Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

More Panic, Projection, Nonsense, and Superstition

Posted on Friday 24 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Takes on the “Biden assassination plot” fantasy, and projection; Why would DeSantis think the Founding Fathers would hate sociology? Tribal mentality from Royce White and Bryce Mitchell; And Christian rejection of the nature of the real world. First for today, … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Lunacy | Comments Off on More Panic, Projection, Nonsense, and Superstition

Idiots, Disingenuous, or Both?

Posted on Thursday 23 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Republicans misinterpret, either naively or maliciously, boilerplate language about use of force by the FBI as a plot by Biden to assassinate Trump; Thoughts about accountability; Testimony from Stew Peters and Steve Bannon, both presumably self-proclaimed Christians, about their plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, conservatives, Lunacy, Politics | Comments Off on Idiots, Disingenuous, or Both?

For Certain Values of Natural

Posted on Wednesday 22 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Conservatives are obsessed over things that are allegedly “unnatural” (especially homosexuality), when what they are really concerned about is any behavior unsuitable to tribal morality, in particular the expansion and growth of the human tribe, for which any sexual behavior … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, The Gays | Comments Off on For Certain Values of Natural

Living By Stories, Not Reality, Part 2

Posted on Tuesday 21 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

A New Yorker review of a new book about human origins; Robert Reich on how Americans don’t understand the reality of Trump and Biden; Short items about the Pope, and fundamentalists beliefs in the evil nature of human beings; how … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Narrative, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on Living By Stories, Not Reality, Part 2

Most Humans Live by Stories, Not Reality

Posted on Monday 20 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Books by Gottschall and Rosenberg, and how history is just a bunch of stories; A couple notes from the fringe; Beck’s “We Live Again”. I’ve mentioned more than once the truism that “history is written by the winners.” I just … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Music, Narrative | Comments Off on Most Humans Live by Stories, Not Reality

Climate Change and Conservative Denial

Posted on Sunday 19 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Like any journalist or storyteller or blogger, I am alert for items with thematic connections. Here are two, or three. About climate change and conservative denial. NY Times, today’s front page, 19 May 2024: Mexico City Has Long Thirsted for … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, conservatives, Science | Comments Off on Climate Change and Conservative Denial

Rules for Storytelling

Posted on Saturday 18 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Vatican updates rules for identifying miracles; Some conservative Christians, dealing with gender wars and their own kids identifying as gay, are bowing to reality. If storytelling, more than we realize, drives the human experience — if people understand only through … Continue reading →

Posted in Narrative, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on Rules for Storytelling

Liberalism and Its Discontents

Posted on Friday 17 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

David Brooks on how authoritarians have momentum, because liberalism doesn’t appeal to people’s needs for a higher metaphysical meaning; Biden and Trump: appearance and reality; Double standards at Fox News about Butker and James; Republicans about Trump: loyalty vs. principles; … Continue reading →

Posted in Morality, Politics, Religion | Comments Off on Liberalism and Its Discontents

Expressions of Tribal Morality

Posted on Thursday 16 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

NFL player Harrison Butker’s expression of tribal morality, and responses; Mike Johnson wants to boycott Target because of his fear being caught there when the Rapture comes; Moron Jesse Watters; a GOP Rep’s claim of proof, but lack of proof, … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, conservatives, Morality | Comments Off on Expressions of Tribal Morality

Keeping Things In Perspective

Posted on Wednesday 15 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

How Biden is less unpopular than leaders of other major nations; How 17% of voters blame Biden for the end of Roe (that is, many voters are not paying attention); and how I think many voters select a presidential candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music, Politics, Religion | Comments Off on Keeping Things In Perspective