Happy Weekend to you, dear reader. September is well upon us and it’s time, once again, for Picks of The Week.
I came across this diary from Jotter the other day, chock full of amazing calculations and theories about how this list is compiled. I wanted to take a moment to say, loud and clear, that there is no algorithm. How does a diary end up here, you might ask? This list is curated by humans—plural, as in, definitely not just me—every single week.
Remember, your friendly DK staff reads your work every day, just like you (hopefully) read ours. We watch the Rec list and the Community Spotlight and Most Shared all week long. We, as a staff, share with each other the pieces that captivate us. As alamancedem quite thoughtfully pointed out, our own tastes and interests play a factor in that.
Truly, there is no formula to this list. We tend, unsurprisingly, toward stories with solid writing and fresh perspectives, that cover a wide swath of topics. We’re suckers for stories with a personal bent when we can find them. We also aim to feature different writers whenever possible. Finally, with this being published on Saturdays, we do our best to pick stories that haven’t gone stale by the time I hit Publish.
I hope I’ve clarified some curiosities here. Please keep in mind that the best part of building this list is reading all of your great work every week. Truly, we’re so glad you’re here.
Now without further delay, let’s get to those picks.
Scott Walker finally getting a taste of his own poisonous medicine
By PuddyTat
It’s about time that Scott Walker gets a taste of his own scorched earth campaign tactics. Liberal groups are finally going on the attack. The big difference is that these ads tell the truth.
Honor Puerto Rico’s hurricane dead by supporting the living—and voting Republicans out of office
By Denise Oliver Velez
I am listening to the dead. They ask for fitting revenge, as well as to be remembered. They ask for justice.
Other Democrats have spoken up and called for aid, and the response has been from the racist side of the aisle has been crickets.
All the bills and wonderful ideas are meaningless unless we have a sweeping blue wave that will reach the Caribbean.
A President, a hurricane, a bumper sticker, a hug, and a prayer changed my life
By Polly First
I was born and raised as a Republican. I wasn’t involved that much in politics when I was younger, though in retrospect, I wish I had been.
Around 2005, there were four things that made me re-evaluate my political beliefs I’d been raised with.
Beto O’Rourke shows the f**k up
By Centrist Dem
The Ted Cruz campaign just released one of the most hilariously awful advertisements. Even without the hypocrisy, this is a completely tone deaf message.
Where to begin?
10-year-old comes across plaque of assassinated Civil Rights leader; deeply honors his memory
By Tevye
Sarah Haycox was on the way to a soccer game at Shoreline Park when she noticed a small memorial between the field and the bathrooms.
She decided to research the man, Edwin Pratt, who soon became her role model.
Asked Sarah, "Why haven't we heard of him? Why isn't he a celebrated part? He did so much for our community. It was just the lack of recognition that really, I think, maybe stunned me. It just felt like he's gotta have something more than just a plaque outside of a bathroom."
What kind of d*ck responds in ALL CAPS to a woman’s eulogy for her father?
By Aldous J Pennyfarthing
You’d think if you were banned from a universally respected American hero’s funeral because no one wanted you there, you’d take a moment to reflect on your unique brand of odiousness and maybe just power down your tweeter machine for the long weekend.
But Donald Trump can’t help himself.
Behind Milo’s meltdown: Alt-right is suffering bigly, but we need to bring the final hammer
By SemDem
I recall being told by several leftists not to fight the alt-right. By denying them a platform, they would only grow louder and stronger. I think I can safely say that was a stupid line of thinking—we made a lot of noise, made them toxic, got them banned, and they are suffering for it.
In short, we have been kicking their collective ass.
Trump stooge Devin Nunes is slipping badly in polls, after summer of being battered by local paper
By Blue Tuesday
Even in a Congress filled with Trump apologists and stooges, Devin Nunes stands out as a corrupt and compromised lackey for the idiot unindicted co-conspirator. And the voters in his central California district are starting to get tired of it.
Advance directives and MAID Laws must be a part of healthcare reform
By SquireForYou
Remember, folks, despite all of our medical advances, the death rate is still 100%. It's never fun to consider one's mortality, but it's still imperative that we do so.
Wherever we can, we have an obligation to empower and enable Americans to pursue the life and make the decisions for themselves that they desire, regardless of how we might personally feel about it.
Stop trying to rehabiliatate the reputation of George W. Bush
By Laurence Lewis
I get it. Compared to Trump, almost anything looks good. But this isn't grading on a curve. George W. Bush was a horrible president because he was a horrible person. He is not cute. He is not charming.
Trump had two options. He picked the wrong one.
By Dartagnan
This is not someone who anyone—whatever their political persuasion-- wants their children to emulate. Not someone to admire. And certainly not someone deserving of the office he currently occupies. He is something decidedly inhuman.
For the first time in history, Russia’s navy establishes a permanent presence in Mediterranean Sea
By Victor Klemperer Respawned
I know sharing “sick burns” on Twitter is all the rage, but some things are more important. While everyone is distracted by Agent Orange’s public masturbation, Russia is changing the game.
The Boston Globe finally debunks the ‘Fauxcahontas’ charge
By Dave from MA
Did Elizabeth Warren try to use a Native American claim to get the professorship at Harvard or any other educational institution, as her detractors have repeatedly claimed? She has always insisted she didn't; but without an exhaustive review of the available evidence, it is impossible to prove a negative. And it seems that no one had undertaken that exhaustive review until now.
Distinguished shrinks weigh in on the anonymous N.Y. Times op-ed, and so do I
By HalBrown
It may be that his reactions to the OpEd may be the most clinically significant and telling information we have. The only aspect of his reaction is his paranoia because as the saying goes, even paranoids have enemies.
What all this does is confirm our assessment that his psychopathology makes him dangerous.
That’s it for this week, folks! Hope to see some of your favorite Community posts in the comments.