(IF there were a )National DU Meet-Up - Summer 2006 ?

[Catchawave]

Poll question: (IF there were a )National DU Meet-Up - Summer 2006 ?

Reading about the Boston DU Party inspired me to think about a national gathering! And I love polls too. What city should we ALL meet in?

Only 10 spaces, so many great cities. Maybe I should have asked for nominations first? Oh well, this is my poll, my top ten...heh.

New York City is my choice because there is so much to do that doesn't require a rent-a-car, and has amazing walking bar tours. Not to mention very family friendly.

I love all these cities:

[chickenscratching]

1. other

minneapolis!

[demjuli]

4. I second the vote for Minneapolis! n/t

[chickenscratching]

5. awesome, thank you!

and welcome :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

21. Minneapolis for me too

Although, since it was not listed, I voted for Chitown in the poll.

[tavalon]

33. Third on Minneapolis here

I'd have a place to stay (I think my crazy doctor friend will still be living there)

[Tigress DEM]

84. Didn't see Minneapolis on the list.... voted for Chi town....both OK>

One thing to mention in favor of my town, Minneapolis....

The police are respectful. 1,500 filled Loring Park on March 19, 2005 for the AntiWar Protest and there were like 2 policemen assigned, just for traffic patrol.

Chicago had 1,000 protesters and about 3,000 police. Now, maybe Minneapolis will be feeling differently next time and maybe Chicago would be great because if there is that much police presence there will be news coverage too. Still, it might mean getting arrested. Just a thought.

[Catchawave]

15. Never been to Minneapolis....

but if it was good enought for Mary Tyler Moore, it's good enough for me! :::throwing my hat in the air:::

[Wapsie B]

28. Minny Apple for me!

:bounce:

[sniffa]

30. i'm going just for you

:loveya:

[chickenscratching]

42. not even

the mary tyler moore statue?

:loveya: :loveya:

im still angrily jealous of the girls who got feet kisses and sniffs! :cry:

[myrna minx]

49. Minneapolis!!!

:bounce:

[Left Is Write]

61. Definitely my first choice. Second choice would be Chicago.

[paineinthearse]

108. Other - Ohio - scene of the crime nt

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. Duh.

:P

[Catchawave]

13. Huh?

:shrug: :kick:

[VelmaD]

3. Dallas is NOT the place to meet in Texas...

Austin is MUCH better. Much more liberal and laid-back.

[Catchawave]

17. Since I only had 10 slots on the poll.....

I did choose Dallas over New Orleans. Maybe I was wrong?

[VelmaD]

19. I'm telling ya...Austin...

is the place to be. We probably have local meetups here more often than any other group of DUers. We have experience. :)

[Catchawave]

27. Never been to Austin

But I take your word for it. I'm the kinda gal who has fun anywhere there's a party.

I'm starting to think, I should have used this poll to select DC hotels, rather than regional preferences.

Now that I think of it, if a DU Convention moves into DC just before the 2006 election....well, I'm just getting all jiggy over this idea!

[LibraLiz1973]

76. Oooo- New Orleans would be funnnnn

eom

[tavalon]

34. If Texas were the choice

and lets be serious here, it ain't gonna be the choice, Austin is a far better, safer, saner place than Dallas.

[Andy_Stephenson]

44. Dallas is AWESOME as long as

you're into big hair and makeup.

:-)

[LynneSin]

6. DC and here's why

Because if we're going to organize a national DU convention then we better damn well do something other than get drunk and hook-up. And in DC we could join or organize some protests against our government.

My second would be Philly, because we had the first massive DU party every!

[Goathead]

8. Yes! Yes! Yes!

Damn good idea!

[GalleryGod]

9. Hey Lynne, You're Right!

Dave & Buster's sure looks like a farrrrrrrrr cry from King's!? Eh?

:wtf: :silly: :smoke:

[LynneSin]

11. D&B was a classic

But we made it that way in hopes that more people would start organizing DU gatherings. I think it's about time we host a DU National Gathering and I would be happy to help organize, depending on the location.

There is just so much to do in DC and I think it's important that if we do something national that we do it for a cause other than drinking (not that I have a problem with the drinking).

But that's just my 2 cents.

I've organized 2 DC gatherings that were with massive protests in DC including the first massive anti-war protest (Oct 2002) and the March for Choice, which was a great turnout last year's pro-choice rally not only for DU members but overall

[Tigress DEM]

87. If we go to DC, better scope out the other protests....

so we don't get hauled off for the wrong one. Didn't that happen to the people who brought the 1,000 flag draped coffins?

