Greetings!
Icons of change are a funny, aren’t they? A few nights ago, for the first time in 32 years, America rang in the new year without Dick Clark. Of all the happenings in 1972 (Nixon met with Mao, the shooting of Alabama Governor George Wallace, the Watergate arrests), nothing resonated change more than when “America’s Oldest Teenager” took over the reins from Guy Lombardo. In a very real way, Clark’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” forever democratized the annual event.
Nothing quite so dramatic happened this New Year’s Eve, but the absence of Dick Clark made me think. Here’s a guy who turned the equivalent of a local public access program into an entertainment empire. How did he do that? Quite simply, he leveraged the grass-roots swell of rock and roll.
We have a similar opportunity. You might say, “But rock and roll is fun.” Well, I dare say the hundreds of thousands of regular folks who jumped into the political fires these last two years were having a ball. OK, so we on the progressive side of the fence didn't win the big one. Who cares? It was a blast. You might even say, “We were motivated by anger.” Frankly, so is rock and roll. It’s still fun, and so is politics.
Let’s resolve this year, to remember the fun and how stimulating it was to be a part of it all. We made a big difference, and we can make an even bigger difference if we keep at it. Much of the Monday morning quarter backing is still coming in, but it’s clear that a major reason “their side” did better than “our side” is because “they” never stop running. They never dismantle their machine. They just put it in a different gear. It’s easy to flame the fires when you never douse the heat. If our elected and Party leadership is not so wise, then we have to be wise for them. Heck… isn't that what we've been doing all along? They didn't have a message until we gave it to them. We can give them – and our country – so much more: our persistence and our faith that it is about We The People, and that’s you and me.
We are very proud to bring you this issue of Taking Root™. It’s very much about what’s next and how the grassroots is moving forward. In fact, we have a new section called “What’s Next”. We are enormously honored to have Dr. Jeffrey Feldman of NYU share why he started The Frameshop to help progressives frame the political argument.
Dr. George Lakoff is indeed the man of the moment. This Wednesday, DFA MeetUps all over the nation will present “How Democrats and Progressives Can Win” based on his work. VCR/Tivo Alert: that same night, legendary reporter Robert MacNeil presents the documentary “Do You Speak American?” What a great follow-up that will be to the Meetup exercises!
Former Dean Campaign Finance Director, Terry Lierman was elected Democratic Party Chair in Maryland. Read how he is already transforming political discourse (and keeping it fun) in the Old Line State.
You won't want to skip news of how Texas politics is getting “Kinky”, and how donning your Peacehat can change the world economy. There are lots of new ways to Get Involved . Last month we introduced you to US Count Votes . This month we report on ways you can volunteer to ensure the future integrity of our elections in this brave new digital world. It’s an important story that bears telling twice.
There are so many fun Counter-Inauguration events that we gave the topic a special section. And we have excellent Site Seeing like, how to Reclaim Democracy and proof there are liberals in Georgia . Don't forget to check out The The Tool Shed for info on how to build Smart Campaigns and where to learn about what big corporate political donors.
As always, subscriptions to Taking Root™ come spam-free to your email box. If you like what you see here and would like to lend a hand, please drop us a note at volunteer-at-grassrootsforamerica.us or make a contribution to support all of our grassroots efforts.
We welcome your story ideas and are very interested in your letters and opinions. Email us at editor@grassrootsforamerica.us."
| -- Kimberly Krautter, Editor in Chief, Grassroots for America |
Glimpse What’s Inside!
Click on a title to jump to the story below.
NEWS FROM THE ROOTS
Left.Org To Launch With Counter-Inauguration Events and Grassroots Political Theatre
ReDefeatBush.com will re-cast its organization as Left.org on inauguration day in D.C. with political street theatre on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial and a counter-inaugural ball. In a widely shared Yahoo Groups email, founder David Lytel said the group wanted to create positive action alternative to more aggressive counter-inaugural events planned by other groups. “I think recapturing the available symbols of democracy and helping people see that we the linage of the great American revolutionaries is brought to the present through [the grassroots], not the reactionary scoundrels in public office,” wrote Lytel. ReDefeatBush is coordinating activities with several other progressive groups in town to “surround Bush's high security red zone in an ocean of blue.”
“While infiltrating the parade route may have something to recommend it, it surely is a tactic that people with families are not likely to find attractive” Lytel says. By contrast, ReDefeatBush is staging some political street theatre for all tourists and passersby at the Jefferson Memorial. Historian and Jefferson expert Clay Jenkinson will don the powdered wig and step into the shoes of our Second President to take questions from the audience and respond in the voice of the Founding Father. Lytel will also get in the act to work the crowd in the visage of Alexis de Louisville, a roll he played a decade ago. As de Toqueville, Lytel will answer questions about Democracy and the American self-government experience.
Later that evening, as the sun sets on our nation’s capital, Democrats and progressives of all stripes are invited to attend a “Counter-Inaugural Ball” at D.C.’s newest party spot, Dream (1350 Okie Street). Tickets affordably start at $30 and in lieu of monkey suits, attendees are encourage to show their progressive spirit. A massive buffet and –open—bar are offered along with live entertainment and special guests. The highlight of the evening will be the debut of Left.org and the unveiling of the group’s bold new identity and exciting new mission.
For more information or to purchase advanced tickets to the ball go to: http://www.redefeatbush.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=225
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Poetic Pot Shots and a Gentleman’s Game of Politics in Maryland
Remember the good ole’ days when political party chiefs and candidates were folks of great oratory skill with a twinkle in the eye and a tongue planted in cheek? OK, so we only remember it from the newsreels, too, but something rather unexpected happened in Maryland last month… After a historically rancorous and unsportsmanlike election year, it’s refreshing to see a true gentleman – and grassroots progressive -- like Terry Lierman elected to lead the Maryland Democratic Party.
Formerly the national finance chair of the Howard Dean presidential campaign, Lierman was the keeper of the “Dean’s List,” a large, diverse group of (non-corporate-machine) donors who had maxed-out early and got others to max-out to the erstwhile candidate. Last spring, when the Governor suspended his campaign, Lierman and the Dean’s List garnered over a quarter-million in fundraising for Democratic Unity and the Kerry campaign. With this muscle and the might of the esteem with which he is held inside the beltway, he also got some of the biggest names in Congress (Kennedy, Daschle, Pelosi) to sit down for a private chat with a group of Dean’s List members. There’s no doubt that these candid forums helped the old guard feel less – er, guarded – about cozying up to the progressive grassroots.
Lierman’s election has already inspired a rather charming change of tone in the Old Line State. As the news broke, his GOP counterpart, John M. Kane, sent Lierman a pair of boxing gloves and a poem:
These gloves may seem outrageous, but they say we're getting dangerous;
As we build our base stronger, please let your Progressive Summits last longer.
Mainstream Maryland may still be mostly blue, but with your selection as Chair,
RED will be our state's new hue.
Lierman retorted by sending sneakers and this little ditty:
Chairman Kane, your gift was perfectly Right; last November your team was punch-less
that night.
As to Maryland turning any redder, well, your budget is, unless you get better.
And after Oh-Six you'll be nowhere in sight. Here's a gift of brand new running shoes; you
can run, but they won't let you hide.
Because there's a strong case of Democratic BLUES, spreading fast to turn the tide.
It’s doubtful the thoroughly modern Lierman will don a top hat and tails as he barnstorms around Maryland, but we can hope his strategies and influence will spread to other states struggling to be blue.
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Lakoff MeetUp Package Produced by Dean Grassroots Group
by Geri Weis-Corbley, guest writer. Geri is an editor, publisher and producer of DVDcampaigns.com.
A reunion phone call on election night between Dean grassroots activists unearthed a consensus for the need to improve the Democrats' message in order to win in future elections. These discussions led to the creation of a web site and training workshops, featuring 'reframing' techniques pioneered by Berkeley linguistics Professor George Lakoff. The workshop is now the centerpiece of this January's Democracy for America (DFA) MeetUp.
DVDCampaigns.com crafted a training session to accompany the viewing of a DVD entitled, HOW DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVES CAN WIN: Solutions from George Lakoff. Lanya Shapiro tested the DVD/workshop at a MoveOn party of 100 people in November. The two, along with Lynn O'Connell, who helped perfect the program, offered the workshop to DFA which agreed to order 350 copies of the DVD and ship them to their MeetUp hosts with accompanying materials and handouts.
Richard Hoefer and Aldon Hynes helped set up the DemSpeak.com web site to provide follow-up advice and community activities to Progressives hungry for more reframing techniques. DemSpeak.com will premier January 5, in time for the DFA MeetUps, and provide additional training opportunities, information on how to get the DVD, how to get answers to framing questions, as well as threaded discussion blogs to hash out frames that work vs. those that don't.
NEW GROUPS TAKE ROOT
Peacehat’s Portal for a New World Economy
Finally, someone is taking the long view. With an eye to the 22nd century, the Peacehat Project is developing a portal that will challenge currently accepted corporate behavior and marketplace paradigms. The following is an abstract from the new project’s web site, www.100yearmarch.org
“Peacehat will work because it is elegantly simple. It is a portal whose components will use existing technology and much of the fine open source work other organizations have contributed to the public good. Components and features such as:
User Selectable RSS News Feeds
Action Alert Aggregation and Event Notification Aggregation
Social Networking
Progressive/Green Goods and Services Shopping Portal
Registered Organization Self-Service Data Entry
Free Basic Email
Mapping/GIS System
“Peacehat will not attempt to forge Progressive Unity by an forcing Sierra Club, MoveOn, True Majority, Global Exchange and others to fit into a box, or think the same way, or abandon their specific focus. As we release the portal, organizations that work with Peacehat will be able to consume the portal in their look-and-feel for their membership. Or an individual user can choose a look and feel, or customize it themselves. We will enable all progressive organizations to work well together in a loosely-coupled way through the Peacehat Portal, which will be a vehicle for the dissemination of unfiltered news, aggregated political and economic actions, messaging and interpretation of current world events through progressive authors and think tanks (such as the Rockridge Institute), and last -but not least ... unbridled economic activism through a progressive shopping portal.”
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Texas Politics Gets Kinky
“Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit!” It looks like Richard “Kinky” Friedman, the world’s most famous Jewish cowboy poet and national best-selling author of ’Scuse Me While I Whip This Out, is tossing his ten-gallon hat in to the 2006 Texas Governor’s race. Newswires report that Friedman plans to make the official announcement February 3 on the Don Imus morning show. To quote his campaign motto, “Why the hell not?”
Running as an independent, Friedman’s electoral challenge appears to be more than just a tongue-in-cheek publicity stunt. A renowned progressive, his campaign promises to bring a homespun enlightened viewpoint to the critical issues facing the Lone Star State. And, because he has eschewed both parties, he can rise above the vitriolic rancor that has characterized politics in recent years.
While there is little hope Friedman will actually get elected, his celebrity will actually make his campaign relevant. Think Al Sharpton. The good reverend, frankly, offered some of the most candid, unaffected and salient observations during the Democratic presidential primary season. During the debates, it was Sharpton who not only kept the candidates on their toes, but the moderators, media and the audience as well.
Friedman’s rhetoric is well respected. He is a featured columnist with Texas Monthly, a periodical that many folks rank with the New Yorker. From this platform he has opined on a wide range of topics from the frivolous to the profound. A Kinky Friedman gubernatorial candidacy will be one that offers a progressive agenda with Texas pragmatism. And the really good news is Friedman believes in the grass-roots. As the man says, “The professionals built the Titanic, the amateurs built the ark.”
