Tech Grrl Deanna Zandt's been helping out with social media efforts around Gustav, being spearheaded by NPR's Andy Carvin. A lot of stuff is happening out there, but here are some main places that folks can get involved if you're so inclined:

There is no single way of measuring oil industry influence, but Oil Change has given it a shot with this clever internet campaign. Find out the lobbying dollars that go to your local electeds...Oil Change’s Follow the Oil Money site does allow you to see PAC and employee donations separately.

Rep. Donna Edwards (MD-4th District) beat an eight term incumbent in a Democratic primary race, and won her general election to become the first Black woman to represent Maryland in Congress. She talks about the power of people over money.Karen Pope-Onwukwe, Esq. worked on Donna Edwards' campaign, and is a delegate to the DNC.

"this election has never been about me -- it's about you."

On Thursday I predicted that my Obama-flage would convert people to the Obama cause. But I never would have predicted that my first convert would be Rudy Giuliani

We close out our week of convention coverage with Congressman John Conyers. A veteran of the civil rights movement Conyers has served in the US congress for 43 years Representing Michigan's 19th district. He is the second-most senior member of the House, dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, former Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

We honor a groundbreaking feminist, Del Martin. She co-founded the first national organization for lesbians in the United States, the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955. 1955! Imagine. Del Martin died August 27, 2008 with her wife Phyllis Lyon at her side. She was 87 years old. We mourn her passing

A giant melting Democracy, Rage and the MC5 play for Iraq Vets Against The War . . . artists in the streets at the political conventions.

The big, almost too big elephant in the room this election year, is the issue of race. It has been discussed in hushed tones, mentioned in passing, but hardly engaged with. The strategy for the Democrats and the Obama campaign has been to minimize race as much as possible. But as the right wing smear machine gears up is that the right way forward?

Our coverage of the Democratic Convention continues. We get the inside scoop from FireDog bloggers Jane Hamsher and Christy Hardin Smith, and Baratunde Thurston who writes for The Onion and Jack and Jill Politics. One of the biggest narratives of the past week was the simmering feud between Hillary and Obama supporters.