I would be open to coming out and blessing the Potomac river. There is this Matsauro Emoto* guy who is into changing the environment through positive thoughts to water and it seems to be scientifically documented that it works. Might be smoke and mirrors, but symbolically it still works for me.

*The Japanese professor from What the Bleep do we Know?

[Catchawave]

12. DC makes really good sense for a political group to meet

at! Love the protest idea too! Didn't think to use "convention" either, which would make better sense. And why I chose Summer 2006, not only for planning purposes, but timely before the fall '06 elections. Bet we can get lots of VIP tours of the White House too :)

[blue neen]

50. That's a kick-ass idea.

DU'ers protesting en masse and then drinking to celebrate! I love it!

[GalleryGod]

7. Definitely El Lay !

So much to do! And No Room costs for Moi!

If not Tinseltown ..then PHILLY or DC !

[Catchawave]

18. Love LaLaLand...but

not only is that area beautiful, but methinks pricier and less convenient than NYC or Chicagoland, and please don't take this personally, much dumber.

Otherwise, for no-cost expenses, I would have put my hometown Virginia Beach on my poll ! But that's not the sharpest (city) knife in the drawer either. But we got BEACH !

[terrya]

10. The city where I'm proud to call home.

CHICAGO!!!!

[Catchawave]

14. Chicago would definitely be fun!

Not to mention, every bumfu*k airport in the country flies there non-stop, and what's left of Amtrak!

Centrally located and affordable. I would definitely participate.

[Taxloss]

16. Can it be international?

I'm sure we UK DUers and our Canadian cousins would like to come ...

[Catchawave]

20. Another reason for NYC.....

...very international air fare friendly:hi:

In fact, if the poll thing had 15 choices, I was going to add Montreal and Vancouver, ya know, just to test the waters for future DU exPats :) Not to mention, BEAUTIFUL cities.

Maybe I shoulda added a cruise as an option, so we could taste that corporate tax free Bahama/Bermuda experience :) Not to mention duty free scotch and diamonds, heh.

[LynneSin]

22. Yes, but BWI is also a good international airport

and hotel space is a hell of alot cheaper in DC than NYC.

[Catchawave]

38. Are you sure about those hotel rates?

I *do* both NYC and DC.....is there anything in DC more convenient or cheaper than the Hotel Penn (NYC) ? And with more amenities?

Ok, I'm all for the DC area, but not from 30-60 miles away! In my experience, the only prices that beat NYC. Otherwise, there are cheesy/cheap/comfy hotels within walking distance from Capitol Hill/Union Station ! Really kewl area, btw.

I would never recommend a convention for DU outside the beltway!

[LynneSin]

39. The State Plaza Hotel

We got a freaking suite bigger than my apartment for about $119/night. ANd we had 4 people staying in the place (RBNYC, Ramsey, Khephra and myself) We could have easily fit more since we had 2 fullsize beds and a pullout sofa.

[KitchenWitch]

23. A DU cruise, now that sounds FUN!

:D

[crispini]

47. A DU cruise would be BOSS.

Salon.com does something similar.

[Taxloss]

24. Yes I have friends and relatives in NYC, it would be handy indeed.

I vote NYC.

[tavalon]

35. But, very, very expensive lodging in NYC

That's a definite negative.

[mopinko]

92. then it has to be chicago

you can get here from anywhere on the planet.

[Goathead]

25. Let's have it at Camp David

You can get a group cabin camp. Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland just outside D.C.

http://www.nps.gov/cato/

[WilliamPitt]

26. I hate to say it

but Chicago makes the most sense. Centrally located and all that.

It'll suck ass, but whatever. ;)

[LynneSin]

29. Actually for central located, cheapest airfare & hotel rooms...

...it would have to be Las Vegas. That city subsidizes everything to get people to come visit them with Orlando rating second.

[VelmaD]

36. Not to mention what happens in Vegas...

stays in Vegas. ;)

[yvr girl]

100. Vegas is cheap for just about everyone to get to

They'll do anything to get your money, but they have to get you there first.

[LibraLiz1973]

77. "It'll suck ass, but whatever" ROFLMAO

What's up with Chicago??


(I've never been)

[ScreamingMeemie]

31. DETROIT!!!!!

Hey, we're sprucing up and all for the Super Bowl...We've got ummmm...a Denny's that's open 24 hours with a security guard in the parking lot...and...ummm...a mayor that's really misunderstood...and ummmm, sometimes, when it's really quiet at night...you can hear the water mains busting.

Come on, give us a chance!! The Super Bowl committee Did! Even with that nasty fourth of July shooting.... ummm...er...okay?

