Monthly Archives: October 2024

For Certain Values of Truth

Posted on 8 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

As one terrible Hurricane just passed through Florida and devastated North Carolina, and another potentially worse one is lining up to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast, here are some further reminders of conservatives’ views of climate change and other matters. Here’s … Continue reading →

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Have There Always Been Crazies?

Posted on 7 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

How is it the Republican party is increasingly dominated by cranks and crackpots? Ideas from Robert Reich and Heather Cox Richardson, and examples from the debates, and about Hurricane Helene. NYT is finally paying attention to Trump’s mental decline; JD … Continue reading →

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October Heat Wave, and Dark Skies

Posted on 6 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

We’re a week or more into a heat wave in the Bay Area, and it’s at least the 6th day in a row the temperature here in Oakland has been above 90. Ever since last weekend the forecasters predicted the … Continue reading →

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The Myths Americans Live By

Posted on 5 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

A person’s history affects how he views the world; so too does a nation’s history affects its perceived position in the world, and its place in history. And every nation, or at least most nations, think it is very special, … Continue reading →

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Further Notes from Our Report on the Third Planet

Posted on 4 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

What would alien spectators taking notes on modern American society observe? Society is unsettled, and political compromises are fragile; yet those advocating actual violence are a minority (Adam Lee) Society has developed high principles to overcome tribal conflicts, but while … Continue reading →

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Monochrome and One-Dimensional and Upside Down

Posted on 3 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Items from Facebook about MAGA conflation; John Kenneth Galbraith; and conservatives’ lack of a sense of humor; How legislators in North Carolina left homes vulnerable; Fact-checking the debate, Vance’s irritation that he was fact-checked, and how Republicans consistently lie and … Continue reading →

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Skiffy Flix: When Worlds Collide

Posted on 2 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Next of up my intermittent revisiting of 1950s science fiction movies is this one, one of the more popular and well-regarded of its era. It was produced by George Pal, who also did Destination Moon the previous year, and his … Continue reading →

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Changing the Subject

Posted on 2 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

About last night’s Vice Presidential debate, and how Vance kept changing the subject; How Vance’s contempt for climate change science belies his purported concern for children, and reflects this recent Cory Doctorow column about marshmallow longtermism; How Vance’s conversion to … Continue reading →

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Cynicism, Lies, Incompetence

Posted on 1 October 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Recalling Reagan and his cynicism about the government; And lies about Hurricane Helene response, climate change, and about everything over one 24-hour period; My anticipation of how long it will take for Trump fans to realize how incompetent and moronic … Continue reading →

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