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.

Peter Stearns is “my guy” for gender roles

Posted on September 23, 2017 by hessd

Stearns recently retired as Provost at George Mason University, in Virginia. He is still teaching and still writing. That’s good news for me. In this very partial introduction to Stearns’ thinking, I’d like to tell you why I take it … Continue reading →

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

In loco parentis

Posted on September 17, 2017 by hessd

Who is really well placed to act in loco parentis? That was a big deal question when I was in college. Mothers and fathers sent their children off to far away institutions, some of them hoping that the college would … Continue reading →

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

What to say to the climate change deniers of Texas and Florida

Posted on September 14, 2017 by hessd

This is the prime moment for environmentalists who have been screaming their heads off about the urgency of the need to change our practices and begin to deal seriously with the global warming catastrophe. This is the time when they—“we” … Continue reading →

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

Two Systems of Forgiveness

Posted on September 12, 2017 by hessd

Do you know when you have effectively forgiven someone who has offended you or against whom you hold a grievance? Not necessarily. I am going to describe two systems of “grievance-processing” here. The most important thing I want to say … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Living My Life, ways of knowing, Words | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Call of Moses as a Fish Story

Posted on September 4, 2017 by hessd

Yup. Moses. [1] Not Jonah. [2] Our lectionary calls for the reading, at the September 3 service, of the story of the call of Moses. The sermon was actually based on a parallel scripture in Matthew, but I was completely … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Garbage Time

Posted on September 3, 2017 by hessd

Yesterday I attended a meeting at which a lot of appropriate things were said.  After that, the meeting deteriorated into a free for all of bad questions and posturing. It is that latter part of the meeting that I am … Continue reading →

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

The Descent into Tribalism

Posted on August 31, 2017 by hessd

David Brooks wrote a really good overview of the Trump and Comey controversy on June 9. I read it and valued it and filed it in my mind. But one small clip from that article has continued to float up … Continue reading →

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The Incredible Trump

Posted on August 29, 2017 by hessd

“Caught in the blast of gamma radiation, brilliant scientist Bruce Banner is cursed to transform in times of stress into the living engine of destruction known as THE INCREDIBLE HULK. “ With a start like that, you have every reason … Continue reading →

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Holladay Park Plaza, Year 1

Posted on August 27, 2017 by hessd

A year ago today, Bette and I moved into Holladay Park Plaza and I want to tell you a little about it. For me, there is always the question of what to call today. I have been celebrating the various … Continue reading →

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

The Solar Eclipse at Holladay Park Plaza

Posted on August 22, 2017 by hessd

Thank goodness there is no “right way” to watch a solar eclipse. And I think a lot of people felt that way. It didn’t seem to me that up on the roof, the part of the 16th floor, which surrounds … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life | Tagged , , | 2 Comments