Please stop recommending candidate diaries!

The president of the United States admitted to approving torture last Friday. Right now, the ENTIRE rec list is made up of candidate diaries.

You can help this stop. All you have to do is not click the "recommend" button for candidate diaries. Yes, there are good ones. Yes, if you have something new to say about the primary, by all means, go ahead. But as long as you see a candidate diary on the recommended list (and there hasn't been a moment without at least one for months) do not recommend another one. And do not recommend that one either, to give the next one a chance.

That is all.

•  Very true.

  We eased up on the Hillary hit diaries, and we can do the same for the horserace altogether. We've got so many eyes on this place that we should focus them on these very important issues.

  by amnesiaproletariat on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:53:48 PM PDT

  •  If you don't mind my asking.

    What inspired your user name, amnesiaproletariat?  When I see it, it's like my brain is trying to recall something it has encountered at some point.  Of course, I know what the individual words mean.  It's the combination I'm curious about.

     

    by SquirmyRooter on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:11:09 PM PDT

  •  Hey, we're all gonna die anyway.

    Seriously. What's the beig deal about your "very important issues" in light of mortality and oblivion.

    Do you think any issues are really so important in the grand fullness of all epochs and millenia unfathomable to our small minds in this petty little thing known as "our times"?

    I say bash candidates to your heart's delight. Soon we're all gonna be 6-feet under. Frankly, I just wanna get my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames.

    by lenzkrafterz on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:20:25 PM PDT

•  So many good diaries and issues get lost

  in the primary wars, and the reality is, the damn thing is practically over.  

  by FerrisValyn on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:54:07 PM PDT

  •  perhaps it is because we are in the middle

    of Primaries, to determine the next President (and I have my favorite and he is from Chicago) and when he is elected Real Change will have a better chance of happening (new policies, new staff at DOJ, WH, State Dept, etc.)

    Perhaps the primary diaries are one of the most important vehicles of significant change available to us right now.

    So perhaps they should stay up in the Rec list.

    Because the number one reason for this site, as far as I've heard, is to get progressive Democrats elected.

    by denniswine on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:00:23 PM PDT

    •  perhaps exposing that Republicas practice torture

      is a better way to do that ....than 100 diaries that say basically the same damn thing with only minimal changes in framing the same damn thing?

      by buhdydharma on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:29:47 PM PDT

    •  Nah....

      Not that important, especially since it's an either-or choice.

      Some folks feel very strongly that this incessant bitchfest actually passes for political action and that's their right.

      Folks also have a right to call bullshit.

      It's about like rock music - 3/4 of it sucks, an eighth is pretty good and an eighth is excellent. Same with the candidate diaries. How many diaries are needed about the word "bitter"? or "elite"?

      This frenzy is GREAT cover for Team Bush to speed up what remains of their agenda....

      And when the bitching is FINALLY done, folks will have to be dealing with issues.

      Diary recommended.

      by xxdr zombiexx on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:46:02 PM PDT

    •  The problem is that, for either candidate

      there are areas where, in reality, they have crappy policy.  And further, its not enough to win the primary - we have to win the general, which should be the main focus.

      by FerrisValyn on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 07:53:16 PM PDT

•  We already know who wins round 1

  Go to fivethirtyeight.com if you want to speculate about round 2. Leave some room on Kos for actual news.

  by homunq on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:54:16 PM PDT

•  Here are some that deserve a rec

  scrolled down too fast...

  Sen. Chambliss on record; torture is fine.Let's put them ALL on the record  
  by Lisa Lockwood
  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  Look What They Did to Our Country  
  by sheddhead
  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by cfk on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:54:25 PM PDT

  •  And Valtin!

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    by buhdydharma on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:34:45 PM PDT

    •  I agree...it had lots of comments, though

      I always rec Valtin...good idea to bring it here, though...

      by cfk on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:59:14 PM PDT

•  Yes, this all makes me worry

  that our in-fighting will allow McSame to win in November. Ugh!

  by jetskreemr on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:54:36 PM PDT

•  This is not a diary

    but for what it's worth, there's a campaign going on, in case you haven't noticed. This site is very energized due to this campaign.

    Quit complaining about candidate diaries. They will be there throughout the nomination fight.

    You are asking the site to stop that so that diaries reporting what we already know, that Bush has legalized torture, can make the list. We've known Bush has done that for years. We know his justice dept has tried to make it legal. We know his cronies will try and shield him from it. There is NOTHING in that story that we don't already know and haven't discussed significantly. Quit complaining about the diaries. The ones recommended are there for a reason.

  by usmeagle69 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:56:04 PM PDT

  •  Not asking site to stop

    Go ahead and diary it. Go ahead and find the diaries you like. Please allow other interests to coexist on this site too. That means, ease up on the recommend button - it is not hard.

    by homunq on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:09:09 PM PDT

    •  Agreed and appreciated.

