Allison Torres Burtka
banner
allisonburtka.bsky.social
Allison Torres Burtka
@allisonburtka.bsky.social
Freelance writer and editor in metro Detroit. Words in National Geographic, The Guardian, Outside, Parents, Audubon, Harvard Public Health, WebMD & more.

writing portfolio: https://atburtka.journoportfolio.com/
Great. This is just what we need when people are struggling to afford food and health care.
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
and pollution laws and transportation safety and basically every type of safeguard we have
November 18, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Yes. The tone is gross. Like the Nuzzi article, it romanticizes abhorrent people and behavior.
November 16, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I think the "free" is just to reinforce that you can actually take a book from this thing for free, no strings attached.

They're not a substitute for the library--they're an extra (sometimes surprising) place where you can pick up a book. Having more books out there is always good, IMO.
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Even beyond these consequences, abortion bans make existing doctor shortages worse and make health care worse overall. rewirenewsgroup.com/2025/10/31/a...
Abortion Bans Can Hinder Life-Saving Care for Pregnant Patients with Lung Disease or Medical Crises—Study
Pulmonologists, critical care doctors, even rheumatologists are struggling to adequately treat pregnant patients in states that restrict reproductive rights, new research reveals.
rewirenewsgroup.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Exactly. Even rewriting this specific story--removing the romantic lens--wouldn't be that hard.
November 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I think they used to be better. Some bad pieces would make it through, but now, the bad pieces are so deliberate and so frequent. It's a conscious choice to romanticize an era when Epstein ruled, or to romanticize a journalist who had an affair with one of the most heinous men in this government.
November 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I promise you, there is a way to write this article without romanticizing the pedophiles and rapists.
November 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
OK, but immigrants are out here being awesome and clearly supporting the economy all over the place. I don't think trotting out Haitians to do a cooking show to prove their humanity is the answer.
November 16, 2025 at 1:32 PM
It's a Calvin Klein perfume ad + gross journalism about irresponsible journalism.
November 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
This is what's wrong with journalism, the NYT, politicians, health care--all of it.

Do I want to read about this journalist's infatuation with this imbecile who's bringing back preventable diseases? I sure don't. Reading just part of this breathless article is more than enough.
November 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Is this a perfume ad?
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I couldn't even stomach the grossness in that article about the much worse grossness. That's a no for me, dog.
November 14, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Good journalists who weren't born into legacies are getting fired left and right, and we have . . . this.
November 14, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I'd love to hear the discussions about what they wanted to capture with the photography and videography. Convertible and beach and hair blowing in the wind! But darker and more glam. How about sunglasses in the dark!
November 14, 2025 at 7:29 PM
So many pieces here are just absurd.
November 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
It would be nice if journalists (and public health officials!) who are regular people who are good at their jobs and who don't come from these powerful legacies were the ones we listened to.
November 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
breathless obsession all around
November 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Yes--the difference is that they can't afford the dramatic photography and videography on display here.
November 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This is what's wrong with journalism, the NYT, politicians, health care--all of it.

Do I want to read about this journalist's infatuation with this imbecile who's bringing back preventable diseases? I sure don't. Reading just part of this breathless article is more than enough.
November 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Child rape is child rape.
November 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Most 15 year olds are in 9th or 10th grade.

WITHIN A HIGH SCHOOL, they are the young ones. They worry what the older 11th and 12th graders think of them. They are children.
November 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM