Author Archives: hessd

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. 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 whimsy. I'm a dilettante.

What keeps me up at night

Posted on March 31, 2020

It’s not just worrying about things. I get roused out of sleep by new ideas, too. And I don’t really mind that. I wish I got more sleep, but I would hate to miss out on the ideas. I’m better … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life, Society | Tagged colleagues, deaths of despair, distraction, flow, loneliness, self-respect | Leave a comment

Foul is Fair

Posted on March 29, 2020

Why do we keep falling for this? Is it because we don’t understand anything at all about symbolism? Is it that we so dearly love making fun of the nation’s Chief Buffoon that we are willing to hand him the … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Politics | Tagged anti-religion, core constituencirs, public health, religion, symbolism | Leave a comment

A Non-conversation about the COVID-19 Virus

Posted on March 26, 2020

In today’s New York Times (March 26), Nicholas Kristof and Russell Moore had a non-conversation about the COVID-19 virus. Kristof, with co-author Stuart Thompson and with the help of some statistical model builders, published an interactive graph on the … Continue reading →

Posted in sociability, Sustainability, ways of knowing, Words | Tagged choices must be made, life is sacred, Nicholas Kristof, public policy metrics, Russell Moore | Leave a comment

“Reply all”

Posted on March 23, 2020

“Reply All” is the bane of my existence. I would like to spend a little time today complaining about it, but it might be worth my while–possibly even worth your while– to try to understand it first. The first problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Paying Attention | Tagged convener, dangers of exclusion, email., reply to all, reply to sender, silent costs | Leave a comment

God and the plague

Posted on March 21, 2020

I would like to think a little today about the corona virus. Let’s start with Genesis 6: 5, 6 Yahweh saw that human wickedness was great on earth and that human hearts contrived nothing but wicked schemes all day long. … Continue reading →

Posted in funny, Living My Life | Tagged discrepancy, Divine justice, humor, time out | Leave a comment

A Sign of the Times at Starbucks

Posted on March 19, 2020

Over the years, Starbucks has made me happy in a lot of different ways. They did it again this morning and I’d like to tell you about it. Here in Portland, Oregon, we have begun to take the Coronavirus seriously. … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life | Tagged affirmation, customer service, Starbucks, stimulation | Leave a comment

The Norms of Political Rhetoric

Posted on March 12, 2020

Here are two observations made in Thomas Edsall’s column in the New York Times today. I think the two comments belong in different contexts, but I am going to join them today, because I think they also mean more together. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Words | Tagged campaign strategies, core voters, Donald Trump, marginal voters, racism, sexism | Leave a comment