Terri MacMillan

Name:	Terri MacMillan
Location:	Tokyo, FC
Where I blog:	Daily Kos The Group News Blog Modern Media Japan

My Experience in progressive politics:

I was a grassroots activist in the overseas wing of the Dean campaign, and was very active as a commentor on BFA, AfricanAmericansforDemocracy and other related groups, for a time.
I was elected as an At-large Dean Delegate for Democrats Abroad.
I ran for and served 2 terms as Chair of Democrats Abroad Japan.
I'm part of the team that produces the DAJ podcast, and I produce the Group News Blog podcasts (currently on hiatus).
I attended DFA Trainings when I was in the States, and they were an enormous help in understanding the process of changing politics for the better.

Before before inspired by Gov. Dean and the BFA community, and before writing a book of Bushisms called 'Bush in Wonderland' (only available in Japanese), I had never been politically active before.

My personal volunteering highlight:

There were so many...well, 3 of us traveled from Tokyo to be Perfect Stormers, and we met up with amazing people, many of whom are friends to this day. Anyway, we were staying in Wesley Woods, and had to get up very early to drive in sub-unthinkable weather, to do visibility at a crossroads as folks drove to work. The sky was dark, the sun was still just a pink and purple rim over the fields and houses, and the five of us shivering as the car picked its way over rural roads, and then on to the highway.

It was too quiet to speak. But, someone, I don't know who, in that frozen car, began humming under their breath, and then softly singing:
'oh beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain'

Someone else joined in softly, as the sun began to rise and daylight started slowly illuminating everything we couldn't quite see before.

'for purple mountains' majesty..."

Everyone in the car joined in, as diverse a crew of people as you'd ever see, all singing now, still softly, on the way to do our part to take back our country.

It was a moment, and a movement, that fuels me, even now.

Steps I've taken to combine on-line and off-line action:

participating in voter registration and visibility events; helping at fundraisers and speeches, editing video and helping produce audio PSAs and other material, making music and visuals for video, audio PSAs: most of these activities are begun and organized via our local online community.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

My dream is to podcast and videocast the people, events, and atmosphere of Netroots Nation, with a specific focus: to record people's stories in a way that can help broaden the reality-based community beyond folks who are already in the blogosphere. So, the results would be podcast, videocast, and streaming video that can also be on DVD or CD, that we can give as gifts to people who don't necessarily look at DailyKos every few hours or at all...but who are curious about what we're like.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

Re-connecting and moving forward with old and new friends, learning more and being able to share what I learn, food for writing, thinking and activism.

What is a progressive activist:

A person who allocates their time and other resources to progressive causes, campaigns, training and outreach. I define progressive causes as those that inspire Americans to reconnect with and value America's founding principles of liberty, fairness, justice...and common sense.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

They're essential. I believe that the movement can only grow and get more effective if we become effective storytellers. Blog provide a simple way to learn to tell our stories, share others' stories, learn and connect.

How I think Democracy For America fits into the progressive movement:

It's essential. It began with the idea of effectively changing the country through grassroots politics, and continues to be a trusted source of information, and with Night School, it's even more essential as the progressive movement grows.

In 10 words or less, create a bumper-sticker slogan against John McCain:

Bush = McCain = 4 More Years of Pain