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.

Simeon the Stubborn

Posted on December 30, 2014 by hessd

We just finished the season of Advent.  On the church calendar, it is now Christmas.  How awkward is that?  Our whole society is saying “Been there, done that,” and the churches, the liturgical churches at any rate, are saying, “Wait.  … Continue reading →

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Can you really prepare for Alzheimer’s?

Posted on December 29, 2014 by hessd

I think so. Last night, I watched a really good TED talk my brother, Karl, sent to me.  The talk is about Alzheimers disease and Karl is my older brother—the only one of the four of us to have cracked … Continue reading →

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Green Chri$tma$, 1958

Posted on December 21, 2014 by hessd

When Green Chri$tma$ came out in 1958, I was about twenty years old.  I thought it was the funniest broadcast parody I ever heard.  I memorized it immediately—not much of a trick at twenty, really—and performed little impromptu snatches of … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Theology, Words | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mosquitoes in Heaven

Posted on December 13, 2014 by hessd

Pope Francis is having the same kind of trouble the apostle Paul had.  It’s hard to be a pastor and a theologian at the same time.  And if any remarks you make are going to be seized upon by the … Continue reading →

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Are there errors in the Bible? Don’t ask.

Posted on December 4, 2014 by hessd

Imagine having a conversation with a man—it would be a man, I’m pretty sure—who wanted to “talk football” and whose only concern was with keeping the ball on the playing field.  That might go like this. Do you think they … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving at, and for, Starbucks

Posted on November 27, 2014 by hessd

Tomorrow morning, Thanksgiving morning, Bette and I will go over to “our Starbucks” and meet friends who will have family obligations the rest of the day.  I am tempted to say that we will all have “other family obligations” that … Continue reading →

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In my Father’s house

Posted on November 26, 2014 by hessd

At my house, this is the year we study Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus.  Every Advent, we focus on one—only one—of the two narratives the Bible gives us about the birth of Jesus.  I’ve been doing this for … Continue reading →

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The Beginning Place

Posted on November 23, 2014 by hessd

I have a few favorite books, not very many, and I read them over and over.  You cannot imagine the grief I take for that.  Nearly all my friends read broadly and with enjoyment and comprehension.  And I’m married to … Continue reading →

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The President as Cherrypicker in Chief

Posted on November 22, 2014 by hessd

The Constitution identifies the President as the Chief Executive.  He is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.  Since the President is the principal source of major congressional considerations, he is often called the Chief Legislator.  It was not until President … Continue reading →

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The Gospel of Matthew in Pleasantville

Posted on November 20, 2014 by hessd

Halloween fell on November 1 this year.  Costumes, candy, trick or treaters—the whole thing.  On the morning of November 2, Starbucks started using their red “holiday” cups and offering the egg nog latté.  Ho ho ho. I’ve always been unhappy … Continue reading →

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