I had a long talk tonight with a friend about the role of Walmart in the modern economy. Most of the conversation centered around the personal responsibility that we all have to stand up and do the right thing before the success is obvious. We do it because it takes bold action by individuals to organize a community, to crash the gates, to "Take on the System."

The vanguard of change is often the toughest part, but it's also the most vital. That's why I'm personally excited for the upcoming Courage Campaign Call with Markos Moulitsas. He's provided the framework that's enabled a number of figures in that vanguard for change, and he knows of what he speaks. Earlier today, he emailed Courage Campaign supporters with a taste of what to expect on the 6pm Wednesday call:


You can't change the world without conflict.

That's the opening line in the prologue of my new book -- "Taking on the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era" -- and it's a truism that has driven me since the day I launched Daily Kos, a community blog now read by more than 1 million people a day.

"Taking on the system" means taking on the gatekeepers -- the politicians, the consultants, the lobbyists -- who block people-powered progress across America. It means using new technology and media to beat, bypass or influence these gatekeepers.

It means holding our elected leaders accountable, regardless of political party.

The Courage Campaign is taking on the system in California, driven from the bottom-up by the grassroots and netroots. That's why I'm looking forward to talking with you on a "Courage Campaign Conversation" this Wednesday, from 6-7 p.m. PT.

Space is limited, so please click here to RSVP for this timely conference call. If you contribute $75 or more to the Courage Campaign, I'll sign my book and send it to you (but you don't need to buy a book to RSVP for the call):

http://www.couragecampaign.org/KosCall

When I typed my first words on Daily Kos in 2002, Democrats were cowering to the bullying of the Bush Administration, instead of standing strong against the opposition. We've made some progress since then. But we've still got a lot of work to do.

My book doesn't pull punches. It critiques the left as well as the right. And it calls into question the methods many of us take for granted.

I'll give you an example: Street protests.

But this is not an era for street protests. The traditional media won't cover the mundane, routine, predictable, or familiar. Forty years of organizing protests and marches for every conceivable cause -- wars, abortion, black pride, gay pride, and so on -- have desensitized not just the press but the broader public to the street spectacle. Been there, done that... Today's new tools allow an exciting hybrid of technological and digital advocacy matched with real-life demonstrations.

Disagree? Then join us on Wednesday and I'll be more than happy to discuss why it's time to "reinvent the street protest" by pairing it with effective online advocacy.

We'll also talk about the presidential race and what it's going to take to push back on John McCain and Sarah Palin. Please click here to RSVP for this "Courage Campaign Conversation" this Wednesday (and consider making an optional $75 contribution to receive a signed copy of my book):

http://www.couragecampaign.org/KosCall

I'm looking foward to talking with you on Wednesday. This should be a very open discussion. If you know any friends who would like to join us, please forward this message to them.

But space is limited on the call, so please hurry before lines run out.

Thank you for all you do to make this a better country.

Markos Moulitsas
Founder, Daily Kos

P.S. Now that the conventions are over -- and Joe Biden and Sarah Palin have joined Barack Obama and John McCain on the trail -- the choice for this country is crystal-clear.

Join me on Wednesday to talk about the race for the White House as well as the Senate and House campaigns that could change Congress for decades to come:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/KosCall