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.

How not to save civil society

Posted on March 1, 2017 by hessd

I am going to urge you to take a look at Paul Krugman’s column in today’s New York Times. I don’t like it and I very much hope that you won’t like it either, but let’s start by reading it. … Continue reading →

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

The Re- of Resurrection

Posted on February 26, 2017 by hessd

The argument in this essay is that whoever put the re- prefix on resurrection did us no favors. We’ll see. Despite the imminent onset of the Lenten season, this is not a doctrinal investigation. This is a linguistic investigation. There … Continue reading →

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

How “it” really happened

Posted on February 18, 2017 by hessd

I am going to wind up saying that I don’t know how it really happened and before you start pressing me on just what “it” I have in mind, I want to say that I don’t have one in mind. … Continue reading →

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

Deviance Amplification

Posted on February 14, 2017 by hessd

I wrote a piece on the word “racism” a few years ago. The first line was, “Am I a racist? No. I am not.”[1] Quite a flourish, I thought, for an essay that was going to propose a more modest … Continue reading →

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

You like me. You really like me.

Posted on February 12, 2017 by hessd

I take it for granted that the Trump administration will be a disaster as a governing body. When you look ahead to the horrors I imagine, you might wonder why the necessary electoral majority chose him to be our president. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

If you play defense, you get to serve

Posted on February 10, 2017 by hessd

We’re talking about volleyball, right? It is taking all the discipline I have to ignore the Trumpery [1] in the White House. I think it is worth doing, though. If I don’t ignore it, I will lavish my disdain on … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Season of Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 5, 2017 by hessd

Bette seems never to have cared about Valentine’s Day one way or the other. I always did: I hated it. As an elementary school child, I ran into the “valentines for everyone in the class” rule. Hated it! Why would … Continue reading →

Posted in Love and Marriage, Words | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Groundhog

Posted on February 3, 2017 by hessd

So here is what Punxsatawney Phil actually said today. [1] “It’s mighty cold weather, you’ve been braving. Is it more winter or is it spring that you’re craving? Since you’ve been up all night and starting to tottle, I, Punxsutawney … Continue reading →

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

Narcissist-in-Chief

Posted on January 30, 2017 by hessd

Imagine a man [1] who is a father, an employer, and a mayor. Oh…and he is a narcissist. What does that personal condition [2] imply for the three roles I mentioned? Let’s start at the other end of the question. … Continue reading →

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

Fools, Friends, and the Media

Posted on January 28, 2017 by hessd

I was in a discussion recently where the ability of comics who use politics as their medium was celebrated. There were kind memories of Jon Stewart on the Daily Show, of Stephen Colbert, and of the current cast of characters … Continue reading →

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