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.

Reading a gospel like a newspaper

Posted on March 30, 2018 by hessd

I’ve been trying for many years now to give up a bad habit. It’s hard. I read the gospels as if they were newspaper accounts. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to. Do you suppose there is a 12-step program for me? … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Biblical Studies, Living My Life | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Weed of Snark in a Field of Flowers

Posted on March 25, 2018 by hessd

This is a celebration of a line of greeting cards called “Bald Guy” cards. You can see the whole collection here and make up your own mind about them. I think they are nearly all clever. Some are ironic, some … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, ways of knowing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Great Decisions” and underlying themes

Posted on March 24, 2018 by hessd

I once had a Latin teacher who said that teaching Latin was the ONLY way to learn Latin. I don’t think that’s really true. Being a Latin teacher, he often used the device of a minori ad maius [1] so … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Politics, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Turning the other cheek

Posted on March 18, 2018 by hessd

When you come up against a vividly described ethical rule like this, you really need to decide what to do with it. This famous dictum is part of the famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. “…but I say … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Politics is the least of our worries

Posted on March 16, 2018 by hessd

I argued two years ago this month, that as scary as the Trump candidacy was, the conditions that made it possible for such a candidate to be successful were much scarier.  I still think that’s true and since then, Trump, … Continue reading →

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

Being “snakebit”

Posted on March 12, 2018 by hessd

I gave a small lecture recently to a Lenten class at our church. It was more a rant, really, but they seemed to be a tolerant mood. I called some scripture texts “flat” in the way a Pepsi might get … Continue reading →

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Nationalism for Progressives

Posted on March 7, 2018 by hessd

The title points to a connection I am not comfortable with. I am going to try to get over that today. This essay rests on two pieces from the New York Times. On March 4 by Yasha Mounk; the other … Continue reading →

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

How to thrive while living

Posted on March 1, 2018 by hessd

In May of last year, Carol Marat wrote a piece called “How to Thrive While Living Alone.” Nearly everything in my response to this lovely piece could be construed as criticism of it, so I want to take the time … Continue reading →

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Goodbye, Billy

Posted on February 22, 2018 by hessd

When Robert Dahl died some years ago, I wrote an essay I called “Robert Dahl, R.I.P” That seemed about right, but today, as I am saying goodbye to Billy Graham, it occurs to me that a big part of Robert … Continue reading →

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What to do while you are dying

Posted on February 18, 2018 by hessd

It’s a little more complicated than that title suggests. Not a great deal, but a little. [1] It will simplify things a great deal to make the distinction between “it,” the body that serves us well or ill by turns, … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life, Love and Marriage | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments