Sunday morning open thread - Leaving Las Vegas

Joe and I are heading back to DC today from the Netroots Nation blog conference in Vegas. Has been really fascinating, overall a great trip. Met a lot of new people, like some of the crew at Media Matters and the Courage Campaign, the bloggers from Bilerico, Joe Jervis (who I'd never met in person), Jillian Weiss, and saw a number of old friends and colleagues I hadn't seen in a long while, like Andy Cobb of Second City, Chase and Erick of New Left Media, and got to scheme with them about the future. We also got to meet a slew of House and Senate candidates, and Joe and I had good discussions with all of them, emphasizing the need to prove to Democrats that they'll follow through on their promises (we also quizzed them about their positions on gay marriage, DADT and ENDA, among other issues).



One of the people I got to catch up with was Gloria Feldt, the former president of Planned Parenthood. I'd met Gloria earlier in the decade, when I was doing some consulting for PPFA, and I'd always been impressed by her willingness to fight and pull no punches. So it was great to be able to snag her for a coffee and talk about the similarities between the problems the women's movement is having, and the problems gays, enviros, immigration reformers, and everyone else is facing with this Congress and this administration. Gloria also penned an op ed in today's Washington Post that I suggest you check out.

I find Vegas an odd town. I enjoy the energy in short bursts, and do find the architecture breathtaking and fun. But it can be overwhelming. Joe and I are both glad to be heading home.

I'll leave you with a view of the strip from atop the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel (a very cool view). Just stunning (especially when you're not in the middle of all those people.) Click the photo to see a larger version.