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.

Um…how would it work?

Posted on May 26, 2023 by hessd

Here is a line of dialogue from the Netflix show The Diplomat, which I enjoyed the first time I saw it and have enjoyed more every time since. This is a conversation between Kate Wyler, Ambassador to Great Britain (Keri … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Self-sacrifice. Why?

Posted on May 23, 2023 by hessd

I have a fantasy in which the people who make the points I like best use language that makes sense. The way I look at it, the language I use actually does make sense and if these other people would … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

My Whetstone

Posted on May 18, 2023 by hessd

There’s nothing quite like a good metaphor. A powerful metaphor realigns ideas and experiences as surely as a powerful magnet realigns iron filings and sometimes just as quickly. I teach a series of classes on ancient narratives from other cultures.[1] … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Leave a comment

Eleanor Rigby

Posted on April 27, 2023 by hessd

I know Eleanor Rigby as background music. I’ve never actually paid any attention to the words. But I belong to a singing group that is getting ready to sing a Beatles concert and we are learning some Beatles songs. Kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Celebrating a Return to “the way things used to be”

Posted on April 10, 2023 by hessd

Many years ago, my ingenious niece, Lisa Hess, sent me these two pictures as a way of wishing me Happy Easter. Knowing Lisa, I am sure she had more in mind than just that, but I doubt that she had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Peter, you Rock!

Posted on April 2, 2023 by hessd

One day, Jesus looked at his most outspoken disciple and said, “Peter, you rock!” As an opening line, that makes sense in so many different ways that it doesn’t really make a point at all. It does open up a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Leave a comment

Make Northern Idaho College Great Again

Posted on March 30, 2023 by hessd

When I first began taking political science seriously, it was moving rapidly to the left and demanding a much higher level of empirical support for its propositions. The Old Guard, deplored by my first political science professors, were “conservative” about … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Foster, by Claire Keegan

Posted on March 25, 2023 by hessd

We are not cheap moviegoers, really. It is just that we do stay and watch until the last credit has appeared on the screen. That is how Bette and I found out that the movie we had just seen, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Far enough away to enjoy it

Posted on March 23, 2023 by hessd

I want to share with you today my favorite line from “The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students’ Conservatory Band.” Yesterday, the Plaza Singers–a choral group at the Senior Center where I live– sang it and some other songs from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Packaging Ourselves

Posted on February 25, 2023 by hessd

I liked Michelle Goldberg’s column in the February 24 New York Times. I liked it for some good reasons and some not so good. Among the not so good is that she said she had been working on the topic … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment