In our system of government, politics must be the part-time occupation of every citizen.Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Want to practice for your March 16? Join us for Denver Speakers Corner, tomorrow (Jan 30) or any Sunday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Panera Bread, 13th & Grant here in Denver. More info and optional RSVP to be part of the leadership group at http://meetup.com/Denver-Speakers-Corner.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Colorado Secretary of State Page: Colorado Caucuses
It's great that this page has been put up (finally) of the Secretary of State webpage. Some of us have been talking to the various holders of that office since 2002 about getting something like this.
But why is there no link on the front page of the elections page?
Would newcomers to Colorado or Colorado politics be able to find the page without such a link?
What do you think?
But why is there no link on the front page of the elections page?
Would newcomers to Colorado or Colorado politics be able to find the page without such a link?
What do you think?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Did you watch the President's report to us on TV last night?
I didn't see it live, but I've watched in online and read through the transcript on the Denver Post.
Working with groups is frustrating, most of us have a difficult time getting even our own family to agree on simple things.
In our system of government the real power is vested with we the people, the common people, the grassroots.
What the President said last night, the formal Republican response, and then all of the discussion that follows consumes the attention of the country right now.
But a far more important event happens for us here in Colorado March 16 when there will be over 6,000 neighborhood gatherings where citizens will elect representatives and vote on resolutions.
It's a hard story for the media to cover, so it lacks the high profile of last night's talk.
We can't sit home and turn on the TV or computer and watch it live or recorded. It won't make the headlines the next morning. But it can be argued it will have far more of a lasting effect.
So thanks to the thousands of people in both major parties who are working hard right now to once more bring it about. If you want to help, call the local county office for your political party. And I hope you'll share what you experience with us here. If you create a blog or website for that purpose, I will link to it here.
I didn't see it live, but I've watched in online and read through the transcript on the Denver Post.
Working with groups is frustrating, most of us have a difficult time getting even our own family to agree on simple things.
In our system of government the real power is vested with we the people, the common people, the grassroots.
What the President said last night, the formal Republican response, and then all of the discussion that follows consumes the attention of the country right now.
But a far more important event happens for us here in Colorado March 16 when there will be over 6,000 neighborhood gatherings where citizens will elect representatives and vote on resolutions.
It's a hard story for the media to cover, so it lacks the high profile of last night's talk.
We can't sit home and turn on the TV or computer and watch it live or recorded. It won't make the headlines the next morning. But it can be argued it will have far more of a lasting effect.
So thanks to the thousands of people in both major parties who are working hard right now to once more bring it about. If you want to help, call the local county office for your political party. And I hope you'll share what you experience with us here. If you create a blog or website for that purpose, I will link to it here.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2010
For more contact: John Wren (303)861-1447
UNAFFILIATED JOHN WREN DECLARES HIMSELF CAUCUS LAUREATE.
Long-time community activist will use the Internet and public speaking to encourage others to get involved.
DENVER--John Wren announced today his intention to increase informed participation in the Colorado caucuses, which will next meet on March 16. Wren will be reporting about his efforts on Colorado Caucus 2010 http://www.COCaucus.org and he is available to talk with business, neighborhood and other groups. Contact him at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com
“I’ve decided to become an unaffiliated voter for the next couple of years. Instead of working to help a political party to form and advance an agenda or working for a particular candidate or issue, I’ll be working to help whoever would like to become a more active citizen to get involved with the party, issue, or candidate of their choice,” said Wren.
“It seems to me we need a Colorado Caucus Laureate to raise the consciousness and a greater appreciation of the biannual Colorado Caucuses, our state-wide civics lesson. This is something that has been done for poetry; it should be done for the art of Colorado citizenship.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Poet_Laureate
“If people are tired of politics as usually, people who are affiliated with one of the two major political parties should inform themselves about issues, potential candidates, and how the system works, and then go to their March 16 neighborhood caucus ready to go to work. People who are unaffiliated right now can’t vote in the caucus, but they can still participate and make a difference, something I’ll be talking about on Colorado Caucus 2010,” said Wren.
John S. Wren www.JohnWren.com is a business consultant and adult educator. He was part of the group that formed Save the Caucus in 2002 to defeat Amendment 29 which would have ended the grassroots caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot in Colorado. He can be reached at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.
January 27, 2010
For more contact: John Wren (303)861-1447
UNAFFILIATED JOHN WREN DECLARES HIMSELF CAUCUS LAUREATE.
Long-time community activist will use the Internet and public speaking to encourage others to get involved.
DENVER--John Wren announced today his intention to increase informed participation in the Colorado caucuses, which will next meet on March 16. Wren will be reporting about his efforts on Colorado Caucus 2010 http://www.COCaucus.org and he is available to talk with business, neighborhood and other groups. Contact him at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com
“I’ve decided to become an unaffiliated voter for the next couple of years. Instead of working to help a political party to form and advance an agenda or working for a particular candidate or issue, I’ll be working to help whoever would like to become a more active citizen to get involved with the party, issue, or candidate of their choice,” said Wren.
“It seems to me we need a Colorado Caucus Laureate to raise the consciousness and a greater appreciation of the biannual Colorado Caucuses, our state-wide civics lesson. This is something that has been done for poetry; it should be done for the art of Colorado citizenship.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Poet_Laureate
“If people are tired of politics as usually, people who are affiliated with one of the two major political parties should inform themselves about issues, potential candidates, and how the system works, and then go to their March 16 neighborhood caucus ready to go to work. People who are unaffiliated right now can’t vote in the caucus, but they can still participate and make a difference, something I’ll be talking about on Colorado Caucus 2010,” said Wren.
Since 1996 Wren has organized and facilitated adult learning groups, now through his new Community Room College. http://www.CommunityRoomCollege.org
###
John S. Wren www.JohnWren.com is a business consultant and adult educator. He was part of the group that formed Save the Caucus in 2002 to defeat Amendment 29 which would have ended the grassroots caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot in Colorado. He can be reached at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
New Facebook Group: I'm a fan of the Colorado Caucuses.
I've followed John Skipper's lead, he recently set up "I'm a fan of the Iowa Caucuses" Facebook group. Hope you'll join. (Click on the headline/link above)
Are you and I Facebook friends? If not, Friend me and I'll send you an invitation to the new group. http://www.facebook.com/John.S.Wren
Are you and I Facebook friends? If not, Friend me and I'll send you an invitation to the new group. http://www.facebook.com/John.S.Wren
Thursday, January 21, 2010
From my friend Steven Clift, Neighborhood e-mail list host for
http://e-democracy.org/se
Steven writes:
Do you host a ...
... neighborhood e-mail list?
... highly interactive placeblog?
... local social network on Ning?
... a private Facebook group for nearest neighbors?
... a local online community of any kind?
Then join your peers on this new peer-to-peer online group for local hosts:
One of the buried factoids from the Pew Internet and American Life Project last year is that 4% of American adults or 8 million people are members of good old neighborhood e-mail lists. If the average neighborhood e-mail list is 200 people (no idea what it is) that means 40,000 people have step up to successfully create an online public space for their neighbors. However whether it is on YahooGroups, Google Groups, Ning, or Facebook a quick hunt for local online groups brings up perhaps 10 empty shells with just a few members.
The technology made it easy for 360,000 people to fail at a low cost and 40,000 of us broke through and managed to convince our neighbors to join us online (very much a close to one person a time adventure from my experience) to the tune of 8 million overall. The neighbors movement online is completely below the radar and most succesful efforts barely know about the local online spaces beyond their immediate area. I want to change that by gathering a few hundred hosts of online neighborhood efforts in a space we can use to exchange stories, lessons, and advice.
Imagine if we simply captured our top ten lessons and the success rate for new neighborhood spaces went from 10% to 20% by spreading our collective advice. We'd serve another 8 million people (far more globally for that
matter) in no time. Wow!
