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.

Save the Planet! O.K. How Long?

Posted on September 12, 2014 by hessd

I am not the first person to wince at “Save the Planet!” bumper stickers  I know there is a context that needs to be taken into account, but sometimes you can get a fresh look at an issue by refusing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainability, Theology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“The Hard White Light of Integrity”

Posted on September 7, 2014 by hessd

For about a month now, I have been basking in the stories that make up Simon Van Booy’s new book, The Illusion of Separateness.  The book isn’t really a fable with a point.  It is better than that in every … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The President and March Madness

Posted on September 5, 2014 by hessd

It’s early September today.  Teachers have just celebrated their New Year’s Eve, the last evening before “the year” starts for them.  Students have finished shopping for back to school clothes and backpacks and tablets—I meant the paper ones; with the spiral … Continue reading →

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

Don’t move or we’ll lose our political stability

Posted on September 3, 2014 by hessd

Nothing about this political cartoon is there so that it will cause us to feel an affinity with the fat capitalist in the overstuffed chair.  I’m not entirely sure what the food is on the table behind the safe, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Whole New You

Posted on August 31, 2014 by hessd

There is always the chance that you are not going to believe what I am going to say today.  Or, if you are younger (nearly everyone is) than I am and more tech savvy (nearly everyone is), you might just … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life, Love and Marriage, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Deciding to go to “war”

Posted on August 27, 2014 by hessd

Today, I want to consider how we go to war. We need to consider why “war” has those quotation marks around it. And, more crucially, I want to consider how we don’t go to war.  As Americans, we seem to … Continue reading →

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

“Fear is the little-death”

Posted on August 21, 2014 by hessd

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Living My Life, Paying Attention, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

He’s really let himself go since his wife died

Posted on August 16, 2014 by hessd

“He has really let himself go since his wife died.” It’s a perfectly ordinary sentiment.  Everyone knows immediately what it means.  He has stopped taking the care necessary to appear properly and behave properly to his companions.  He used to … Continue reading →

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

Truly Sorry

Posted on August 11, 2014 by hessd

We are all familiar, by now, with the “non-apology apology.”  I certainly want to apologize if anyone misunderstood what I was trying to say.  The guy stands up at the microphone and says all the words.  We try, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Movies, Paying Attention, Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christian Movie Reviews

Posted on August 9, 2014 by hessd

English is a hard language.  Word order, in the absence of agreement by tense, person, and number, is just really important.  Too important.  So the title might ask us to find a bunch of Christian movies and review them.  Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment