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.

Paying attention to Christmas

Posted on December 5, 2019 by hessd

In her New York Times editorial, Tish Warren cites an “old saying” I never heard before: “Hunger is the best condiment.”  I’d like to think about it a little, using the same context in which she uses it, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Advent, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Metabolizing the minutes

Posted on November 29, 2019 by hessd

Neaera H. It used to be that I stayed up till all hours and still felt time-starved, none of the day seemed to be metabolized into living.  Now the minutes make me strong. Here is my text for the day.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Living My Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Know Nothing Party, Part II

Posted on November 27, 2019 by hessd

The Know Nothing Party Abraham Lincoln knew flourished briefly before the Civil War.  They called themselves “the American Party,” but since its inner workings were supposed to be secret, its members were supposed to say “I know nothing” [1]  That … Continue reading →

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

When meaning gets thin

Posted on November 19, 2019 by hessd

I have been working for some years now on Ursula LeGuin’s book, The Farthest Shore. There is a lot to like about the book. It is the third of her EarthSea Trilogy. [1] I liked it first because it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Getting Old, Living My Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What is “carn-ism?”

Posted on November 13, 2019 by hessd

The only people I know who are writing and talking about eating meat are people who are treating it as a moral matter or who are allergic to it.  I make an exception, of course, of the American Beef Council, … Continue reading →

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Are we worth saving?

Posted on November 10, 2019 by hessd

“Let me tell you something, my friend, Red says to Andy in The Shawshank Redemption, “hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.” And that may be true. Or it may be the only thing that gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Society, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“You will govern in the interests of rage…”

Posted on October 29, 2019 by hessd

This week, Jenni Russell, a columnist for The Times of London offered some language I would like to think further about.  She was writing about Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his electoral strategist, Dominic Cummings, but I think that we … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

I wanna be a hero

Posted on October 16, 2019 by hessd

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 →

Posted in Living My Life, Society, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Catching Eli’s Attention

Posted on October 9, 2019 by hessd

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 →

Posted in A life of faith, Biblical Studies, Getting Old | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Greater Good and Its Rivals

Posted on October 1, 2019 by hessd

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 →

Posted in Economy, Political Psychology, Sustainability, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment