Friday Funny - Markos v. Stephen Colbert

When it comes to politics and comedy, nothing says funny like Stephen Colbert.

Tie that in with my awesome experience at the YearlyKos Convention two weeks ago, and you've got yourself one heck of a package.

Markos Moulitsas is the founder of DailyKos, and not just a visionary but a real great guy to hang out with. Despite Bill O'Reilly's grandeur illusions about what DailyKos really is, it's a community of people, might like MichiganLiberal, who just care about their country and work together to make it a better place.

Today's funny is a clip from The Colbert Report with Markos as a guest. Watch and laugh along, especially towards the end.

Bloggers Paradise or Bust!

It's that time of year again, time for Geek Fest 2007, otherwise known as YearlyKos 2007.

For those of you familiar with the largest lefty blog in the country, DailyKos, this might sound familiar. YKos is the national conference for progressive netroots activists just like yours truly. Needless to say, I can't wait!

While I'm there, I'll be taking part in various workshops, panels, and hobnobbing with some of the country's elite progressive politicians and netroots activists, including Gov. Howard Dean, DNC Chairman and all 8 of the Democratic Presidential Candidates.

Can't make it? Don't despair, CNN, C-Span, NPR, and the rest of the MSM will be there covering it all. Needless to say, in only it's second year, YearlyKos is becoming a place that's changing the face of Democratic politics in America.

I'm joining 10-15 other Michigan lefty bloggers that I know in the Windy City, and when all's said and done, I'm sure we'll be a part of the 2,000+ crowd.

That being said, don't think I won't be updating LLP while I'm there. There will be so much to share, so many opportunities awaiting everyone, that I'll be on the Tubes more often than not.

Despite all the frenzied chaos that's sure to be YKos, it's about keeping things in perspective. A good friend and fellow blogger Kid Oakland just posted this very touching piece over on DailyKos. That is what it's all about.

Taking it to the Streets, and a Possible Right Wing Conspiracy

As I sit here with my big box o' Kleenex, throat lozenges, and remedies for all that ails me, here's a couple thoughts to supplement this morning's Coffee Talk over at MichLib.

Despite my lack of health and energy, I'll be out this afternoon for the Domestic Partner Benefits March over at the Capitol. A big thanks to my friend and fellow Daily Kos Rescue Ranger, Pico, for doing a great diary over at MichLib about it. It's at 3pm, hope you can make it.

There's a new blog on the block, Rust Belt Blues, which is worth you stopping by to check out. Howard's latest post is concerning a possible right-wing conspiracy against Apple. Given all the much ado about nothing that the Repubs drummed up over those iPods, Howard just may have a point. Once you head over, be sure to do like I do, and add Rust Belt Blues to your Bloglines or RSS Reader.

It's a beautiful day out, and I'm hoping that the sun and fresh air will do my sinuses/allergies some good. If nothing else, the exercise will do my body good and continue to help me get in shape for my bike ride.

p.s. I'm still collecting donations to reach my goal of $15,000. Can you help?

Welcome Kossacks!

For those of you stopping on by courtesy of Daily Kos, welcome! I was really honored to find LLP had been placed on today's 10 Random User Blogroll Links.

Since you're here, I thought I'd pull up a couple of my favorite posts for a smattering of what Liberal, Loud and Proud is all about.

1) Why Republican Gay Discrimination Costs Us* - Everyone talks about the social/moral issues of discriminating against the LGBT community, but take a look at why it's not smart from an economical standpoint.

2) A Green Lesson from Northern Michigan - a trip up north got me thinking about Michigan's economy, and the lesson we can all heed from Mother Nature.

3) Introduction and Analysis of the House Standing Committee Leadership - A brief glimpse into the men and women who head Michigan's House Committees.

4) This Blogger's Passion - Anyone can rant and rave on a blog. I do it because I believe in the power of educating and advocating.

5) Something's Brewing in the Neighborhood - I'm part of a group that created a Congressional District Watch Blog for one of D.C.'s most dangerous Congresscritters - Mike Rogers.

6) The Real Skinny on the Michigan '06 Elections* - Everything you wanted to know, and more. I promise that it makes for an interesting read. :-)

7) For Our Veterans* - One of the most talked about posts I've ever written. Inspired by my father, a Vietnam Vet, Veterans Day, and the apathy towards those who risk it all for us.

8) Bloggers - A Campaign's Best Friend* - Bloggers are a huge asset to any campaign, for a variety of reasons.

