Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

Stop using mental illness to avoid talking about armed white supremacy.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about it’s history.”

Elections aren’t won by handwringing, cowering, and/or bashing your own candidates.

Fight them, without becoming them!

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

No Justins, No Peace

I conferred with the team and they all agree – still not tired of winning!

Every day Vance writes another chapter in the book called “Worst VP Pick Ever”.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the gop

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

Balloon Juice has never been a refuge for the linguistically delicate.

An unpunished coup is a training exercise.

Hi god, it’s us. Thanks a heap, you’re having a great week and it’s only Thursday!

The fight for our country is always worth it. ~Kamala Harris

Trump makes a mockery of the legal system and cowardly judges just sit back and let him.

Oh FFS you might as well trust a 6-year-old with a flamethrower.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Send Kay to Netroots Nation

Send Kay to Netroots Nation

by | 101 Comments

This post is in: 

Hello all- we are going to hold a brief, brief fundraiser this morning to pay for Kay to hit Netroots Nation. I would love to go, but I am a hopeless misanthrope, plus I have three furry kids and a garden. Mistermix is pseudonymous, as is DougJ, and DougJ would never leave the hotel bar. Anne Laurie hates traveling, has about 100 dogs, and would be miserable. I didn’t think Dennis G or Tom would want to go, so that left Angry Black Lady and Kay. In the end, I decided that it was probably too dangerous to have ABL go as our representative- we were afraid that she might stab to death the progressive caucus with an Obama 2012 lapel pin on a tequila fueled rampage, so we decided that Kay was our best bet.

In all seriousness, we though Kay would be the best representative because of her networking and local political activism, and she would get the most out of the organizing sessions and could then share them with all of us. This isn’t too expensive a trip:

Hotel expenses are 390- $130 a night.
Air fare is 450.
I figure 300 for expenses, food, and other things.
And then another 300 for registration. All in all, we are shooting for about 1440. So if you are interested in helping pay for the BJ rep, hit the paypal link.


Kay has a camera and video camera, so hopefully we will have lots of pics and other fun stuff.

*** Update ***

At $750 at 11 am. Almost halfway.

*** UPDATE ***

STOP. We are at 1600. No more donations needed unless you want them spent on liquor and cat treats. And I don’t need any liquor and Tunch, well, you know.

Reader Interactions

101Comments

  1. 1.

    mr. whipple

    In the end, I decided that it was probably too dangerous to have ABL go as our representative- we were afraid that she might stab to death the progressive caucus with an Obama 2012 lapel pin on a tequila fueled rampage,

    Would that be so wrong?

  3. 3.

    Sarah Proud and Tall

    @mr. whipple:

    I’m with mr. whipple. Happy though I am that Kay is going, and to contribute some cash, this:

    she might stab to death the progressive caucus with an Obama 2012 lapel pin on a tequila fueled rampage

    would get my purse wide open every time.

  4. 4.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @mr. whipple: We would be on the hook for a large legal bill. I suppose that if we got it all on video we could raise a significant amount.

  5. 5.

    geg6

    How long will this fundraiser last? Can’t do it today, but will be in if you can wait a few days.

    I went to NN when it was in Pittsburgh in 2009. It was interesting and fun. Cool to see so many good pols and bloggers.

  6. 6.

    Steeplejack

    Can we have one of those little “amount raised so far” thermometers? I like those.

  7. 7.

    Carnacki

    There are also scholarships available from Democracy for America. I was fortunate to receive one the first year they were offered and my airfare was covered by the kind donation of air miles from a stranger.

  8. 8.

    Poopyman

    I’m in. An easily satisfied stipulation has been attached. Mrs. P and I are going too, so hopefully we’ll run across her.

    Add me to the list that’d pay to see ABL do her Tasmanian Devil impersonation (Warner Bros version). Sadly though, I’ve been to the last couple NNs and the FDL contingent seems to shrink each time.

  9. 9.

    mistermix

    My corporation exercised its personhood by donating an undisclosed sum, and I encourage the rest of you moochers and looters to do the same.

  11. 11.

    Paul in KY

    I can send a donation, but I need a mailing address & whom to make the check out to. I don’t deal online.

  13. 13.

    Trinity

    Most excellent idea. Though I would pay good money to see ABL “on a tequila fueled rampage”!

