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.

Healing the Homeless on the Cheap

Posted on March 28, 2019 by hessd

Very often it seems that one of America’s tribes want to see the vulnerable (undeserving) cared for (coddled) and the other wants to spend as little tax money (government resources) as possible on the nanny state (compassionate social programs). And … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Society, TV, Words | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sixth Commandment in Shetland

Posted on March 23, 2019 by hessd

I’d like to share with you today a small exchange that has caused me to smile for several days now.  These four lines (below) are from a show that Bette and I have come to like a good deal.  It … Continue reading →

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Turning cheeks and turning tables

Posted on March 12, 2019 by hessd

The little badger invented by Russell Hoban and brought charmingly to life in the illustrations of Lillian Hoban, has been my favorite badger for a long time. [1] I have liked all the Frances books, but I have had reason … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Biblical Studies, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fan base

Posted on March 6, 2019 by hessd

“There’s such a thing as loyalty,” snapped the angry Jane Studdock. There is, ma’am,” returned Andrew McPhee, “As you get older, you will learn that it is a virtue too important to be lavished on individual personalities.” [1] I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Asymmetrical Mutual Prohibitions

Posted on March 4, 2019 by hessd

I know that’s an awful title, but I don’t get to say things like that all the time and this time I think I can justify it.  I will let you be the judge. For one reason or another, I … Continue reading →

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Prudence, resilience, and awfulizing

Posted on March 2, 2019 by hessd

The idea behind pairing these ideas is that the amount of care we exercise in preventing bad outcomes can, under some circumstances, be translated into an unrealistic and ominous assessment of what those outcomes could be. I have had a … Continue reading →

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

Some Constitutional Amendment, Part III

Posted on February 26, 2019 by hessd

I think the most important challenge facing Americans today is constitutional amendment. That sub-headline connects the three essays in this series.  The first established new, but perfectly plausible meanings for “constitution” (lower case c-) and for “amendment.”[1]  The second surveyed … Continue reading →

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Some Constitutional Amendment, Part II

Posted on February 22, 2019 by hessd

I think the most important challenge facing Americans today is constitutional amendment. The argument so far (Part 1) is not that we need a Constitutional amendment; it is that we need some constitutional amendment. Madison’s two solutions (allow factions to … Continue reading →

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Constitutional amendment, Part I

Posted on February 21, 2019 by hessd

I think the most important challenge facing Americans today is constitutional amendment. Think of that as sub-headline.  It’s misleading, sure, but it is supposed to get you into the body of the essay.  We’ll see. Let’s work first on the … Continue reading →

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Grief sherpa

Posted on February 19, 2019 by hessd

I’m a big fan of good analytical categories.  I value them in the way academics tend to, but on beyond that, I have been benefitted by them in some very personal ways.  Martin and Doka, for instance [1], distinguish between … Continue reading →

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