      I love (and hate) reading candidate diaries as much as the next internet addict, but the way they clog up the Rec list gets out of hand.  Especially when they are not very substantive or well-written diaries, but merely a series of links or a video.

      Also, a more conservative use of the word "BREAKING" in titles would be nice too.

      by Angry Mouse on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:13:28 PM PDT

  •  Like THIS vital info?

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    by buhdydharma on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:38:29 PM PDT

    •  Or THIS vital info????

      http://www.dailykos.com/...

      Heh.

      "Help!!! I'm being Enlightened!" - TCFKNCS's avatar

      I always wanted to quote an avatar.

      by RhymesWithUrple on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:41:50 PM PDT

      •  That's different! :)

        ( sorta!....at least it didn't make the list!)

        by buhdydharma on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:45:22 PM PDT

        •  Too funny - I couldn't resist! :)

          True confessions:  I love that diary.

          "Help!!! I'm being Enlightened!" - TCFKNCS's avatar

          I always wanted to quote an avatar.

          by RhymesWithUrple on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:51:21 PM PDT

  •  I agree there is a reason

    and it's areally sad one, imo. I mean, come on. Anyone who does not have their mind already made up by now is probably not going to vote anyway. But we have to waste time on all these these self-congratulatory circle-jerk diaries. In the meantime, the rethugs are laughing their butts off and preparing to eat us alive in the general. Yeah, yeah, I know...it can't possibly happen like that because of ...hope and stuff.

    by armenia on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 04:02:46 PM PDT

•  I'm wise to your trickery.

  You can help this stop. All yOu have to do is not click the "recommend" Button for candidate diaries. Yes, there are good ones. Yes, if you hAve something new to say about the primary, by all means, go ahead. But as long as you see a candidate diary on the recommended list (and there hasn't been a Moment without at least one for months) do not recommend another one. And do not recommend that one either, to give the next one Achance.

  Tipped and Rec'd.

  by jeepdad on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:56:45 PM PDT

  •  Also...

    You can Help thIs stop. ALL you hAve to do is not click the "Recommend" button for candidate diaries. Yes, there are good ones. Yes, if you have something new to say about the primary, by all means, go ahead. But as long as you see a Candidate diary on the recommended LIst (and there hasN'T been a mOment without at least one for months) do not recommeNd another one. And do not recommend that one either, to give the next one a chance.

    by droogie6655321 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:00:36 PM PDT

    •  It's the bible code

      we're doomed!

      by palantir on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:02:27 PM PDT

      •  Says the guy...

        ... named Palantir. What does the seeing stone say?

        by droogie6655321 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:02:52 PM PDT

        •  So long as Sauron lives in the house of white

          the future is uncertain and bleak.

          by palantir on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:16:49 PM PDT

          •  Heh

            Sauron only had a few seeing stones. Bush can eavesdrop on damn near anybody with a phone, and those are a little more common than seeing stones.

            by droogie6655321 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:20:11 PM PDT

            •  Not Bush, there's only one one-eye in the

              executive branch. Ye shall know him by his first name.

              by palantir on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:23:34 PM PDT

    •  And this ...

      The president of the United States admitted to approving torture last Friday. RigHt now, the ENTIRE rec list Is made up of candidate diaries.

      You can help this stop. ALL you hAve to do is not click the "Recommend" button for candidate diaries. Yes, there are good ones. Yes, if you HAve something new to say about the primary, by all means, go ahead. But aS long as you see a candidate diary on the recommended List (and there hasn't been a mOment without at leaST one for months) do not recommend another one. And do not recommend that one either, to give the next one a chance.

      by jeepdad on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:05:17 PM PDT

      •  OK

        You and me are writing a book.

        "The Bible Code 2008"
        by jeepdad and droogie

        We'll make money off of gullible fundamentalists and donate the profits to Democrats!

        by droogie6655321 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:07:57 PM PDT

•  I will reccomend any diary I see it.

  and this one will not be one of them.

  by GlowNZ on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:56:52 PM PDT

  •  all your diary are belong to us?

    by bubbanomics on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:10:36 PM PDT

•  What would you have us do?

  We all know that Bush and his cronies are guilty as sin.

  Last year we voted in a Democratic majority to impeach the bastard and the first thing they did was take the option off the table and grant unlimited funding to torture and kill some more.

  How is putting up another diary gonna change that?

  I really wanna know?

  by David Kroning on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:56:54 PM PDT

  •  It isn't as simple as "Bush and his cronies"

    there are Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committeethat have known about this program for a long time, yet it continues to exist.