Volunteers interested in making an impact in the Texas governor’s race are encouraged to sign-up at http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/volunteer.html. Your involvement will help the two parties in that state keep it real and you will be on a bandwagon where it doesn't matter if the wheels come off because you're in for the message, not the man… though you may fall in love along the way.
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GET INVOLVED
US Count Votes Seeks Volunteers and Support for A Scientific Project Aimed at Detecting Vote Counting Errors
In recent years the integrity and accuracy of the voting process in America have been a continuing source of controversy. The integrity of the election process is the cornerstone of democracy; and open investigation of alleged vote counting irregularities is a matter of vital civic importance.
As reported in last month's Taking Root™, a volunteer scientific research project run by a group of independent mathematicians, statisticians and computer professionals is under way to objectively investigate the accuracy of elections in America. They have recently launched a new web site at http://USCountVotes.org
US Count Votes has begun the process of creating a single database containing precinct-level election results for the entire United States. This rich mine of data will be analyzed by the project's affiliated mathematicians, computer programmers, pollsters and statisticians, as well as by independent peer-reviewers. Their goal is to use this data to develop and test mathematical techniques to reliably detect precinct-level vote counting errors worthy of investigation.
US Count Votes relies on grassroots contributions to fund the project and volunteers in every state to gather needed data. An email list has been set up for each state's volunteers, so if you are already helping investigate a particular state or would like to join in on the effort, please visit their state e-mail list sign up page.
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Tell Dr. Dobson to Stop Preaching His Intolerant Views on Family
More than 200 million people hear the radio commentaries of Dr. James Dobson every day. Soulforce appreciates and applauds the work he has done around the globe to help heterosexual couples and families. But gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people form loving families too . . . and his spiritual violence against GLBT people must stop!
We anticipate that hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, same-gender families, and our heterosexual allies will be making the journey to Colorado Springs, April 29-May 3, 2005 to challenge James Dobson’s voice of intolerance. Many exciting things, powerful, and spiritually moving events are planned, so please don't miss this important opportunity to do justice and help spread the truth about GLBT !
To see an exciting new Soulforce site about James Dobson and this Soulforce Action, complete with videos and information on our special invited guests, please visit http://www.DearDrDobson.com.
Soulforce is a national interfaith organization committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Soulforce teaches and employs the nonviolent principles of Gandhi and King to the liberation of sexual and gender minorities. www.soulforce.org
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Counter-Inauguration Events
Taking Root™ has scoured the web to find these intriguing Counter-Inauguration events:
WHEN: All of the following happen on Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005
Not One Damn Dime Day
WHERE: All Across America
For 24 hours people are asked to boycott Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, etc,. not go to the mall or the local convenience store and not buy any fast food (or any groceries at all for that matter). The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it. It is to remind them, too, that they work for the people of the United States of America, not for the international corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations and funnel cash into American politics.
There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take action by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed. For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.
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Jazz Funeral for Democracy
WHERE: New Orleans, Louisiana
TIME: 11:00 A.M. (CST)
WHAT: Traditional New Orleans jazz funeral entitled "A Wake for Peace": Jazz Funeral for Democracy timed to coincide with the inauguration of George W. Bush. Street theater encouraged. March, rally and inaugural ball featuring local New Orleans musicians. It is projected that the staging area will be at Congo Square (Armstrong Park) located just outside of the French Quarter on Rampart Street. Plans are to proceed through the commercial district down Canal Street during office workers' lunch hour before entering the Quarter where a rally will be held on the Moonwalk beside the Mississippi River. The march will then continue to a block party or other venue to be determined in the near future.
WHO: A coalition of groups and individuals distressed about issues including, but not limited to, the occupation of Iraq and other military aggression, corporate control of America, the rollback of individual liberties, state sponsored homophobia, election fraud, the poisoning of the environment, and the class warfare instituted by the Bush Administration. Groups include military veterans, civil rights organizations, theater groups, regional peace coalitions, and gay rights activists. Individuals come from all walks of life.
WHY: Because we still can. Organizations and individuals wishing to participate can contact: 2spells-at-bellsouth.net
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Go to http://www.jazzfuneralfordemocracy.com/
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Counter-Inaugural Ball
WHERE: Dream, 1350 Okie Street, NE, in Washington
WHEN: Starting at 7:00PM
WHAT: There will be a huge dinner buffet and open bar (yes, free drinks!) from 7:00 to 9:00 followed by the appearance of special guests, unique entertainment and a celebration of the re launch of ReDefeatBush with a bold new name and aggressive new mission.
TICKETS: Tickets are $30 for those under 30 years old and $60 for everyone else. VIP tickets are $150 and Penthouse tickets are $500. Advance sale tickets will be sold through 1/19/05. Any tickets remaining will be sold at the door. Go to http://www.redefeatbush.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=225 for additional information and ticket purchase.
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Progressive Democratic Summit
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
WHEN: Immediately following Inauguration: January 21-23
PLACE: University of District of Columbia, Clarke Law School Auditorium, 4200 Conn. Ave.
WHAT: Three days of inspiration, planning and problem-solving. Help to shape the future of the Democratic Party and the direction of our country with progressive speakers, discussions and workshops. The conference agenda includes:
Strengthening the progressive forces within the Democratic Party
Building a grassroots movement unifying progressives inside and outside the Democratic Party
How to communicate a progressive message to a hostile and conservative media
Connecting with progressives from your state and your congressional district to build local coalitions dedicated to working for jobs, peace, justice and transformation
Strategies and the future of the progressive movement with the Democratic Party
Speakers include Rep. John Conyers, Amy Goodman, Medea Benjamin, Tom Hayden, James Zogby, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, John Bonifaz, William Rivers Pitt, Gary Flowers
TRANSPORTATION: Located at the Van Ness/UDC Red Line Metro Station
ACCESS: Wheelchair accessible
PRICE: $25 (Seniors, Students and Low Income), $55 Full Price
REGISTRATION: For event registration and Brown Bag Lunch reservations go to: http://www.pdamerica.org/register-summit-2005-DC.php
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The Electoral Landscape:2005-2006
Great Lakes Region
By Bill Thomasson, contributing writer
This is the first in a series of region-by-region survey of Democratic prospects in elections scheduled for 2005 and 2006. We begin with the Great Lakes Region, starting with Wisconsin in the northwest corner and circling counter-clockwise through Ohio to Michigan.
Wisconsin
Democrats currently control the Governor’s chair and both U.S. Senate seats in Wisconsin, but Republicans dominate both chambers of the state legislature. The eight-member congressional delegation is evenly divided between the two parties.
In 2004 the Republicans had a net gain of one seat in each house of the state legislature, giving them a 19-14 advantage in the Senate and a 60-39 advantage in the Assembly. With few seats changing hands despite numerous open seats, plus fairly comfortable Republican majorities in both houses, Democrats’ chances of taking back either house appear fairly minimal.
For 14 years, former Republican governor Tommy Thompson dominated Wisconsin politics. His successor, Democratic governor James Doyle has made little impression, and could be vulnerable to a strong Republican candidate, should one emerge.
Three-term Democratic Senator Herb Kohl is expected to seek reelection in 2006. There are rumors Tommy Thompson, who recently stepped down as Bush’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, may seek the seat. If he does, this could be a bitterly contested race.
Illinois
In Illinois, Democrats control the governorship and both houses of the state legislature. After the 2004 election, they now control both US Senate seats and 10 of 19 Congressional seats.
At the state level, Republicans only made a net gain of one seat in each house of the state legislature. Democrats retain a wide majority in both chambers, assuming continued weakness and divisions in the Republican Party, its chances for meaningful gains appear slim.
Unfortunately, first-term Governor Rod Blagojevich has seen his popularity slip down state, and he has had very public budget disputes with House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is also Chairman of the state Democratic Party and a close ally of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. With the serious disarray of the state GOP after a disastrous year of scandals, indictments and the pandering U.S. Senate candidacy of Alan Keyes it is unlikely a strong enough candidate will be field to oppose Blagojevich.
The 2004 election saw Melissa Bean defeat Phil Crane, the longest-serving Republican in Congress, in the suburban 8th District northwest of Chicago. Meanwhile, political newcomer Christine Cegelis ran a very strong race against 30-year incumbent Henry Hyde in the west-suburban 6th District, where Hyde is not expected to seek reelection. Both districts are likely to be heavily targeted in 2006. Incumbents will be expected to easily retain all other seats.
Indiana
In 2004, Republicans took control of the governor’s seat and State House of Representatives (they already controlled of the State Senate), and picked up an additional seat in Congress. Democratic Senator Evan Bayh retained his seat.
The GOP also gained 1 seat in the State Senate to increase their dominating 33-17 margin in that chamber. They picked up 3 seats in the State House of Representatives, but only hold a slim 52-48 majority there.
Unfortunately, the Indiana Democratic Party is all but broke. Without an infusion of cash from unexpected sources the party may be unable to mount an effective campaign
Five-term Republican Sen. Richard Lugar will be age 74 in 2006 but already has his campaign Web site up. The political dope is that he will earn a sixth term against any likely Democratic challenger.
Ohio
Republicans have dominated Ohio politics for the past decade, currently controlling the governor’s office, both houses of the state legislature, both Senate seats, and 12 of 18 congressional seats. The 2004 presidential race was extremely close but Sen. George Voinovich had an easy time against his Democratic challenger.
Governor Bob Taft easily won a second term in 2002. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports undenied rumors that the current Lt. Governor will be given another post, with Cincinnati-area Congressman Rob Portman being named to the vacancy. A bit later, Taft will be named to a post in the Bush administration allowing Portman to rise to governor and run as an incumbent in 2006. The Ohio Republican Party has a history of manipulating positions and candidates, but this seems a bit extreme.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have a greater choice of attractive candidates than has been true in previous years, including unsuccessful Senate candidate Eric Fingerhut and the mayors of Cleveland and Columbus. The closeness of the 2004 presidential race shows that the Democrats have a real chance of winning with the right candidate.
None of the 12 Republican and six Democratic Congressional incumbents were seriously challenged in 2004. In fact, two Democrats ran unopposed. Barring retirement – not specifically addressed in anything Taking Root™ saw – there is very little reason to expect this situation to change
Michigan
Michigan Democrats currently control the governorship and both U.S. Senate seats, while Republicans control both houses of the state legislature, 60% of the state’s Congressional delegation, and several other statewide offices. The 2004 election generally went well for the Democrats and they hope for additional gains in 2006.
Democrats recently picked up 5 seats in the State House, cutting the Republican margin of control to 58-52. They are looking to make similar in 2006 to return Democratic control of that chamber. All Michigan State Senate seats are elected in the same year making 2006 an important election cycle there. Republicans overwhelmingly control that chamber 22-16, but Democrats are hopeful that the margin can be reduced or eliminated. Democrats are also targeting Republican Secretary of State Lynn Land and Attorney General Mike Cox for possible defeat.
Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm narrowly won election in 2002 with a 51% to 48% margin, replacing a retiring two-term Republican governor. One of the big questions for 2006 is whether the GOP will be able to find a strong candidate to run against her.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow defeated Republican incumbent Spencer Abraham in 2000. Since then, she has maintained a high profile on issues important to the people of Michigan.
Michigan currently has 6 Democrats and 9 Republicans in Congress. The closest contest in 2004 was the 57%-40% victory of Republican incumbent Thaddeus McCotter in the 11th district. Margins were fractionally larger in the contests for the few open seats – a fact that does not bode well for any seat changing hands in the near future.
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WHAT'S NEXT
Dr. Feldman Discusses The Frameshop
Taking Root™ is enormously honored to introduce Dr. Feldman to our readers. Some of you are familiar with his “diaries” as posted on The Daily Kos. His essays have helped further the understanding of the work by Dr. George Lakoff and the Rockridge Institute. Here, in his own words, Dr. Feldman shares a bit about himself and how he developed “The Frameshop” out of Dr. Lakoff’s work. We wrote to Dr. Feldman and asked him to share a bit about himself and how he became interested in Dr. Lakoff’s work. The following is an excerpt from his emailed response.
By Dr. Jeffrey Feldman
I am a Cultural Anthropologist with broad training in social theory. Anthropological training in the US is a "four field" approach (archaeology, cultural anthropology, physical anthropology and linguistics). So I have a basic professional training in the type of cognitive linguistics in Dr. Lakoff's work. My current position at NYU is Assistant Professor of Museum Studies and Anthropology.
I first discovered Lakoff's work many years ago through his book Metaphors We Live By, which was "trendy" when I was in graduate school. But I didn't become interested in his political writings until the Presidential election. While I have always been politically engaged, and my work has been very political in orientation, I was never deeply involved in political activism and grassroots work.
This election changed all that for me. The way the Republicans controlled the debate and dominated the terrain--despite having a thick-tongued candidate in George W. Bush--made me both frustrated as a Progressive and curious as an intellectual. At first, I joined the DailyKos.com to feel more connected to the process, but when Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant began to circulate, I realized that I had something I could offer.
Don't think of an Elephant is a brilliant answer to how George W. Bush could win the election without being well-spoken. He had a powerful machine behind him that was controlling the broad frame in which the election issues had unfolded. Yet, I suspected that even Lakoff's work was going to need translation before it could be taken up by the grassroots audience it was intended to reach.
So, I decided to write a series of short, accessible and fun to read essays that would relay quickly to the DailyKos readership exactly how powerful the idea of framing was. It was out of that short series that I thought of a new series where I would apply some of Lakoff's ideas and some of my own to start "repairing" the damage that Republicans had done to political language.
Frameshop came out of those first diaries on Lakoff. It was designed, again, to draw people into the idea of framing--to get them interested and excited about it. I draw on Lakoff in Frameshop, but not solely. It's only a start, however, and it is intended as more of a unifying and empowering first step to framing--a precursor to a larger effort to do the work of generating new frames.
My diaries are written entirely independently of Lakoff and Rockridge, although I am in contact with them. After Frameshop began to circulate, Rockridge invited me to participate in the beta version of their new "Rockridge Forum," which they are currently developing for launch some time in the near future. I have tremendous respect for the Rockridge folks and for Lakoff's work in particular. I look forward to connecting my project to theirs in the future, and to contributing to their efforts towards positive change in this country.
I also have deep admiration for the wonderful community of activists and organizers that I have been fortunate to discover through my writing. They are the hope for this country.
Read about The Frameshop Series in The Tool Shed below.
Dr. Feldman can be contacted at: jeffrey.feldman@nyu.edu. You can read The Frameshop series of essays at http://dogfight04.typepad.com/dogfight04/
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SITE SEEING
ReclaimDemocracy.org
ReclaimDemocracy.org is dedicated to restoring democratic authority over corporations, reviving grassroots democracy, and revoking the power of money and corporations to control government and civic society.
ReclaimDemocracy.org works to create a representative democracy with an actively participating public, where citizens don't merely choose from a menu of options determined by elites, but play an active role in guiding the country and political agenda.
ReclaimDemocracy.org's founders believe that one's influence should be a direct result of the quality of one's ideas and the energy one puts into promoting their position, independent of wealth or status.
ReclaimDemocracy.org is a non-partisan, 501(c)3 non-profit grassroots organization. http://reclaimdemocracy.org/
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Yes, Virginia, there are Liberals in Georgia
In 1987, a friend told CNN writer Mike Malloy there was an opening for a weekend host on Atlanta’s biggest talk radio station. He has been stoking the liberal fires down South ever since.
Believe it or not, those fires do still burn, if only as smoldering embers at present. In fact, WSB Radio is owned by Cox Communications, one of the nation’s largest media owners. (WSB is also home to one of the rigid right’s biggest gas bags: Neal Boortz!) Malloy's show is nationally syndicated and is now carried on Air America [www.airamericaradio.com].
Find out more about Mike Malloy, listen to some of his archived clips. Most of all tune in a listen to his provocative show. He’s not a “typical liberal”, but he is a confirmed progressive. www.mikemalloy.com
Let’s make Mike Malloy one of America’s most listened-to shows. http://www.airamericaradio.com/shows/mikemalloy/bio.asp
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Ohio Voter Suppression Video
You've got to see it to believe it.
The cameras were rolling in key precincts throughout Ohio. This is a very good documentary of election day shenanigans in the “Florida of 2004”. Take a gander and pass this link around: http://460design.net/ohio
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THE TOOL SHED
The Frameshop Series
Dr. Jeffrey Feldman of NYU translates the work of Dr. George Lakoff and others thought leaders on language to help us understand the difference between a sound political argument and a persuasive one. In this series of entertaining essays, Dr. Feldman maps out how conservatives their words by understanding the mental and emotional triggers of their target audiences. He dissects how the GOP won by framing the argument, and provides valuable instruction on how progressives can fight back. Topics range from Framing 101, to the gay marriage debate and how the GOP uses “morals and values”. You will no doubt read and reread these essays several times. The Frameshop Series is found at http://dogfight04.typepad.com/dogfight04/
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Smart Campaigns.com
Over the past few months, many of you have asked about or made comments with regard to being more proactive then simply reactive. Aldon Hynes, RR Coordinator for CT (Aldon's wife was one of Dean's Dozens) has initiated such an operation. If you are interested in investigative writing, research and issue oriented presentations, visit http://coir.smartcampaigns.com.
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ChooseTheBlue.com
In American politics, corporations are as important as politicians.
Do you know which political party a company supports?
ChooseTheBlue tells you what corporations donated to political parties. http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php.
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Sort.org
SORT.org is a planet-focused interactive community portal, database and educational forum. We provide a direct link between individuals and organizations working on environmental and animal welfare issues.
By joining together, we unite environmentalists as well as individuals who support the preservation of natural resources, land conservation and the welfare of all living creatures.
This unique opportunity is perhaps the first attempt to bring together multiple interests who share a common philosophical respect for our planet, nature, and animal welfare. If successful, the combined representation and cross collaboration of our efforts will in effect change the future forever. http://www.sort.org/
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Grassroots Calendar
Jan 5 | Jan 20 | New Orleans, LA- Jazz Funeral For Democracy Assemble 10:00 AM, March 11:00 AM |
Jan 20 | Washington,DC- CounterInaugural Ball 7:00PM at Dream, 1350 Okie Street, NE |
Jan 21 | Washington, DC- Rally at Edward R. Murrow Park and Backbone Procession to DNC Headquarters |
Jan 21-23 | Washington, DC- Progressive Democratic Summit |
June 17-19 | Austin, TX - DemocracyFest'05 |
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About Our Newsletter
Editorial Team
Editor-In-Chief: Kimberly Krautter
Managing Editor: Pam Paul
Contributing Writers: Liane Allen, Bert Caradine, Max Gordon, Nicole Johns, Michelle Morton, Will Thomasson
Send Letters to the Editor to: editor-at-grassrootsforamerica.us
Send content submissions to: news-at-grassrootsforamerica.us
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VISIT OUR WEB SITE
Grassroots for America is a resource for progressive grassroots organizations across the nation, connecting groups and providing services, infrastructure and consulting to:
- Energize their ideas and bring them to life
- Connect with like-minded teams across the country
- Mobilize bodies of voters for active citizen engagement
- Publicize their projects utilizing a professional PR and Media team
- Multiply the impact of every grassroots initiative.
Grassroots for AmericaSM is a not-for-profit corporation operating as an IRS chapter 501(c)4 organization.
 Your contribution will help us help the progressive grassroots grow. |
Special Thanks to Brainchild Media Group for their design work and consulting.
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