I’m not normally inclined to write my own diary, but with about 75% of Dem Primary voters feeling the same way I feel now, I’m thinking someone needs to write this one.

Sigh…BIG SIGH…WTF…@#*$…sigh…small pathetic sigh…Big pathetic sigh???…Does anyone care about my feelings or am I just expected to fall in line???

I’ve heard there’s a “unity” event tomorrow. I can’t go because I need to take my mother to a doctor’s appointment in Bennington tomorrow, but even if I could go, would I want to? Am I in the mood for “unity” right now? I don’t think so…I’m sad, mad, depressed, defeated…

Am I unifiable (is that a word)? Yes, I think I am “unifiable”. But maybe next week I’ll feel more sincere about it, once I’ve had time to process MY candidate not being the one that everyone is unifying behind.

My point here is, please give people a little time to unify behind the Dem Primary winner…It may not come as easily to some as it comes to others.

What I think are some interesting stats from Facebook pages:

Candidates:

Susan Bartlett for Governor: 4 Supporters

http://www.facebook.com/pages/…

Doug Racine (Politician): 84 Supporters

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Deb Markowitz (Politician): 239 Supporters

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Brian Dubie for Vermont Governor: 260 Members

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Parties:

Vermont Democrats: 115 Members

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Vermont Progressive Party: 160 Members

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Vermont Republican Party: 198 Fans

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Other Groups of Interest:

Green Mountain Daily: 144 Members

http://www.facebook.com/search…

1000 Vermonters for Change: 237 Members

http://www.facebook.com/search…

Vermonters Calling on Douglas Not to Veto Same Sex Marriage: 16,046 Members

http://www.facebook.com/search…

So what does this mean, if anything? Even though some of the members of the Vermonters Calling on Douglas Not to Veto Same Sex Marriage group are from out of state, the potential is obviously there to build a very large group of supporters on Facebook (which should then be used as a TOOL to fundraise, organize field activities, etc).

Why are the Republicans out-numbering us in supporters on Facebook? Should the liberal/progressive Parties and Candidates hire someone to specificly coordinate their online social networking (which would also include twitter, blogs, etc), or at least make it a higher priority for their Communication Director to deal with? Does any of this have an impact on the actual elections?

6th Annual DemocracyFest coming soon!

July 17th-19th in Burlington, VT!

http://www.DemocracyFest.net

DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! The 6th Annual DemocracyFest will be held this summer, July 17-19, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, VT!

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On-site hotel rooms at the Sheraton are available at the reduced rate of $99/night only until July 6th at 5pm EST! After that time, rooms will be available at the hotel’s prevailing rate of $197-$210 per night!

Reserve your lodging online by calling 1-802-865-6600 to make your reservation at only $99 per night, for rooms up to 3 days before or 3 days after the event (based on availability). You must say you are with the DemocracyFest group to get the reduced rate. Lodging at the reduced rate is limited, so make your reservation today!

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If you havn’t yet purchased your DemocracyFest event tickets, full event tickets are available for only $65! http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Full Event tickets include:

– All trainings, entertainment, and speakers on Saturday and Sunday.

– Dinner on Saturday with Sen. Mike Gravel.

– Breakfast on Sunday with Gov. Howard Dean.

– Semi-Guided Tour of Burlington and Welcome Party on Friday.

– Children under 14 free with adult ticket purchase.

– Free parking, or transportation to and from Burlington Airport.

– Priceless interaction with activists from across the nation.

Single day tickets are also available for $35.

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We also still have some tabling spaces left if your business or organization would like to sponsor DemocracyFest, please check out our very affordable sponsorship levels on our website. http://www.DemocracyFest.net

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See you soon!

David, Denise, Ellen, Jessica, Laurie and Quintus

The DemocracyFest Team

http://www.DemocracyFest.net

CCTV Channel 17 will be airing a “DemocracyFest Preview Show” this Monday, June 29th, at 5:25pm.

It’s a live call-in show, so if any of you near Burlington want to watch and call in, that would be great! The number to call with questions or comments is 862-3966.

Nick Carter (some of you may know him from Gaye Symington’s campaign or VT Freedom to Marry) will host the show and 2 of our DemocracyFest Board Members have volunteered to be the guests.

I’m very grateful for this because I am totally TV camera shy! Back when I ran for State House against Tom Depoy in 2004, PEG-TV (Rutland’s equivilant of CCTV) had me record a 5 minute statement to play on their station. I seriously thought I was going to have a heart attack! Couldn’t breath or talk, heart pounding in my chest…Luckily the recording person was a very nice Dem and let me try several times before I finally calmed down enough to be able to speak in complete sentances. I’ve probably grown out of this a little (I have been able to overcome my fear of public speaking over the years), but still, when CCTV asked me to do this, my first thought was “Who can I con into doing this instead?” LOL!

