Monthly Archives: August 2017

The Descent into Tribalism

Posted on August 31, 2017 by hessd

David Brooks wrote a really good overview of the Trump and Comey controversy on June 9. I read it and valued it and filed it in my mind. But one small clip from that article has continued to float up … Continue reading →

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The Incredible Trump

Posted on August 29, 2017 by hessd

“Caught in the blast of gamma radiation, brilliant scientist Bruce Banner is cursed to transform in times of stress into the living engine of destruction known as THE INCREDIBLE HULK. “ With a start like that, you have every reason … Continue reading →

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Holladay Park Plaza, Year 1

Posted on August 27, 2017 by hessd

A year ago today, Bette and I moved into Holladay Park Plaza and I want to tell you a little about it. For me, there is always the question of what to call today. I have been celebrating the various … Continue reading →

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The Solar Eclipse at Holladay Park Plaza

Posted on August 22, 2017 by hessd

Thank goodness there is no “right way” to watch a solar eclipse. And I think a lot of people felt that way. It didn’t seem to me that up on the roof, the part of the 16th floor, which surrounds … Continue reading →

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With malice toward none

Posted on August 18, 2017 by hessd

WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE WITH CHARITY FOR ALL WITH FIRMNESS IN THE RIGHT AS GOD GIVES US TO SEE THE RIGHT LET US STRIVE ON TO FINISH THE WORK WE ARE IN TO BIND UP THE NATION’S WOUNDS TO CARE … Continue reading →

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Really bad political arguments

Posted on August 16, 2017 by hessd

In his column of August 12, which is an important contribution to today’s debates, Frank Bruni introduces Professor Mark Lilla, of Columbia University. Lilla comments that “classroom conversations that once might have begun, I think A, and here is my … Continue reading →

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A staff you can lean on

Posted on August 13, 2017 by hessd

Nobody ever accused President Jed Bartlet of being too candid as President over his seven years of presiding over The West Wing. On the contrary, the hits he took in public were about being too distant, too intellectual, too removed … Continue reading →

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Enjoy your meal

Posted on August 12, 2017 by hessd

That seems straightforward enough. It’s the kind of thing many waiters and waitresses say as they leave your table, having just served your meal. And if the alternative is not enjoying your meal, I think it is the best of … Continue reading →

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Political Lies and Political Liars

Posted on August 9, 2017 by hessd

Lord Alexander Chung-sik Finkle-McGraw is instructing John Percival Hackworth, a relatively new member of the New Victorians, on “hypocrisy.” Is hypocrisy a big deal, Finkle-McGraw wants to know, or is it the way it was back at the end of … Continue reading →

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Boys and girls and emotionality

Posted on August 5, 2017 by hessd

“Why do we limit the emotional vocabulary of boys?” In this piece from the New York Times, Andrew Reiner collects some recent research about how infant boys and girls are treated differently. He cites quite a range of research and … Continue reading →

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