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Nonstop deluge of radical weekend retreats and workshops coming from the far left progressives

This Weekend’s “PowerShift 2011”: Organizing for Socialism?



It is hard to keep up with the nonstop deluge of radical weekend retreats and workshops coming from the far left progressives these days. This weekend's special event, Power Shift 2011, is billed as the largest organizer training session in history, with over 10,000 youth activists anticipated.

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Noel Sheppard at Newsbusters.org has already highlighted some of the very special keynote speakers including Van Jones, Al Gore, and the EPA's Lisa Jackson. Noel also highlighted some of the questionable instructors and workshops led by representatives of the International Socialists. Many more of the usual radical leaders and groups are represented in the weekend workshops, including the following: Jamie Henn, Bill McKibben, 350.org Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Green For All Chief Executive Officer Brad Johnson, Center for American Progress Janet Redman, Institute for Policy Studies John Feffer, Institute for Policy Studies Of course, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and Natl. Wildlife Fed. are well represented Morgan Goodwin, Avaaz Corinne Hart, United Nations Foundation, Department of Energy Access Lisa Graves, Center for Media and Democracy Duncan Meisel, US Uncut/Billionaires for Wealthcare Jane Hamsher, Founder, Firedoglake What I found the most disturbing of all was a series of workshops on building political power, including "Uncloaking the Kochs." Take a look at the description, and most of all, take a look at the panelists: Building Political Power - Uncloaking the Kochs This panel will discuss the undue influence that the Koch Brothers, their front groups, and corporations have on our elections and what it means for environmental reform. Doug Clopp, Common Cause Joel Francis Connor Gibson, Greenpeace Lisa Graves, Center for Media and Democracy Brad Johnson, Center for American Progress Another session under the Building Political Power umbrella is on current actions being taken by the Obama administration: Representatives from the Obama Administration will discuss successful programs and efforts around sustainability, climate and energy, and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This panel will be moderated by Kalpen Modi, and include representatives from the White House, Department of Energy and other agencies. These are just highlights from one segment of the overall weekend schedule. It is clear that many representatives from our current administration are working hand in hand with some of the more radical and Soros sponsored groups in the US to "educate" our youth. How was this weekend described to participants? The good folks at Powershift introduce the weekend to applicants this way: When you apply, you're taking a real leadership role in the next phase of our movement and we'll support you all the way. You'll attend one of seven Regional Trainings to meet others on the training team, experience the Movement Building Forums, and then prepare to lead them yourself at Power Shift 2011. Along the way, you'll work with Lead Trainers and organizers from the New Organizing Institute Education Fund, who have developed trainings and campaigns in the immigration, labor and equal rights movements. So, who are the people at the New Organizing Institute (NOI)? According toDiscoverTheNetworks: On November 22, 2005, MoveOn.org Executive Director Eli Pariser announced that his group had created the New Organizing Institute (NOI), "a unique grassroots program that trains young, technology-enabled political organizers to work for progressive campaigns and organizations." Victory in the 2006 midterm elections was NOI's immediate priority. Said Pariser: "The Internet has made huge changes in politics... Now, our [MoveOn's] former Organizing Director Zack Exley is working on cultivating the next generation of 'online organizers' at the New Organizing Institute. The first step: find 50 talented up-and-coming organizers, put them through an all-expenses-paid training week, and place them on 2006 campaigns where they can really make a difference." Current board members at NOI include those currently or formerly with AFL-CIO, MoveOn.org, and Avaaz. Kevin Bondelli's blog, promoting last year's Boot Camp from NOI, boasts of the alumni from these events: Alumni of BootCamp have gone on to serve as field organizers, new media and executive directors for organizations like Organizing for America, SEIU, GetEQUAL, the ONE Campaign, the Ruckus Society, The League of Young Voters, Color of Change, MoveOn, NRDC, and many, many others. We were already aware of many ways that the radical progressives are working to enlist the world's youth, such as using social networking and online social gaming. Add this weekend's organizing event to the ever growing list, combining radical progressive groups with our government representatives. With the names and agendas of those involved, it is difficult to deny what end result they are hoping for.


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Michelle Horstman -- Bio and Archives

Michelle Horstman is a small business owner, artist and mother of three in Texas. Michelle also writes for NewsRealBlog and her personal blog can be found at Benfranklinslepthere.blogspot.com </em>


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