    Democrats many around here love and support, like Diane Feinstein and Russ Feingold. That is the shame about this election. We keep on trying as hard as we can to elect "good" progressive Democrats, only to find out that the one's we thought were 'on our side' are complicit in Bush's torture program.

    Please, let us put an end to the murder and sodomy and beatings being done in our names?

    And, if it helps, here's a candidates voice:

    "Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices, calling for change".
    .... Barack Obama.

    by Lisa Lockwood on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:04:33 PM PDT

    •  Impeachment was necessary...

      It was possible...and they did nothing.

      by David Kroning on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:09:05 PM PDT

      •  I agree! Let's not end the discussion there,

        though. If a few well respected members of the House or Senate announced an important press conference and stood in front of the microphone, looked the reporters in the eyes and said "Torture is a war crime, and this President is guilty of making it a national policy. I can no longer be silently complicit in this despicable and horrific act," someone might just get the idea that Impeachment wasn't completely under the table, after all?

        by Lisa Lockwood on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:21:08 PM PDT

        •  If only

          by joeshwingding on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:35:43 PM PDT

    •  Don't forget the House.

      Personally, I cringe every time I hear Jane Harman explain why she didn't say anything about what she knew.

      The Democrats have been as complicit as Republicans in the crimes of the past seven years.

      Now, THAT makes me bitter.

      by Angry Mouse on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:16:27 PM PDT

      •  You're bitter?

        How could that be?  I heard you're rolling up your sleeves and getting to work, whistling a happy tune, too busy dodging sniper fire to be bitter.  I know it must be true because the Clintons told me so.  "I did not have bitter relations with that socioeconomic system!"

        by ActivistGuy on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:46:10 PM PDT

        •  Ugh.

          Must it always be about the Clintons?  Must it always get turned into some lame joke about the Clintons?

          I'm so sick of it.  I really am.  I understand that everyone hates them, has always hated them, actually never voted for Bill -- twice -- in the '90s.

          But could we please stop beating that dead horse?  Could we please stop making petty jokes that are recycled from the Republicans?  

          Please?

          by Angry Mouse on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 04:00:34 PM PDT

          •  But if we can't make tire-ass lame recycled

            jokes about sniper fire ... we might as well just shoot ourselves with the gun we're clinging to.

            I mean come on ... get up and fight like we're 30 points down in an insignificant state while dodging bitterness in our prius which we're driving God only knows how with a latte in one hand and the other trying to tune into Randi Rhodes who's no longer there.  For God's sake help me -- I need new material.

            by ancblu on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 04:29:44 PM PDT

•  please stop pushing other diaries down the list

  this took up the space of a important diary.

  by AHiddenSaint on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:57:04 PM PDT

  •  Yeah, like this one...

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    Enjoy.

    by David Kroning on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:58:33 PM PDT

•  I was going to ask if you

  remembered what it was like around here in the Stone Age, i.e. when Clark and Dean supporters were stoning each other on a minute by minute basis.

  Then I saw your uid and realized that you do.

  by calipygian on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:57:35 PM PDT

•  Here's a solution............

  It's available at nomorecandidatediariesoratleastalotfewer.com.

  You download this simple program that using the latest detection algorithms locates any diary about the the democratic nomination.  It is configuble by the user and the rejected diaries can be cached, with specific white lists of user names, or they can be simply deleted. The program has been beta tested on this site over the last several months by a select number of users.

  It works.  

  In December 2007 it found and removed 22% of diaries, by January it was 37%, in the weeks before and after Super Tuesday it spiked to over 50%.  Now it is stable at 97.7%  

  Of course with the widespread use of this program, the readership may fall dramatically, and thus the revenue to pay for all of these servers, will dry up.  But it will be great for the few dozens of us who are left to be able to wax eloquently about the profound issues of our world.

  by arodb on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:58:08 PM PDT

•  Then we wonder

  why the media opts to emphasize horse race and gotcha dreck.  But we can't even keep that stuff from dominating the mediascape here in a place that we ourselves control.  In the words of Pogo, "We have met the enemy and they are us."

  by ActivistGuy on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 02:59:16 PM PDT

•  Disagree

  I think all Kossacks have the right to recommend diaries that are interesting to them. Right now, candidate diaries are the most interesting to a lot of people. One of the main reasons I read this blog is for on-the-ground campaign stories, and I'm going to recommend every such diary that I see, even if there is already a candidate diary on the rec list.

