Monthly Archives: June 2017

Inclusio

Posted on June 30, 2017 by hessd

I have, in mind for today a tactic to help me watch movies. I ran into it in biblical studies, where it is called “inclusio.” [1] I’m going to spend a little time on what this technique is, but let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The End of the Enlightenment?

Posted on June 28, 2017 by hessd

What’s the matter with Kansas? wondered Thomas Frank [1]. They don’t seem to vote in favor of the programs and candidates that would benefit them most. I like the way Frank framed the question, but I’d like to take it … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Politics, Society, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Al Franken: Giant of the Senate

Posted on June 21, 2017 by hessd

I will not be the first to observe that Al Franken—that’s Senator Al Franken to you—is a very funny guy. Bette and I went to hear him here in Portland as part of a Father’s Day extravaganza. [1] Today I … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Politics, ways of knowing, Words | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A chair with four legs

Posted on June 14, 2017 by hessd

This morning, I had an “If you build it, he will come” moment. It was in the shower, where I normally hold the team meetings.[1] I don’t want to say I “heard” these words; I’m not entirely sure how I … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why am I doing this?

Posted on June 9, 2017 by hessd

I would like to thing about two questions today. The first is “WHY am I doing this” The second is “Why am I doing THIS?” I want to think, in other words, about motivation and discernment. Motivation. A motivation is … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life, ways of knowing, Words | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A woman’s right to choose her own feminism

Posted on June 7, 2017 by hessd

In Season 3, Episode 14 of The West Wing (Night Five), a temp named Celia Walton is working in the White House. Celia is what I think I am going to call a Hillary Clinton “kind” of feminist [1] She … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Politics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tolerance as position and direction

Posted on June 6, 2017 by hessd

Tolerance June 6 I want you to picture a scene in which a really dumb guy is having his picture taken at the edge of the cliffs of Moher. “I can frame this picture better,” says the picture taker (probably a … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Sustainability, Words | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

At least cursing the darkness is a systemic response

Posted on June 5, 2017 by hessd

My friend, Bill Teague, is a pastor and a husband and a father and a really good guy. Also a blogger. Abusing the prefix e- in a way I have enjoyed since he first started doing it, he calls the … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Political Psychology, Politics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment