About hessd
Here is all you need to know to follow this blog. I am an old man and I love to think about why we say the things we do. I've taught at the elementary, secondary, collegiate, and doctoral levels. I don't think one is easier than another. They are hard in different ways. I have taught political science for a long time and have practiced politics in and around the Oregon Legislature. I don't think one is easier than another. They are hard in different ways.
My wife, Bette, is the First Reader (FR) of the posts. I have arranged that partly because she helps me write better posts than I would otherwise and partly because I can hold her responsible for the mistakes that I would, otherwise, have to own up to myself..
You'll be seeing a lot about my favorite topics here. There will be religious reflections (I'm a Christian) and political reflections (I'm a Democrat) and a good deal of whimsey. I'm a dilettante.
I don’t know how it is with girls, but there is a persistent attraction among adolescent boys toward “heroism.” It can take really ugly forms as well as really attractive ones. I think there is nothing good or bad about … Continue reading →
The story of old Eli and young Samuel has been told a lot of times. The story I have always heard is how Samuel learned, finally, to hear God’s voice. It’s a really good story. But lately, I have been … Continue reading →
Of all the ways to “look at things,” I would like to explore one particular set that is currently bedeviling us. These ways of looking at things are based on value premises that are contradictory, if either is allowed to … Continue reading →
The Crucial Text Most of the material below has been taken from Neal Stephenson’s novel Seven Eves. My strongest interest in this small slice of the novel is the expression with which it ends. It is: “consensual historical hallucination.” I … Continue reading →
I don’t have a view, myself, about whether impeaching Donald Trump (hereafter, CHEB, the Current Head of the Executive Branch) is a good idea or not. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said, when she authorized the first tentative step … Continue reading →
The first time I saw this wonderful cartoon, I thought it was just funny, The second time, I thought it was witty and funny—not at all a common combination. I still think it is witty and funny—the whole Olympic gesture … Continue reading →
In these brief comments, I reflect on the way Providence (formally Providence Health and Services) markets itself. At every Providence site I have seen—and I have seen many in the Portland area—these five framed posters are displayed. It is a … Continue reading →