  Maybe it makes sense to try to avoid recommending poll diaries if the same poll is already on the rec list, but other than that, I don't think you can really tell people what they should or shouldn't recommend.

  by democrattotheend on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:01:00 PM PDT

  •  Not telling anyone

    I am pleading. I am not saying that 0 candidate diaries would be good, I am asking that when they take over the entire rec list or are close to doing so, could you please think twice before recommending one. If you don't think my plea is justified, more power to you.

    by homunq on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:06:48 PM PDT

•  So maybe we can put up a campaign mothership each

  day and link to each and every new campaign diary as it come up.  Don't rec the individual diaries, but tip and comment as usual.  And then the next day's mothership, we can put up a poll of top 15 campaign diaries from the day before as determined by the number of comments or the tips to the diarist or something.  And then the diary that wins the poll gets to put up the following day's mothership and collect all of the recs.

  It's not going to happen of course, but it sure would free up the rec list.

  by lineatus on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:01:53 PM PDT

  •  I like that idea.

    I'd also like to see a daily Hillary Haters diary.  Just one.  And then everyone who feels the need to be gratuitiously cruel, offensive, sexist, racist or whatever can have their moment of catharsis in the comments on that diary.  And that diary only.

    (I'd suggest an Obama Haters diary as well, but it doesn't really seem necessary on this site.)

    by Angry Mouse on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:20:38 PM PDT

  •  Related idea:

    Since we as a community write so much, and on so many different topics, how about more recommend lists?

    How about a master recommend list, a candidates/elections list, and an issues/legislation list? Or something like that.

    At least then, we would be able to get back to some long-term issues-oriented debate.

    by Gravedugger on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:29:59 PM PDT

•  I'll rec whatever I damn well want to

  if you want a torture diary recommended, go write a good one, like clammycdid yesterday.

  by esquimaux on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:02:04 PM PDT

  •  Rec'd for not backing down to peer pressure.

    by jeepdad on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:06:56 PM PDT

    •  Uprated for 'tude. n/t

      by AmericanRiverCanyon on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:33:40 PM PDT

•  Not Sure

  I agree generally, but I also think that I've seen a correlation between general trends (numbers, arguments, etc.) here and in the MSM.  I kinda think that what gets written here matters a bit.  Am I delusional?

  If not, then to my mind the single number one most important thing in the whole blogosphere right now is winning the Democratic primary.  Then comes the elections (including downticket) in the Fall.  Controlling the levers of power makes all the other stuff possible.

  So, like I said, I'm not sure.  If you take the view that it'll play how it plays (or it's already over, as you say) and that DailyKos doesn't influence it, then OK you're right.  If news, campaigns, and others are reading the trends here, then I say keep beating the candidate drums until this mother's really in the bag.

  by huckleberry on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:02:27 PM PDT

•  ....and how will that change anything?

  by Buffalo Girl on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:04:55 PM PDT

•  We're in the height of the primary season

  it's to be expected.

  by chicago minx on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:04:58 PM PDT

•  I'm With Ya

  -AF
  Andrew Sullivan Is A Fraud

  by Anacher Forester on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:04:59 PM PDT

•  Sorry, this is what the people want.

  Thank you for trying, but it's like trying to hold back the tide or some other overused simile.

  by the fan man on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:11:46 PM PDT

•  I agree

  And stop reccing "double posts" and "hot" articles from the wire.

  This is a progressive blog meant as a forum to discuss the issues important to us, and brainstorm and organize ourselves to get like-minded folks in office.

  ...at least that's that I feel DK is about

  by LoLoLaLa on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:12:24 PM PDT

•  You think McCain and Hillary will change things?

  I submit that only Obama is committed to ending torture. Supporting him IS supporting an end to torture as U.S. policy.

  by BetterTogether on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:17:40 PM PDT

•  Um.... Red states don't count. Little states?

  They don't count.  Caucus states certainly don't count.

  Anything here sound familiar?

  People are getting involved and are excited about this election.  And not a moment too soon!  Personally, I'm glad to see it and definitely willing to endure some diary substance issues if we get people participating.  We aren't going to stop torture if we don't win in November.  

  Someone pass me some more candidate diaries please.  And I'd also like a side of BREAKING: New Polls!!! with that.

  "Help!!! I'm being Enlightened!" - TCFKNCS's avatar

  I always wanted to quote an avatar.

  by RhymesWithUrple on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:28:05 PM PDT

•  No problem. I quit recommending candidate diaries

  weeks ago. Then I quit fixing their tags. Most of them are repetitious, short and pointless, anyway. Anyone looking for how well Obama walks on water will be able to find many examples from the few who take care with their tags. Now, I don't read most of them, at least not as far down as the tags, anyway...

  by Jacques on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:40:20 PM PDT

•  Candidate diaries

  on a site dedicated to electing Democrats?  Shocking...

  by clonecone on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:46:46 PM PDT

•  You know what?

  Troutfishing has done an excellent set of diaries on this appalling subject, and each of them has made the rec list.

  And for this whine, you took up space on the recent diary list.

  by boadicea on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 04:47:38 PM PDT