Rayne Today: Build-A-Meme Project

Build-A-Meme Project: Unity Opportunity

Mon, 09 Feb 2004 15:46:59 GMT

The Build-A-Meme Project has been a bit dormant, especially through the ramp up to the Democratic primaries and caucuses. The dormancy has been positive; in that period of time, many of us have unified under specific objectives towards turning our country around in the right direction. In the last month there has been a steady build-up of new energy and new initiatives, begging for a revival of this project. It's time dust off the Project and to share one such powerful initiative with you.

I want to let you folks know that there's a movement afoot to try and build on our new unity, to help us stay together and work towards taking our country back regardless of the nominee. It will be an umbrella organization, one that welcomes people of all campaigns, political parties and paths to build a community of like-minded progressive folks, those of us who believe in building a greater democracy than we've had in the recent past. I'll be sending out information about the first Meetup event, expected in mid-March.

In the mean time, I encourage you to continue to gather at Dean or other campaign Meetups, to continue to help Governor Dean's or your candidate's campaign and to discuss the kinds of objectives and outcomes you'd like the Democratic nominee to tackle and/or any umbrella "unity" group to tackle. Be sure to spread the word around, ask others to watch for and join this

There are some heavy-hitters on board from across multiple campaigns and other groups, working together right now to launch this effort; I sincerely hope we'll be able to continue our work together and expand our reach, strengthen our impact for positive change. We have the power to take our country back!

Build-A-Meme Project: PROJECT FROG-WALK – UPDATE

Tue, 07 Oct 2003 15:34:23 GMT

Looks like we’re making a little dent; head over to Daypop.com and check out this query: “frog-walk”. Nine of us appear and I know there’s more here in Salon Blogs who’ve been writing about the Plame scandal. Keep up the good work, gang! Nice to see we can make a ripple as a meme team!

Check Popdex.com for the same query and you’ll find it’s all about Kriselda at differentstrings.info. She’s got the magic touch – or should I say pagan touch? Whatever it is, she’s got it covered. (Kriselda has been doing a fabulous job of collecting great links on the Plame scandal; if you’re short on time, see her site first!)

Speaking of links on the Plame scandal, I’ve been following along regularly at Talking Points Memo and Eschaton as well as a number of other smaller blog sites. Eschaton’s comments from yesterday have been blown away, but I kept one in particular, responding to this post on a second leaker:

Whoever blew Plame's cover, I vote she has the pleasure of tossing them into the duck pit.

if anyone thinks the Chicago Sun Times should dump Novak they can write to
Mr. Conrad Black
Hollinger
401 N. Wabash Ave #740
Chicago Il 60611

if you think his syndicators should drop him write to
info@creators.com

if you think the Washington Post should drop him write to
ombudsman@washpost.com

If you think CNN should drop Novak you can write to
Mr. Richard Parsons
President
Time Warner
75 Rockefeller Plaza
NY NY 10019
56k | Homepage | 10.06.03 - 3:48 pm | #

Yeah. This commenter has a point. Novak has allowed himself to be used more than once to plant negative stories. Is that really journalism? Is that what you want as a consumer of journalism, someone who’s little more than a partisan tool?

UPDATE -- 10:43 AM EDT --

Cheese-on-rice, I should have checked DailyKos and WaPo both before posting this morning! They're all over this Leaky-Novak line, too! Check it out! Changes the field of potential leakers and certainly confirms Novak is nothing but a tool! You really gotta' wonder if Novak's just a NOC (non-official cover operative) too! Just wish I knew for which team he was playing!

Build-A-Meme Project: PROJECT FROG-WALK – Getting civil

Fri, 03 Oct 2003 21:35:43 GMT

Well, hardly civil; we should be getting down right ugly about the in-bred relations between Ashcroft and the White House. This nasty and inappropriate coziness may well result in a total blow-off of Valerie Plame’s outing as an undercover operative.

Seriously, we should be encouraging Wilson and Plame file a civil suit as John Dean suggested in Salon.com today, to get to the bottom of this mess. They have both been damaged by this, their integrity impugned, their careers disrupted for doing nothing more than serving this nation.

We should be encouraging Wilson and Plame by starting a fund for legal fees; why should they have to bear the cost of prosecuting this assault on their good names? Has anyone seen a fund set up yet? Are there any restrictions to doing so?

Fill me in. I’ll forego some discretionary expense to help them.

Wed, 01 Oct 2003 04:23:29 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: PROJECT FROG-WALK -- Critical Mass Reached?

Note the percentages don’t change on an AOL-based survey from mid-afternoon to 11 pm this evening:

Did senior White House officials deliberately leak a CIA agent's identity? (mid-afternoon)

Yes 61%

No 24%

Not Sure 15%

Total Votes: 40,000

Did senior White House officials deliberately leak a CIA agent's identity? (11:00 pm EDT)

Yes 61%

No 24%

Not Sure 15%

Total Votes: 82,671

More than half of the people surveyed feel the leak was deliberate. Sure hope these people vote their conscience come November 2004, along the same percentages!

