News from Arkansas Independents!

I am recovering from a busy weekend, but it was great. Here's a rough report

Saturday I got up really early and set up a table at a local farmer's market. Here's the link to a photo on facebook (i took it on my cell phone). We registered (or re-registered) about 30 people, handed out over 100 information booklets and flyers, and got 3 people on our "sign up" sheet for future involvement. I networked with some independents at the Obama booth, and had very nice conversations with people from all over our state and surrounding states (most there for a RV Owners Convention). Today I have already noticed some increase in traffic to my blog.

Our next meeting is coming up this Thursday, Oct. 2nd. Because of an ad, I was contacted by a local campaign person from the Ralph Nader Campaign. He is coming to the meeting, and I am going to let him give a report on their efforts with ballot access and open debates, etc. He is also informing all of his volunteers about the meeting. I will attach the tentative agenda for the meeting this Saturday, to give you an idea of what I'm planning. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

So, that's the big news. My weekend also consisted of a late night visit with my sister-in-law (which allowed me to only get 4 hours of sleep before the voter registration drive), a playdate with a new family in our apartment complex, Church, and a church-friends party on Sunday night. I was so tired that I fell asleep (fully clothed, jeans and all) at 8:15 last night and didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning! My husband, bless his heart, just put the kids to bed by himself and let me sleep!

Thanks for your support!
Courtney S. Terry

Independent Voters of Arkansas

The Hankster highly recommends the new blog site Independent Voters of Arkansas, now on The Hankster sidebar. Please check it out! (Even you non-Arkansasans!)

Building the Independent Movement, One Independent Voter at a Time

by Courtney Terry, Independent Voters of Arkansas

I headed to a local Starbucks for my first "meeting" on August 31st, 2008, with every intention of putting up my new little sign and then studying until some brave soul had the courage to ask me "What's the Independent Voters of Arkansas?". One ad for the meeting ran in The Arkansas Times, and I posted electronically a couple of places, but had no response. However, after ordering my venti, non-fat, no-whip, 2-pump mocha, I mentioned my plan to the barista, and she said that someone else was there for the meeting, too.

Gene, who associates himself with the Green Party for now and supports Cynthia McKinney for president, also says he identifies with independents and the issues that we stand for. He is running for a state legislative position as a write-in candidate, and has done so (unsuccessfully) three times in the past. Like me, he is interested in helping to bring outsiders into the political process here in Arkansas. While we sat discussing things, my sign drew another man's attention.

A native of Little Rock who now lives in Nebraska stopped by for a long chat. He had interesting things to say about Obama (it was just after the DNC), about being an independent African-American voter, and about the federal financial situation. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all he had to say. I gave him my card and I took notes for future reference!

So, I am happy with how the day turned out. It was unexpected, but satisfying. It's a work in progress, but it IS in progress and that's the important thing. Independent Voters of Arkansas are planning their second meeting on September 18th and can be reached at independentAR@gmail.com.

Conversations on Independent Voters: Independents in Arkansas

Courtney Terry, a mom and grad student in Little Rock, Arkansas, came to independent politics because she didn't feel comfortable in a partisan world--and a world that so readily accepts poverty as a norm.

She is organizing a caucus of independents to talk about next steps and has been conducting a voter registration drive in her community.

Courtney told The Hankster that she comes from a family (from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas) that just "doesn't feel like the partisan process includes them." "I've spoken with friends who think the third choice is always crazy," Courtney said.

Crazy? In a world gone mad, it would be crazy NOT to be crazy! --NH

Contact Courtney at courtneyterry@hotmail.com or Phone: 501-773-0877

Happy Independence Day!