Our chat with Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter has been postponed until March 24th. Today Jane and Howie want to bring up the next step for Blue America, a progressive speakers bureau.
——————————
There just aren't enough people on TV reflecting a progressive political perspective on a regular basis. The right has long had an advantage on this front — they identify people early, train them and book them just about anywhere to talk about just about anything.
The success of FDL's coverage of the Libby trial has prompted a lot of people to say "what's next?" And what's next is a Blue America speaker's bureau. Bloggers know what's happening in the news better than anyone, but they don't have access to many of the speaking opportunities that the right still dominates. Do we really need Kate O'Beirne interpreting current events for us? I don't think so. But providing an alternative — identifying good speakers, getting them the training they need, hiring a booker who will constantly be working to get them speaking engagements everywhere from college campuses to cable news shows — that is the challenge.
Fox "News," in their unrelenting quest for "fair and balanced" has just hired a former Republican member of Congress and a former Democratic member. The Republican is uber-reactionary Rick Santorum, one of the most extremist members of the Senate in modern times. And they balance that out with… Harold Ford, Jr., a right-of-center Democrat who chairs the odious, corporate-backed DLC. How many times have you wanted to kick your TV set in when the "Democratic perspective" on an issue was represented not by a clued in progressive but by Joe Lieberman or by Inside-the-Beltway powerplayers with non-values-oriented agendas like Donna Brazile or James Carville?
On January 20, Matt Stoller, Tom Swan and myself (Howie) were visiting Jane in the hospital and this whole Speakers Bureau idea became a topic of conversation while Jane drifted, happily, in and out of consciousness. Since then the four of us plus John Amato, Joel Silverman and several other FDL community members have been trying to hone the idea into some kind of reality. It's still a work in progress and Jane and I thought we'd like to open it up to the members of the community for ideas and suggestions.
The next step is financing both intensive training seminars and the hiring a booker. To that end, this week Jane was telling me about all these great bits and pieces of memorabilia she had from the Libby trial. Having done several eBay auctions for People For the American Way that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, a light immediately went off in my head. I tried (unsuccessfully) getting the Louboutins away from her but we did come up with a great list of items we could offer for sale in a Blue America eBay auction, including the Dianne von Furstenberg silk wrap dress she wore to the Bill Clinton meeting in Harlem as well as in court when the Libby verdict was read. We're looking for more items now and if everyone keeps it on their minds, all sorts of opportunities will present themselves. Example: Jane will be interviewing Dan Rather at SXSW this coming Monday and she's going to get a copy of "What's the Frequency, Kenneth" signed by him– at which time we'll see if we can get those great R.E.M. guys to sign it too. A unique and collectible valuable eBay item conjured up out of nowhere. I bet lots of people will come up with even better ideas.
We're really excited about the idea of the speaker's bureau. Not only will it allow people to like Cliff Schecter to be paid for their efforts (colleges pay speakers, cable news doesn't), it will allow them to hone their speaking skills and take the message into venues that have been dominated by conservatives for eons. We'll be providing infrastructure to get progressive messaging out into the political discourse beyond the blogosphere on a regular basis, and that is a very valuable and much-needed service.
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HOWIE!
JANE!
BLUE AMERICA!
I hope someone rescued that “Firedoglake” label on Pach’s seat in the media room…
KUSF!
This is wonderful, and long, long overdue.
KUSF? I used to work there.
John Emerson @ 3
Thanks John. We are totally looking for imput from the community on the idea. We also need an eBay master (or mistress) with lots of eBay experience– and time– to run our auction.
Can we get Kate O’Beirne’s teeth?
Jacqrat @ 6
No, eBay has strict rules about body parts.
BRILLIANT, Howie, BRILLIANT!!!!
howieklein @ 4
Yeah. I tuned into you every day.
howieklein @ 7
What about the sandpaper in her skivvies? I’m sure the basements of America are filled with dudes who love them some NRO porn!
Christy?
Jane (if she feels up to it)? Or Marcy?
And, Howie, thank you, and Matt and Tom for being there when Jane needed you.
Matt Stoller, himself, is very good.
Yay! Great idea. That’s the front we need to be moving forward on. I have a suspicion that there will be a whole lot of informed, articulate, passionate speakers just waiting for the right platform.
What all would the EBay mistress or master entail? Perhaps Phoenix Woman or some of the other posters, like Trex or Pach could do it? They could also serve as speakers.
Kathryn in MA @ 8
I’ll second that!
The next step is financing both intensive training seminars and the hiring a booker.
good to see your business model varies from the GOP model, where the next step is to hire a hooker, or a six-pack of ‘em for their training seminars.
Kathryn in MA @ 13
To be honest, we were probably there because we needed Jane. I shouldn’t speak for the others, but I know that’s how I feel about it. Helping out a tiny little bit has been one of the mosy fulfilling experiences I’ve had in many years.
I have been wondering when this would happen. This is a great idea that is about twenty years overdue.
Glad to see you guys are leading the charge! Uhm, what’s going on with Bernie Sanders’ efforts to restore the fairness doctrine?
This is SUCH a great idea. And one of those “why haven’t we been able to do this all along” sorts of things.
howieklein @ 18
I feel a lot better knowing you are there for Jane, Howie.
Great idea, especially the training. I assume the Bureau itself will be regionalized.
Ann in AZ @ 16
Well the person in charge of the auction would have to oversee the whole thing for a week online and prepare for it for a week before it goes up and make sure everything goes smoothly afterwards. My guess is that it would be at least a week of hard work. The overseer will have to be responsible for everything but procuring the items. As for T-rex, we’re hoping to auction him off so I doubt he’ll be able to run the auction itself. What we really need is someone with big-time eBay experience.
I’m already chuckling at the humor that will no doubt describe the eBay auction items… and will be checking later today with a friend who has lots of experience writing and ‘packaging’ items for auctions.
Are you limiting to ‘political’ items, or do you have a general theme?
