Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

The Assertions of Ideologues; Common Enemies

Posted on Friday 16 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How the Republicans’ budget plan ignores the record of history; How conservatives don’t mind Muslims as long as they’re all against LGBTQ rights; Another review of the book about a conservative “regime change” for the “common good” — a Christian … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology, Religion | Comments Off on The Assertions of Ideologues; Common Enemies

Today’s Examples of Tribal Loyalty

Posted on Thursday 15 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Examples today of: Defunding the IRS, mostly to benefit the wealthy; Tax cuts, benefiting mostly the wealthy; A party of law & order anxious to pardon its member for crimes against law & order; Defenses of Trump that are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics, Science | Comments Off on Today’s Examples of Tribal Loyalty

Catheter Biopsy, Again, and Hospital Cafeteria

Posted on Wednesday 14 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The second anniversary of my heart transplant Two different catheter procedures to check the health of my heart The hospital cafeteria, endowed by Williams of Williams and Sonoma Today I had an appointment at CMPC for the procedure I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal history | Comments Off on Catheter Biopsy, Again, and Hospital Cafeteria

Small-town values vs. Big-city values, and a Conservative Notion of the “Common Good”

Posted on Tuesday 13 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How big-city values, not small-town values, are better suited for governing the nation; Recalling Robert Reich’s take on urban vs. rural; Heather Cox Richardson on the potential end of a long Republican era; A review of a book by an … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Culture, Politics | Comments Off on Small-town values vs. Big-city values, and a Conservative Notion of the “Common Good”

Donald Trump, Owen Gingerich, Heather Cox Richardson

Posted on Monday 12 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

A neuroscientist on why Trump loyalists are unbreakable; Why the astronomer Owen Gingerich saw God in the Cosmos; How Heather Cox Richardson dismantles the Republican charges that the DOJ is “weaponized” to take down Donald Trump. So why does a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology | Comments Off on Donald Trump, Owen Gingerich, Heather Cox Richardson

The Breakdown of American Law and Order, by Republicans

Posted on Sunday 11 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Several items today about the indictment against Trump for his mishandling of top secret documents, how his fans still support him, and how this affects America’s reputation around the world. Snopes, 9 Jun 2023: Yes, Trump Said ‘No One Will … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Politics | Comments Off on The Breakdown of American Law and Order, by Republicans

America’s Crackpots vs. Its Foundational Strength

Posted on Saturday 10 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Items today: 12m people support violence to keep Trump in office; Kari Lake threatens violence to keep Trump in office; Florida wants immigrants to stay and work, despite the state’s anti-immigrant policies; Families in Florida who feel unsafe are leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology | Comments Off on America’s Crackpots vs. Its Foundational Strength

Law vs. Science, Climate Change vs. Insurance

Posted on Friday 9 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Two items about the Supreme Court’s redefinition of “wetlands,” despite the science of hydrology; Two items about the effects of climate change, including how some insurance companies are refusing new homeowner policies.

Posted in Politics, Science | Comments Off on Law vs. Science, Climate Change vs. Insurance

George Winston

Posted on Thursday 8 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Died today. NY Times: George Winston, Pianist With a Popular Soothing Sound, Dies at 74, subtitled “He won a Grammy in the new age category, and his top-selling records helped define the genre. But his interests also included Hawaiian guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Personal history | Comments Off on George Winston

Household and Hospital Matters

Posted on Thursday 8 June 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

About Donald A. Norman and a mysterious error message on our stove the other evening; About a mysterious message on our TV, another problem solved by Google; About a hospital visit that didn’t go well.

Posted in Personal history, Technology | Comments Off on Household and Hospital Matters