[LynneSin]

32. Well, if it came down to Detroit or Crawford Texas...

...you can be assured we're coming to Detroit!

[Renew Deal]

37. Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, and NY are all very accessible.

[Scout1071]

80. It's always expensive to fly to Denver. Seriously, no deals.....ever!

On that note, I'd recommend Chicago. Don't hate on the midwest!

And for those wanting DC, I saw that it just surpassed NYC as the most expensive place to visit.

[Bunny]

40. DC may be the most appropriate, in terms of accomplishing other

goals, but it is hotter than hell there in the summer! Chicago is more centrally located, although if it's there, I probably wouldn't be able to go.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. Of course I voted for LA, because I live here!

However, I'm in wherever we hold it! And I think 2006 is a terrific idea: enough time to plan it adequately, and right before the '06 elections...Let's do it!

:toast:

[Dastard Stepchild]

43. West coast would be really tough for me....

but I can do Midwest and the Northeast. Of course, I would prefer Chicago. :)

[Catchawave]

45. Keeping this kicked, interesting choices at best ?

That is, too lazy to travel, or why are you answering my poll?

Grrrr.

[El Fuego]

46. Why wait until 2006? What about the Summer of 2005?

Washington D.C. would be cool. We could make our presence known as a protest against the shrub administration.

[NewJeffCT]

48. I'd vote for Vegas if it wasn't summertime

Otherwise, it's NYC.

[phusion]

52. That's what AC is for :)

[NewJeffCT]

62. Then you'd have to deal with summer traffic on the Jersey shore

not to mention tolls every 6 feet on the Parkway.

[Magrittes Pipe]

51. Chicago 26, Boston 5.

'nuff said.

[redqueen]

53. I voted for Chicago, because I love that city...

but after reading about how cheap Vegas is... I think I'd change my vote. Is prostitution is legal there?

[frictionlessO]

54. Whats wrong with Vegas??? Silly Du'ers would rather have a convention

than party and do stuff we should blackmailed for years later... tsk tsk! This is why repubs always win, they're not afraid to be arrogant self assured pricks while taking the moral highground after lifelong debauchery!

Hypocrisy hallowed be thy name!



( I voted for DC, we can organize "actions" if need be, that way)
(and yes I actually love Vegas for 5 and 10 slots of vid poker! plus free drinks, 15 bucks buys you 4-6 hours of entertainment!)

[Beaverhausen]

55. If we're talking summer I think Vegas would be way too hot

just like the east coast would suck.

I voted San Fran.

[frictionlessO]

57. From the BA (now In Buffalo NY) myself and wouldn't mind that, but Vegas

is just fine with the heat. Vegas is air conditioned... the whole city! Lol...

Now why would the east coast suck?? You live in LA don't you?? :P

I say it should be Buffalo, I dont know why... Im just saying it.

[Beaverhausen]

59. I'm originally from the east coast. It's humid there in the summer

and my comfort is all that matters to me! :crazy:

But Philly would be great for me cause that's where I'm from.

[ScreamingMeemie]

56. Hey! I watch CSI...and frankly, I'm a little scared...

:hi:

[frictionlessO]

58. Well then you know that whoever homicided you would be caught!!

Thats saying a lot!!

:hi: too you to!

[ScreamingMeemie]

60. Okay then...let's have it I suppose!

;)

[underpants]

63. Where's the love for Minot North Dakota?

http://web.ci.minot.nd.us/

MAGIC CITY!!!

[chickenscratching]

64. ooo

i used to live in bismarck, so i know why there's no love for any parts of nd.
:)

[Bunny]

73. Hey that sounds great! I have relatives in Minot, so I've got

lodgings all sewn up!!! Excellent idea!!! :thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

65. Wee Hoo..my top four are ahead so far....

nyc, chicago, dc and SF.....wonderful cities to visit. Who knows, maybe we can do this afterall.

In the meantime, love the new meetup plans I'm reading about so far too.

[AlienGirl]

66. SEATTLE, baby!

Um...mostly 'cause then I wouldn't have to fly...

Tucker

[regnaD kciN]

69. Do I hear an A-MEN???

(Same rationale as above.)

[Shananigans]

67. MINNEAPOLIS! :)

[chickenscratching]

115. yes i second it a million times

[xmas74]

68. Pretty freakin' obvious I voted for Chicago.

I could drive there easily. I can go to a different relatives house or apartment every night for a place to sleep and food to bum. And I can look back and reminisce about all of the places that I have puked.
Awwwwwww Chicago! I would really do my best to show up to that!

[terrya]

70. 38, Chicago....6, Boston.

Pretty much speaks for itself. :-)

[ProfessorGAC]

96. It's 57 - 6, Terry. Not That I'm Keeping Score or Anything.

The Professor

[MrScorpio]

71. DC!

Bring it to the Capitol

[deadparrot]

72. Somewhere in the midwest--central, that is. :)

I could get up there on a weekend from college next year, maybe, if it were within a five hour radius or so.

Chicago, Minneapolis...central. :)

[ProfessorGAC]

74. Ya Gotta Do Chicago!

Geez, you can get to Chicago from everywhere, very easily. American, United, Northwest, Delta, Southwest, ATA all hub through the Big Windy.

The Professor

[LibraLiz1973]

75. I voted DC

Just to make it easier for Homeland Security to keep an eye on all of us. lol

But really, NYC would be my 1st choice

[Maddy McCall]

78. NEW ORLEANS!

Ask any of the DUers who have been to N.O. Best city IN THE WORLD. :D

[HeeBGBz]

79. I vote for New Orleans too

Awesome city and I will only be an hour away if I move down south.

[JohnKleeb]

81. Boston or DC

[Griffy]

116. DC DC DC DC DC !!! PROTEST.. time to put our bodies out there!

If we gather in large numbers.. we would be hypocrites to not use that politically! call it Democraticaboveground!

[WMliberal]

82. nominating

because DAMMIT, I'd do anything to get to a national meetup.

[Tesla]

83. Chicago

Lincoln Park area is great, looks like a 20's gangster movie set.

[WMliberal]

91. as long as it isn't Prohibition themed

I need beer daamit! :beer:

[Magrittes Pipe]

85. Chicago 48, Boston 6.

That just about says it all. :D

[Huckebein the Raven]

86. Chicago

[BrklynLiberal]

88. Chicago is central. Most airlines go there if you cannot drive.

Can even get there by train if necessary.

[CubsFan1982]

89. Chicago, of course.

As if there should be any debate!

[hippiepunk]

90. L.A.

mostly because I don't like to travel.

[WMliberal]

93. Howsabout we get a big house down in the Outer Banks of NC?

it'd be a friggin week-long DU meetup! w00t! :party: :beer:

Did I mention we have this wondeful thing called Brew-Thru?

[gordianot]

94. Chicago

[sellitman]

95. Baltimore

The Inner Harbor Rocks!

:thumbsup:

[Inland]

97. CHICAGO!

One, it's fantastic in the summer.

Two, even Southwest flies one hundred thirty flights a day to Chicago.

Third, tons of hotel space.

Four, it's blue.

Five, it smells better than New York.

Six, it's cheaper than New York.

[brainshrub]

98. Asheville, NC.

Because it's the best place on earth to have a party.

[tommcintyre]

99. Housten Texas (Rice U) to protest the sham election fraud commission

June 30th is the second hearing. So far, we are totally be "sold down the river.

Links:
http://www.conyersblog.us/
<see Monday, April 18th and Thursday, April 21st>

[PassingFair]

101. I voted for Chicago...

location, location, location.
My second choice is LasVegas, because really cheap airfares can be had.

[barackmyworld]

102. Chicago has great public transport

and so many hotel options, even hostels for students.

[all.of.me]

103. austin

[sundog]

104. vegas!

rent a penthouse suite :bounce:

[HEyHEY]

105. Scranton Ohio!

[XemaSab]

106. Des Moines

ROCKS!

They even have a Des Moines Roll at the local sushi joint, and a bar downtown with interesting local citizenry. (The bar is two doors down from Edwards HQ, with an adult movie store in between.)

Good times, good times....

[autorank]

107. Must be DC -- Capitol Hill closed for the 1/6/05 Rally. Whole city for DU

Seriously, they had cop cars blocking the streets approaching Capitol Hill, nice DC police redirecting us, staff/member only access to the Capitol. That was for a small demonstration (but a great one and a great day). If DU showed up in DC, they'd evacuate. Think of it as a service to the locals and the whole nation!

[Griffy]

114. DC DC DC.. I wont go without us protesting.. with all the talk here..

If we finally get off the comp and join up in person.. lets march on the White House.. or the Capitol... if we can overlap with another protest we agree with we can maximize our effect..

I suggest the 4th of July! protest.. then fireworks... then party!

[RandomKoolzip]

109. Chicago.

Best fuckin' city in the world.

[StaggerLee]

110. Chicago

New York - My second choice.

D.C. - My third choice.

Hey! Let's invite Al Franken, Randi Rhodes and Jon Stewart. It wouldn't hurt to try!

