Author Archives: hessd

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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.

“The” Christmas Story

Posted on December 25, 2020 by hessd

“The” Christmas Story I have never been a fan of “the Christmas story.”  I honestly don’t know why.  I know why I am not a fan of it now and it is a real temptation to project those reasons back … Continue reading →

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

Naughty and Nice

Posted on December 23, 2020 by hessd

This is the kind of post I think I had in mind when I started all this in 2010.  Yesterday, the words to “Santa Claus in Comin’ to Town” came to my mind and I noticed something I had never … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Uncategorized, Words | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The most lied about President

Posted on December 20, 2020 by hessd

It was a professional conversation.  About long-term financial planning, mostly.  We had done all the work and the comments being made were “on the way out the door comments,”  In some way, the topic of President Trump came up and … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Political Psychology, Uncategorized, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Performative Behavior

Posted on December 15, 2020 by hessd

I got this paragraph from Ross Douthat, the New York Times columnist, this morning. The Republicans behaving radically are doing so in the knowledge — or at least the strong assumption — that their behavior is performative, an act of … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Words | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Civic Capitalism

Posted on December 5, 2020 by hessd

“Socialism” doesn’t work Socialism does work, of course.  All you have to do is look at the bloc of democratic socialist countries in northern Europe and you can see it for yourself.  In fact, even “socialism”—i.e., the word “socialism” works … Continue reading →

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

The Seductions of Narrative

Posted on December 1, 2020 by hessd

Some years ago, I ran my best half marathon time ever.  There were some special circumstances in this race.  I can think of two classes of such circumstances.  I’m going to tell you what they are because I am still … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Living My Life | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Hector lives

Posted on November 28, 2020 by hessd

There are so many things to like about Steven Spielberg, but among those I cherish his one-liner about The Terminal.  A reporter asked him whether the part of Viktor Navorski (played by Tom Hanks) was “a Christ story.”  I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Movies, Theology, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Trying to understand vigilantes. Failing.

Posted on November 21, 2020 by hessd

Amber Elliott, currently director of the St. Francois County public health department in Missouri, resigns today, November 20.  She and her family are being harassed by angry citizens. Kelly Vollmar is director of the Jefferson County Health Department and has … Continue reading →

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

Lasting Damage to the Republic

Posted on November 12, 2020 by hessd

I want to write this post as a rebuke to myself.  I want to look back on the day I wrote this and say, “This helped me avoid making a really bad mistake.” Here is the mistake: “At last, the … Continue reading →

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

To take arms against a sea of troubles…

Posted on November 10, 2020 by hessd

As the Prince of Denmark considers his options, “taking arms against a sea of  troubles” is the one he considers first.  Presumably that “taking arms” would be preceded by some notion of just what comprised that “sea” and the troubles … Continue reading →

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