Anyway, hope some of you will be able to watch and call in, and don’t forget to buy your DemocracyFest tickets soon! Ticket prices increase on July 1st! http://www.DemocracyFest.net

( – promoted by Jack McCullough)

The 6th Annual DemocracyFest is coming soon! July 17th-19th in Burlington!

Full Event ticket price will increase to $65 on July 1st. Get yours today for only $55! http://www.DemocracyFest.net

DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! Prior DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Hampshire and Virginia. Over 4,000 activists have been trained to help on campaigns and make a difference in their communities.

Speakers and trainers this year include Gov. Howard Dean, Sen. Mike Gravel, Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Mayor Bob Kiss, Sen. Doug Racine, Sen. Hinda Miller, Rep. David Zuckerman, Rep. Sandy Haas, Rep. Michael Fisher and Dr. Deb Richter. Plus there will be entertainment by musicians Rebecca Padula, Emma’s Revolution, Bobby Kendes and Axiomatic, comedy by Rep. Jason Lorber, film screenings, book signings, many tabling organizations and vendors, silent auction, children’s’ activities area, and much more! Check out our schedule of events as it develops! http://www.DemocracyFest.net/S…

Full weekend tickets are only $55 until July 1st and include: – All trainings, entertainment, and speakers on Saturday and Sunday. – Dinner on Saturday. – Breakfast on Sunday. – Semi-Guided Tour of Burlington and Welcome Party on Friday. – Children under 14 free with adult ticket purchase. – Free parking, or transportation to and from Burlington Airport. – Priceless interaction with activists from across the nation.

Single day tickets are also available for $30 until July 1st when they will increase to $35. http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Hope to see you there!

OK, first the basics:

DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! Prior DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Hampshire and Virginia. Over 4,000 activists have been trained to help on campaigns and make a difference in their communities.

The 6th Annual DemocracyFest will be held this summer, July 17-19, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, VT!

For more information and tickets, go to http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Updates below the fold…

Speaker Updates

Gov. Howard Dean, Sen. Mike Gravel, Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Sen. Doug Racine and Mayor Bob Kiss will take the stage and answer your questions during our welcome and commencement ceremonies, as well as during meal times (Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast included in the $55 full event ticket). Sen. Pat Leahy and Sen. Bernie Sanders have both penciled speaking into their schedules. Stay tuned for confirmation!

Entertainment Updates

Musical performances by Rebecca Padula, Bobby Kendes, Subway Serenade and Axiomatic. “Dean and Me” Movie Screening with Heath Eiden. Plus stand-up comedy by Rep. Jason Lorber. Yes, he’s a professional comedian and VT State Representative, as well as TV show host! Be part of the live studio audience during the taping of his show “Correcting Corrections” on Saturday too!

Trainings Update

– Universal Health Care w/ Dr. Deb Richter – Election Integrity w/ Alan Dechert – Netroots Campaigning w/ John Odum – Instant Runoff Voting w/ Rep. Michael Fisher – Safe and Renewable Energy w/ Dan DeWalt and Mathew Lash – Marriage Equality w/ Sheryl Rapee-Adams – Grassroots Legislative Advocacy w/ Kate Kanelstein and Bekah Mandell – National Nurse Campaign w/ Teri Mills and Alisa Schneider – Citizen Rights w/ Charlie Grapski – Women in Politics w/ Sen. Hinda Miller and Rep. Sandy Haas – Significance of Unions w/ Mathew Lash – Law Enforcement Against Prohibition w/ Richard Van Wickler – Buying Local w/ Rep. David Zuckerman

And more! Keep an eye on our schedule page for additional trainings. http://democracyfest.net/schedule

Lodging Update

The 2nd block of rooms we reserved at the Sheraton is almost full and we are NOT planning on reserving a 3rd block. Get your room at the reduced rate of $99/night before they’re gone! Reserve your lodging by calling 1-802-865-6600. You must say you are with the DemocracyFest group to get the reduced rate.

Sponsor Updates

We are so grateful to all of our wonderful sponsors who are supporting the event this year. Please visit them at the event in the sponsor tabling area, or click through to their websites from our homepage: http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Democracy for Vermont, VT Democratic Party, Truth and Hope, DMedia, Latinos For America, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, VT Progressive Party, Vermont League of Conservation Voters, VPIRG, Green Mountain Mailer, Liane Allen Web Development, VT Freedom To Marry, Sheraton Hotel, Montgomery County Democracy For America, Vermont Gay Guide, East Bay For Democracy, Green Mountain Daily, Chelsea Green Publishing, VT Workers Center, Doug Racine for Governor, VT Alliance for Intelligent Drug Laws, Peace and Justice Center

If your business or organization would like to sponsor DemocracyFest (very affordable with lots of great benefits including tabling space and tickets), please check out our Sponsor Levels and benefits here: http://www.democracyfest.net/s…

Other Fun Stuff Updates

– Book signings by Gov. Howard Dean, Gov. Madeline Kunin and Sen. Mike Gravel – Video lounge; Hang out and watch some progressive movies with fellow activists, as well as video clips from nationally known activists who couldn’t make it to speak in person, but were nice enough to record a special video clip for us. – Childrens Area; Children under 14 get free admission (including meals) with adult ticket purchase, and we will have a special area for them with civic-minded books, games and activities. – Semi-Guided tour of Burlington on Friday. Stay tuned for details! – Late-night parties both Friday and Saturday nights – Early morning yoga with Sen. Hinda Miller on Saturday and Sunday mornings (“Heck Of A Job, Brownie” awards to anyone who attends the late night parties and the early morning yoga!)

And who knows what else we’ll come up with in the next month! Get your tickets today at http://www.DemocracyFest.net

I actually think that the Dems and Progs are going to be able to work something out (either officially or unofficially) to avoid splitting the vote against Douglas this coming up election, but I also think that is not something that is going to happen every election, and therefor I still feel like Instant Runoff Voting is something that people need to continue to push for.

I’m pretty sure people here at GMD are well educated on what IRV is, and while I understand that not everyone here thinks it’s the perfect solution, I do think most of us think it’s a lot better then the plurality method we are currently using. What I’d really like to discuss is people’s opinions on the best strategy to achieve it. Should we try to get it instated on the local levels first, as we tried to do here in Rutland last year, and slowly work up to higher elections? Or go straight for a bill to have IRV used in the Gubernatorial election, which will most definately be challenged in court, but I think has good legal standing that it is constitutional (our constitution says nothing about the method used to receive a majority of the votes.) Both? Neither? Did the last Burlington IRV election hurt our efforts? Are they going to try and overturn using IRV in Burlington? What can we do to stop that?

Lots of questions and not many answers (at least from me…hoping some of you have some!). Rep. Mike Fisher has just been confirmed to lead a session on achieving IRV for Vermont at DemocracyFest. I look forward to hearing his plan!

Sen. Mike Gravel will speak at the 6th Annual DemocracyFest, a political festival for liberal/progressive activists, July 17-19 in Burlington, VT.

Sen. Gravel served as the Democratic US Senate for 12 years during the Vietnam War Era from the state of Alaska, during which time he took a strong anti-war stand and released the Pentagon Papers into public record. Sen. Gravel ran in the 2008 Democratic Primary for President, raising much debate about the influence of media on the Primary process when he was excluded from MSM sponsored debates.

Sen. Gravel continues his work as an author and lecturer promoting Direct Democracy. He will be joined at DemocracyFest by Gov. Howard Dean and Rep. David Zuckerman, as well as other interesting speakers and entertainers.  For more information about the event, please go to http://www.DemocracyFest.net

UPDATE: VT Rep. (and comedian) Jason Lorber just confirmed. Jason will be leading a session on Justice Reinvestment during the day on Saturday, and then doing his comedy routine Saturday night.

We recently confirmed that filmmaker Heath Eiden will be presenting a screening of his new movie “Dean and Me” at DemocracyFest; July17-19 in Burlington, VT! http://www.DemocracyFest.net

The film is about Howard Dean’s presidential campaign and there is a long list of grassroots people (many from Vermont) featured in the movie…too long to list here, but you can see the list on the film’s website: http://thegrassrootsmovie.com/…

Of coarse, we hope to see you all at DemocracyFest, but if you can’t make it to the event, we hope you will check out the movie when it is released to the public. Kudos to Heath for putting so much time and energy into documenting Dean’s historic grassroots campaign!

One of the founding goals of DemocracyFest is to produce an event that is affordable for all liberal/progressive activists to participate in. That is why we are probably one the most neurotic Board of Directors out there when it comes to being fiscally conservative with our budget and keeping our ticket prices as low as possible (about 1/4 the cost of attending similar political conferences).

DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! Prior DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Hampshire and Virginia. Over 4,000 activists have been trained to help on campaigns and make a difference in their communities. The 6th Annual DemocracyFest will be held July 17th-19th in Burlington, VT. Full event tickets are only $55 and can be purchased here:

http://www.DemocracyFest.net

However, we realize that no matter how low we can keep our ticket prices, there will always be activists out there who really want to attend, but do not have the financial resources to afford any ticket cost, and that is why we have the DemocracyFest Scholarship Program. If you are in need of a scholarship, please apply here:

http://www.democracyfest.net/s…

DemocracyFest is very proud to say that we have never turned down a scholarship applicant who wants to attend, but can not afford to do so. Making DemocracyFest accessible to activists from all economic standings in life is so important to us that members of our all-volunteer Board of Directors have even used our own personal money to fund these scholarships when necessary. But none of us are rich (far from it!) and we can’t afford to pay for every scholarship applicant ourselves. Can you help? Our direct cost for each scholarship attendee is $100 (includes 2 meals and a shared hotel room). You can contribute $100 to sponsor a scholarship applicant here:

http://www.democracyfest.net/s…

Thank you for supporting DemocracyFest and our Scholarship Program!