart -- when he saw my JK pin, he said that John Kerry was his hero!!! Isn't that just wonderful to hear?
Oh, did I mention, here is Jon Powers' Act Blue page?
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18111Okay, where was I? Oh, yes, the big highlight in terms of bigness was that Al Gore came as a surprise, appearing with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. That was a lot of fun, and I guess it made a big media splash. However, my favorite speakers were: Lawrence Lessig
http://www.netrootsnation.org/node/802And Van Jones:
http://www.netrootsnation.org/node/858They were fantastic. I also caught some great panels, probably my favorite on viral videos, with The Young Turks and Brave New Films there. Also a Q & A with Richard Clarke grew me a few more brain cells. I also met people who ... knew who I was on line. One guy, who is not a fan, cornered me in an elevator. I didn't remember him. Frankly, I still don't. But he did write a nice diary about Austin here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/16/105425/293/791/552459However, other than Eddie C, I actually had people come up to me and say something nice, or that they had rec'd some of my diaries. That was nice, and I may add that the people who liked my diaries were very normal, down to Earth, and super nice -- kind of like most Kerry supporters!
One of the biggest things that happened was when we were talking with a fellow conventioneer and gay activist from the Austin area. Somehow AIDS came up, and when we told him -- oh, by the way, the HIV travel ban had been lifted -- well, the outpouring of emotion was incredible. Meanwhile, I see the fact that that bill passed has gotten so little attention. Only one diary on Kos, I see. But let's be clear that Kerry's good work here will have a MAJOR impact on a lot of people, and I witnessed that in person.
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