Would Swopa part with his leather jacket?
I know I’d bid on a photo of Marcy wearing it. *cough*
Lynn @ 23
We were just discussing that idea today. We certainly need well-informed and media-trained bloggers everywhere who can get on local TV and radio and make cogent points and present the progressive POV on all subjects. There’s a lot going on in DC, NY and L.A. in terms of media, but there are TV and radio stations everywhere in the country.
Go Marcy Go Jeffs (EPU LINK)
Oh! I want TRex’s “Pope cap” ;-)
Nice to think that speakers would be able to also LISTEN to what others have to say, and bring that back into the policy or political process.
surfk9 @ 19
Can someone explain why? I’m sure I’m out of touch here, but it seems to me that there are actually plenty of articulate liberal/progressive types out there, and the “media” simply choose to ignore them. Is the problem that there’s just no place to go to book them if you’re a college or other organization?
Great idea! Just in time to mobilize for 2008. K*ck some ass and get more Dems elected to the Senate.
how much for the Birkin handbag?
readerOfTeaLeaves @ 25
At first I wanted to keep it related to Plamegate but Jane wisely pointed out that we need to go much wider. I’d like to keep it somewhat oriented towards progressive politics but the idea here is to raise the money we need to get the speakers bureau going so…
Joe Conason!!!
Seriously, I’ve thought Joe should be the guest liberal on the NewsHour when Mark Shields is away, instead of centerist concern trolls like Tom Oliphant. EJ Dionne is okay, but still way too nice.
David Brooks has a veneer of niceness to cover his wingnut screeds, and Paul Gigot didn’t even have that.
Joe Conason would be the perfect foil for the wingnuts.
Suggested speaker:
leveymg from KOS
The diary over there is huge and difficult. This has to be translated to daily news.
MSM booking agents handle “the gets” and they all have their regular stable of “experts.”
Cujo359 @ 30
Well at the heart of out bureau will be a professional and well-connected media booker whose job is to get progressives out there. That’s as key as the training sessions.
A copy of Anatomy Of Deceit, autographed by Marcy, Jane, and the Wilsons might fetch a comely price.
-ck- @ 34
I hope everyone knows that Joe will be here at FDL tomorrow on the Book Salon. His book is incredibleand important and everyone should read it. He was always one of my favorite guests on Al Franken’s Air America show.
-ck- @ 34
I’ve liked what I’ve seen of his work at Salon. It’s generally well-researched, and even though it’s somewhat opinionated, there’s lots of useful information to consider. He’s proof that you don’t have to be a neutral voice to provide good news content.
I don’t know if he’s a good debater or speaker, but if he is he’d be a good choice.
darkblack @ 38
I bet we can add a certain prosecutor to that list of autpgraphs. ssssssshhh….
Kathryn from MA, How long have you been putting Lieberman at the table?
howieklein @ 24
So let me get this straight (no pun intended); Trex would be for sale to the highest bidder?
Or, Trex services would be for sale to the highest bidder? I don’t know which is worse, or if there is any difference!
Cujo359 @ 30
In my humble experience, it’s either the entrenched DLC corporatists types who are on the media, or else it’s nothng. When was the last time that my local Chamber of Commerce had a union rep talking about OSHA changes, or had anyone talking about moving health care reform forward…?
Doesn’t happen.
Needs to be much more, better storytelling around topics that range further than ‘tax cuts’ or the next local bond election.
And also, why should Schecter not be paid? Look how much that brazen O’Reilly makes?! And Schecter has so much more to say.
suggestion for message honing consultant: George Lakoff and the Rockridge Institute
Whomever is hired as booker needs to know some MSM bookers and producers. It’s time to start making some inroads into US MSM, even if tentative.
howieklein @ 41
I didn’t hear it here first
;>)
howieklein @ 41
If you could get a picture of him in rugby shorts you’d finance the whole project right there.
howieklein @ 32
I suggest Oodles of Poodles Paraphernalia.
I’ve sold some items on eBay, and my brother has the big time experience that I could use as resource. I can do it, providing that someone else without more experience doesn’t volunteer.
Wouldn’t a professionally printed and nicely framed darkblack effort bring some coin?
Those R.E.M boys will all be together in the Apple Monday night.
Ann in AZ @ 43
I was thinking– before checking with T-rex– of offering him up as the host of a dinner (along with a certain international celebrity I don’t want to mention yet)– a kind of toastmaster and chaperone. John Amato has already agreed to do something similar. (Jane and John and I had a nice raw food dinner last night and tossed around ideas for items while eating all this delicious healthy stuff.)
I’ve thought before that an ebay auction would be fun for general FDL fundraising. It is something that could almost be self sustaining.
This far reaching group of FDL addicts probably includes some artists etc. This could be a large ebay site(store) where we could donate items to sell. I would make some handmade lampwork bracelets to donate.
Blue America Speaker’s Bureau:an idea who’s time is long overdue. Carville and Brazile have long been co-opted. Carville’s pillow talk is said to have killed Kerry’s strategy. Matalin is said to have used the Dem’s plans against Kerry. Hillary should watch her back. Progressives need to compete and push back the litany of lies and talking points conservatives have sold.Will Russert and Matthews fairly balance their shows? Not so far. Go get ‘em. Keith Olbermann’s show would be a great new home for fresh voices. Dana Milbank isn’t the ‘balance we need. Go Blue!!
One of my favorite moments of the past week was the clip I saw over at Cooks & Liars of Rachel Maddow comparing Ann Coulter’s need for publicity to that of a tape worm need for a large intestine, and that of course gave birth to this http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..und-drang/
Is it okay to ask someone to put the link up to KOS from LS@55 in the last thread?
It’s huge.
raven @ 52
We know we can count on them. They’re true believers
OfT: Bay Area Pups, Obama in Oakland on St. Patricks Day.
TeddySanFran @ 51
Who’d pay good money for that hack?
