Where's Lowell?

By: The Grey Havens
Published On: 6/24/2008 10:54:29 AM

Folks may be wondering where our fearless leader, Lowell Feld, has been recently.

No, he's not playing pinochle with Dick Cheney in an undisclosed location. He's focusing on the launch of his book Netroots Rising, and its companion blog, shockingly called Netroots Rising.

If the blog is any indication, the book should be fantastic.  

Here's an excerpt:

The stories of Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, and many others (Paul Hackett, Ned Lamont, Jim Webb, etc.) were made possible in part by the Internet, one of the most powerful technological advances in history. Over the past several years, the Internet increasingly has come to serve as a catalyst to activism for millions of previously passive people, uniting them and enabling a new wave of citizen activism in America. Bloggers play a key role in our story, but the book is not only about bloggers. It is also about the netroots movement defined much more broadly-that is, the citizen activists using online tools such as Yahoo! groups, blogs, Meetups, instant messaging, and e-mail to organize on-the-ground activities (such as canvassing, flyering, and block-walking) that are as old as American democracy itself.

We are under no illusion that ours are the most important stories of the emerging netroots; they are simply the stories we know best. We have been blessed with the opportunity to play a small role in a large movement that has made a big difference for American democracy. Hundreds of thousands of equally committed activists and candidates have contributed as much time and effort, or more.

Above all, we want these stories to inspire more citizens to become involved in their democracy, and to prove the truth of Howard Dean's rallying cry, ''You've got the power!"

Come back soon, Lowell!  We miss you.


Comments



On Sale at Amazon (Elaine in Roanoke - 6/24/2008 11:08:32 AM)
Amazon.com will begin shipping Netroots Rising on June 27. I've already ordered my copy! It'll be on my book shelf next to Mousepads, Shoeleather, and Hope - about the Net and the Dean Campaign - and The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Joe Trippi.

(I just hope the Republicans stay as clueless about the new politics as they are right now. Plus, we have to protect the independence of the Internet.)



Howard Dean is my hero... (lgb30856 - 6/24/2008 12:15:37 PM)
Four years ago I was deep into the campaign of Howard Dean. I went to New Hampshire and worked on his campaign from the HQ in Concord. It was 25 degrees below zero but we were so "fired up" for Howard.
We followed him around NH to hear his speeches.
We made so many friends who are still working on local and national campaigns.
Howard lost and we were devestated.
Now we are invigorated by a new candidate named Barack Obama. Obama is using the internet like Howard did. Raising money from people like you and me.
You are the people he has been waiting for.
You are the ones staffing the offices and getting out the vote.
I believe Lowell was one of the first Dean supporters, so I have heard from friends.
Thanks Lowell for all you do.
Howard has left a legacy. And you are part of it.


Lowell was a Clarkie... (The Grey Havens - 6/24/2008 1:40:57 PM)
I'm the resident Deaniac here at RK, but all are welcome.  ;)


I should have known a (KathyinBlacksburg - 6/25/2008 10:38:14 AM)
fellow Deniac!  Me too.  PS Democracy Fest is in NOVA (Holiday Inn Dulles) this year.


Book, shmook, I say he's sunning himself on the beach (Catzmaw - 6/24/2008 1:30:56 PM)
somewhere, trying to figure out whether he should order his margarita with or without salt, and asking himself whether it's time to lay on another topping of SPF 30.  


Thanks for the update! (Alicia - 6/24/2008 1:33:06 PM)
Great news!


A fascinating read (Silence Dogood - 6/24/2008 2:11:23 PM)
I was actually going to skip the website and wait for the hardcopy, but curiousity got the better of me during my lunch break.  Click through the link if you haven't had the chance (it's the second "Netroots Rising" one) and give it a read through.

Particularly, I was interested in Waldo Jaquith's interview with Lowell.  It quickly becomes apparent that Waldo has a different take on the state and effectiveness of blogging than Lowell does, and it's an interesting, challenging alternative perspective.



Knowing Lowell, I'm sure his book is a great one but it's a bit pricey. (Tom Counts - 6/24/2008 5:04:12 PM)
I just wish the publisher could lower the price a bit. At $39.95 I'm afraid a lot of people will have to want until the paperback version hits the bookstores, though.

I think Lowell's book would become a best seller at the same price as Jim Webb's book. I paid $25 for a hard-cover copy of Webb's book at Barnes and Noble (no plan I've heard of for a paperback version).

Does anyone on RK know anything about Lowell's co-author ?



Nate Wilcox (The Grey Havens - 6/24/2008 10:54:27 PM)
here ya go

Nate's the genuine article.  ;)



I'm Waiting for the Made-for-TV Movie Version (HisRoc - 6/24/2008 10:56:43 PM)
:)


But he is coming back, right? (Barbara - 6/24/2008 9:25:56 PM)
I wish Lowell much success with the book, but I hope he is back soon.  We do miss him.


No Kidding (HisRoc - 6/24/2008 11:00:29 PM)
Lowell,

This bunch of renegades you have left in charge are working hard, but RK is missing the 'spark' it had when you were blogging.  Hell, we haven't had a really good hissy-fit fight since you've been gone!

:)



Cover picture (Shawn - 6/25/2008 10:30:39 AM)
I haven't seen the book yet but it looks like the picture, displayed on the laptop on the book's cover, is of Democratic primary U.S. Senate candidate Jim Webb, who acted as the grand marshal for the 2006 St.Patrick's Day parade in Fredericksburg.