[ForrestGump]

111. Chicago? No way. Vegas, baby.

I voted for Vegas in previous iterations of this poll, too, well before I lived here in the Bright-Light City or even thought of moving here.

Makes sense: airfares are cheap to Vegas, from just about anywhere (in the world, for that matter), and the place is set up to handle anything, even an influx of insane liberals (pretty much get that every weekend from LA, anyway). Lots to do, too, of course -- and this incudes, in addition to the obvious artificial enticements, easy access to some spectacular parts of the country, close to the city (Red Rock, Lake Powell, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Mt Charleston, etc) or further away (southern Utah, Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, etc).

Hotel rooms are plentiful but nowhere near as cheap (or free) as back in the days of yore -- the ouster of the Mafia and the corporatization of Vegas has wrought several changes, and the days of getting free or almost-free hotel rooms as an incentive are (unless you're a known quantity who's comped on the basis of past stays) basically gone. Still, even full-price room rates these days certainly compete well with other cities and they're downright cheap on weekdays for anyone who wants to stay on (assuming that this would be a weekend gig).

I never liked Chicago, so I guess the overwhelming victory that it's winning here (and its being favored in previous, similar polls) isn't enough to convince me that it's The Place, logistical benefits aside. I couldn't wait to get out of Chicago once I got there, so I hereby readily confess to an anti-Chicago bias that'd have me vote for Keokuk, IA, in preference.

Viva Las Vegas.

[SarahB]

122. Damn strait, baby!

:hi:

[ForrestGump]

123. Whatchoo got against straight people?

You been hanging out too long with all them lezbeens I seen in them Boston pikshurs...

:P

[progressoid]

112. Middle of the Country

Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, St Louis, etc

I like Minneapolis

[SemiCharmedQuark]

113. Chicago Baby!

Best city in America!

[LiberallyInclined]

117. sweet home...Chicago.

the most logical choice, and a Beautiful city to boot.

[derbstyron]

118. Atlanta

[ForrestGump]

124. Ah, yes...

Not quite middle of the country (Austin, TX, makes sense to me in terms of location, location, location and compatible sociopolitical climate) but, like Chicago (and the best oif them all, Vegas, the place that you want to vote for now that you're getting sleepy and your eyes are beginning to feel like lead weights slowly coming down, down, down....), it's a place that's supremely accessible via air and it has all sorts of good diversions (and nice environs) as well as a political culture more in harmony with us'all than is true for the redder parts of the state.

I'd definitely second the Big Peach, if only as a backup to the ultimate and most patriotic choice, Las Vegas (picture yourself on a boat, on a river....and picture us taking away your liberal credentials if you don't vote for Vegas, you America-hater...also, voting for Vegas will make your genital implement and/or mammary devices rapidly and permanently increase in size...and, when you wake up, you'll have no memory of this...yes, the Reagan Effect, circa Iran-Contra strife...)

(Man, I used a lot of parentheses in this post)

(Oh...you can wake up now. Act casual.)

[sniffa]

119. too bad ATA is gone

i'd so compLain about the bLatant, organized, freeping of this poLL.

[intheflow]

120. Chi-cago! Chi-cago! that toot-too-toodling town!

Chicago is the easy pick:

Democratic/Liberal/Progressive? Check!
Centrally located? Check!
Public transportation? Check!
Good restaurants? Check
Reasonably-priced to fly in and out of, with many flights available? Check!

The only drawback I see is cost of accomodations. Some of us of poor, you know, and don't know other DUers to share rooms with. So if getting htere doesn't bankrupt us, food and accomodation might.

Still... I love this idea and would make every attempt to get to a meeting where ever it was held.

:grouphug:

[ikojo]

121. St Louis or Chicago.....both are central and easier for

most people to get to by plane. Don't automatically exclude St Louis just because it's in MO. St Louis is an island of bluenecks surrounded by rednecks.

[Kolesar]

125. Somewhere that needs canvassers for their Governor's race...eom

[LynneSin]

126. Then that makes DC even more of a prime location...

...because Maryland could use the help getting Ehrlich out of office. This guy is a fricking shame!

[goodboy]

127. COLUMBUS OHIO!!! In the Middle!

[Mutley]

128. DC DC DC here's why

'cause I live close to there!

[LynneSin]

129. Actually Pittsburgh and here's why

(GASP!! I'm actually saying Pittsburgh!!)

First - it's got a slightly mid-western feel to it and slightly more centrally located

SEcond - someone commented that we should go to a state where we could help out with a Governors race. I'd like to take that one further - we could help OUST RICK SANTORUM.

Plus, we can probably find some cheap but nice hotels in Downtown Pittsburgh.