Category Archives: Politics

What are pejorative words for?

Posted on April 25, 2013 by hessd

In 1893, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a book called Catriona—a book I had never heard of until today.  Nor did I know until today that the word I had in mind to begin this reflection on language, pejorative, was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, ways of knowing, Words | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

God Bless Oregon

Posted on April 17, 2013 by hessd

The question the federal government wants to ask Oregon is this: Do you really think you can persuade Oregonians to be sensible about their health? Oregon’s Governor, Dr. John Kitzhaber (M.D.) has been saying “Yes,” but if he is the … Continue reading →

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The Most Conservative Electable Candidate

Posted on February 12, 2013 by hessd

Has anyone noticed what Karl Rove is up to these days?  He may not be able to call Ohio for Obama in a prompt and professional manner, but I think he has opened a whole new front in the partisan … Continue reading →

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How are the prospects for President Obama’s second term in office?  Pretty good, I’d say, all things being considered.  The President is duly aware of what he calls “locusts”—unforeseen events that swarm the political landscape and destroy the prospects for … Continue reading →

Posted on January 21, 2013 by hessd | Leave a comment

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be unclear.

Posted on December 4, 2012 by hessd

It is not quite fair to either Horace Greeley or to Abraham Lincoln to characterize them the way I am about to.  Lincoln won’t mind, I am sure.  And despite Mark Twain’s caution that one should not pick a fight … Continue reading →

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“Next to our liberties, most dear”

Posted on November 11, 2012 by hessd

Here’s the way I picture it.  It is April 13, 1830.  President Andrew Jackson and his Vice President, John C. Calhoun were attending a Jefferson Day dinner.  Jackson was a proponent of national dominance; Calhoun of the states’ right to … Continue reading →

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What Was It All About?

Posted on November 8, 2012 by hessd

The recently concluded—mostly concluded—election of 2012 is over.  What was it about?  As I look at the results and the arguments that led to them, it seems to me there are really only two questions involved.  The first is a … Continue reading →

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

Church and State

Posted on October 29, 2012 by hessd

Bette and I sat down recently with a couple we had not yet met, but with whom we would be spending the next two weeks on a bike and barge trip.  The conversation turned political fairly quickly—no surprise in an … Continue reading →

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No Tickee, No Shirtee

Posted on October 7, 2012 by hessd

This title represents a respected—I am fighting the urge to say “hallowed”—maxim in American life.  The phrasing is taken from the stereotypical “Chinaman” who did the laundry and gave you a ticket that would allow you to identify the laundry … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Psychology, Politics | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Battle of Favorite Aunts

Posted on August 26, 2012 by hessd

David Brooks and Paul Krugman are at it again.  I’m not as surprised as I was the first time I noticed it. This is an odd kind of disagreement.  Imagine that you and your wife are visiting the home of … Continue reading →

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