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.

Karl Barth and Ergophobia

Posted on May 7, 2018 by hessd

I want to think today about ergophobia. [1] I mean by this term not the familiar “fear of work,” (illustrated by the man hiding under the desk, below) but more a “fear of works righteousness.” The mainstay of Christian theology … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Biblical Studies, Theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Zipper

Posted on May 2, 2018 by hessd

One of the lines for which Thomas Hobbes is justly famous is that life without a strong central government (Leviathan, he said) is “solitary, nasty, poor, brutish, and short.”  [1] What he meant is that one of government’s prized functions … Continue reading →

Posted in sociability, Society, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just watching the show

Posted on April 27, 2018 by hessd

What if you thought about experiencing your life as “watching a show?” I get that feeling sometimes. If you live long enough, you get to see the same emphases and the same discoveries happen over and over. When you first … Continue reading →

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

Back to Burgundy

Posted on April 26, 2018 by hessd

I know scarcely any French at all and most of what I do know, I learned from movies or jokes. [1] I was curious, of course, when I saw a movie about French siblings coming to grips with their lapsed … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, sociability, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Disadvantages of Hell

Posted on April 23, 2018 by hessd

However you think of Hell, it is mostly not a good place to be. Whether it is a fiery final abode, as in some cases, or a shadowy realm of the once-living, as in others, or as in C. S. … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Theology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Starbucks and racism

Posted on April 20, 2018 by hessd

Let me put that another way. How about “Starbucks OR racism?” I suppose offering those two versions of the question is going to offend some people. I hope so because their being offended is what I want to write about. … Continue reading →

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

“I love her shoes”

Posted on April 18, 2018 by hessd

I owe the sentiment to Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) of The West Wing who is talking about a potential nominee for the Supreme Court, Evelyn Baker Lang (Glenn Close). [1] He means that he likes everything about her as a … Continue reading →

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Language and Rhetoric

Posted on April 11, 2018 by hessd

It is hard to think clearly about a passage when the first thing you learn about it is that it is crucially important. That’s been my experience, at any rate. When you learn, later on, that a good deal of … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Politics, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Wartime moral clarity and passion”

Posted on April 10, 2018 by hessd

I had never heard of Nitsuh Abebe before he wrote this piece. In fact, I had failed to notice that the New York Times Magazine carried a feature every week called “First Words.” Since “First Words” is about language and … Continue reading →

Posted in Paying Attention, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Turnips at Happy Hour

Posted on April 8, 2018 by hessd

Ever since Bette and I have lived here at Holladay Park Plaza, we have attended the 4:00 Happy Hour in the Club Room. The good people in Dining Services set us up with wine and beer glasses,  a bowl of … Continue reading →

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