That might be the easy part. The real challenge is finding the first few hundred online neighborhood hosts who don't yet know they are part of a movement. Can you help by sending the local revolutionaries you know to:
http://e-democracy.org/locals
http://e-democracy.org/se
Steven writes:
Do you host a ...
... neighborhood e-mail list?
... highly interactive placeblog?
... local social network on Ning?
... a private Facebook group for nearest neighbors?
... a local online community of any kind?
Then join your peers on this new peer-to-peer online group for local hosts:
One of the buried factoids from the Pew Internet and American Life Project last year is that 4% of American adults or 8 million people are members of good old neighborhood e-mail lists. If the average neighborhood e-mail list is 200 people (no idea what it is) that means 40,000 people have step up to successfully create an online public space for their neighbors. However whether it is on YahooGroups, Google Groups, Ning, or Facebook a quick hunt for local online groups brings up perhaps 10 empty shells with just a few members.
The technology made it easy for 360,000 people to fail at a low cost and 40,000 of us broke through and managed to convince our neighbors to join us online (very much a close to one person a time adventure from my experience) to the tune of 8 million overall. The neighbors movement online is completely below the radar and most succesful efforts barely know about the local online spaces beyond their immediate area. I want to change that by gathering a few hundred hosts of online neighborhood efforts in a space we can use to exchange stories, lessons, and advice.
Imagine if we simply captured our top ten lessons and the success rate for new neighborhood spaces went from 10% to 20% by spreading our collective advice. We'd serve another 8 million people (far more globally for that
matter) in no time. Wow!
That might be the easy part. The real challenge is finding the first few hundred online neighborhood hosts who don't yet know they are part of a movement. Can you help by sending the local revolutionaries you know to:
http://e-democracy.org/locals
Denver Post Political Site
The Denver Post political site just started following me on Twitter. You can follow them at http://twitter.com/DenverPolitics or me at http://twitter.com/JohnSWren. I'm going to list it as a link here.
Where do you get your political news? Do you think others here in Colorado would find it helpful, should I link to it here?
Where do you get your political news? Do you think others here in Colorado would find it helpful, should I link to it here?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
New Era Colorado holds voter registration drive at CU-Boulder
Posted: 01/19/2010 05:25:15 PM MST
Voters needed to be affiliated with a political party by the end of the Tuesday to be able to participate in the 2010 March caucus.
Carrie Jackson, New Era Colorados Program Director, helped register people on CU's Boulder campus Tuesday. About 30 people registered to vote, affiliated with political parties or updated their addresses, she said.
New Era-ites hula-hooped and roller-skated around outside the University Memorial Center with their clipboards as part of the event.
During the 2008 election cycle, New Era Colorado registered over 11,000 new voters. Of those new voters, more than 10,000 were under the age of 30.
Thanks to those who got information out about the deadline yesterday to affiliate with a party to be able to participate in the March 16 neighborhood caucuses across the state:
The Denver Post had a good article on Monday, I only wish they had a follow up story yesterday, the acutual deadline day. How about a link on DenverPost.com to the information on the Secretary of State website? I'd like to see this on the homepage, but if nothing else it should be in the political section.
Westword put up a good article online yesterday, it will be interesting to see if there is anything in their print edition that comes out today.
The Ft. Collins Coloradoan had a good article, and the Associated Press put out a release yesterday morning. I don't think there was anything on radio or TV here in Denver.
In years prior there has been nothing in the media about the affiliation deadline, so this was progress.
The Denver Post had a good article on Monday, I only wish they had a follow up story yesterday, the acutual deadline day. How about a link on DenverPost.com to the information on the Secretary of State website? I'd like to see this on the homepage, but if nothing else it should be in the political section.
Westword put up a good article online yesterday, it will be interesting to see if there is anything in their print edition that comes out today.
The Ft. Collins Coloradoan had a good article, and the Associated Press put out a release yesterday morning. I don't think there was anything on radio or TV here in Denver.
In years prior there has been nothing in the media about the affiliation deadline, so this was progress.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Westword just put up a story about the Colorado Caucus, I put up link to it on Facebook.
Writer John Skipper just posted this there:
"The caucus system is the essence of democracy - grassroots, door-to-door, living room-to-living room campaigning followed by the actual caucus where anyone can stand up and tell their views on issues and candidates - followed by a public vote. You can't beat it. I ought to know. I'm from Iowa. In fact, I've just written a book about the Iowa caucuses and have a Web page that will tell you all about it.
http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; www.iowacaucusbook.com or go to the publisher's Web site at http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
I've read John Skipper's book The Iowa Caucus, and it is excellent. I encourage everyone who cares about the caucus-assembly system as a way to strengthen the grassroots to have it on their book shelf.
Writer John Skipper just posted this there:
"The caucus system is the essence of democracy - grassroots, door-to-door, living room-to-living room campaigning followed by the actual caucus where anyone can stand up and tell their views on issues and candidates - followed by a public vote. You can't beat it. I ought to know. I'm from Iowa. In fact, I've just written a book about the Iowa caucuses and have a Web page that will tell you all about it.
http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; www.iowacaucusbook.com or go to the publisher's Web site at http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
I've read John Skipper's book The Iowa Caucus, and it is excellent. I encourage everyone who cares about the caucus-assembly system as a way to strengthen the grassroots to have it on their book shelf.
I just got this response from the Denver Post Political Editor, Curtis Hubbard:
John,
Thanks for the note.
We published a story on the caucus deadline in Monday's paper and online at denverpost.com under the assumption that it would give people two day's notice to change their affiliations if they wanted to participate.
I haven't checked other media outlets, but I would venture to guess that we were alone among major news outlets in doing original reporting on the topic.
OK. That is true. The Post did more than the competition in the local Denver market. The AP is slow reporting the story (their brief item on the deadline was sent out at 3:45 a.m. this morning with no real details.)
But that doesn't mean the lack of coverage isn't a problem.
Looking at it from the media's side, what did the Democrats and Republicans and the Secretary of State do to try and get the story covered?
I just sent out this email:
To: Greg Moore, Curtis Hubbard, Jessica Fender, Lynn Bartels
From: John Wren
Who should I quote from the Post?
I’m going to write something for my blog Colorado Caucus 2010 about how today’s deadline for affiliating as an R or D to be able to vote March 16.was covered.
My Post print edition hasn’t arrived yet, but there is nothing about the caucus on the homepage of
It’s especially surprising the deadline is not featured on your new The Spot. Seems like the
There were almost no hits on the story that was done yesterday, but it’s clear that was because
People who go to their neighborhood caucus read the newspaper, I’m sure of that.
I’d like a statement from someone from the Denver Post about how decisions are madeColorado
You can reach me on my landline right now, or on my cell any time (720)495-4949.
John
John S. Wren, MBA+
Life is short, start now!
(303)861-1447
Monday, January 18, 2010
Deadline looms to affiliate for March political caucuses
From today's Ft. Collins Coloradoan:
BY ROBERT MOORE
RobertMoore@coloradoan.com
Tuesday is the deadline for voters to affiliate with a party if they want to participate in the first step in the nominating process, the March 16 party caucuses.
Voters who currently are registered as unaffiliated, or want to change affiliation from one party to another, must do so by today if they want to participate in the March neighborhood precinct caucuses.
"The League of Women Voters says that it's the place where the voice of just the common person has the most impact," said John Wren of Denver, who led efforts in 2002 to defeat a proposal that would have ended caucuses in Colorado. "It really neutralizes the effect of big money and big power. People that are tired of the politics of the usual should affiliate and vote in their caucus."
At the caucuses, participants will select delegates to participate in further assemblies that will help nominate candidate for state and county-level offices.
Northern Colorado Republicans, in particular, have a number of candidate selection decisions that will begin at the caucuses, including governor, senator and 4th Congressional District nominees.
Democrats in Northern Colorado currently have a contested Senate contest.
More details in Tuesday's Coloradoan.
Additional Facts
Declare affiliation
To participate in the March caucuses, voters must declare a party affiliation by Tuesday. If you want to change from unaffiliated to a particular party, or switch from one party to another, you can do so at these locations:
> Larimer County Elections; 200 W. Oak St., 5th floor, Fort Collins
> Citizens Information Center; 200 W. Oak St., 1st floor, Fort Collins
> Fort Collins Motor Vehicle, 1121 W. Prospect
> Loveland Motor Vehicle; 205 E. 6th St.
> Estes Park Motor Vehicle; 1601 Brodie Ave
Why is the Statesman online edition late?
I've enjoyed reading the Colorado Statesman since 1974. Recently they started an online edition. It hasn't been updated yet for their paper last Friday. Is this just an oversight?
Denver Post reports tomorrow's deadline.
As an adult educator, since 2002 I've encouraged government, media, and groups to make more information available about our wonderful neighborhood caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot. The system gives the common person the best chance for being elected to public office, in my opinion.
Jessica Fender called me yesterday and wrote this item for today's paper.
Jessica Fender called me yesterday and wrote this item for today's paper.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
We finally got the Secretary of State to post information about the Colorado Caucus on their website. http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/PoliticalPartyCaucusInfo.pdf
Thanks to Secretary of State Bernie Buescher for finally getting this done, something those of us from Save the Caucus have been suggesting since 2002.
But why isn't there a link on the front page to make it possible for people to find easily? And why has the link to the registration form that was on the early draft I saw taken off?
Also, in 2008 it was possible to change party affiliation online. Why has this onboard technology been disabled?
Thanks to Secretary of State Bernie Buescher for finally getting this done, something those of us from Save the Caucus have been suggesting since 2002.
But why isn't there a link on the front page to make it possible for people to find easily? And why has the link to the registration form that was on the early draft I saw taken off?
Also, in 2008 it was possible to change party affiliation online. Why has this onboard technology been disabled?
This afternoon I'll be sharing at the Denver Speakers Corner on the topic of How would Ben & Martin vote today? Would they affiliate with a political party? If so, R or D or something else?
Thomas Jefferson is often given credit for being the founder of the Democrats and Abe Lincoln given credit for starting the Republicans off.
Today, my friend David Fogel says he is sure, they would join the opposite party. Lincoln and his concerns would fit more in line with the Dems, Jefferson would be giving talks at the Tea Party gatherings.
Jefferson would have preferred that there be no political parties, but he saw right away that if an opposition party was not organized Alexander Hamilton's party would win every election.
We are better off with just two parties, in my opinion, the European system of multiple parties and back room deals just makes it harder for the common person like me to participate and really make a difference.
So the question is, what would Ben and Martin do today?
Martin Luther King was a Republican, and I see no reason that would change today.
Ben Franklin? I think he'd see the good sense in changing affiliation from time to time. That way he'd get a chance to know all of his neighbors!
Thomas Jefferson is often given credit for being the founder of the Democrats and Abe Lincoln given credit for starting the Republicans off.
Today, my friend David Fogel says he is sure, they would join the opposite party. Lincoln and his concerns would fit more in line with the Dems, Jefferson would be giving talks at the Tea Party gatherings.
Jefferson would have preferred that there be no political parties, but he saw right away that if an opposition party was not organized Alexander Hamilton's party would win every election.
We are better off with just two parties, in my opinion, the European system of multiple parties and back room deals just makes it harder for the common person like me to participate and really make a difference.
So the question is, what would Ben and Martin do today?
Martin Luther King was a Republican, and I see no reason that would change today.
Ben Franklin? I think he'd see the good sense in changing affiliation from time to time. That way he'd get a chance to know all of his neighbors!
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