A "red diaper" baby, Mark Kernes was born in 1948 to Communist parents who successfully indoctrinated him in socialism, and after a brief dalliance with libertarianism while at New York University in 1969-70, he learned better and after graduation, he became a court reporter (public stenographer) and remained one for 19 years, gradually gaining the respect of his fellow reporters in the Philadelphia and Media, PA areas. He joined the ranks of U.S. political prisoners first in 1969 for possession of marijuana and again in 1984 for "willful failure to file tax returns"—he wrote "Fifth Amendment" in any space calling for "income"— resulting in a three-month incarceration at Allenwood Federal Prison Camp, where Kernes gained a healthy disrespect for the power of government. His first review for Adult Video News (AVN) appears in its fourth issue (June, 1983), and he joined the staff full time in 1991. His forté is legal news as it affects both the adult industry and any person or institution targeted by religio-reactionary groups. He essayed the starring role in The Secret Life of Herbert Dingle, a 1996 XXX video feature. His main hobbies are 3D erotic photography, progressive politics and working to get Donald Trump and members of his administration impeached.