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.

Depth v Breadth, the Crucial Trade-off

Posted on May 7, 2016 by hessd

I have begun to arouse a little opposition among by beloved Bookies.[1] It’s not the puns this time. They drew the line at three puns per book group meeting and I have stayed well short of the line. Usually. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Political Issues. Both Kinds

Posted on May 6, 2016 by hessd

It doesn’t actually matter much what the issue is, apparently. It can be put forward this way or that way. We are going to have a Hillary v Donald campaign apparently and I would expect that “the issues,” whatever they … Continue reading →

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Consummating the marriage

Posted on April 29, 2016 by hessd

Everybody knows what it means to “consummate” a marriage, right? It means to “complete” it; to bring it to its highest state.[1] That’s what the words mean anyway. That brings us to the question of what a marriage is. Is … Continue reading →

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

Sustainable Systemic Political Change

Posted on April 26, 2016 by hessd

For me, the drama is beginning to leak out of the primary balloons. “Informed people” are beginning to speculate about Hillary’s possible running mates. I will want to check back in as the Republican convention decides whether there should be … Continue reading →

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Party Animals?

Posted on April 21, 2016 by hessd

Michael Lind is a centrist Democrat. This piece (which was published in the New York Times on April 16) represents what he hopes is happening. On the other hand, he may be right and it doesn’t really matter what he is … Continue reading →

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See it for yourself

Posted on April 20, 2016 by hessd

There is a moment in the new Sally Fields movie, Hello, My Name is Doris, that catches everything I want to say about the movie. This picture gives you a feeling for what Doris’s house looks like. The audience sees … Continue reading →

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Autonomous Christians

Posted on April 17, 2016 by hessd

Can Christian persons be autonomous? I have three settings where I would like to place that question. In those three settings, the answers are: absolutely not, of course, and “you’re going to have to be more specific.” Setting 1: Living … Continue reading →

Posted in A life of faith, Living My Life, Society, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Angry voters are stupid voters

Posted on April 13, 2016 by hessd

That’s the thesis for today. I have a story to tell you—one of my very few polished performances as a teacher. [1] And there is some throat clearing to be done, 2016 being a presidential year and one of the … Continue reading →

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

We have met the enemy and he is us[1]

Posted on April 10, 2016 by hessd

In 1888, Edward Bellamy wrote a very influential book called Looking Backward. That’s Bellamy in the next paragraph.  He placed the action well into the future—the beginning of the 21st Century—so that his readers could get some distance on the … Continue reading →

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

First, meet your own standards

Posted on April 7, 2016 by hessd

I was on a long drive, once, with a woman I did not know well. I knew the family. I knew her husband much better than I knew her. But it was early morning and it was dark and it … Continue reading →

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