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.

The Fiery Darts of the Wicked

Posted on November 14, 2024 by hessd

This morning, I happened on a letter by an Episcopal bishop, Sean Rowe. It was phrased in language I am familiar with and which I always like on first contact. But the more I think about it, the more uncomfortable … Continue reading →

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Watching myself teach

Posted on November 1, 2024 by hessd

I won a free throw contest once. A long time ago. It was set up as a tournament; I won my bracket and a friend of mine won the other bracket. So we met in the finals. The setup was … Continue reading →

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Complicity

Posted on October 29, 2024 by hessd

Deciding what is the right thing to do is hard enough when it’s just individuals interacting with each other. We could call that “conspiracy” if we wanted to. Complicity is a whole different matter. I’m going to go at this … Continue reading →

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Efficiency and Equity. Choose one.

Posted on October 14, 2024 by hessd

I was reading innocently along. I’ve been interested in school funding since the 1980s when I worked for an education planning agency in Oregon. I know how complicated it is; I know there are no perfect answers. Even so, the … Continue reading →

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Let the airing of grievances begin

Posted on September 23, 2024 by hessd

There is a lot of day to go, but as I write this at 6:30 a.m., I feel that it has already been a success. Not an achievement, mind, but a day with rich satisfactions. Those wonderful feelings and the … Continue reading →

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Pronatalism

Posted on August 5, 2024 by hessd

I have resisted the word “pronatalism” for quite a while now. On behalf of the clarity of the language will all use and on behalf of all the people who want to talk reasonably about political issues, I am leery … Continue reading →

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Hopes and Fears

Posted on July 22, 2024 by hessd

Politics in the United States is never what you think it is going to be. It is a system put together out of the remnants of half a dozen yard sales. It is made up of completely weird compromises between … Continue reading →

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Use It Now

Posted on July 19, 2024 by hessd

I have long come to terms with the idea that my life is not going to last forever.  I have not given any thought until today to the idea that my marriage is not going to last forever either.  That … Continue reading →

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It says “other gods.”

Posted on July 4, 2024 by hessd

I have a word I would like to share with New York Times columnist Pamela Paul. The word is “monolatry.” It is not as well known as “monotheism” but it is crucially necessary in Old Testament studies. Here is a … Continue reading →

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Forgiveness as a Strategy

Posted on July 3, 2024 by hessd

I just finished reading a survey of opinions on forgiveness put together by Christina Caron, who writes about mental health issues for the New York Times. She, and the experts she cites, are looking at forgiveness as a tool. I … Continue reading →

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