Well, it is over - What an amazing time!

Be assured our posts barely scratch the surface of what happened or capture the energy that was shared.

Moments captured in our Posts

We wrote about providers of inspiration like Cliff Schechter, the world view only seen when we look beyond our immediate surroundings, Howard Dean and the results of successfully implementing a vision. We discussed how you never really knew who you were going to meet or if your camera was ready.

Some of our local Congressional Campaigns were there, as well. I heard Jon Powers was there and, of course, I ran into this Eric Massa volunteer working the tables.

There were fun moments like meeting Obama Girl and getting a shout out, Contrasting moments like watching some MSM Texas press discuss their Obama Girl “interviews” (listen to Texas Monthly’s interview). There were some serious moments like listening to Richard Clarke, Captivating moments like listening to Al Gore answer Ladkiddo’s question.

Then there were profound moments when we realize why we (active political participants) do this - Listening to Al Gore talk about Climate change or Nancy Pelosi discuss Congress -

I’ll have some additional posts coming - I’m guessing the others will as well. They include George Lakoff and Paul Krugman discussing progressive infrastructure and language, an interview with Jim Hightower, a discussion with Jeffery Feldman. There are other tidbits as well. So much material, so little time.

The “take away” message

One of my many highlights was hooking up again with stlo4. Yes, there is a stlo4 who is a trusted and very dear friend of mine. He is someone who is quite politically articulate and knowledgeable about all things. He is probably reading this so, I’ll say to our audience (with a smile) that he is the kind of person who sucks the words off of the Historical markers as you are walking down the street. Hungry for knowledge and information.

Yet, here is someone who got the “Holy Crap these people exist moment” when surrounded by thousands of politically active and passionate people from across the country. It was fun and enlightening watching him interact with people who were strangers just a few minutes ago. As I said earlier, hungry for knowledge and information. I’ll also add - hungry for active, intelligent and relevant engagement.

My take away message from the conference was this. There are lots of politically passionate people who use blogs as a vehicle for change. But there are a lot more, many more, who need to be drawn into the conversation.

My challenge to you is to find someone who is not involved to the level that you are and get them involved. Invite them to register to vote, sign a petition, meet a candidate, meet an elected official, go to a public meeting, write a letter, join a group, work on a campaign, or heck, run for office.

In short -

Invite them to accept the concept that politics is worth understanding. They can understand it, and if they don’t like what is going on, they have the power to change it.