9) Musings of an Exhausted Blogger - Even with the limitations of living with a chronic illness, I was able to do my part during the '06 elections thanks to blogging.

10) Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen: Reason #1 - Without a doubt, this list of 25 Reasons Why not to vote for Amway Guy (Dick DeVos) and vote for Governor Jennifer Granholm put me on the map. I'm not sure I can ever express how much a true labor of love, blood, sweat and tears it was (25 Reasons for 25 days!), but without a doubt, it was worth it.

*Rescued on Kos

Again, welcome to Liberal, Loud and Proud, and here's hoping we see you around more often!

~Liberal Lucy

Govenor Granholm Live on Daily Kos - 4 p.m. Today!

From Daily Kos-

On Monday at 4pm, Governor Granholm will be posting a diary and responding to questions and comments. She will be focusing on her economic plan and the investments that she layed out in her State of the State address as well as her 2008 budget proposals to solve the state's fiscal crisis.

For a number of reasons, Michigan is facing a very important set of choices in the coming weeks, and it is vital for everyone to understand what is at stake. Here is some background and detail on the Governor's budget proposals and her State of the State address. I know that the Governor is eager to read thoughts on what she has presented and how we can move forward.

Many thanks to Clint from the Governor's office for setting this up. Hope you can be there, it will be an important discussion and I'm anxious to see what the Governor has to say!

See you there!

West/Mid Michigan Meet Up - This Friday!

Come one, come all, to the West/Mid Michigan Meet Up -

this Friday, Jan. 19th @ 7:30
at Beaners - 2500 E. Beltline, Grand Rapids.

Your hosts, LiberalLucy and Angrybird, will be joined by numerous others from the Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Mt. Pleasant areas.

Combined with readers/writers/lurkers of MichiganLiberal.com, and Daily Kos, a good time is promised for all.

Email me with any questions or to RSVP, but more importantly, we just hope to see you there!

Wishing everyone warmth and happiness!

Humbled Musings

Tonight was the second time in less than 3 weeks that a diary of mine has been "rescued" on DailyKos. (The first was my Veteran's Day post)

For those of you unfamiliar with Kos, it's The national liberal blog. Thousands of people write dairies there each day, just like MichiganLiberal, but on a much, much larger scale. Each day, about 10-20 diaries are rescued by the Rescue Rangers, and no, they aren't chipmunks. :-D

At the end of each day, a Diary Rescue is posted on the front page of DKos, with a brief summary of each diary. This is a big deal for me because as a relatively new kid on the block (I've been blogging just under a year, and only blogging on Kos for about a month) it's quite the unexpected honor.

I never stuck my toes into the water of this blogosphere because I wanted to be famous, or well known, or to have bragging rights. (If anything, I've endured a lot of teasing from my non-blogging friends and family over the elevation of my dork status since blogging.) I blog because I hope to educate and enlighten others.

A fellow Kossack (the moniker given to those of us who post at DailyKos) had this to say in the comment section, and I'd like to share it.

Everyone should read the MI GOV diary (Posted by Land of the Free)
Liberal Lucy's diary is a must read for everyone. It's a fascinating look at how a Democratic Governor in a state with a struggling economy, and with a ridiculously rich right-wing opponent, was able to win in a landslide.

The theme from the polling results is that Michiganians, while hurting economically, saw through the right-wing crap and voted for competence over empty platitudes. The weird thing is that while they voted overwhelmingly for Granholm (who was behind in the polls last summer) based on many social issues as well as her competence, they also simultaneously voted to create some bans on affirmative action. There are some interesting lessons to be learned from the polling results LL has in her diary. Check it out.

That got me thinking. Here's my response that I posted.

Thanks for Getting It! (Posted by LiberalLucy)

The only reason I blog is to educate others, not because I have a bunch of time on my hands.

There's so much to be learned from all the different states and their elections, but I agree with you, Michigan is a unique case that I dare say will most likely be repeated again.

In one aspect, it gives me pride that Michigan told a billionaire we can't be bought to his uber-conservative ways.

In another aspect, it frightens me to think that as this very moment, the GOP is restocking their candidate inventory, and figuring out how Michigan can be bought and conquered, next time around.

The Liberals own the blogosphere like the Conservatives own the Talk Radio sphere. If we don't continue to strentghen and fortify our strong points, we'll only fall flat on our faces in '08. I hope to God that it's just a really bad nightmare we all have, and never the actual case.

I won't sit by and watch it happen, so I continue to speak up, speak out, and hope to God those who matter are listening.

So another day, another post, another prayer that those who matter actually are listening.