Today's Recommended Reader Blogs
As TPMCafe's reader blogging section continues to grow, we're able to bring you a diverse selection of some of the extraordinary writing that goes on away from the glitz and the glare of the Cafe front-page. So, without further ado, here are today's recommended reader blogs:
The parent of a marine describes in detail some the ways in which the men and women of the armed forces are bribed and otherwise manipulated into reenlistment. Unpleasant, but necessary, reading.
Member FlyOnTheWall takes a comprehensive look at the mathematics of the Democratic nomination race and asks, What Adds Up to Legitimacy?
Criticism of Bill Kristol is always appreciated, as far as I'm concerned, and member Eddie-george doesn't disappoint in his takedown of Kristol's reading of Rudyard Kipling.
At TPM we see, and produce, a lot of criticism of the US government, and not without reason. But reader David Seaton decides to point a finger at the American citizenry in a provocative, but perhaps deserved, critique.
John Edwards has told the other Democratic candidates that his endorsement will be tied to making poverty a central campaign issue, but reader Margy Waller writes that any action in this direction will require a fundamental re-conception of poverty in our discourse.
Finally, instead of the usual Clinton/Obama posts, I give you a welcome bit ofcampaign-related sarcasm from member genghis.
Nah.
Top reader blog
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/02/tpm-muckrakers-win-polk-award.php
You folks rock!
February 19, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been generally critical of the new TPMCafe site, but I do want to say that one of the good things about the change is that reader blogs are getting much more visibility and attention. I find that I'm reading them more and often finding them as interesting as the posts of the "official" contributors.
Calling attention to some of the best like this is great. One suggestion, however, might be to move a few of the very best reader blogs onto the front page, so they have equal billing with the official posts. The volume of reader blogs inevitably results in reader blogs (even recommended ones) disappearing from the front page pretty quickly. Moving one or two to the main section of the site might help keep them prominent and allow more readers to comment and discuss before the post gets buried.
February 20, 2008 6:57 AM | Reply | Permalink