;>)
Oh, I meant darblack.
inmymind’seye @ 56
That literally almost made me throw up.
TeddySanFran @ 59
Thanks, TeddySanFran.
Well, in all seriousness, I think this is a great idea. It’s time to unveil to the world the idea that progressives and liberals are not the demons that they’ve been made out to be. The best thing we can do is showcase representatives that can prove what progressive values really are, as well as what they are not.
TeddySanFran @ 59
Teddy, be sure to get him to sign something for the auction
punaise @ 45
I always think of “Blazing Saddles” when I see the Rock Ridge Institute.
Jonathan Turley at Georgetown U is someone to consider.
darkblack @ 60
well, you know, that B. Spears bear rug thing you did fell into the “so bad it’s good category”, so you never know… :~)
Somebody call Howard Zinn.
howieklein @ 62
Well that’s appropriate because that’s the same reaction I have everytime I see her. YUCH!
Why not make the speakers bureau a cooperative that we all could invest in to a greater or lesser degree depending on finances, so that not only would we be contributing money to a good cause we would also be a part of its success. We needn’t all have to have a say in its day to day. Just a thought. We could also, each of us individually, pick items in our households to sell on ebay which would be dedicated to a fund for this bureau. I am probably way redundant after reading other posts but the general idea seems to be aa good one. More thoughts?
Has anyone else here had the experience of being at a presentation when ‘user feedback’ handheld devices were shared?
My most memorable was at a day long mini conference related to city infrastructure. No sooner had the Big Elected Political Kahuna left the room than the speaker mischievously said, “Now, let’s see whether there is any concensus in this room (of 300 people) about why this region hasn’t moved forward faster…”
Everyone had a handheld ‘voting’ device, to use anonymously. As people pressed their “votes” the data screen projected behind the speaker displayed a graph of the votes.
The guy presented a list of 8 topics: money, intercity fighting, etc… then his final topic was “Lack of Leadership.”
The experience of being in a room with a very diverse group of interests, and watching about 90% of the room vote for “Lack of Leadership” in solving very expensive problems was just… phenomenally important.
People who had hardly spoken to one another all day began chattering within 5 minutes. It was like the whole emotional tone changed, once people collectively experienced that stunning realization that they DID agree — after that moment, it was like some kind of dam had broken, and a lot of good conversation started to take place.
That kind of thing simply doesn’t happen on teevee.
Rachel Maddow! Howie knows of my obsession. She’s awesome… (not to mention fodder for serious lesbian-cash raising if she donated some of her personal items).
Boston1775 @ 42
He does belong to some other extra-governmantal (sinister!) group whose name i don’t rmember, and i can’t think of any other motive.
Arianna, of course, will be a speaker. She’s sharp and usually cuts through the bullsh*t. Plus, she’s already a regular fixture on MSM cable, mostly on the other Howie’s “Unreliable Sources” on CNN.
TeddySanFran @ 61
Now, that motherf*cker’s an artist.
;>)
punaise @ 68
Yeah, but that’s just riffing on Daniel Edwards…Bearskin Britney was his concept, I just put the training wheels on.
;>)
Just wanted to say that I recently had a conversation with Cliff Schecter over at a DailyKos diary regarding the need for good, trained, adept speakers to present the progressive political perspective on television. I am so delighted to hear of this new effort and I promise to support it financially. This is indeed a very worthy effort.
you know what?
this idea has much more merit then first glance;
I think we need to “certify” the supposed “liberal pundits” corporate media tries to make believe represent democrats and the majority of Americans
perfect, if they put someone on that the progressives haven’t certified we will discard it as republican propaganda
very very nice
Maddy @ 71
That’s kind of what we are hoping for, Maddy.
A female commentator discussing the Libby trial just said that Fitzgerald said “CASE CLOSED”! Fitz said the case is inactive unless further evidence is presented. That is a huge difference. How can CNN get away with that?
Biodun @ 75
Arianna already has an agent and is one of the best progressive speakers around. Jane, John, Digby and I went and had a nice healthy dinner with her and got some valuable advice from her about this stuff. I know she’ll be helping us pull it together.
Howie, in a roundabout way, this is on topic (speaking up), but go over to Drifty’s and scroll down to “My Name is Legion, parts 1 and 2.”
(OOps, edited name of post)
LS @ 80
Because it’s actually quite possible, if they have not been following the trial closely — or haven’t been listening to credible sources — that they actually don’t get it.
Which is why this whole concept is so important.
howieklein @ 5
Hmm, I have a friend who has a mostly eBay-based business, and has lots of experience. She’s a strong progressive, but I’m not sure she can afford to take an intensive week to do a volunteer job. I’ll check, though.
Before I forget, I want to let everyone know that next Saturday at this time, Jerry Meek, the chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, will be joining us. He’s an incredible guy– and a non-Establishment, grassroots, Howard Dean type who took on the whole North Carolina Democratic Party… and beat them. If you know anyone in NC, make sure to let them know Jerry’s gonna be our guest next week.
Kobe is willing to donate his nobel prize nomination. He’s big like that.
Howie @ #85. Interesting, since NC has the Research Triangle. That ought to be one interesting discussion, given the economic and demographic shifts in that state.
howieklein @ 85
This is very exciting, since Mrs. Dole’s seat is up next year. She has not committed to a re-election effort, iirc.
Has anyone in the FDL community ever considered tapping into George Soros? He has deep pockets and drives the Repugs crazy. Plus he recently bought some shares in Halliburton! Shrewed move, eh?
howieklein @
7
Um, does that apply to human parts or non-human parts?
This is a great idea.
That’s the second time Howie has mentioned a nice, healthy dinner.
Will you be auctioning off a delicious raw food meal, prepared by Chef Howie? Or at least compiling a “recipe book” (can’t call it COOK-book if the food is raw, right?)
Hi Howie –
I use a blogging utility I developed, kind of a glorified autocorrect combined with court reporting theory. For instance, when I type cnl, “C&L” comes out. fdll = Firedoglake, chss = Christy Hardin Smith, jhh = Jane Hamsher, aod = Anatomy of Deceit, fifibs = finifiniTOOBZ
and etc
(and yes, TRex, you are in there: “trex” comes out TRex — totally saves the wrists on those caps!)
it also has html codes, like EDIT EDIT the bold code and the link code and things like that
Anyway, I’d be happy to donate a customized version of this tool. The lucky winner will get everything I use, plus I will customize it with words and terms the winner types all the time but would rather not.
Only caveat, it works for pc, not for Mac, at this point.
[/lurk]
It’s great to have powerhouse names to go and speak to/on the media. But, anyone of us can become speakers for the movement in our own communities. How many times do you go to a town hall meeting or other get together? If you’re not comfortable speaking in public, check out Toastmasters for a low cost way to improve your skills.
Who knows which commenter from FDL will be the next media spokesperson?[lurk]
Biodun @ 89
Jane and I are having a meeting with someone tomorrow who may be able to help us interest the Soros folks in the Speakers Bureau. We’ll at leats get some advice about what they need to see before making an investment.
Not only is it a brilliant idea long overdue—set up the donation button and I will be among the first to send money. I’m sure there are a helluva lot of others who feel the same.
Re: healthy dinner. No sausages or quail wings, please.
This is a fantastic idea. How about creating a media center to tape and play back their performances and ask seasoned mentors to critique them? This could help them improve their on-camera skills “offline”.
(If this was mentioned in the comments already, forgive me, I just scrolled down to jump into the conversation.)
LindaR @ 93
I’ll be bidding on that one!!!
Plebian duties call, but I would say that if there was an interest or desire that I would contribute a piece for the process.
Biodun @ 97
…especially if they’ve been reheated, Fruit Of The Loom style.
;>)
Jeez, Howie. I should have known: You guys are really on the ball, eh? Although I’m a few steps behind you. *g*
not to advocate violence, but I’d donate some cash to see someone slap Rich Lowry silly on live TV. metaphorically speaking, of course.
FDL American(media)Idol.
RagingGurrl @ 98
Jane was telling me that this is a big part of the training strategy– and it’s two weeks worth of intense drilling like that.
howieklein @ 99
ha — it will change your life!
As I recall…Ellen DeGeneres used/uses Ebay auctions quite effectively to raise money for animal rights organizations, via her TV show. This is a terrific idea! There are so many progressives (Tim Robbins and Susan Saradon come to mind) who might be willing to contribute items.
fiddich @ 94:
The idea and plan is to develop platforms and then extend them.
Boston1775 @
42
Actually, i said i think he WANTS to be at the table. that’s where the ultimate power and money is, where the “cool kids” play.
I swear…. I love this post and the Blue Speakers Bureau idea. And I am engaging my little brain wheels to see if I can add to the discussion. But… my FIRST reaction to this:
is…this is not the time to jump the shark! “I got the dress that Jane wore AT THE TRIAL!” like it’s a Jackie O original???? It just strikes me as ridiculous…. and provides soooo much fodder for ridicule from the right. I mean, are toe nail clippings next?
I swear, I am not just coming into this thread to criticize or demean. (the Dan Rather signed book idea is excellent).
On to more productive thoughts. Why get a booker? We have people all over the internets from every nook and cranny in the USA (and beyond!).
What we should do is getting firm commitments from activists in each state and put them to work in getting things booked.
1. That person will know the needs of their locale, ie, what groups of people are in serious need of a good talkin to;
2. They may have contacts at universities, etc. or could find someone with those contacts; and
3. They can certainly help fundraise for the funds to get the speaker there. They can ensure great lodging and care for the speaker, rides to/from the airport… just basically make sure our speaker is hosted well.
Downside: Those local booking volunteers could totally drop the ball!
OT–but related:
I wonder how whether Joe is pleased with his new constituent in Middletown.
Randi Rhodes would make a great speaker and/or instructor at Progressive U.
Howie,
I’m glad to see you suggest the Ebay auction. I had a similar idea which I proposed to the guys at MYDD awhile back. I didn’t get a response from them, but I still think this is an idea worth exploring. My thought is not a one-time Ebay event, but rather an ongoing effort to raise money for progressive infrastructure by continually running Ebay auctions. Here is what I wrote:
“I’ve been tossing around this notion for awhile, and would like to get your reaction. It’s a bit wacky, so don’t laugh just yet….
I share your frustration with the fact that the progressive infrastructure is under-funded. If we had half the money the Right gives to their guys we would kick their butts right out of the game. Anyway, I’m a bit of an Ebay junkie. I deal in American paintings and musical instruments, and spend a fair amount of time on that site. It occurs to me that we might be able to raise a boatload of money if our supporters donated items to the cause and the money went to Blogpac.
Americans have way too much stuff. A lot of us are cash-poor but have unused merchandise which could add up to a significant $$ total– guitars, stereo gear, cars, boats, jewelry, cameras, artwork, etc. If we could figure out the mechanics of how to aggregate the goods and offer them on Ebay, I’m pretty optimistic that we could generate hundreds of thousands if not millions of $$ for Blogpac. I have been involved with a lot of benefits and live auctions for various good causes, and it is my experience that people are a lot more generous with goods than they are with cash. The guy who won’t cough up $50 in cash will donate a $5000 object. As the recent MYDD survey indicated, we are in touch with a fairly upscale demographic.
Since most of the folks in our circle are already pretty Internet-savvy, I don’t think it would be too difficult to get them to send digital photos to a central place where a couple of bright and ambitious administrators (paid, hopefully) would deal with the nuts and bolts of putting it on Ebay. I’m sure we would encounter some glitches and issues with this idea, but I have a hunch that people would respond favorably and be quite generous. I bet that if a post was put up at sites like Kos and MYDD or FDL, or if MoveOn sent out a blast e-mail to their list, we would have no shortage of willing donors. Once the idea got rolling it would be self-sustaining and could mushroom into something very big. As I look around my place at the moment, I can spot at least 5 or 10 things that I could live without, but which would bring decent $$ on Ebay.
