Are you going to Netroots Nation in Pittsburgh this week?
August 11, 2009 3:46 pm ET by Karl Frisch
It's that time of the year again. Progressives from around the country are gathering this week in Pittsburgh, PA for the annual Netroots Nation conference. Scratching your head? Here's a bit of information about the conference:
Netroots Nation amplifies progressive voices by providing an online and in-person campus for exchanging ideas and learning how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate. Through our annual convention and a series of regional salons held throughout the year, we strengthen our community, inspire action and serve as an incubator for ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.
The fourth annual gathering of the Netroots (formerly known as the YearlyKos Convention) will be held August 13–16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Netroots Nation 2009 will include panels led by national and international experts; a progressive film screening series; practical training sessions and workshops; and the most concentrated gathering of progressive bloggers to date.
Visit Our Booth
We'll be there in full force. If you plan on attending be sure to stop by our booth to meet some Media Matters staff and pick up a special Fox News stress ball, "Rush Limbaugh Doesn’t Speak For Me" bumper sticker or a limited edition Media Matters 5th anniversary t-shirts.
Join in the Discussion
Media Matters staff will be participating in two great panel discussions at Netroots Nation. We’d love to see you there:
Democracy without Newspapers
Thursday, August 13, 4:30-5:45pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Room 304/305
Is the death of newspapers a threat to democracy? Or is the loss of major news outlets actually the best thing that ever happened to the democratic process? From blogging networks to investigative journalism funders, an increase in new models for news seems to bode well for bottom up action and civic engagement. In this panel we will discuss and create new ideas for how participatory online media can invigorate both journalism and the political process.
Moderated By: NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila
Panelists Include: PressThink.org's Jay Rosen, MediaRepublic.org's Persephone Miel, The Nation's Ari Melber, BlackPerspective.net's Yobachi Boswell, Media Matters' Karl Frisch and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Michael A. Fuoco.
Root of Right Wing Media’s Hatred of President Obama
Thursday, August 13, 4:30-5:45pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Room 303
The recent spat of right wing spurred disruptions during town halls have featured unhinged anger over issues such as Obama’s birth certificate and his plans for health care reform. It is all part of a concerted, coordinated effort to derail the Obama presidency in its first year – the same exact tactic that was used by conservatives to undermine the Clinton Presidency starting in 1993. The media must expose the true motivations, origins, and coordination of the birther and teabagger movements, along with similar extreme right-wing political groups, whose activism has been relentlessly promoted and encouraged by the conservative echo chamber.
Moderated By: Media Matters Action Network's Ari Rabin-Havt
Panelists Include: NDN's Simon Rosenberg, ColorOfChange.org's James Rucker and America's Voice's Paco Fabian.
Follow the Fun (Win Prizes)
Even if you won't be attending you can follow the fun on Twitter. Use the hashtag #NN09 to follow everyone tweeting from Netroots Nation. You can also follow me @KarlFrisch and Media Matters @mmfa for the latest from Pittsburgh and your chance to win special prizers (if you're at the conference)!
Other Fun in Pittsburgh
If you’ll be attending and are looking for other great things to do (places to eat) be sure to check out this great PDF.
The PDF is an outstanding overview of Pittsburgh but I demand it be removed from MMFA...we don't want the secret to be spread all over the world. Some Conservatives may want to move in.
Missing from the overview was a feature on mrL. and the Prince of Wheels and other posters from Pittsburgh.
P.S. Steelers play Thursday night so don't expect the rowdies to show up..they'll be at the game.
Hope to see some MMFA staff. And a free hotdog.
I'll be looking for you sitting in the cornor with Lynn Cullen....crying. ;(
PS Go Stillers!!!
A lefty looking for a free handout, who'd a thunk it!
Welcome to the town where Radio Rose and Jim Quinn have their bunker and launch their show! Will their show be piped into the convention center?
Free hand-out..you are just jealous that Liberals are willing to give things away for free and accept them. Hey, wait a minute, could this be why you are so obtuse, pretty fancy word there, did Santa never visit you or did the PC family not allow little pc to get gifts? I always knew it had to be your childhood. You must have grown-up, which could be a falsehood, in Fox Chapel or the Bottoms. (PC, I just had to pick to extremes).
I would actually be nice to run into you but the damage to my car would be too great..AND we all know the HIGH cost of Insurance.
Take Care....I hear the Rooneys are giving all MMFA people free tickets to the game Thursday night. See you at the Convention Center. As if your security doesn't have your picture. I knew that Phone-IN A Friend thing would work.
Hey getting a few little bituminus chunks instead of presents is a good thing for a hunkie from the Bottoms! Breathing in all the free fallout from Neville Island was all anyone of us needed, besides the Mancini's bread! You guys from Sewickly could afford to buy all the freebies but would still have your hands out.
Be careful not to drive that undamaged car off the bridge to nowhere. Anyway, have fun at your little leftie sware', an aht! :)
Uh, no. If they were it would be called the Billy Joe Jim Bob Nation and Kos and MMFA wouldn't plaster their names all over it.
Enjoyed being on the panel with you - have to note that the NY Times at least DOES post its conflict of interest policies online: http://www.nytco.com/press/index.html
Best,
Persephone