Netroots Nation: A Fly on the Wall

Blogcritics magazine ^ | July 18, 2008 | Dave Nalle

[smokingfrog]

With a registration fee of about $500 it was clear that no riff-raff need apply. Discussions with attendees put that in context and explained the need for so much big-money sponsorship. The attendees were largely hand-picked, with their entry and expenses underwritten by various groups in the form of paid 'scholarships' to enable them to attend. Naturally, that meant that there was a selection process in play where scholarships were directed to the most influential and most loyal partisans, giving them the opportunity to make contacts and take advantage of the extensive learning opportunities offered at the conference.

Netroots Nation also functions as a social gathering for insiders or "Trusted Users" of DailyKos, a close-knit group of enthusiastic online activists for whom DailyKos has become the basis of a lifestyle. They have little clubs and interest groups within the larger community and clearly share common interests and a jovial camaraderie. Politics aside, they seemed like pretty nice, outgoing folks. Once again demonstrating that the impression people make in person is often much more positive than the one they would create online. These are the same folks who would delete my comments for political incorrectness on DailyKos, but in person they seemed pretty amiable.

[max americana]

> “Trusted Users” of DailyKos, a close-knit group of enthusiastic online activists for whom DailyKos has become the basis of a lifestyle. <

Also known as the Brain Dead Bunch.

[Charles Henrickson]

With a registration fee of about $500 it was clear that no riff-raff need apply. . . . Netroots Nation also functions as a social gathering for insiders or "Trusted Users" of DailyKos. . . .

Nutroots elitism at the KOmmie KOnvention!

[Doctor Raoul]

Kosmanauts...Space Cadets of the Left

[ncalburt]

Nutjob Bob Barr attended this radical America haters fest.
So that should tell you all ya need about ACLU lovin Bobby !

[Valin]

Thanks

[davenalle]

This report is just the beginning of my coverage of Nutroots Nation. I also combine it with coverage of the much more positive right-leaning Defending the American Dream summit. My final installment, complete with video and some controversy is at http://www.republicofdave.com