Monthly Archives: August 2011

“Attractive Older Women”

Posted on August 11, 2011 by hessd

Somehow, I have gotten a reputation for being narrow-minded.  Even some of my friends think that.  Of course, I don’t think so.  I do have some liabilities—well, THOSE, sure, but I was thinking of something relevant to today’s topic—and it … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology | Leave a comment

Words with clean sharp edges

Posted on August 9, 2011 by hessd

I don’t usually have any trouble telling when a particular usage is wrong.  Sometimes when I try to say just what is wrong about it, it takes longer.  But then when I try to think why is it really harmful … Continue reading →

Posted in Words | 1 Comment

Don’t Give Up on Electoral Politics

Posted on August 8, 2011 by hessd

There has been so much hand-wringing about the debt-limit debate.  All of it justified, in my opinion.  A few posts ago, I compared it to a “game” of Russian roulette rather than the more common metaphor of a “game” of … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Where Does This Issue Belong?

Posted on August 6, 2011 by hessd

It’s an “issue,” as we say.  It concerns a lot of people.  Something ought to be done about it. Let’s imagine the easiest possible resolution.  There are three leaders in this societal constellation: one of the polity, one for the … Continue reading →

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Dr. Obama’s Bedside Manner Needs Work

Posted on August 4, 2011 by hessd

It occurred to me recently, that back in the bad old days of medicine when there was very little you could actually do for a patient, people understood their job to be “being with” the patient and making him or … Continue reading →

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America the Litigious

Posted on August 3, 2011 by hessd

This note recognizes the past, present, and likely future of Dr. Loren Fishman, a psychiatrist. The good doctor was driving along innocently one day when a taxi pulled in front of his car.  He swerved to avoid the taxi and … Continue reading →

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Welcome, friends

Posted on August 2, 2011 by hessd

This isn’t a dazzlingly simple puzzle like the one Gandalf faced.  He thought he was confronted by a sign that said, “Speak, friend, and enter.”  No incantation in his capacious memory opened the doors.  What it actually said was, “Speak … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments