=-=-=-=-=-=-= BODY, MIND and BALLOT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[skids]

BODY, MIND and BALLOT.

What is it? An excercise gathering for Election Reform people.

Where is it? Just a few forum posts away, if you want it.

Why? Amaryllis's thread which so aptly describes many of us here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=203

....got me thinking that we could all use a walk, hike, jog, or a game of something.

And some human contact.

And some face-time with our fellow election activists.

And some way to know who is who, and who is for real, online.

And some local planning.

And a bit of gossip.

And a couple new acquaintances that don't think we are crazy.

Too obsessed to excercise alone? Sorry, you don't have that excuse anymore.

Find some people near you and meet for a quick cardio.

Here's a plan of action. It couldn't be simpler:

1) Pick a better name in this thread. BM&B is just a working title.
2) Split up and invade the state forums here on DU to get at those people who don't seem to post/read over here in Election Results.
3) Announce it on KoS and a few other places.
4) Invade a few more groups' state/local forums, Yahoo groups, etc.
5) For those people that find some local contacts, organize a session.
6) Report back here on how things are going.
7) Keep publicising your local meetings to pick up more members.
8) Organize a central coordinating point to attract the stragglers and
so people on the road can visit local groups, and to post ideas for
activities.

A holiday weekend is coming up, so it should be easy to pull together some first meetings. After all, we are all way to obsessed to be taking vacations.



And if you do manage to put together a session near you, don't bother to shave/primp or shower. Just throw on some sweats. We all know what you really look like. We see it in the mirror every day.

[AuntiBush]

1. You've got me wanting to Rally about!

Thanks for the tips!

:thumbsup:

[skids]

2. I guess everyone else would prefer to let their health languish.

My post is lonely. No bites, eh? Too bad you probably aren't near me, Auntie. Not that I own a bike.

[Melissa G]

3. Exercise is good but I bet this forum is full of introverts

So getting together is more exciting in theory...
(edit for poor word choice)

[dzika]

4. Bush was in Raleigh last week and I didn't even go to the protest!

MoveOn and CodePink were both there. It was very tempting but I just didn't go.

[demodonkey]

5. This is a GOOD IDEA!

One of the best times I ever had in my life was that March down Pennsylvania Avenue and up Capitol Hill on January 6! It was like dancing for two miles (or what ever the distance was) because we were all so focused.

I like the idea of a regular bike ride with other Voting Rights peeps, or a horse ride with Electoral Reformers, or a bunch of Fraudbusters going skiing together... and I especially like the idea of posting meetings somewhere so that people on the road can meet up with locals.

[skids]

6. Glad someone thinks so.

Maybe folks will be more talkative in the afternoon.

[emcguffie]

7. I think it's a great idea --

Except I can't walk or run right now -- hip bursitis and sciatica. But I sure do want to meet someone in my area. I want to plan going to see our legislators with convincing info ammo. I don't know what else to do.

I believe the only way to convince people who don't understand is face to face. I've been sick a lot myself, and have taken a lot of time off, so I'm not going to do it for a little while, but I am definitely going to do it. I was just thinking this a.m. on the way to work, gee, I wish I could get some folks together to do this with. Even my DFA meetup, they have their OWN election reform group, and I can only seem to qualify for updates. They have demonstrations in Trenton, but they are always at noon on workdays, and I can't make them.

I live in West Orange, NJ. Anybody nearby?

[minvis]

8. I'm interested

Anyone on the northside of Chicago?

[skids]

9. Keep them trickling in.

Eventually we'll manage to get some people in the same region.

Oh, and I'm in/around the Valley in Western MA.

[Wilms]

10. Los Angeles checking in. n/t