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.

ISIS and the Republican Party: Brothers in Arms

Posted on May 18, 2015 by hessd

The first scholar of political language I ever ran across was Murray Edelman. From his book, The Symbolic Uses of Politics, I learned that one way to assess the meaning of a political expression is to see how it lines up … Continue reading →

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

The Bible in (less than) 300 Words

Posted on May 13, 2015 by hessd

The bulk of this post is going to be the work of others. My part in it will be limited to telling you who those “others” were and saying why I am so excited about what they did that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Living My Life, Theology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mothers as “Designated Worriers”

Posted on May 11, 2015 by hessd

It’s Mother’s Day today. Or Mothers’ Day. An addition to a chalked sign I saw today said, “…and to all nurturers.” Mother’s Day is so hard these days. There are ways I think it is hard and needs to be. … Continue reading →

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NCIS

Posted on May 9, 2015 by hessd

At the end of the show—the first episode of the first season of NCIS—Gibbs gets into a convertible driven by a redhead and is whisked away. Why? The best response I can imagine is, “Who cares?” And the best rejoinder … Continue reading →

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

A Listening Silence

Posted on May 1, 2015 by hessd

I want to think today about how we listen to each other. This is not going to be a lament that we don’t listen to each other any more, but back in the old days, whenever you were a child, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Political Psychology, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foul-mouthed and Free

Posted on April 28, 2015 by hessd

I heard a story yesterday that was unlike any I remember having heard before. Today, I’m going to tell it to you, cutting back a little on the narrative and expanding a little on the theoretical implications. It is…sigh…what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, sociability, Uncategorized, Words | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Accountability and Trust

Posted on April 21, 2015 by hessd

I am going to say a few words in favor of accountability here.  Nearly everyone I know who is a fan of “accountability” will be disappointed by what I have to say and some will feel betrayed.  I don’t think … Continue reading →

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My Victory Lap

Posted on April 18, 2015 by hessd

Long before I began to think of my life as a mile (= four laps) run, I knew the popular version of a saying from Psalm 90: “the days of a man are three score and ten or by reason … Continue reading →

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

Hillary’s last chance to prepare for 2020

Posted on April 17, 2015 by hessd

2016 could be a really interesting election. Or not. If the R’s nominate a right-wing flame thrower, Hillary Clinton (hereafter “Hillary,” meaning no disrespect) the Democratic Nominee Presumptive (hereafter DNP) can just coast to the middle of the spectrum and … Continue reading →

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Stanley Victor Freberg, the master of his craft

Posted on April 9, 2015 by hessd

Stan Freberg died this Tuesday at the age of 88. He was one of the funniest men I had ever heard. He was known for his satire, but it wasn’t nasty satire. Mostly, he was just able to look at … Continue reading →

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