Welcome to the weekly recap. In this post, I’ll be linking to my work from the week, sharing some stories from others I thought were interesting, and providing a few casual thoughts on [gestures at everything]. If you’d like to receive this weekly email ONLY, please go to your account page and under “Email notifications” uncheck every box except “TPA Weekly Recap.” If you don’t want to receive the weekly recap, leave all boxes except “TPA Weekly Recap” checked.

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From me this week:

On Monday, I published a response to a somewhat misleading FiveThirtyEight blog post. Basically, I find it disturbing that media outlets feel comfortable publishing articles clearly meant to nudge politicians to impose restrictions on people’s rights — and that’s exactly what FiveThirtyEight did.

The Present Age

FiveThirtyEight's anti-trans smear

Last week, Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight website published a piece from Natalie Jackson, a research director with the Public Religion Research Institute, about Americans’ support for LGBTQ rights. Headlined, “Americans’ Support For LGBTQ Rights Often Stops With Transgender Rights…

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6 months ago · 26 likes · 4 comments · Parker Molloy

On Wednesday, I published an article about legislative attacks on free speech in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Also, Renee Bracey Sherman addressed a House committee and shared instructions on self-managed abortions (which is one of the things certain states may soon try to make illegal to discuss).

The Present Age

Abortion and the importance of free speech

Renee Bracey Sherman is the executive director of abortion storytelling group We Testify, and on Tuesday, she made a bit of congressional testimony history. Speaking during House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing, “Roe Reversal: The Impacts of Taking Away the Constitutional Right to an Abortion,” Bracey Sherman took a detour from…

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6 months ago · 24 likes · 1 comment · Parker Molloy

And then on Thursday, I published two pieces. The first, about one of the biggest mistakes I see in how the press handles “cancel culture” stories, deals with Isaac Chotiner’s interview with Alan Dershowitz in a superb New Yorker article.

The Present Age

Isaac Chotiner's Alan Dershowitz Q&A is the blueprint for "cancel culture" coverage

There’s a joke among people who are really plugged into media Twitter: if Isaac Chotiner calls to ask if he can interview you, run. On Tuesday, the New Yorker Q&A writer released an interview with Trump lawyer Alan Dershowitz, and in the process, he demonstrated why that remains solid advice…

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6 months ago · 37 likes · 2 comments · Parker Molloy

And the second newsletter I sent out on Thursday was just me riffing on New York Times columnist Bret Stephens’ piece about the one column he regrets writing.

The Present Age

Bret Stephens, who once said Muslims suffer from "the disease of the Arab mind" and falsely claimed that "bedbug" was a Nazi-era antisemitic slur, regrets... something else.

Happy 2nd newsletter of the day, folks. I think this is the first time I’ve ever sent out a second, but after seeing “Bret Stephens” trend on Twitter, I felt obligated to. Don’t worry, though, I’ll try to keep it to 1 per day at most from now on (though usually somewhere around 4 per week…

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6 months ago · 10 likes · 8 comments · Parker Molloy

Here’s where I’d usually post links to other articles I enjoyed this week. However…

Unfortunately, my dog Tater Tot hurt his leg playing in the yard yesterday and last night involved a trip to the emergency vet. Luckily, what we worried was a break/dislocation seems to be just a sprain of some sort and he’ll be back to zooming around the neighborhood in no time! So sorry, my Thursday evening newsletter prep time got thrown off. Recommendations will continue in next week’s recap newsletter!

Here are some tweets from my wife Kayla documenting Tater Tot’s trip to the emergency vet. (Also: check out Kayla’s online shop, Tiny Werewolves)

Kayla Pekkala @KaylaPekkala

After a surprise trip to the emergency vet, tiny boy has a sprain and has to take it easy for a few days. ❤️ He’s high AF right now on an injection of pain meds but luckily nothing is broken.

5:13 AM ∙ Jul 22, 2022

Kayla Pekkala @KaylaPekkala

We were playing outside and suddenly he stopped, and wouldn’t put weight on his paw. At first we thought it was a sting or bite. However it became clear that he was in pain and was very uncomfortable. So we made the choice to go because he couldn’t even lay down comfortably.

5:13 AM ∙ Jul 22, 2022

Kayla Pekkala @KaylaPekkala

Highly recommend Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) if you have one in your area. There is no “taking your pet to the back”. It’s one big open room and you literally stay with your pet the entire time. Where they go, you go.

5:13 AM ∙ Jul 22, 2022

Kayla Pekkala @KaylaPekkala

Even though he was in pain and didn’t want to be there, Tate was the bestest boy the whole time (like two hours) we were there. He didn’t once growl or bite. He, however, did not cooperate for the X-rays. That took a few tries. 🤣

5:17 AM ∙ Jul 22, 2022

That’s it for this week. Have a safe and relaxing weekend, everyone. I’ll be back next week!