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.

Protecting Vulnerable Communities

Posted on November 19, 2016 by hessd

I’d like to share with you a few lines from political writers and a comment I heard last night from a local pollster. Then I would like to push them around on my plate for a little while, like green … Continue reading →

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“Jesus is the reason for the season.” Really?

Posted on November 15, 2016 by hessd

There are so many ways for Christians to be unhappy about the way “Christmas” [1] is celebrated today. I have given it up, myself, in favor of Advent. It saves me so much grief. And why, really, should I expect … Continue reading →

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Hacksaw Ridge

Posted on November 13, 2016 by hessd

This election day was tough for a lot of Democrats—myself included—but I am proud of how I spent the afternoon of election day. I went to a theater and saw director Mel Gibson’s new movie, Hacksaw Ridge. It is a … Continue reading →

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Politics, Government, and the Federal System

Posted on November 9, 2016 by hessd

So…President Trump?  I find it hard to type the words, but if I had had a blog in 1980, I would have found it hard to type “President Reagan.”  I don’t pretend to have begun, yet, to come to grips … Continue reading →

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“…and painful shoes”

Posted on November 7, 2016 by hessd

Where would a phrase like that come from? A shoe salesman? Possible, especially if there were a more comfortable and more expensive pair of shoes available. A podiatrist? You can see that, although in my experience, podiatrists are more likely … Continue reading →

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Trump calls for sabotage

Posted on November 7, 2016 by hessd

Every losing candidate for the presidency in recent years has conceded defeat in the election and wished his opponent well. I don’t think that is going to happen this time. This time, it looks like the Trump-led Republicans (that isn’t … Continue reading →

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Even the faintest breeze

Posted on October 31, 2016 by hessd

I want to share, today, some of the amazing people I see here at Holladay Park Plaza—the retirement center where Bette and I have wound up. But I don’t want to start there. I want to start with some dogs … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Vote NO on virtue

Posted on October 28, 2016 by hessd

It is my great privilege to pass along to you one of the best political recommendations I have ever had the pleasure to read.  Below, you will see a picture of the last argument offered on this measure in Oregon’s … Continue reading →

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A Man Called Ove

Posted on October 18, 2016 by hessd

The maxim that it is more blessed to give than to receive is well known and I would apply it without a second thought to director Hannes Holm’s 2015 movie A Man Called Ove. I think the movie fits the … Continue reading →

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“Oh, the farmers and the cowhands should be friends”

Posted on October 17, 2016 by hessd

One of the nice things about moving to a new neighborhood is that you see new signs. This one is just south of the Starbucks closest to our house. The first time I saw it, I laughed out loud. I … Continue reading →

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