    I get paid at the end of the month and will proudly drop in a few pennies at that time. :)

    Go Kay!

  14. 14.

    Breezeblock

    I’d have to check my moribund Paypal account. If I can remember the password that is…

  17. 17.

    piratedan

    a question, is FDL and the progressive caucus one and the same? I mean, I actually liked the Progressive Caucus budget that was submitted by Raul Grijalva et al…. or am I being needlessly obtuse by confusing the actual Progressive Caucus in Congress with different loose amalgamation of folks on da left?

  19. 19.

    imonlylurking

    I’m going to be volunteering. (Yes, I know!) Maybe we can have meet-up, for those of us who are not complete misanthropes? (And I would also pay good money to send ABL. That would be priceless.)

  21. 21.

    Shadow's Mom

    This is an excellent idea, and I look forward to Kay’s reports. I’m in, and would also like a ‘raised so far’ thermometer.

  22. 22.

    kindness

    Don’t you think Kay should deserve some ‘fun money’ as well? I mean, you are talking about sending her to Vegas aren’t you?

  23. 23.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Poopyman: Do you want to take that chance? Is there a BJ affiliated criminal lawyer in whatever state NN is being held? No, legal fees are likely.

    ETA: On a serious note, a lot of lawyers do actually perform pro bono work. I did over 200 hours last year.

  24. 24.

    Corner Stone

    @Tim F.:

    Also, Tim F. did not even go last year when NN was half a mile down the street from him. Too.

    Nice attempt at a save. But we all know Tim F is one of your fictional characters Cole. Or should I say…DOUGJ!!

  26. 26.

    Mary Jane

    @kindness: Vegas was last year. NN 2011 is in Minneapolis. It would be downright cruel not to pony up for an ABL presence in Sin City.

  27. 27.

    Jamie

    My meager contribution is earmarked for booze.

    Well, if you get a chance to pie a deserving senator, booze or a pie. Your call.

  32. 32.

    meh

    Kay has a camera and video camera, so hopefully we will have lots of pics and other fun stuff.

    What kind of pics? If they are sexytime pics, I’m in for $20

  34. 34.

    Jazz Superluminar

    “Well hello peeps! Ms Hamsher and Mr Greenwald, I presume?”
    “Oh, Hi! You must be Angry Black La..wait…what are you doing with that rusty pitch….aaaaarrrghhhh….aarghhhhhhhh….splat.”
    ” ‘nother Margherita please, waiter”

  35. 35.

    kay

    Thanks for the donations.
    I’ll ask later what you want me to look into. Grievances aired, scores settled, demands to candidates, etc. I need a list.
    If any of you are going, send me an email and we can meet.

  36. 36.

    geemoney

    @Omnes Omnibus: I don’t even know why this is a concern. Isn’t ABL a lawyer? She could do her bit, then do her bit. It’s very elegant, really.

  39. 39.

    John Cole

    I’m in, and would also like a ‘raised so far’ thermometer.

    Does anyone know how to do this with paypal? I can do it with actblue, but can not figure out how to use actblue to send money to Kay. About all I can do is submit screenshots of my paypal account, which started at zero because I don’t keep ANY cash in there due to the recent unpleasantness.

    As of right now, we have 607.18.

    Almost halfway there.

  42. 42.

    noodler

    @John Cole: JC, once you get the pp amount, just send it to her – that’s the link within your pp account page, either to her address or bank account directly (but that would require RTN and account number….). Just cut her a check from your own account and reimburse yourself using the pp account – it’s easy to get money out of your own pp account back to you.
    I’m in too.

  43. 43.

    Bizono

    This is an excellent idea. I’m in for a yuppie meal ticket. Looking forward to reading your reports, Kay.

  45. 45.

    John Cole

    @noodler: Is there a way to send directly to her bank account from paypal (Kay does not have paypal)? I was just going to write her a personal check and then send the paypal money to my account. If I could cut out a step, that would be awesome. Plus, it would give me documents so that when some idiot right-winger accuses me of fundraising to make myself RICH RICH RICH, I can SHOVE IT IN THEIR FACE.

  46. 46.

    David in NY

    This is awkward. I’d give a few bucks but have never gotten a paypal acct. Good luck and if we come up short, I’ll send a check or something.

  48. 48.

    Gin & Tonic

    @John Cole:

    Is there a way to send directly to her bank account from paypal

    Yes, I’ve done this. I don’t remember how, though. Helpful, I know.

  50. 50.

    noodler

    prob not, since she’ll get an email instructing her how to claim it, and u cannot directly shoot it into her bank.
    after i posted i figured you wanted to know about the thermometer thing and not the simple sending money process… When you reimb yourself, you could enter “Netroots Nation” as the payee, and send it to you via another email that way, and it’ll show up on your pp account as paid to NN

  52. 52.

    cyntax

    Done and done. Took a couple tries but finally hit on my PayPal password.

    If we pony-up for the legal defense fund can we send ABL next year?

  53. 53.

    eemom

    Jeezus Christmas, Cole, you didn’t need to expend all those words to explain to us why Kay is the one going. She’s the only one of y’all who ever does any WORK.

  54. 54.

    ABL

    oh, HELL NAW.

    i might pay my own way, herr cole, just so i can set some things-slash-people on fire, and dump some colon blow in select people’s drinks. (they know who they are.)

    besides asiangrrl lives in MN and i’m sure i could stay with her. two colored girls running wild at NN-11.

    somebody call joe francis.

  55. 55.

    SweetNostrils, fka Scuffletuffle

    Done and done! Through paypal as a guest, for those of us who do not have an account. Would definitely have coughed up for ABL. Also. Too.

  56. 56.

    Omnes Omnibus

    My PayPal account is locked up because PayPal is an asshole organization; is there a way to still donate?

  57. 57.

    Maude

    I’ll chip in a hat pin if ABL goes. Those are deadly and hurt like crazy.
    Can’t doante and pay rent at the same tiem.

  58. 58.

    Shadow's Mom

    Too bad about the thermometer thing. I did some searching around Paypal and according to their site login page info: Do Recipients Need a PayPal Account?

    Yes, they need a PayPal account to withdraw the money you send. This simple step helps PayPal protect you against fraud. If they don’t have a PayPal account, all they need is an email address to open one. They’ll get simple sign-up instructions included with their money notification from PayPal.

    OK, must stop putting off the work I need to do today.

  59. 59.

    eemom

    @ABL:

    my dear, I would WALK to Minneapolis to witness an encounter between you and Jane Hamsher.

    Also too, do they let Greenwald out of Brazil for this thing?

  60. 60.

    Belafon (formerly anonevent)

    Donated. But we also need to buy her all sorts of BJ stuff to wear. Is she willing to go in the FEED apron?

  62. 62.

    RoonieRoo

    Donated. I think this is a fantastic idea. I would love to hear Kay’s perspective and what she learns.

  63. 63.

    schrodinger's cat

    Can Kay take Tunch with her as BJ mascot?

    I iz in your netroots driving everyone nutty.

  66. 66.

    Kristine

    Sent.

    Kay will be a great BJ rep.

    ABL would be, too. I think she lets out the emotion the page, but we’ve seen the photos of a pretty woman with a big smile. I think she would bury them in Lawyer, which isn’t the worst thing that could happen to some folks.

  67. 67.

    ruemara

    Oh I am in. Um, hopefully, I will make a sale or 2 to make it a touch larger, but I’d forgo a full tank to send kay to NN.

  70. 70.

    WaterGirl

    @WaterGirl: With 19 seconds to go, I tried to edit my comment to say that I am fine with my donation going for spending money for Kay if you get enough donations to cover the other expenses.

  72. 72.

    Poopyman

    @eemom: Just for the record, I don’t recall seeing she.who.must.not.be.named the past couple of years. At least she wasn’t keeping a high profile. And then again, it’s a new year.

  73. 73.

    Yutsano

    @ABL:

    besides asiangrrl lives in MN and i’m sure i could stay with her. two colored girls running wild at NN-11.

    And you’d get to meet her two boys, who I bet would lurve you just as much as they love her. And NN could definitely benefit from the injection of two proud strong women of color classing up the joint.

  74. 74.

    jayackroyd

    @eemom:

    Glenn wasn’t in Pittsburgh, IIRC (2009). I wasn’t in Vegas (2010) so I dunno.

    He WAS in Chicago (2007).

  75. 75.

    WaterGirl

    @stuckinred: It’s 82 here and it feels like august. Bet you don’t miss the weather! The google tells me it’s 56 in minneapolis at the moment. I would gladly take that over 82 and humid!

    But, to answer your question, adult beverages aren’t cheap these days, and everyone feels better with what my dad used to call ‘walking around money’ in their pocket.

  77. 77.

    Tim, Interrupted

    Netroots Nation is a sad little blogger version of the Beltway Kool Kids circle jerk. What the hell is its purpose, other than to kiss each others’ asses and get everyone more or less on the same page, which is never a good thing for the readers?

    The golden age of blogging ended when networking bullshit like this began to introduce “professional relationships” and “networking” and other corrupting nonsense into the ether.

    This money would be much better spent rescuing dogs other than Pit Bulls, or paying Cole’s psychological counseling bills.

  81. 81.

    asiangrrlMN

    I’m in. I think Tunchie needs moar treats. And, I am notoriously bad at following instructions. And, I admire kay’s work. I only ask for a lap dance in return. What????

    @ABL: Grrrrl, you make it to NN, and we will party like it’s 1999! Seriously. You and me. In the NN. Ripping up shit. It just got real.

    You just have to give me warning so I can clean.

    @Yutsano: One of my boys will hide no matter what. Shadow is like that with new people. And, I’ll leave it to ABL to class up the joint. I’ll be the foulmouthed troublemaker!

  82. 82.

    John Cole

    @WaterGirl: I already factored in spending money.

    We have enough. Stop sending money. I’m going to use the extra hundred to defer the cost of the Cagle Cartoon subscription I bought so Anne Laurie can post cartoons to her hearts delight.

  84. 84.

    Quarks

    Absolutely delighted to see Kay going, and looking forward to her posts, but dare I hope that Sarah will also be contributing her social escapades at this event?

  86. 86.

    Poopyman

    @John Cole: Jeebus, you guys. It took three hours to come up with the cash. Yinz’re slowing down.

    Edited cuz FYWP had re-timestamped Cole’s original post.

  89. 89.

    Gravenstone

    @ABL: If this happens, I am so making the jaunt up I-94. If for nothing more than the witness the carnage.

  90. 90.

    Anne Laurie

    Anne Laurie hates traveling and people networking, has about 100 three dogs, and would be miserable.

    For the record, John did ask if I would be interested, and I told him Kay would be a MUCH better rep for the blog.

    Thanks to all who contributed, and Kay, I’m really looking forward to your reports!

  91. 91.

    Shoemaker-Levy 9

    No, you should have sent ABL.

    1. It would have spared us a few days of her personal vendettas taking up half the front page,

    2. she might have run into a few of the people who seem to drive her fits of rage, discovered that they are real people with whom she shares quite a bit of common ground, and

    3. then maybe we wouldn’t have so much of what I referenced up in #1.

  92. 92.

    ABL

    @mr. whipple: i find the very notion offensive.

    I DON’T DRINK TEQUILA, JACKASS.

    ;)

    ETA: Cole being the jackass, but of course. My fee-fees are hurt. You know how I feel about Laphroaig, John.

  93. 93.

    ABL

    @Shoemaker-Levy 9: I have an iPad, jerkwad. No one is safe from my “vendettas,” if that’s what you call holding propagandistic bloggers accountable for their bullshit.

    you do realize that you can scroll on by. of course you do; you prefer to point out to the class that “I really REALLY DON’T LIKE ABL. WAAAH.”

    go outside and do something productive, won’t you?

  95. 95.

    ABL

    “Well hello peeps! Ms Hamsher and Mr Greenwald, I presume?”
    “Oh, Hi! You must be Angry Black La..wait…what are you doing with that rusty pitch….aaaaarrrghhhh….aarghhhhhhhh….splat.”
    ” ‘nother Margherita whisky please, waiter”

    Fix’d.

  97. 97.

    Jim C

    and DougJ would never leave the hotel bar.

    You say this like it’s a bad thing. I’m skint, but we could always keep going just to send DougJ to the NN hotel bar – we’d only need travel and booze money – he certainly wouldn’t need lodgings.

  98. 98.

    cynickal

    I am a hopeless misanthrope

    Doesn’t that come from living in hillbilly country at the same time they exchange your teeth for a banjo?

  100. 100.

    BD of MN

    I think Kay should hold court over a B-J Minneapolis get-together while in town…

Comments are closed.