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 Experience of Competence

Posted on November 14, 2014 by hessd

In a recent piece, I described myself as an AHOG—an amazing, high-performance old guy.   At first glance, that looks like a substantial and probably incredible claim.  It is not.  I justified “amazing” on the grounds that I was, in fact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama Doesn’t Get It

Posted on November 8, 2014 by hessd

This essay is going to wander into some disreputable places, so let me start with the easy stuff.  First, I’ve been blogging for several years now and I have learned that “President Obama Doesn’t Get It” is a better headline … Continue reading →

Posted in Paying Attention, Political Psychology, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Today’s Modern World

Posted on November 1, 2014 by hessd

The course is called “Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive.” I saw it first, today, in the brand new “holiday wish book catalog offered by The Teaching Company.[1]  I’m not going to order it. I want to move, shortly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Paying Attention, ways of knowing, Words | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Not a Democrat any more. Maybe.

Posted on October 31, 2014 by hessd

On November 4, the state of Oregon will start counting votes.[1]  Measure 90 will either win or lose.  If it loses, Oregon will continue to have closed primaries in May, in which Democrats cast their ballots for the candidates they … Continue reading →

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

The Courtship Marriage

Posted on October 26, 2014 by hessd

This starts with a really simple premise.  I begin by rejecting “forever answers.”[1]  He says, “Will you marry me?” meaning, “Will you love me forever?”  She says “Yes.” Meaning “Yes, I will love you forever.”  (I know that’s the truth … Continue reading →

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

Is Forgiveness a Good Idea?

Posted on October 21, 2014 by hessd

I want to begin with as simple a phrasing as I can.  Things are going to get so messy that I want to have something to look back at, as I would look back at my own innocent youth if … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Political Psychology, Uncategorized, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What I’m Good At

Posted on October 14, 2014 by hessd

“There are two things I know to be true. There’s no difference between good flan and bad flan, and there is no war,” says CIA agent Charles Young (William H. Macy), in Barry Levinson’s mercilessly funny movie, Wag the Dog.  … Continue reading →

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

“Commemorating” Vietnam, 50 years later

Posted on October 11, 2014 by hessd

How will we go about commemorating the 50th anniversary of a war from which we have not yet recovered.  I was thinking about the Vietnam War, but it has been 150 years since the American Civil War and there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Political Psychology, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reaping to the Very Edge

Posted on October 8, 2014 by hessd

So…here’s an idea you might not have considered for a while. “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Society, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Amazing High-performance Old Guy

Posted on September 27, 2014 by hessd

  C’est moi.  I am, in fact, an Amazing, High-performance Old Guy, hereafter AHOG.[1] You will want evidence, of course, as you should.  Let’s start with this morning, when this first occurred to me.  I made my first Starbucks run … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old | Tagged , , | 2 Comments