Hey there, cherished Community! It’s somehow Saturday again, which means it’s time for Picks of the Week, wherein we showcase stories that stuck with the Daily Kos staff over the last seven days. (Find more about our selection criteria here.) This week’s list sure was a tough one to compile, as so much of your great content was written in anticipation of Thursday’s highly-anticipated release of the redacted Mueller report, or focused on then-unknown facts surrounding the tragic Notre Dame fire. Luckily, dearest ones, you bring a diverse set of perspectives and knowledge, so there were plenty of other topics tackled!
Besides Not Being About Mueller or Notre Dame, there’s no real common thread among these picks, beyond their excellence. From analysis to first-person stories, advice to nostalgia, this week’s gems run the gamut. We’ll get to them in a moment. First, of course, there’s this week’s Community query.
As online relationships become more and more significant in people’s lives, it’s become exponentially more culturally acceptable to say “we met online,” whether it’s a dear friend or a new lover. I think it’s no different here, and daresay Daily Kos peeps were ahead of the pack, but you might prove me wrong.
I want to hear about your “in real life” connections with fellow members of the Daily Kos Community. I know we’re special here, what with Netroots Nation (fka Yearly Kos) and all, which gives folks (with the means and ability) a way to commune in person. Did you meet your best friend here? Your partner? Share that amazing origin story, if you’re willing!
Without further ado, here’s this week’s picks. I hope you find something new—and as always, don’t hesitate to tell us what we missed in the comments!
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Our 16-Year-Old Reacts To The Texas Bill Calling For The Death Penalty For Women Who Choose Abortion
By DaisiesArePretty
The kids are alright.
Another American (Health Insurance) Horror Story
By Kittencaboodle
There’s one of these every single week.
There is a way out. It won't be easy
By John M Webb
It won’t be easy to oust Donald Trump, but here’s one way we can do it.
Gigantic orbiting billboards in space are coming -- can we just reboot this planet, please?
By Krotor
Pepsi wants people to learn about their new energy drink—by any means necessary.
The Auction and My Father's Words
By wcmcsea
A beautiful journey through a uniquely Appalachian practice, sprinkled with moving nostalgia.
Death At The Court
By m2c4
Death penalty cases continue to play out in the highest court in the land, but things are different than they were before.
Make Stealing From a Charity THE Centerpiece for Impeachment
By Tortmaster
Forget complex campaign finance laws. Go for the low-hanging fruit that offends EVERYONE. One attorney muses on the possibilities.
In case of emergency – The step most people don’t take…
By PoliticallyNonEuclidean
Do this once a year and it will be much easier to navigate any loss of property you may face.
Lessons We Failed to Learn from Al Gore
By Rrhain
Everybody knows Al Gore claims he invented the internet, right?
Actually, he never said that. And the lesson from that accepted mistruth is extremely relevant today.
DADT is back with a new target
By joe quigley
Transgender folks can still serve in the U.S. military after Trump’s horrific ban … but only if they embrace a supposedly-eliminated edict to hide their true selves.
The 5 Most Persistent Anti-Choice Lies--and Why They're Wrong
By ZawnVillines
Pro-choice advocates must reclaim the higher moral ground from the forced birth movement. Not later. Not tomorrow. Now.
Is Trump Paranoid? Of Course He Is, Except Maybe Not Today.
By Murfster35
Trump’s paranoia is rarely focused where it should be, but nowadays, his reasons to worry are right in front of him.
Signs of a Climate Emergency
By citisven
Climate change is destroying so much of our world that it’s sometimes hard to wrap our heads around it. One stretch of highway in San Francisco presents a small scale display of how bad it is and how bad it can get—while providing a magical experience.
That’s it for this week, folks! How’d we do?
Thank you so much for all the gorgeous writing you do here, Community. We’re so glad you're here.
Author’s Note: This is the last Picks of the Week for awhile. This series will be on hiatus indefinitely while I’m on medical leave, but I promise it’s not forever!