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.

“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

“Resurrection Appearances”

Posted on April 1, 2018 by hessd

Two quick things. Yes, this is Easter Sunday. [1] No, this isn’t about the resurrection appearances of Jesus, except, perhaps, analogically. This is about the movie, Michael, and John Travolta plays the reappearing angel, Michael. I’ve written about this movie … Continue reading →

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

Just a joke among Friends

Posted on March 30, 2018 by hessd

In the New York Times on March 23, Ginia Bellafante wrote about a firing at Friends Seminary, a private school in Lower Manhattan. The story she tells isn’t as interesting as it would have been had it not come in … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Living My Life, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

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 →

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“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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