Author Archives: Mark R. Kelly

The Paradox of MAGA

Posted on Friday 9 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

My fascination with this ICE killing in Minnesota is, again, that it’s a perfect example of the paradox of MAGA, if not of conservatives in general. They claim to be Christians, and to revere the Constitution and the US Founders, … Continue reading →

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ICE Thugs

Posted on Thursday 8 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Today’s posts are about the Minnesota ICE killing and the responses, from Trump and Vance to Jesse Bering, Jonathan V. Last, and others. An essay by Elay Shech about why we should trust science even though it keeps changing. (Because … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Psychology, Religion, Science | Comments Off on ICE Thugs

Our Outlaw Nation

Posted on Wednesday 7 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

This popped up on Facebook, but I don’t subscribe to the magazine and can only see this much of the article. It’s about the new book by Johan Norberg, which came out in September. It’s on my TBR shelf. The … Continue reading →

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Five Years Since a Day that Will Live in Infamy

Posted on Tuesday 6 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Articles about the anniversary of January 6th. MAGA cognitive dissonance. Loyalty over expertise — CBS Evening News. Headlines about whether narrative defeats reason, conservative hysteria over Chick-fil-A and a gay couple, and the Pentagon’s petty attack on Sen. Mark Kelly. … Continue reading →

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A Return to the Original Mission: Impossible Presumption

Posted on Monday 5 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Conservatives want to see media — now CBS — that tells them what they already believe; How Trump has made fools out of his populist supporters; How the “Donroe Doctrine” is now in effect; And how all of this reflects … Continue reading →

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Where We Are, 4 Jan 2026

Posted on Sunday 4 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Several headlines about America’s attack on Venezuela; Trump’s peculiar animosity against the Kennedys; And two ideas about patriotism. – – – The State of the Union. Just some headlines. American seems never to overcome its historical sins. The Guardian, Tiago … Continue reading →

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Clear Thoughts About Religion

Posted on Saturday 3 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

A couple items on religion today. As I’ve said, there is someone who signs themselves AMV posting in a FB newgroup I’m following who has been tackling religious talking points with great clarity and insight. Here’s one from this morning, … Continue reading →

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Is Reading a Vice? No.

Posted on Friday 2 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

Adam Kirsch at The Atlantic suggests that reading is a vice; Paul Krugman on the Heritage Foundation; Robert Reich on the Trump administration’s policy of hate; Short items about everyone laughing at Trump; a measles outbreak at the Noah’s Ark … Continue reading →

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Ethnic Cleansing and Collective Effervescence

Posted on Thursday 1 January 2026 by Mark R. Kelly

The Department of Homeland Security imagines a future in which 1/3 of the American population is deported; The idea of “collective effervescence”; Brief posts about the dirty 1970s; Trump and aspirin; Florida giving God citations passes; and items from JMG. … Continue reading →

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Where We Are, Here at the End of 2025

Posted on Wednesday 31 December 2025 by Mark R. Kelly

How Trump has made the government smaller, but not more efficient or dependable; Example of shutting down NASA’s library; Example of cuts to science research; How Trump prefers “vibes” to data; New Yorker’s Susan B. Glasser wonders how people let … Continue reading →

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