I've already made it pretty clear that Sarah Palin pissed me off during her acceptance speech a few days ago. And from what I gather, I'm hardly the only one.

She inappropriately attacked a number of groups during that speech, community organizers was just the one that struck closest to home for me. But as John McCain reminded us one night later, it's his campaign and, quite frankly, his arrogance and incompetence that we're battling through November. He's the one who chose Sarah Palin as VP, and he's also the one who had the belligerent speech written before even picking Palin to deliver it. It was carefully crafted to be his message, and he can rest assured of one thing: message received. We know full well now the contempt that he has for community organizers and activists at all levels and in all capacities across the country.

Part of organizing the best possible response is collaboration. On Wednesday night, Courage Campaign will be hosting a 6-7pm conference call with Markos Moulitsas, founder of DailyKos and author of the new book "Taking On the System" which he'll sign for you with your RSVP.

On the flip, check out Eden James' email to Courage supporters about Palin, organizing, and the upcoming call:

Did Sarah Palin make you angry?

You are not alone.

Outright lies. Gross distortions. Sarcastic attacks on community organizers. All delivered with a wink and a smile to 37 million people, almost as many as watched Barack Obama's speech.

Quite frankly, speaking as a community organizer, she pissed me off. And she pissed off progressives across California and the country.

How do we push back against Palin, John McCain and the rabid right-wing Rove Republicans trying to hold our country -- and our state -- hostage? Well, first we need to get out the facts refuting Palin's lies to our friends, family and neighbors.

Markos Moulitsas, founder of Daily Kos and author of "Taking on the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era," has something to say about it. And so might you.

Please join us on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 6-7 p.m. PT for a special "Courage Campaign Conversation" with Markos Moulitsas. Click here to RSVP, get a signed copy of Markos's book, and check out our fact-check links on Palin's speech:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/KosCall

You can also tell us how you feel about Palin's speech by writing a comment or posting a question for Markos at the link above.

For example, Lucas O'Connor, an online organizer for the Courage Campaign, found Palin's speech infuriating. In an email response to a question about what the Courage Campaign community should do, he wrote:

"John McCain and Sarah Palin just laid out how they intend to run this country. With scorn and belligerence for anyone who tries to bring their communities together to make things better. The Courage Campaign has spent years trying to empower exactly the sort of grassroots organizing that's vital to bringing about meaningful change."

"... In a speech that neglected to mention education, health care, comprehensive economic reforms, or choice, we heard in Palin's silence exactly her trouble with community organizing: An organized community is an empowered community."

As Lucas further emphasized, a quick sampling of "community organizers" would include Jesus, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Founding Fathers of the United States.

In "Taking on the System," Markos Moulitsas talks about how people-powered community organizing -- online and offline -- is transforming politics and bypassing gatekeepers like Sarah Palin. Please click here to RSVP for Wednesday's "Courage Campaign Conversation" with Markos, get a signed copy of his book, and check out our fact-check links on Palin's speech:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/KosCall

It's time to push back on Palin now.

Do a little "community organizing" of your own today, and forward this message to your friends so they can join Wednesday's call as well.

Thank you for everything you are doing in your community to make 2008 a new era for progressive politics in California. And America.

Eden James
Managing Director

P.S. Dave Dayen, a California blogger, was disgusted by Palin's attacks on community organizers as well and suggested a great way to take direct action -- in our own community:

Democrats Work, an organization which connects progressives with visible, tangible community service projects, has multiple events scheduled this weekend. Want to get involved? Our RSVP page includes a link to Democrats Work events across California and the country:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/KosCall