Hello, cherished Community! It’s been four dang months since I gave you, sweet Picks readers, the exclusive heads up that I would be departing for quite some time—what I refer to as “basically foreverpants”—and I couldn’t be happier that I’ve made my triumphant return. I’ve been back since last week, but unsurprisingly, there was a LOT to be done to feel normal at work again, so I waited a week to re-launch PotW so that I would have time to comb over the week’s diaries like I’ve done in the past!
Did you miss Picks of the Week? Did you miss me? (Actually … don’t answer that last question.)
It’s okay if you didn’t notice I was gone. The nation is burning.
Enough about me, though! This is, as always, about you, Dearest Ones, and your great writing. Here’s a quick recap on how this list is populated, from content written Fri.-Thur. each week:
Truly, there is no formula. 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 diary being put out on Saturdays, we do our best to pick stories that haven’t gone stale by the time I hit Publish.
Furthermore, I’ll add that as primary season looms, much effort is spent to avoid diaries that either endorse or bash a current Democratic candidate. Why? Because this series is about celebrating y’all and your talent, a goal that will last far longer than this election. As the steerer of this little weekly ship, I’m not going to focus on equal coverage for candidates to avoid accusations of bias. I’m going to avoid candidate talk altogether, even if that makes me a coward in some of your eyes.
This week’s picks are so great, y’all. I can’t wait for you to read them. So without further ado, let’s dig in.
Tried (and failed) to love a tRumpster
By chelonia testudines
Support of Trump (and lack thereof) continues to shatter relationships nationwide, causing much pain. This unabashed first-person tale spares no punches as it takes us through one such journey
Victory! We stopped a Republican National Committee trojan malware op dead in its tracks
By DocDawg
A truly remarkable story about how skilled tech experts caught the GOP being very bad, and shamed them into doing better.
Hidden History: The Toronto Circus Riot
By Lenny Flank
Yes. A circus riot. The latest installment in the HH series tells one hell of a wild story that is stranger than fiction.
If Economy Slides Next Year, Trump Will Not Be Able To Blame the Federal Reserve.
By Merlin1963
We know he will, but here’s a great, layman’s exploration of how that’ll likely work out for him.
Why North Korea Wants Nuclear Weapons
By Russell Hall
In a digestible journey spanning decades, this explainer gets to the root of an issue that’s certainly not going to be solved by Trump and his flirtation with Kim Jong Un.
Random Acts of Protest
By Im a frayed knot
We all can do something to fight back against this dangerously tyrannical administration and its ever-increasingly cruel policies. The first step is the hardest.
Time to talk about guns again (and history too)
By BlackSheep1
Another accessible explainer that addresses our gun crisis and some of the ways we got here.
Name Dropping - My Rolling Stones Story
By 714day
We all have those moments in life that are forever imprinted in our memory, those stories we tell at parties.
This is one of those experiences, and it’s freaking delightful.
Catholicism and My Bipolar Disorder
By Eihenetu
A brutally honest journey that only this writer could share with us. The title says it all.
Camille’s Wake
By Douglas Lee
Half a century later, Hurricane Camille, all but forgotten by most of the nation, leaves lasting scars on the land and people who found themselves and their homes in her path. A beautiful first-person narrative takes us near the eye and into the long-lasting impacts.
Officers return to duty 2 weeks after shooting black teen in the back as he fled in CO Springs.
By rflctammt
Another police shooting caught on camera, another pair of cops allowed to go back to work while a black family mourns and seethes. A longtime resident of Colorado Springs thoughtfully explores their own rage and the long history of inequality in this city, sparked by the killing of De’Von Bailey, 19, earlier this month.
Homelessness is Waiting
By LoreleiHI
Yet another painful yet beautiful diary from LoreleiHi that holds no punches as it presents the realities of homelessness. Sometimes, the waiting really is the hardest part.
How a Generic Abortion Pill Could Revolutionize Abortion
By ZawnVillines
It’s not just that this medication could change everything for pregnant people … it’s also about the fight to ensure it changes nothing.
That’s it for this week, folks! See you next Saturday, with a whole new list of stellar writings from your peers here in the Daily Kos Community.
As always, feel free to tell me about any diaries I may have missed this week … and don’t hesitate to send suggestions for the coming week’s list via Kosmail, no later than Thursday at noon in your time zone.
It’s so, so good to be back, folks. Till next time.