Would appreciate your thoughts. If this sounds nuts, just let me know. But I think it has enormous potential, given proper management. And it might be a great deal of fun for the community.”
Regards,
Global Yokel
as would the Young Turks. And Ed Schultz.
Oh, RadRobin, I had to laugh. The Dianne von Furstenberg dress got me drooling! I want it!! I want it!!
infinite variety . . .
A tag sale on ebay will speak to regular people.
As much as we all need money, this can never be about the money. The enormous money we are up against (see link LS at 55 from the last Train post) cannot be matched.
People do not believe that true patriotism still exists. People expect to “find the money”.
Al Franken for sure, whom I’m hoping would represent me starting January 2009.
How much does a good booker cost? Who books Donna Brazile? She’s awful. Who books the smart progressive lady with the German accent? She is awesome. Why does Brazile get more face time than Ariana? Will they bump Brazile in favor of another?
I hope the Speakers’ Bureau is also going to offer training on how to go in front of the cameras. I think Schecter does a workshop on this, and he’s planning on doing it at the Kos Konvention this summer.
BTW, I agree on the dress auctioning thing. Kinda lame. How about an autographed notebook from Marcy?
i’d wear that dress – ‘cept it’s probably a size 4.
Another one of my bright ideas is a progressive credit card, something along the lines of what Working Assets does. I’d be delighted to be a holder of a credit card that featured reasonable interest rates, and donated some portion of the profits to financing progressive infrastructure.
Arianna has a Greek accent. She was born in Greece.
Kathryn in MA, Yes, you said he wants it. I’m wondering if there are ways to tie Lieberman to Cerebrus?
Lame, nothing, you guys! Dianne von Furstenburg? Worn by Jane in the presence of Fitz? And you guys think baseballs are collectables. pffft
darkblack @
100
The old Turdblossom extrusion. So veddy nice for the pundits and pundettes.
-GSD
dave @ 118
Schecter e-mailed me this morning and said he’s more than willing to help out with the training.
Probably no way – doubt he is a member of the big stuff – still a wannabe.
Donna Brazile gets more facetime than Arianna because she’s gotten more exposure. In media, MSM or otherwise, exposure is crucial. And then you need a narrative and people to articulate it. That’s what this speakers bureau is all about.
LindaR @
114
LOL! Well, if you get it, you have to model it and post pics!
Okay, okay, okay! I guess there is a market for everything! (I guess I can relate. If Frankenoid from dkos/MLW who does the Sat Garden Blog ever auctioned off HER garden spade, I guess I would pretty much run over anyone to get it. I guess I can be a fan/groupie dare I say)
howieklein @
95
Howie, why not also pursue a grant from Soros’ OpenSociety and not just an investment?
I think either the Media Program or the Information Program under the Media, Arts & Culture Initiative might be an excellent fit. There might also be restrictions that encourage a broad, non-partisan approach, but the suffocation of our media eventually suppresses all perspectives and not merely progressives.
Let’s call it a Plan B.
Rayne @ 129
Wow, great idea from teh big-brained Rayne!
Rayne @ 129
Anyone here know how to write a grant proposal?
Howie-
I had emailed Jane about offering my video editing skills to any upcoming projects. I’d be happy to help if you were looking to compile some video “do’s” and “don’ts,” i.e. examples of people who performed well on camera and people who spit the bit.
Please email me at surfsup1967 at gmail dot com if you think I might be of any help.
Thanks,
Mike
I am late to the parade – been baking a birthday cake, but this was my first idea. M. de Plume collects modern firsts and even though he hasn’t paid attention to the Libby thing too much, I would bid on this for “our” collection. In a few years this will be priceless.
Let me just jump in here and say thank you to Jane and Howie! First of all because this is overdue, and an absolutely fantastic idea! The establishment ain’t ever going to get around to it, obviously, so we need Jane and Howie to continue in the spirit in which they have helped the cause for what seems like forever now…
And second, let me just say I was honored you guys mentioned my name in this piece. I will continue to do what I can to get our message out there, and train others to do so. And this will be a BIG HELP.
Bravo guys…once again, you are amazing!
Lynn Woolsey, Cindy Sheehan, the Code Pinks . . .
Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, George Clooney, Warren Beatty . . .
R.E.M., The Dixie Chicks, Neil Young, Pearl Jam . . .
Banksy, The Wooster Collective, of course darkblack . . .
ADC “Designism” Panel Debates Role and Responsibility of Creatives to Instigate Social Change
How DJs Put 500,000 Marchers in Motion
Anarchy in the USA: Are Bloggers the New Punks?
Global Yokel @ 120 — great idea.
If anyone needs additional reasons for a speaker’s bureau, I just checked out that Kos post mentioned earlier on this thread (and another). OMG.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/10/21556/5045
Sounds like somthing called “Cerberus Capital Management” is going to help explain quite a few insideous things.
IIRC, in Greek myth, Cerberus was the many-headed dog that guarded the gates of hell. Apparently, this company is aptly named.
We’re going to need some skilled explainers, because this promises to raise a whole lot of questions.
Hey welcome to Blue America, Cliff. When are you on TV kicking some right-wing butt next?
OT — for Jane and Christy, if they are out there…
Did you happen to catch the bit at TPM with Joe DiGenova going all faux angry about the smearing of U.S. Attorneys by USAG’s office?
Damned near spewed my beverage.
Apparently a special advisor to the administration can smear a U.S. Attorney’s performance, though. Or maybe it’s okay if you’re sleeping with the special advisor.
Typocrite.*
(*Thank you the FirePup who coined this a couple nights ago…)
I am starting on my own little path to little revolutions one at a time. I will be speaking at our city council meeting Wednesday at the invitation of a city councilor who is beginning her climb up the political ladder. My topic is a local environmental one, but we have many more plans – such as getting the local paper to dump the Coultergeist and perhap start being the paper’s home-grown opinion writers a la Molly Ivins and getting rid of the screeds the paper subscribes to.
Ask Henry Waxman for an autographed copy of his letter to Patrick Fitzgerald.
howieklein @ 131
My wife has experience writing grant proposals. When she wakes up from her nap I can ask her. :)
Way to go, GdP!
howieklein @ 131
Not personally, but I’m sure that there are FirePups out there who do…
And I’m absolutely certain we have a bunch of very, very fast learners.
Howie, here’s your homework for you and the rest of the “godparents” brainstorming this since no matter who does the actual grant preparation, need to be able to articulate these points clearly and succinctly; once they are fleshed out, the rest will fall into place.
Good exercise even if you and the godparents decide to go for venture capital since you need to flesh out a business plan.
Thanks readerofTeaLeaves at 136. This diary is so damning, so dense…
Just last week, I was asking the new Congressman about privatization of Walter Reed. He said he would look into it. (His first bill is to stop war profiteering in Iraq.)
Less than a week later, that diary appears.
Mind boggling.
The Republican is uber-reactionary Rick Santorum, one of the most extremist members of the Senate in modern times.
Sorry for the outburst, but NO Gawd No, I thought Little Rickie was retired already. . . I am so put out
And the speakers should all end up on CBS evening news. They’re struggling, been taken over by Rick Kaplan and maybe if we could push them back to the side of reporting what used to be considered news (I don’t care about corporate interference or shareholder issues). Is there a way to google bomb the Nielsen ratings? Is there a way to suggest to Mr. Kaplan that there is an audience for news that shakes and doesn’t titillate? Or, at the very least, like the news he brought to CNN:
(The producers of Tailwind continue to maintain the truth of their story.)
I think a speakers bureau is a great idea.
Just want to add my voice to what a wonderful idea this is …
howieklein @ 137
Hey Howie. Sorry was gone for a bit. Baby stuff. I am hopefully going to be joining the fine folks of one of our major networks this coming week to do as much damage to the Right as I can summon.
I am very busy writing my book right now (Beware of self plug: That’s The Real McCain folks, due out, well, in the very near future) and the 5 month old who I adore. And my wife and I are moving, and then there’s the new cliffschecter.com blog, which has only really been in full swing for a month. So….that has made doing tv a bit more difficult (and the fact that one of the right-wing wusses I used to debate constantly on MSNBC has apparently refused to debate me anymore).
But I am working on it for this week, as insulting Limbaugh on life tv and in primetime just felt so cathartic a week ago :)
This is a truly splendid idea.
Biodun @ 110
Eh? Are you in Middletown Biodun?
This is an absolutely greeeeeaaaaat idea.
It’s one of the goals in our little DFA group; we haven’t been able to implement it yet because 1) we don’t know how to get it established – we’ve never done anything like this before – we’re just normal average people 2) elections keep coming up 3) time – we have work and families to take care of.
This idea is really important, thanks for what you’re doing Jane and Howie
john in sacramento @ 151
Don’t forget Stoller and Swann.
Lorenzo Sunflower has been photographed with Jane, Joe Lieberman, that guy who wrote the blog story in Esquire, the Kiss Float, Tom Swan, CT Bob, John Edwards – I can’t remember who else. He’s even appeared in Blog Wars with Jane.
He’s pretty mangy now, but he’s willing to go toward a good effort.
Wait, I don’t think I’m emotionally ready to give him up yet. We’ll see……
Tyson Slocum at Public Citizen is a friend of mine I like to remind people of. He’s got experience appearing on lou dobbs and other cable news shows and has testified before Congress. He also held his own getting the crowd riled up on Colbert.
I haven’t yet discussed with him the impact of Democrats winning Congress on his opportunities to appear and speak intelligently about energy, but now would be a good time for him to expand on his established public appearance ability.
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/ab…..cfm?ID=643
SomeTV at 146, Is there a way to express a sincere interest to Kaplan to direct the news like the old days?
howieklein @ 152
Knew I’d forget somebody. D’uoh! ;-)
Also, you know how we put our kids’ colleges in the back windows of our cars?
I want a firedoglake.com for the back window.
You know, right in the middle of the college names.
This is the real civics education and it will be seen twice a day pulling into all the school parking lots.
I guarantee that it will be on many of the cars that sport the black dog from the Vineyard, etc.
I was thinking about what Howie offers to the progressive movement in so many ways. And this is not to take anything away from anyone else, as the list of amazing folks like Jane and John Amato and Christy and T-Rex could go on fovever.
But I was looking for someone to name an award after. And, well, I don’t want to self-promote too much here, but this is really about Howie. Go read at my blog what we thought Howie was just perfect for. And then come right back here of course!
Yes, an FDL sticker for the car! Mugs!
and the fact that one of the right-wing wusses I used to debate constantly on MSNBC has apparently refused to debate me anymore
Those nutwingers do scream like banchees and cry foul when attacked.
Kathryn in MA @
159
I’m using my FDL ceramic tile coaster right now.
I’m coming late to this because I spend Saturdays working with my family’s foundation. So, if this has been mentioned, my apologies.
Has any thought been given to collaborating with the Center for American Progress on this? They have much of the infrastructure already in place and they have an existing relationship with Soros.
something understated, classy
on the car
punaise @ 161
if my FDL cup was a thermal one with a lid to keep my coffee warm, I’d be using it… but I really like the window-sticker idea.
Perhaps a weird auction item idea for firedoglake, but… how ’bout a Tuckerization from a progressive fiction writer? I know there are a lot of them out there, especially in the science fiction field.
For those who don’t know what that is, people bid to have their real name used as a character (generally not a *main* character, though) in an upcoming book. It’s become an inexpensive way for authors to contribute to charity auctions at conventions – and Tuckerizations bring in pretty good money at science fiction & fantasy conventions. (Although, obviously, the fame of the author plays a part, too.)
Anyway, a thought for the hopper…
Cliff Schecter @ 158
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, imho.
Kudos to Cliff Schechter et al. I thought Glenn Greenwald was superb dissecting Frank Gaffney.
I say more of it.
mui @ 160
Yes, they do. It is amazing how tough they are until you stand up to them…then they are pathetic…
mui @ 167
Glenn was fantastic. We need more of Glenn on radio and we got to get him on tv!
Cliff Schecter @ 168
they don’t like the taste of their own medicine, and boy, can you dish it out!
Jacqrat @ 166
No it couldn’t. Howie is THE BEST.
punaise @ 170
Thank you for the compliment! And soon, because of Jane, Howie, John and Matt, we will have an army of folks ready to go on and “dish it out.”
Cliff “Take no Prisoners” Schecter – I’m just glad you’re on our side… :~)
punaise @ 173
Thank you. It is the only side that would ever feel right to be on.
He doesn’t seem to want to talk about it now, but back in the late 70s, early 80s, he was a DJ at college radio station KUSF. I listened to him all the time. He was great. The Best then too. In fact it was Howie who introduced me to songs like Gardening At Night and Boxcars by a little known group called R.E.M. What talent. Both’em.
Jacqrat @ 130
Pursuing grants is a good idea, but it’s tricky. Typically these become long-term projects before any funding may be realized. Also, the partisan nature of this cannot be hidden, regardless of how it might be framed in American values, a free and fair media, etc… so foundations like Open Society would be very unlikely to want to touch this. (That doesn’t mean that Soros or other large progressive donors might not be interested as individuals.)
Working with and soliciting advice from orgs like Center for American Progress could be extermely helpful in finding an efficient manner of soliciting block grants or donations. It doesn’t matter how important we know these issues are that we want to raise; it matters how we can justify the needs in terms that meet the donors’ requirements, be they public or private.
Anybody have inside info on how equivalent groups from the dark side raise blocks of money? Seems like money flows much more readily on the other side, and has for a long time. (It’s time to change the calculus.)
Great idea…
I always wondered why someone didn’t put together a single internet resource for the LEFT.
The site would have a calendar with events… demos, speeches, important legislative votes, hearings, even concerts, lectures, speeches, articles of interest on the net or in papers, TV and radio broadcasts… all things of interests to progressives.
It could more or less like a Wiki site where it was completely user developed and maintained. It could be searched, internationally regionally and locally and so forth.
And of course it would have LINKS to other web sites where you could drill down.
First stop to check on what’s happening each day, week, in your area! One website with it all and links to get more detail.
ThinkLeftLink.
Boston1775 @
57
Link:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/10/21556/5045
We’ll start Lorenzo at $50
279 hits on Google -
http://www.google.com/search?h…..21;lorenzo sunflower”
http://www.google.com/search?h…..GLG&q=”lorenzo sunflower”
Sorry, here – I hope -
Randy Gold @
176
If you do some legwork on The Heritage Foundation, you will see exactly how it works. They are non-profit organization seeded with money from some of the richest families/corporations in the U.S.
We already know this much; we don’t want to duplicate or clone them because they are grossly unethical in what they do (ex: Armstrong Williams, Maggie Gallagher, Ralph Reed just to name a few). We need a new model; if we have to justify what we do, we are already doing something different than has been done by the left or right in the past. FireDogLake, Blue America, other cooperative/colloborating progressive entities have already been involved in a long-term project, serving the greater good, through a systematic series of short-term initiatives to that end (ex: Roots Project-Crashing the Gates, Blue America promotion of progressive candidates, FireDogLake Book Salons and Live Libby Trial Coverage).
And while I appreciate the intention behind Center for American Progress, I don’t think they’ve been terrbily effective at what they are doing. We need better than CAP, and maybe it starts with this proposal, whether for a grant or venture capital monies.
Cliff Schecter @
169
Now that AirAmerica has a second life under Mark Green and his brother would be a good opportunity to promote Glenn Greenwald
and any other progressives we may have in mind.
Oh yes, this is “an idea whose time has come” indeed! Thank you so much for putting it out.
May I suggest an outstanding speaker already?
She is a woman [not enough of us women out there, for sure] both witty and passionate, she has done countless radio shows [but no TV Shows] and she has a well-documented book out that I warmly recommend as a reference book on the abominations of the Bush&Co. era. I’m using it all the time since I discovered it. It is called “The Progressives’ Handbook,” by Heather Wokusch [http://www.heatherwokusch.com/
I just saw that Wokusch has a series of videos posted at http://www.youtube.com/heatherwokusch, from a speech she gave in Europe recently, trying to explain what’s been going on in the US under Bush.
I can’t wait to see the best of our progressives in your Speakers’ Bureau, thank you so much, it’s so needed indeed!
malika
OT: Patrick Fitzgerald named TRUTHDIGGER OF THE WEEK on Robert Scheer’s blog:
http://www.truthdig.com/report…..itzgerald/
For what it’s worth, I recommended to Tavis Smiley folks that they have the The Libby trial team on to talk about the project and the rationale for their commitment. I tried to send the same message to Charlie Rose to beg for an alternative perspective to his guests’show on the Libby trial that I didn’t get to see, but was appalled to see at his site the folks he had on. Problem was that I couldn’t get their supposed feedback mechanisms to work; don’t know if other people could. Like the idea of getting some real progressives on News Hour. I was so disgusted with a segment by a Judy Woodruff
interview and sent a message asking why she so consistently defended the administration’s insanity. She seemed more moderate the next night, though I certainly have no illusion to think I had any real influence on her behavior. But I remember sending a critique of Charlie Gibson’s election night coverage, asking why he was behaving like a Fox News person, that he had totally lost any of my remaining respect.
