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.

What we know and how we know it

Posted on January 8, 2019 by hessd

This is a small enjoyment of something I think is funny. It can be taken seriously, too, (in which case, of course, it is no longer funny) but it is clear to me that these two fully instances point to … Continue reading →

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Eagles fumble the ball

Posted on January 8, 2019 by hessd

Eagles fumble the ball Apologies first. I am sorry for that intrusive “Play” symbol in the middle of the picture. I couldn’t find a way to get rid of it except by substituting a “Pause” symbol. Then there is the … Continue reading →

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The Blindness of Good Intentions

Posted on January 5, 2019 by hessd

It is true that moral fervor can make you inattentive to other aspects of the problem. That is true of any kind of fervor. [1] There are so many examples that I see immediately that this consideration of ignorance, blindness, … Continue reading →

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Happy New Years?

Posted on January 1, 2019 by hessd

A barista at Starbucks pronounced her good wishes on me as I left the store this morning with my hands full of Bette’s coffee and mine. “Happy New Years,” she said. I know this is going to sound crabby and … Continue reading →

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On being God’s prophet

Posted on December 27, 2018 by hessd

Here is a series of reflections on the “emptying out” that so often—necessarily?—precedes the giving of God’s word to a prophet. And maybe more than a prophet, as well. Here, for instance is how Amos was called (Amos 7:14,15) 14 … Continue reading →

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A Family of Shoplifters

Posted on December 23, 2018 by hessd

I am told that is the translation of the Japanese characters for this movie. In English, the name is just Shoplifters. I like the Japanese title better because this superb movie is actually about an ensemble performance. The one line … Continue reading →

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Yellow (Caution) lights

Posted on December 22, 2018 by hessd

Since my neighborhood Starbucks closed, I have been walking further in the morning to get coffee for Bette and me. A very urban route it is, too. And when I walk on Broadway going west or on Weidler coming back … Continue reading →

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Am I going somewhere?

Posted on December 18, 2018 by hessd

Where I live there are lots of old people, so, of course, there are a lot of deaths. I have written recently about the effect the high number of deaths has on how we take note of deaths and on how … Continue reading →

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Quod vide

Posted on December 12, 2018 by hessd

For every person who knows what quod vide means, there are probably 100 or more who would see q.v. in some material they are reading and know what it meant without even thinking about it. It may be that q.v. … Continue reading →

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An impromptu Advent homily

Posted on December 10, 2018 by hessd

It is the practice of the senior center where I live to have a Vespers service on Sunday afternoons. It’s a very sensible thing to do because some residents who have spent their whole lives “going to church” really can’t … Continue reading →

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