And it looks like even the right-wing media might be starting to cave a bit, based on this post at NewsMax:

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/9/29/220207.shtml

I take particular note of these two items from the same article:

11) Leaking and blackmail have always been a part of governing inside the Beltway. But it has been one of this Administration's unexplained curiosities why President Bush has kept Clinton's CIA Director - especially after so many massive intelligence failures: 9/11; our failure to get Osama; our failure to prove the existence of WMD before the war; our failure to get Saddam; and our failure to find WMD in the six months since the end of the war.

12) Many have wondered if Tenet has 'something' on the Bushes. Now many more are wondering who made those six phone calls - and who authorized them?

Yeah…why is it that Tenet “fell on his sword” – kind of – and was allowed to stay on board? Does he have something on certain people in the Administration? How does this play out with the Plame outing? Is there an underground movement by current and former spooks to remedy this situation, and what will come of it if there is?

Curiouser and curiouser…

Wed, 01 Oct 2003 02:02:45 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: PROJECT FROG-WALK -- Project Update

Dear Team Members:

Can't believe something this serious took a couple of months to catch fire. But look out, it's burning now! We're cooking with gasoline and matches!

Kriselda (http://www.differentstrings.info) and Rob (http://www.emphasisadded.com), you must be spending night and day reading up on this topic to keep up! Great job!

All making great contributions to Project Frog-Walk:

Paul Hinrichs (http://blogs.salon.com/0001444)

Neva (http://blogs.salon.com/0001216/2003/09/29.html)

Catnmus (http://blogs.salon.com/0001787/2003/09/29.html#a245)

Rose of Charon (http://blogs.salon.com/0001939/2003/09/30.html#a119)

Adrian at Global Suburb (http://blogs.salon.com/0001879/2003/09/29.html)

Andrew Bayer (http://blogs.salon.com/0001033/2003/09/29.html#a1525)

Jennifer at Synaesthesia (http://blogs.salon.com/0002721/)

Plus a few more peeved off Salon bloggers also annoyed about this scandal -- not under the Project umbrella just yet, but good righteous anger stuff anyhow:

Dr. Omed (http://blogs.salon.com/0002296/categories/poetry/2003/09/30.html)

Fiona (http://blogs.salon.com/0001705)

Mark Hoback at FGAQ (http://blogs.salon.com/0001424/2003/09/29.html#a881)

Great job, you guys, covering this! Proud of you! Stay on it, we need to see an independent counsel or special prosecutor on this situation. This Administration can't use the fear of WMD to corral us when it undermines the intelligence community researching WMD; they can't call people unpatriotic when they backstab intel professionals protecting this nation.

Thank you all so much!

~Rayne

p.s. Check out DayPop at http://www.daypop.com using "frog-walk" -- it's coming along nicely! I'm sure more of us will show up as the site continues to index. Cool, huh?

p.p.s. Let me know if you see any other Salon bloggers assisting with Project Frog-Walk so I don’t miss them, okay? Wanna’ give credit where due; there’s so much to read on this story right now that I’m sure to miss something or somebody.

Mon, 29 Sep 2003 14:25:12 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Status Report: Project Frog-walk

Both Rob Salkowitz at Emphasis Added and Kriselda at differentstrings.info are all over this developing story this morning. You need it, they’ve got it, short and sweet with link-rich posts.

If you’ve got a lot more time on your hands, be sure to check in at DailyKos, Atrios at Eschaton, and Talking Points Memo. But be prepared to be there awhile. Yesterday’s post at DailyKos was well over 364 comments deep when I checked it early evening; you can get lost in that kind of crush.

Never fear -- there’s a new thread started for the Frog-walk project at the Freedom 2004 website. Feel free to share your efforts, add your two-cents, read along with team members as the action moves along. Hope to see you there!

By the way, I’m sure some of you are wondering why the use of Frog-walk for this project instead of Frog-march. Yes, that’s what Joe Wilson said, “frog-march”, but tracking this phrase will be quite difficult with the amount of press working on this story. It will be easier for us to track our efforts at the index sites and Google if we use Frog-walk.

Besides, I have a feeling that at some point somebody will “fall on their sword” and walk out the front door of the Administration before allowing themselves to be marched out the side door. Or at least you’d think the Administration would be smart enough to encourage the culprits to frog-walk under their own power than under forcible Justice Department escort…

Which leaves me wondering along with countless others: 1) Does Ashcroft do the right thing or does he squelch this? 2) Who are the unnamed official(s) guilty of leaking a covert operative’s name?

Sun, 28 Sep 2003 15:11:12 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Frog-walk them out the door

Here it is, your chance to be a political activist today. You up to it? I am!

We’re taking on the issue of White House officials outing a covert CIA operative. Let’s call it “Project Frog-walk”

First, educate yourself if you’re not aware of this situation. Read up Kriselda’s coverage at differentstrings.info; she’s got a fine mess of links on the subject.

See also Rob Salkowitz’ Emphasis Added and Doug Anders’ The Agora – they’re talking about this situation, too.

If you haven’t already done so as recommended by Atrios, go to MSNBC.com and rate highly the first story on this topic.

Be sure to look for the latest story at MSNBC.com and peg the rating on that one as well (as of this morning, the latest story is dated 28-SEP).

**If you’re a blogger, post about this topic ASAP. Let’s see if we can move Technorati, DayPop and Popdex on this story and get the eyeball time it deserves. Be sure to use links from the larger news services when posting so that your piece can be scanned by **

Wonder if this is going to get airtime this morning on any of the morning news shows? I’ll be watching – hope you will be, too. Condi Rice is up on Meet the Press; sure hope Russert asks her about this. My money right now is on an all-out internal war between the CIA and the White House, and that the next move at the White House will be to say the CIA is screwed up and provided lousy data on Iraq.

DAMN!!! He’s going there!!! She just said “yellowcake”!!! You know what’s next!!! She’s already claiming a weak memory – plausible deniability on the 16 Words! Condi sounds stressed out!

Anybody out there got a suggestion on the next step to building this “Frog-walk” meme? Let me know, I’ll be glad to promote it.

Wed, 17 Sep 2003 19:30:07 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: The broadening field

In case you haven’t noticed, I support Howard Dean’s campaign. I think he’s got the right credentials for the office of the presidency: finance education and experience, healthcare background, public office. I’m sure he must have had some relations with Canada as governor of a state bordering that nation, meaning he’s also got some experience dealing with at least one foreign government.

However, my second choice is Wesley Clark. Although he doesn’t have experience in public office, he does have the right background to help us recover from this Administration’s horrific chain sawing of foreign policy and pre-emptive abuses. His management skills and southern roots also help tremendously.

So what do I do, now that Clark's thrown his hat in the ring? My options are shaped by the path here as well as by the road ahead.

Here’s what I think happened to encourage Clark to run. You’ll recall there was some buzz about Bill Clinton and Al Gore advising Clark recently as he explored the idea of running. You’ll also recall Bill has encouraged Democrats, both candidates and constituents, to stay together and not attack each other.

With that strategy in mind, I think Clinton and possibly Gore persuaded Clark to run versus agreeing to accept the VP position with the Dean campaign. This prevents Dean from steamrolling over the other candidates (which would be highly devisive at this point of the campaign), allows the other candidates’ campaigns to emerge as issues develop, all the while encouraging the American public to learn more about Clark. At the same time, Clark’s entry into the race does not detract from Dean as much as it makes the Democratic Party appealing to a larger portion of the American public. Having both Dean and Clark running at the same time means cutting a wider swath through centrist and swing voters; chances to win back the White House are improved with a broader, deeper field.

At some point, the weakest candidates will drop by the wayside; the strongest candidates will emerge. My guess is they will be Dean and Clark – they will become the natural ticket.

Will we have a Clark/Dean ticket or a Dean/Clark ticket? I don’t know yet. The Democratic constituency will choose over time and I’ll support whichever ticket it is. I’ll support whichever Democratic candidate can win over a critical mass of constituents. I’m sure they’ll have their trial by fire between now and the nomination; I’m sure the critical mass will be convinced by that point that their nominee will be up to the job and more.

As Bill Clinton said this week,

"Go ahead, fall in love, be for somebody," Clinton said. "But when the primary's over, let's fall in line and bring the White House back to our party."

Yeah. What he said, in spades.

Sat, 06 Sep 2003 16:14:45 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: REMINDER: BUILD-A-MEME CHAT SATURDAY NOON EDT

Oops! Sorry for the short notice!

For those of you who can make it, we're having our regularly scheduled chat today, Saturday 06-SEP-03 at noon EDT, at the Freedom 2004 chat room.

If you're new to the chat room, you will need to register to use the software (it's pretty quick and painless).

I'll be there to moderate; if I'm not there at noon, please start without me and be sure to copy-paste your chat to save as a transcript for posting to the Freedom 2004 Forums.

If you can't make it, be sure to check the Freedom 2004 Forums at

http://www.freedom2004.us/yabbse for the transcripts.

Build the meme, people! Keep the fires burning!

~Rayne

Wed, 03 Sep 2003 19:33:44 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: What have you done for me lately?

Summer’s over; it’s back to work and back to school. That means it’s time to dust off the Build-A-Meme Project and swing back into action. I’ll be back on Saturdays at noon ET, hosting chats at the Freedom 2004 chat room and posting at the Forums.

What about you? What have you done for the cause lately? Go ahead, spill here or in the Forums, tell me what you’ve been up to or disclose your plans for the future to help the regime change in 2004.

---

And now, a plug for my candidate of choice:

Join us for the next Dean in 2004 MeetUp!

Please RSVP now to join other Dean Supporters on Wednesday, Sep 3 @ 7PM for National Dean in 2004 MeetUp Day.

To locate a venue for your area and to RSVP, go to: http://dean2004.meetup.com

If you can’t make it to this MeetUp, make plans for the next one; they’re held every month on the first Wednesday of the month.

To learn more about candidate Howard Dean, go to: http://www.deanforamerica.com

To follow the campaign and Dean initiatives, go to: http://www.blogforamerica.com

Hope to see you at the MeetUp!

Go ahead, leave a plug here in comments for your Democratic candidate of choice, too!

Fri, 22 Aug 2003 16:13:20 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: FLOOD THE ZONE FRIDAY

Sure, it’s been a little sleepy here on the BAM Project; we’ve been operating on island time, operating at a sweet, leisurely vacation pace.

But now it’s back to school, kiddies. It’s time to get cracking and get back at it and hard.

First off, let’s try to Flood the Zone each Friday from here on out. Thanks to Kriselda at differentstrings for pointing out this opportunity; we’re going to work in tandem with the folks at NotGeniuses.com to work on projects to take our country back.

YOUR MISSION:

1) Go to NotGeniuses.com, check out this Friday’s initiative;

2) Follow their instructions;

3) Post at Freedom 2004 Forums and tell us how you fared!

NOTE: Be prepared to send a letter directly to your local paper on your own for the Flood The Zone Friday effort.

Race you! Let’s see who gets back to the Freedom 2004 Forums in the next 24 hours to post about their efforts!

UPDATE – 1152AM EDT –

Patriotically Incorrect wins the “first out of the chute” slot! His submission, “Spend-and-Borrow Republicans” is the first meme-let we’ll use as part of our Build-A-Meme Project.

Team members, please be sure to use “Spend-and-Borrow Republicans” in the text of your Flood the Zone Friday posts and letters to the editors! Let’s see if it catches fire!

Anyone want to suggest how to measure the degree of flammability? Do we look at Technorati on Monday? Another site? Earlier, later than Monday? Drop a note here, thanks!

UPDATE – 110 PM EDT –

Dubya’s website Action Center may have twinked the code to squelch its use for mailing to local newspapers.

If you want to find a local newspaper, try this link: http://www.usnpl.com/ -- open the link to your closest local paper then find the contact email for Letters to the Editor.

Good Luck and Go Team!

Tue, 12 Aug 2003 17:30:41 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: An email from Howard Dean

Dean sure gets the ‘net. He’s got a proficient web team pounding the pavement, outpacing the rest of his Democratic compatriots. Is this enough to be the next President of the United States? No – heck, no – but it’s a start, in addition to his fiscal conservatism and his forthrightness about Iraq. What if instead of weekly radio addresses we actually got emails from the next Administration? What if the population at large were able to hold their own press conferences, ask their own questions rather than have to wait for the national press to do it? I can see this happening were Dean to be the next POTUS. I can’t say that about the rest of the field.

Whoever wins the nomination and the Presidency (aren’t I an optimist!), I sure hope they make use of the rest of the candidates. Each one of them brings something to the table that’s important to the Democratic Party and beneficial to the American public. And if Dean doesn’t win the nod, I sure hope the winner appoints him to the Cabinet for Health and Human Services. They’d crazy not to.

===

Dear Friend,

Last week, an incredible 30,565 Americans signed up for the Dean campaign-- and today you stand with more than 282,300 Americans, united in our effort to take our country back.

I want to thank you. While we were on the covers of Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News last week, the growth and energy of our campaign has come from your efforts-- from Americans talking with each other about the future of our country.

Let's widen the circle. Our goal is to have 450,000 Americans supporting the Dean campaign by September 30th. From day one, when we were an asterisk in the polls, this campaign has been built by word of mouth. I need you to continue reaching out-- to join thousands of other Americans who are speaking with their friends, their colleagues and their coworkers about our efforts to restore the American community. Please forward this email on to your friends, and ask them to join us by clicking on this link:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/signup

While George Bush is on vacation this month, millions of Americans are having a sleepless summer, worrying about the more than 3 million jobs lost under this President, and about their own economic future. We are going to defeat George W. Bush so that we can put an end to his reckless economic policies. We are going to roll back his irresponsible tax cuts so that we can have health care for every American, funding for our public schools, and true homeland security. And we will again have a foreign policy that is consistent with American values.

As part of our effort to spread the word about our campaign, we'll be traveling to 8 cities in 4 days as part of our "Sleepless Summer Tour," beginning August 23rd. If you are near one of the cities we'll be visiting, please sign up below-- and tell your friends who may live nearby to come out and join us. Find out more by clicking here:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/sleeplesssummer

At the end of June, more than 73,000 Americans came together and raised more than $7.6 million dollars for our campaign. That demonstration of the power grassroots shook this race to its very core-- but the race is not over, and we have a ways to go. With your help, we will achieve our goal of 450,000 supporters by September 30th-- and we will demonstrate to the press and the rest of the nation that the American people truly have the power to take on the special interests that are funding George Bush's reelection campaign.

The stakes have never been higher. So please, continue to reach out and enlist people in our cause by forwarding this email or this link:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/signup

If you weren't able to contribute at the end of June, please consider making a contribution at this time. Your action today can make the difference in defeating George W. Bush:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/contribute

I appreciate everything that you have done for our campaign. The real story last week was not that we were on the covers of three newsmagazines-- the real story was that you put us there, and that you helped bring more than 30,000 Americans to our campaign in a single week. Our momentum is incredible. Let's keep spreading the word, and together we will win back the White House in 2004.

Howard Dean

Sat, 09 Aug 2003 18:55:07 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Our needs

Regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, we all have some fundamental needs from our prospective government.

What are they? What is that common ground on which we can build?

I live in a world between white and black and Hispanic; I live in a netherworld, where most of the people I see are white, yet I feel and think like the color, “None of the Above”. I am not black or Hispanic – but I am not exactly white; all three groups treat people like me as outcasts, all three groups ignore or discount me. Yet I am a member of the one of the fastest growing populations in the United States.

I am the embodiment of “OTHER”.

From my vantage point I can see there are issues that are unique to each group, and yet I am absolutely certain from where I stand that there is a core group of commonly-held values and beliefs which unite us all. From where I stand, I can see that all groups, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Other, are not being served by our current leaders.

For some incredibly stupid bunch of reasons we allow that which is visual to obstruct that which is virtual. The visual is a construct, something that is emphasized to the detriment of the people on some appointed side of some designated fence. We are all of us guilty of buying into the constructs – we allow ourselves to be manipulated and used by subscribing to these constructs.

And when I say WE, I mean ALL OF US.

None of you are immune to being used. All of you have the same basic, fundamental human needs, the same fundamental human rights.

So what is that which we, ALL OF US, need from our next government?

I want to be able to demand it the next time I go to a campaign meeting and tell them, this is for ALL OF US.

Tell me. Please.

And show up at the same meeting, too, even if the people there don’t look like you.

That’s an illusion.

Sat, 09 Aug 2003 16:34:58 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: REMINDER: CHAT TODAY, NOON EDT, Saturday 09-AUG-03

Sorry for the short notice! For those of you who can make it, we're having our regularly scheduled chat today, Saturday 09-AUG-03 at noon EDT, at the Freedom 2004 chat room.

If you're new to the chat room, you will need to register to use the software (it's pretty quick and painless).

NOTE: If you make it into the chat room ahead of me and begin to chat, please be sure to copy-paste your chat to save as a transcript for posting to the Freedom 2004 Forums.

If you can't make it, be sure to check the Freedom 2004 Forums at http://www.freedom2004.us/yabbse for the transcripts.

Build the meme, people! Keep the fires burning!

~Rayne

Fri, 08 Aug 2003 02:49:55 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Go now to MoveOn.org and watch this speech !!!

Al Gore, you rock!!! This was an awesome speech!!! He's so doggone good when he’s righteously p*ssed off; I wished he’d been more so in 2000 before the election!

I hope like hell every single Democratic candidate has already heard or read this speech. This Administration’s policies and practices of deception are laid out clearly, as are the deliverables a successful 2004 candidate will need to provide the American people. I do hope Gore gives the nod to Dean -- he'd be as straight-forward and direct, he'd take off the gloves and give it as straight as Gore did today.

There’s even a meme-let or two here in this speech; Gore’s assault on the Bush Administrations’ use of False Impressions is particularly good. Let me know what you think of it; I came away with a few good ones.

(Damn, this was such a good speech, it’s scary…if Dubya was listening and actually paid heed, he might have a good chance at re-election!)

---

Find at: http://www.moveon.org

Streaming video: http://netstream.nyu.edu:8080/ramgen/archive/20030807-algore.rm

Test of speech: http://www.moveon.org/gore-speech.html

Thu, 07 Aug 2003 04:23:29 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Meetup Follow-up

That’s all it was, just the nine of us. One married middle-aged couple, four thirty-something men, a middle-aged mother and her college-aged daughter, and yours truly.

But man, was it intense!! When was the last time you met with eight other people who felt exactly the same way you did??? Doesn’t happen often, that’s for sure, at least not in this neck of the woods!!! So very nice to meet with folks who were against this war in Iraq, who are concerned about our economic future and our Constitutional rights, who are as scared about the prospects for future health care, who really feel that we need a big change in 2004 or we’ll be in a serious world of hurt.

After learning a little about our individual reasons for supporting Dean and sharing our beefs with the current administration, we are now ready to start to build momentum and start working on deliverables:

· Each of us agreed we would bring two more people with them to the next Meetup, at a minimum.

· We agreed to vote on the venue through Meetup.com.

· We’re also going to try to stimulate local interest by wearing our Dean buttons and t-shirts.

And of course, dopey me, I agreed to do a little more stuff for the cause, like:

· write a letter to the editor local newspaper acknowledging the attendees, thanking them, and encouraging more attendees for the next Meetup;

· create a website for this local group of Dean-ites (Dean-ies? What are we? Hmm…)

· blog about the Meetup and other local activities

Yeah, pretty grassroots stuff. Not rocket science so far, no demographics studies or lobbying Super Delegates in person. Doesn’t sound really glamorous at all.

But then, look where grassroots efforts have gotten Mr. Dean so far; hitting the “trifecta” this week with covers of Newsweek, TIME and U.S. News and World Report is a pretty good indication of the momentum built to date. Seeing Howard on CNN in the afternoon following an interview in the morning on the Today Show isn’t too shabby, either. The message is starting to catch on in a big way.

It’s nice to actually go to bed this evening thinking there might be a light at the end of the tunnel after all.

---

What can you do?

If you’re just curious, be sure to check out the Dean for America website and Dean’s blog; you could also check out the next Meetup on 03-SEP-03.

If you think you’d like to help, check out the action items my fellow Dean Meetup members and I have agreed to tackle. You’re needed to do the same thing in your locale.

If you just want to talk about it for now because you’re still undecided, feel free to drop a comment here or join us in the Freedom 2004 Forums. Be glad to hear from you; exploring all the issues is vital to our vision of removing George Bush from office in 2004.

And by all means, if you're firmly behind another candidate, contact their campaign and do what you can to support them. Register to vote, too, if you haven't done so. It's the American Way -- exercise your rights before someone takes them away from you!

Wed, 06 Aug 2003 22:01:47 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Meetup Tonight!!!

Yup, I’m going to my first Meetup tonight – going to join other registered participants who’re supporting Dean for America. There’s only nine of us in the area that are reserved for this event; wonder who might show up that isn’t reserved?

I’ll be sure to blog about the outcome of tonight’s Meetup. Could be a lot of fun; as of noon today there were 78,000 attendees reserved for 561 Meetups being held across the U.S. this evening. This is sure to be a more exciting event in other locations and venues. Will you be there? Would you like to? Check it out! Maybe I’ll see you there!

If you aren’t going to a Meetup, what are you doing these days for the cause? What are you working on these days to help remove Bush from office in 2004? Drop us a note either here in comments or over at the Freedom 2004 Forums, fill us in!

Sat, 02 Aug 2003 14:34:40 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: REMINDER: BUILD-A-MEME CHAT SATURDAY NOON EDT

For those of you who can make it, we're having our regularly scheduled chat today, Saturday 02-AUG-03 at noon EDT, at the Freedom 2004 chat room.

If you're new to the chat room, you will need to register to use the software (it's pretty quick and painless).

NOTE: I am unable to attend or moderate this chat today; if you make it, please be sure to copy-paste your chat to save as a transcript for posting to the Freedom 2004 Forums.

If you can't make it, be sure to check the Freedom 2004 Forums at http://www.freedom2004.us/yabbse for the transcripts.

Build the meme, people! Keep the fires burning!

~Rayne

Sat, 26 Jul 2003 15:52:39 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: REMINDER: BUILD-A-MEME CHAT SATURDAY NOON EDT For those of you who can make it, we're having our regularly scheduled chat today, Saturday 26-JUL-03 at noon EDT, at the Freedom 2004 chat room. If you're new to the chat room, you will need to register to use the software (it's pretty quick and painless). I'll be there to moderate; if I'm not there at noon, please start without me and be sure to copy-paste your chat to save as a transcript for posting to the Freedom 2004 Forums. If you can't make it, be sure to check the Freedom 2004 Forums at http://www.freedom2004.us/yabbse for the transcripts. Build the meme, people! Keep the fires burning! ~Rayne

Sat, 19 Jul 2003 03:27:10 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: REMINDER – Scheduled Chat, Saturday 19-JUL-03 Noon EDT

For those of you who can make it, we're having our regularly scheduled chat tomorrow, Saturday 19-JUL-03 at noon EDT, at the Freedom 2004 chat room.

If you're new to the chat room, you will need to register to use the software (it's pretty quick and painless).

I'll do my best to make it there to moderate; if I'm not there at noon, please start without me and be sure to copy-paste your chat to save as a transcript for posting to the Freedom 2004 Forums.

If you can't make it, be sure to check the Freedom 2004 Forums at http://www.freedom2004.us/yabbse for the transcripts.

** Food for thought for tomorrow’s chat **

“Generally, he who occupies the field of battle first and awaits his enemy is at ease, and he who comes later to the scene and rushes into the fight is weary. And, therefore, those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.”

– Sun Tzu’s Art of War

Are we prepared to wait the battlefield, or will we allow the opposition to wait the battlefield for us?

Build the meme, people! Keep the fires burning!

~Rayne

Thu, 17 Jul 2003 17:57:30 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Process of justice thwarted

This is why I’m in the dumps: a minority of people in this country have somehow taken possession of a majority in the Senate, and now seek to obstruct the pursuit of truth and justice. The lies this Senate majority supports may have resulted in the deaths of American troops and Iraqi civilians. Yet one more reason why building a better meme is important -- more so now than ever before.

If you have a Democratic Senator, call and thank them for their efforts. (I’ve already called mine, thanked them for their vote, and thanked Senators Stabenow and Corzine for supporting the amendment.)

If you have a Republican Senator, call and tell them the American public, our troops in Iraq, deserve to have the truth and they deserve it out in the open where it will get fresh air and lots of sun. Fascism grows in the dark.

Regardless of your Senator, call Senator Frist and tell him you expect the truth and you want it now, that half-hearted mea culpas from a man who’s not responsible for the State of The Union address behind closed doors is simply not acceptable. Lies presented to Congress are an impeachable offense and Senator Frist should be angry about being used.

We got far more disclosure for a blow job in the White House.

We deserve, demand far more than we’re getting for 141 dead American troops and thousands of dead Iraqi civilians. Four billion a month should buy a lot of open air debate and the truth.

---

Received this morning from MoveOn.org:

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, we sent on a letter from Senators Jon Corzine and Debbie
Stabenow, asking you to help the Senate create an independent
commission to investigate the Bush administration's distortion of
evidence around Iraq. In only a few hours, you made over 10,000 phone
calls -- enough to set phones in every Senate office ringing off the
hook.

At 7pm last night, the Senate voted on Senator Corzine's amendment to
the Defense Appropriations Act. The bad news is that the amendment
was defeated -- 51 to 45. But the good news is that the Democratic
caucus held strong: every single Democrat in attendance voted for the
commission.

It's becoming increasingly clear that Republicans want to bury this
issue. In doing so, they're placing their own partisan interests
ahead of the safety and security of the country. It appears they'd
rather protect their leader than know whether our Commander in Chief
took us to war on a lie.

That's why I'm hoping you can make one more phone call -- this time,
to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Frist is the leader of the
Republican caucus in the Senate, and he calls these shots. Give him a
call, and tell him how disappointed and upset you are that Republicans
in the Senate chose to place their party's well-being over the
nation's security.

You can reach Majority Leader Frist at:

(202) 224-3344

Once you've called, please let us know at:
http://www.moveon.org/callmade3.html?id=1522-3069701-oASj9QtQ5G4HEwOoc5SgmA

With such powerful Republican obstruction, it may take a long campaign
before a commission is established and the truth comes out. But we're
making great headway, and thanks in part to our calls the Democrats
are sticking together and demanding accountability. Let's keep
moving.

Sincerely,
--Eli Pariser
MoveOn.org
June 17th, 2003

P.S. Here's an article from today's New York Times that describes the
debate and the vote:

SENATE REJECTS PANEL ON PREWAR IRAQ DATA
By Carl Hulse, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/17/politics/17DEMS.html?tntemail1
"The Republican-led Senate defeated an effort tonight to establish a
bipartisan panel to examine the use of intelligence in the prelude to
the Iraq war. The vote came as Democrats pressed the Bush
administration on the rationale for the war as well as on the
long-term costs of military operations."

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:58:26 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: * * * URGENT – CALL YOUR SENATOR * * *

Following is an urgent email that I received today from MoveOn.org. I’ve already called both of my senators as requested.

Please call you senators and let them know you support the impending vote for an independent commission to investigate the Bush Administration’s use of highly questionable intelligence in seeking approval to go to war in Iraq.

Thanks very much for your support.

Note: With the MoveOn petition now over 380,000 signers, the Senate has taken up our call for an independent commission to investigate. In the note below, Senators Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) explain where things stand and how you can help TODAY. Congratulations for being part of an effort that's reached the nation's highest legislative body. -- Eli

Dear friends in MoveOn,

We're writing to thank you, and to ask for your help.

Three weeks ago, you began asking Congress to make the President tell the truth about his case for war. Since then, even more disturbing facts have come to light regarding the President's truthfulness. In the major media and around the country, we hear a growing concern that the Bush administration may have misled us in the rush to war.

We want to thank you for your willingness to take a stand on this issue in a climate in which taking a stand is sometimes labeled unpatriotic. You know as well as we do that true patriots do what's best for our country, and for the legacy we'll leave our children, not just for their political party. We're proud to tell you that the Democrats in the Senate have heard your concern: we're taking a stand too.

That's why we need your help. Very soon, probably today or tomorrow, the Senate will vote on whether to create an independent commission to investigate the President's possible deception. The vote will come in the form of an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill, which is being debated now.

We'll need every last vote to win. Please take a moment right now to call your Senators and tell them how important it is that we get to the bottom of this with an independent investigatory commission.

You can reach your Senators at:

Senator Carl Levin

DC Phone: 202-224-6221

Senator Debbie Stabenow

DC Phone: 202-224-4822

Please report back when you've taken action at:

http://www.moveon.org/callmade3.html?id=1518-3069701-n5g_X0_j5LsnidTKEbr.DQ

With your support, Democrats are now coming together to demand answers. Yet President Bush and his officials are still showing that they're not willing to level with the American people.

Please call our colleagues in the Senate today, and ask them to push for a full, independent investigation of the President's claims on Iraq. By joining our efforts on Capitol Hill with your activism across America, we can make sure that the truth comes out.

Sincerely,

Senator Jon Corzine & Senator Debbie Stabenow

(If you’d like more information regarding this initiative, please visit MoveOn.org’s website.)

Tue, 15 Jul 2003 16:35:00 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: An idea for the MoveOn.org team…

Have you seen the buzz on flash mobs?

Doesn’t that sound really cool?

What if, instead of performance art, this concept was used as a consciousness and cultural change tool?

What if there were simultaneous flash mobs arranged for the ten largest cities in the U.S., and the mobs were to arrive with designated signage (like “INVESTIGATE IRAQ-GATE NOW!”), met at their designated public venue for a prescribed 10 minutes, then dissipated rapidly?

What if this went on, rolling across smaller cities and venues, until a critical mass of the public got on board?

I can dream, can’t I?

Anybody know how to get in touch with MoveOn.org directly?

Tue, 15 Jul 2003 03:02:46 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: On the move with MoveOn.org

The following message asks for our help. If you’ve already signed the petition described below, thank you very much. If not, please consider doing so. Every little bit helps if we’re to ever get to the truth.

You might well ask: is this really part of the Build-A-Meme Project? No, in the sense that this particular project team didn’t develop or launch this “memetic” initiative. But yes, it is, in the sense that this is aligned with the fundamental objective of the Project: remove George W. Bush from the White House in 2004. I’ll stick my neck out and gladly add that our vision includes removing Bush sooner if the opportunity for impeachment exists.

Please sign if you can. Send a message to the Bush Administration and Congress, let them know we want the truth. Thank you.

--------------------------------------

Dear MoveOn member,

It's exciting: the campaign to get to the bottom of the Bush administration's distortion of evidence on Iraq is really taking off. Over 330,000 of us have signed the petition asking Congress to investigate -- already one of our largest petitions ever. We'll be delivering another batch of comments to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, and we know many House staff are excited and moved by what MoveOn members have sent thus far. And since we launched this campaign on Thursday, 11 Representatives have become co-sponsors of legislation for an investigation.

If we work together, we can hit 350,000 signers by Wednesday, and really impress Congress. But we'll need your help…we can do it if everyone who signed brings in a few more people. Please take a moment to forward the message below to your friends, and urge them to sign on now at:

http://www.moveon.org/wmdpledge/

You can automatically generate a message in most mail programs just by clicking here.

On Thursday, we also launched a new hard-hitting "Misleader" TV ad which asks whether the president misused intelligence to make the case for war. The ad says, "George Bush told us Iraq was a nuclear threat. He said they were trying to purchase uranium. That they were rebuilding their nuclear facilities. So we went to war. Now, there’s evidence we were misled. And almost every day, Americans are dying in Iraq. We need the truth, not a cover-up. Log on to misleader.org today."

Since Thursday, the ad has appeared (for free) on the news programs of CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox, PBS, and NPR, and was covered on the Washington Post on Friday. You can check it out at:

http://www.misleader.org/

Please take a moment to ask your friends and family to join the call. Just forward the message below. (Please only reach out to folks who you know personally and who want to hear from you on this -- Spam hurts the campaign.) Together, we can make sure that the truth on Iraq is told.

Sincerely,
--Eli Pariser
MoveOn.org
July 14th, 2003

Here's the message to send to your friends:

--------------------------------------

Subject: WMDs: Help us reach 550 signers by Weds.

Dear Friend,

The President took the nation to war based on his assertion that Iraq posed an imminent threat to our country. Now the evidence that backed that assertion is falling apart.

I've joined over 330,000 other people in calling on Congress to investigate at MoveOn.org. 402 other people from our Congressional district have already signed, but we're shooting for 550. Please take a moment to help us get there by signing on at:

http://www.moveon.org/wmdpledge/

If the Bush administration distorted intelligence or knowingly used false data to support the call to war, it would be an unprecedented deception. Even if weapons are now found, it'll be difficult to justify pre-war language that indicated that the exact location of the weapons was known and that they were ready to deploy at a moment's notice. With a crisis of credibility brewing abroad and the integrity of our President and our foreign policy on the line, we need answers now.

Please ask your Representative to pledge his or her support for an open investigation at:

http://www.moveon.org/wmdpledge/

A President may make no more important decision than whether or not to take a country to war. If Bush and his officials deceived the American public to create support for the Iraq war, they need to be held accountable.

Thanks.

--------------------------------------

Mon, 14 Jul 2003 04:26:01 GMT

Build-A-Meme Project: Ready to Rock?!?!

Let's lock and load, people; we’re tanned, fit and rested, the weather is right and the surf is high! It’s time to push our first meme-let to flex our muscles a bit.

Can we come to terms about a meme-let and the methodology for this inaugural push?

Can we come to terms about the measurements we can use for success/failure or something in-between?

Drop in at Freedom 2004 Forums, post any meme that’s come to mind of late, and let’s get together at least once this week for a chat. Does the Saturday 1200pm EDT Chat work for most of you? Let’s shoot for this one, or suggest an alternate date/time and we’ll try to work you in.

I think it’s critical we make the most of this big surf and catch the wave. Don’t you?