The War on Terror Comes to Canada by gypsyman
A satirical piece takes events in Afghanistan and moves them to the West, with thought-provoking consequences.
Blogcritics.org Writer Michael J. West chose:
So What's a Liberal? Or a Conservative? by Mark Schannon
Blogcritics.org Writer alpha also chose:
Pro-Life or Anti-Sex? by Elvira Black
It was not the most original (this is an on-going as well as emotional controversy) and, though well-written and coherently thought-out; it doesn't hit you over the head. Still, it is a fine post that is also an excellent rebuttal to a post by John Bambenek "Number of Cases of "Child Rape" Covered Up by Planned Parenthood in Illinois Remains Steady in 2004" which suffers seriously by not agreeing with me.
However, I really chose this post as a performance: both the writing and the moderation of comments. She answered critics, thanked commenters, found good things to say whenever possible and attempted to keep the thread on a fair and thoughtful rather than personal track. A Blogcritics strength is the comments make each article interactive. Elvira used and guided that firestorm to make her article, the Bambanek post and the comments one long conversation. Kudos.
Sports
Sports Editor Mathew T. Sussman chose:
Steelers Win – Why I Love Sports by Justene
Adamec
It's funny how things repeat themselves. Wait, funny¹s not the word. More like scary.
As a Mets fan in 1986, Justene lost all hope when the Mets were one out away from succumbing to the Red Sox in the World Series, until Bill Buckner allowed the most infamous five-hole folly in sports history. On Sunday, she described that same feeling – this time as a Steelers fan. Her stunningly accurate account of Jerome Bettis's unlikely fumble and resultant play would have elicited a standing ovation from a convention of surly police sketch artists. Like the Amazins two decades ago, the Steelers hung tough and shocked the Colts despite an almost cataclysmic fourth-quarter collapse.
Scary how a weird-looking ball can cause so much simultaneous heartbreak and joy from a lawyer. No, wait. That one is funny.
Gaming
Blogcritics.org Writer Aaron Auzins chose:
GameCube Review: Mario Party 7 by Matt Paprocki
Provides great insight on a series going nowhere.
SciTech
SciTech Editor Lisa McKay chose:
I'm A Programmer, Not A Computer Guy, by Brian Sorrell
Brian astutely and humorously describes the dilemma of the programmer who, mistaken for tech support by assorted family members and friends, is forever having to explain his place in the digital scheme of things. His suggestion? Keep your profession a secret! Judging from the cries of "amen" in the ensuing comments, Brian has struck a nerve with coders everywhere.
Article comments
1 - John Spivey
Thanks, Lisa. I really appreciate your acknowledgement.
2 - Stephen V Funk
Many thanks for the kind kudos... two in one week! I'm flattered and honored. Cheers
3 - Scott C. Smith
Thanks, Joan, for selecting my review of "Hostel" as an editors' pick. Sorry if the review caused a temporary loss in bladder control.
4 - Trinket
Thank you so much for even noticing my prescence. I'm flattered & you've honestly made my day!
5 - T
Joan, thanks for your pick of Love Monkey!
(psst...I sent the "thank you" to the paypal account you listed in that email you sent....)
6 - gypsyman
Thanks Natalie, I was thinking of the bombing in Pakastan when I wrote this piece, but the recognistion makes me red all over anway...although according to my site meter you'd never know...
thanks again, I liked writing that one a lot...
gypsyman
7 - gypysman
Not to sound like a whiner or anything, but what happened to our nice little banners that we used to get to put on our sites to link back to B.C. for the winning post...
I know Temple used to host them, but maybe we could figure out some way to host something from the site, they are good publicity and look spiffy on your blog.
8 - gypsyman
My pick of the week for Jan. 18th to 24th would be Bonnie's Book Review: Race Against Time by Stephen Lewis .
Not only does Bonnie do an excellent job of letting the reader know what's in store for them when they read this series of lectures, but she manages to very accurately describe the passion and integrity that have made Stephen Lewis so credible.
A great review of a book that would be a surprise coming from someone within the U.N. for its honesty, if it hadn't been written by Mr. Lewis. There was a movement to try and get rid of him because of that honesty. Thankfully for the people of Africa he's managed to keep his job. Bonnie's review tells us how this book shows how important he is for that almost abandoned continent
gypsyman
9 - Stephen V Funk
I'm not totally sure how this works, but I think I get to submit picks of the week for 1/17-1/24 since I was selected last time around?
If so, I'd like to nominate two:
1. Opinion: AA -- Threat or Menace... A brutally honest and compellingly written first person account that will encourage you to reexamine your preconceptions about AA and 12-step programs in general.
2. CD Review: Vulnerable by Marvin Gaye... a well-written overview of the story behind this "lost" album and of course the album itself. This introduced me to a Marvin Gaye album I never even knew about and, most importantly, made me want to hear it.
Thanks!
10 - Scott Butki
Congrats to those picked.
11 - Elvira Black
Thank you Natalie and Alpha (aka Howard!) for making a newbie feel right at home. I'm also very flattered because of the superb quality of all the BC posts I've had the pleasure to read thus far. I love this place!
And Steven: thanks and congrats to you as well! It just now occurred to me to check the comments section here (duh!) and thus I just saw your pick, and will likewise check out your previously picked post! (Say ten times fast...)
I'm preping my pick right now, and will post it this eve, though it's a tough job to choose from such a plethora of great offerings. Again, many thanks, and mazel tov to all those picked this week.
12 - Elvira Black
To Stephen V. Funk:
Two brain spasms I must now correct (I'll just blame 'em on Elvira being a ditz):
Stephen, not Steven (kicks self in head).
And...congrats on your TWO picked pieces this week! I'll be coming by and a-commenting for sure on both. And thanks again for your pick for this week!
13 - John Spivey
I would nominate "In Defense of Bill Cosby."
14 - Elvira Black
John:
Yes, I agree--I had Robert's essay in mind ever since I saw it last January 18th. I'm e-mailing this pick to Eric now.
15 - Eric Berlin
Congrats to all picks again, new column up very shortly!
To answer a g-man question, and sorry about the delay: we'd love to have some help sprucing up all kinds of things on this column.
Ken -- Anything happening with that template you were working on?