Boston1775 @
155
It may sound naive but just write letters, make phone calls, promise viewership in the manner you would like someone to ask you a favor. Here’s the quick way: email
kairos in cal @ 185
PBS is far right curently due to the replacement of board members with Bush afficianados. The Main reason that Bill Moyers left, but he’s been persuaded to come back more or less on a freelance basis. The Nigtly New and all the informational programmes that used to fairly present both sides of the issue have all been contaminated by the Bush Agenda. Unfortunately, this will not change until we are rid of Bush and his gang. A lot people will be looking for new positions when that happens.
punaise @ 32
Who has a Birkin bag? They sell for outrageous amounts of $$$ even on e-Bay. I cruise through the listings myself from time to time, futilely hoping to stumble upon a listing for a genuine bag for less than a thousand bucks. That’ll happen when pigs fly….the price for even a used bag in good condition is usually 2 to 3 thousand….New ones command more than 5.
ReneND @ 103
Wouldn’t you just LOVE to be on a panel of “judges” giving Liebertoad or Bendover Specter a “critique” after they’ve said something on TV?
Or, you could have a Mystery Theatre 3000-type doing running deconstruction commentary while conservative of Blue Dog Dems spouted the talking points.
Rayne @ 180
Agreed.
Seems like most of the “big money” on the progressive side chases either specific candidates or single-issue groups rather than the larger picture of movement building. Tactically successful in many cases, but strategically short-sided. Initiatives eminating from FDL and other blogs have often proven wildly successful with little money through the power of ideas, originality and dedication. A serious source of funding, without the strings that compromise ethics or impede actions, could do so much more in breaking through to mainstream thought.
In this, I see firsthand the same puzzle confronting local organizations, such as my Dem club, as we are discussing here with respect to a more national view. And we’re working on creative ways to deal with it locally. We’re all in this together and should be working together to learn what works, what doesn’t work…. and also learn from the Heritage model, even as we diverge from their principles.
Regarding CAP, I’ll defer for now to your analysis, but it’s also one to learn from. It if weren’t for CAP starting up a few years ago, someone would surely invent it now.
Caveat: Grants generally come with stringent reporting requirements and tightly focused objectives. I’d rather see some sort of netroots subscriber/underwriter kind of thing. If Soros or some organization wants to invest, fine, just not as majority owner.
And oh yes! I do want that FDL window emblem–or bumper sticker. It’ll join my Gore/Feingold bumpersticker and the World Parrot Trust window decal as rolling advocacy.
litigatormom @
188
punaise @ 32
Who has a Birkin bag? They sell for outrageous amounts of $$$ even on e-Bay. I cruise through the listings myself from time to time, futilely hoping to stumble upon a listing for a genuine bag for less than a thousand bucks. That’ll happen when pigs fly….the price for even a used bag in good condition is usually 2 to 3 thousand….New ones command more than 5.
He has the women and their bags mixed up!! Reading from punaise’s earlier comment, it seemed that he thought the Birkin bag was Jane’s,
but it belongs to the female (not Toensing), but the other obnoxious one who wrote the recent OpEd and whose name I cannot remember.
She was at the trial, with her 3″ roots!! Advising Libby et al.
jinny @ 191
Oh, her. I forget her name, but I remember googling her and seeing her roots. I wouldn’t want her bag anyway. I’m sure it has Gooper cooties.
This is the first step to betting back the rightwing noise machine.The people we want to rep us do they really need training to get the truth out. I have heard the people that try and get our message out on right wing radio and can’t support the argument,The screeners on hannity are good they seem to get the only person that don’t know what they’re talking about on the air to express our side of the story.
You guys have great ideas, but you sure like doing them with other people’s money.
I hope you have a good tax attorney, because this constant fundraising, and total lack of accounting for same, has the possibility of putting you squarely in the sights of some eager-beaver IRS agent.
Here’s some names.
Ted (Edwin) Truman on international economics
Paul Krugman
Uwe Reinhardt (health policy)
All fabulous speakers, and they are on our side.
I’m a recent convert to FDL, having discovered it at the beginning of the Libby trial, and couldn’t have been more impressed with the coverage and commentary found here. The power of the blog to influence American journalism for the better is amazing!
The idea of the Speakers Bureau is fantastic… what a great way to open things up for progressive voices.
I and my wife have lot’s of experience and do lot’s of business on Ebay as well as having the free time to help out with that endeavor.
I also wanted to suggest a possible enhancement to the Speakers Bureau. There is a site called “Blog Talk Radio” that would allow FDL to have it’s own online “radio” program with the advantage of being free for the broadcaster, while sharing 50% of the profits that the program generates. I have been thinking of doing something like this, and the subject matter and different points of view here would be perfect for a Progressive blog/talk show.
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY – an idea thats looong overdue!! hats off to the LAKE!!!
malika @
183
The above comment demonstrates an effective use of YouTube as a way around the media gatekeepers.
It will be great to have progressive speakers on the tv shows, but without waiting for those bookings, the speakers could be putting stuff up on YouTube like Jane and Marcy and friends did each day of the trial with complete control of the format, the guests, the setting. Use YouTube as a free network and just link to it from main sites and MoveOn emails, DFA emails.
I’d like to see Jane, Howie, Matt, and whoever drops by that day, sitting around a table talking things over.
howieklein @
104
A media center would be able to produce its own news programming. Tape part of a congressional investigation and then have interviews and discussions…
Suggest you hook up with (consult with) Rockridge Institute. Collaboration might be good, or they just might have some good advice.
The best part of this is not the speakers bureau per se (which is fine, but not likely to make a big impact, IMHO). What’s valuable here is the idea of doing serious media training for lots of our people. Both the right and most corporations, foundations, etc., use media training extensively, and we don’t even seem to know it exists, judging from the way we come across on TV.
Media training is something that should be available to every left-leaning person who conceivably might be on tv.