Diary Guidelines
- Copying and pasting complete copyrighted articles without permission from the copyright holder is absolutely prohibited by both this site's policies and copyright laws. Copyright infringement can expose both you and the site's owners to financial liability. Just don't do it. And if you see someone else doing it, please politely ask them to edit their diary accordingly. This is a bannable offense.
- Limited copying within the bounds of the doctrine of "fair use" is permitted. A reasonable rule-of-thumb is that copying three paragraphs from a normal-length news article or editorial is acceptable. (This, however, is not a safe-harbor. If even three paragraphs seems like "too much," then copy less or nothing at all.) For more on fair use, please visit this site.
- When you quote material that is not your own, please provide a link whenever possible. Also, use the blockquote tags to set off the copied material so that your writing is distinct from the material you are copying. For more on HTML tags, click here.
- Hotlinking images without permission is prohibited. Hotlinking means using the [img src] tag to display an image on a diary which is hosted on someone else's server. Hotlinking, especially on a site as popular as this one, can cost people real money in bandwidth costs. It's essentially stealing. If we get complaints from sites about images being hotlisted, we will consider that as possible grounds for banning.
- Cross-posting from your own blog is welcome.
- Diarists are strongly encouraged to back up all assertions with facts (and preferably links to supporting materials) whenever possible. Use reputable sources whenever possible. If you can't find a reputable source that supports your position, then perhaps reconsider writing your diary.
- As a corollary, diarists should always make it clear when they are expressing an opinion - please do not assert opinions as facts.
- Diaries which engage in wild speculation without any proof are strongly discouraged. Repeatedly posting diaries consisting largely or entirely of wild speculation is an abuse of site policy. Bear in mind that that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
- Diaries which contain hateful or defamatory writing are prohibited.
- Diaries which are deliberately designed to inflame are prohibited.
- Deliberately inflammatory titles, or titles which contain attacks, are prohibited.
- Profanity is prohibited in titles. The use of asterisks is acceptable.
- "Calling out" other site users by name in diary titles is prohibited. Diaries which "call out" another by name tend to needlessly inflame. If you feel compelled to address another user's comments or diaries in a diary of your own, please do so cautiously. Avoid ad hominems and stick with substantive, constructive criticism only.
- What makes for a good diary: Anything which showcases original research or original analysis. Political calls to action with substantive information on how to get involved. News (plus analysis) on interesting/relevant topics that are not widely discussed.
- Diaries on contested Democratic primaries: Be positive. Make an affirmative case for your favored candidate. If you do criticize a Democratic candidate, don't make ad hominem attacks - stick to substantive criticisms, and back them up with hard evidence. Be very cautious if you go after a fellow Democrat. Odds are, that candidate will have supporters on this site. Reasonable people will accept reasonable criticism - unfair criticism will only needlessly inflame. And remember, deliberately inflammatory diaries are prohibited.
- "Open Thread" diaries: Diaries designed to serve as "open threads" for discussion on major, breaking events (such as a speech or hearing) are permissible. Please provide links to information about the events (such as news articles or webcasts) in such diaries. Do not post duplicate diary open threads unless an earlier open thread exceeds 150 comments.
- When writing a diary on a political race, prefixing the title is always helpful. For example: FL-Gov (Florida governor's race), NY-Sen (New York senate race), CA-25 (California's 25th congressional district race).
- Do not use ALL CAPS or exclamation marks !!! in diary titles.
- Do not put "Please Recommend" or similar language in diary titles.
- Please read an entire diary before hitting "Recommend." Recommending based on just the first few paragraphs or the author's name is strongly discouraged.
Recommended
- If the Supreme Court thinks former presidents have, or do not have, some or absolute immunity against criminal prosecution, why not just say so now? Why would it take months? Do they have something better to do? Are there other priorities on their...179 comments 391 Recs
- I am channeling my inner Andy Rooney for this VERY short diary, and am delighted that the Image Library is here to help yet again. Did ya ever notice how, right after the Democrats pull off something absolutely remarkable, this strange thing happens...343 comments 708 Recs
- Reading a brief Raw Story breakdown of some of today’s arguments from the justices in the never-should-have-been-taken-up-in-the-first-place immunity case, this quote from Alito leapt out of my screen like a rabid dog: “A stable, democratic society...244 comments 422 Recs
- Welcome 🌻 to Fridayâs Roundup of Good News! President Biden has said many times that he is a president for all of America, whether you voted for him or not. His attitude can be hard to take at ...45 comments 40 Recs
- The American dream often involves being your own boss and following your dreams.� Biden’s policies have made that possible for record numbers of Americans.�� The Center for American Progress ...9 comments 20 Recs
- Never in my long life have I been as enraged and sickened about American politics as I am now. I am close to utter despair at what I’m seeing. My beloved country is becoming an insane asylum, filled with people who want to see the American experiment...49 comments 142 Recs
- "He Wrote All of it Down" - Prosecution has Weisselberg's Handwritten Notes, Spelling Out the SchemeMichael Cohen’s testimony in the election interference trial of Donald Trump shall be corroborated by a simple bank statement, on which CFO Allan Weisselberg broke down the reimbursement scheme. The prosecution has that bank statement, as they told the...186 comments 575 Recs
- -Prosecutors argued that Trump has violated the gag order four times since Tuesday’s hearing on potential contempt fines for violating the gag order. The judge has still not ruled on that contempt motion. He set a hearing for 2:15 next Wednesday on the...56 comments 214 Recs
- This is a great post to start off with. “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It isn’t graphic, but it was tagged private so I can’t embed it, but this is the Troll of the Year. Superb. *chef’s kiss* Edit: Found one that will embed: I...82 comments 360 Recs
- David Pecker blames Trump for the entire scheme but still considers him a friend. Was it the lie to Melania or was it the cover-up? He did have a much longer affair with Karen McDougal than with Stormy Daniels, and AMI spent more to keep her quiet than...79 comments 168 Recs
- One predictable effect of the various states charging the fake electors is that because these people were State Party officials, any lawyers hired by the defendants will very likely have their fees paid by the state party. e.g. In GA, the State...132 comments 596 Recs
- After a needless delay of several weeks, the Supreme Court has finally assembled to hear arguments over whether Donald Trump can be held accountable for the crimes he committed while occupying the White House. He is asserting that an imaginary doctrine...175 comments 282 Recs
Recent Diaries
- As my birthday looms ahead this weekend, and the distance I’ve circled around the sun keeps lengthening like a shadow, I thought I would summarize four of the more important studies that have been ...2 comments 0 Recs
- Rare Old Bird got a new knee with mid-day surgery at Cleveland Clinic on April 17th. Then came the heavy-duty pain killers interspersed with the light-duty pain killers that brought on a week’s sleep, pretty continuous through day and night. Though I...1 comments 2 Recs
- I am a failed writer in the sense that I have never had my fiction professionally published. These posts, which will run on most Fridays, are an attempt to keep myself creatively motivated and just ...1 comments 0 Recs
- A new digital ad will run in the swing states during the NFL draft. The ad targets Trump's lack of interest in football, comparing it to Trump being out of touch with real Americans. It includes clips of Trump stating that football is boring and nobody...5 comments 8 Recs
- In WAYR? , I note what I’m reading and comment...you note what you are reading and comment. Occasionally, I may add a section or a link related to books… I am reading: Slow Horses by Mick ...7 comments 6 Recs
- The American dream often involves being your own boss and following your dreams.� Biden’s policies have made that possible for record numbers of Americans.�� The Center for American Progress ...9 comments 20 Recs
- Welcome 🌻 to Fridayâs Roundup of Good News! President Biden has said many times that he is a president for all of America, whether you voted for him or not. His attitude can be hard to take at ...45 comments 40 Recs
- Cheers everyone and welcome to Friday’s Morning Open Thread. Morning Open Thread is a daily, � copyrighted � post from a host of editors and guest writers. We support our community, invite and ...21 comments 8 Recs
- Hello, everyone. Good morning, afternoon or evening, and welcome to this edition of Notes from South Asia. You can find all the articles in the series here (along with my other diaries). For today’20 comments 10 Recs
- Welcome to White House Picture of the Day Showcasing a photo from the White House Photography staff, led by Adam Schultz. Feel free to join us anytime and share with us what is happening in ...5 comments 16 Recs
- Today we celebrate the Immortal Bard, William Shakespeare of Avon, yet to be posthumously knighted. Although born three days earlier, 26 April 1564 is the date of his official baptismal certificate. The Bard of Avon followed, and soon eclipsed, the...4 comments 10 Recs
- I asked for support a year ago and the community came through for me, I don’t need much help now, because I am doing fine. My chairs are running well, and I really appreciate the funds you gave me. Again, I hate to ask for help, because I know for some...2 comments 6 Recs
- This seems to have flown under the radar here, but at the latest UN Security Council meeting Russia once again did what it does best — veto a resolution that had the full support of every other member (except China of course, who did what they do best...2 comments 5 Recs
- Thursday, 24 April the USDA, CDC, FDA held a closed briefing to disseminate information on H5N1. It shouldn't have been closed but we still got the info. Eric Topol who you may recall from the last pandemic wrote about the key points. You can read his...2 comments 14 Recs
- Today’s West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Metro Shrimp & Grits Thursdays, is now available on the Spreaker Player! Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, a court filing in Cannon’s court by Trump’s...1 comments 2 Recs
- Episode 165 has been uploaded. iHeartRadio this podcast all podcasts Omny.FM this podcast all podcasts ivoox this podcast all podcasts Apple this podcast all podcasts Preview: YouTube, later A-Block SPECIAL COMMENT: Justice Samuel Alito should wake up...2 comments 23 Recs
- Happy Friday! It’s Thursday, wound care day and I’m currently exhausted. But the wound is improving, the doctor was really pleased with the progress its made in the past two weeks.� Our net ...8 comments 8 Recs
- What happens to Ukraine? What happens to Gaza? Here’s this week’s Thursday Kos in full, and subscribe to Make it Plain wherever you get your podcasts!4 comments 4 Recs
- Frost: So, what in a sense you’re saying is that there are certain situations and the Huston plan or that part of it was one of them where the president can decide that it’s in the best interest of the nation or something and do something illegal....5 comments 9 Recs
- Russian forces conducted missile strikes against Ukrainian railway and logistics infrastructure on April 25. Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian forces struck a logistics and railway connection point in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast likely with...12 comments 68 Recs