Sahar Massachi

Name:	Sahar Massachi
Location:	Waltham, MA
Where I blog:	Rochester Turning Innermost Parts

My Experience in progressive politics:

I am the communications director for DFA at Brandeis University. I have been a political blogger for a year and a half, a volunteer on the Eric Massa campaign, and an all-around activist at my university. Recently, I was the director of the National Committee for the Draft Lawrence Lessig movement, and I'm an Academy Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute.

My personal volunteering highlight:

In my second semester of Freshman year at Brandeis University, I used the campus political blog that I founded to elect three progressives to the student union, and I helped DFA canvass enough students in an 11th-hour push to grant the Student Union Vice-Presidency to a former DFA member.

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

Frequently, I will pair an appeal to vote a certain way or to show up to an event on my blog with either door-to-door canvassing to get out the vote or even organizing said event myself.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

I've wanted to go to YearlyKos ever since the first convention back in 2006. I couldn't go for the last two years since I was in high school - no money, and my parents wouldn't let me go in any case. This year, that can change. I want to network with the legions of progressive activists I know are out there, but I've never met. I consider myself part of the movement, but it's pretty lonely out there in Western New York, especially as a high school student with no car.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

I'd love to meet all the people I read online. Blogging is my favorite hobby - I procrastinate from homework reading Open Left, Ezra Klein, etc. Networking is obviously a must, but I think even the panel discussions and workshops would work well for me; I'd be able to learn from the cutting edge of progressive activism and bring that knowledge back to campus at Brandeis University so that all my fellow activists can learn from my Journey to the West.

What is a progressive activist:

Progressivism is often confused and interchanged with liberalism. That is a mistake. Liberalism is an orientation regarding policy. Progressivism is a related orientation regarding politics. To be a progressive activist is first to believe that our political system is breaking or broken, and then to act to change it, agitating for transparency, campaign finance reform, and enforcement of civil rights.

A progressive is not a blind patriot; she believes fervently in the value of American ideals due to their inherent worth in promoting the dignity, liberty, and welfare of everyone, rather than in the infallibility of American action due to the geography of her birth. A progressive believes that liberty means much more than lack of a king; in freedom from want as well as freedom of speech; in freedom from fear as well as freedom of religion.

A progressive works to re-orient the United States towards its promise and self-image as the embodiment of the Enlightenment.

In short, a progressive activist is warrior battling against the Assault on Reason

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

Blogs fulfill multiple roles. They serve as an easy way to take the pulse of their audience and authors - progressive activists and core democrats.

The blogosphere serves as an ideological institution that spreads the progressive message. Moreover, blogs shine when they are used to coordinate people on the ground to do specific things, be it sending money to a congressional candidate, watching a youtube video, or coordinating a meetup.

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

Democracy for America is a core pillar of the movement. DFA brings the numbers, the passion, and the expertise to turn any event into a success. Don't forget that DFA has the express goal of taking back the Democratic Party in more progressive hands. This institutional mission and goal provides a framework for both candidates like Ed Fallon and legions of unknown activists-turned-party-regulars.

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

John McCain - Invading Iran since 2009