Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sticky Discrepancies

Posted on October 15, 2021 by hessd

There are so many different ways something can be funny. I have been blessed with kids who wonder just why it is that something is funny. That’s a good thing for me because it means I have someone to talk … Continue reading →

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Reminding ourselves (again) of authoritarian populism

Posted on October 12, 2021 by hessd

I will not surprise anyone by observing that authoritarian populism has taken hold in the United States. Donald Trump never made the slightest pretense of valuing democracy as a system of choosing leaders. There were other things that were much … Continue reading →

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“Our Vision”

Posted on October 7, 2021 by hessd

It is early in the morning at Starbucks. Customers have drifted in and have left. I am the only one here at the moment. The store manager, Geoffrey Mlady, takes that moment to assemble the baristas. He wants to check … Continue reading →

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Posted on October 6, 2021 by hessd

I have been watching a British cop show called New Tricks. [1] There has been a nearly total (one holdover) substitution of new actors for old. That may be the difference I am noticing. But I also think the writing … Continue reading →

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Opprobrium Entrepreneurs

Posted on September 9, 2021 by hessd

September 9, 2021 People who like to write about or think about or argue about American politics (overlapping, but not identical categories) owe a debt of thanks to Cass R. Sunstein for the term, “opprobrium entrepreneur.” Opprobrium is the imputation … Continue reading →

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Evangelize your friends. Or else.

Posted on August 30, 2021 by hessd

Today, I opened a Facebook post from a long ago friend. Still a “friend” in the Facebook sense of the term. The Bible…says Matthew 10:33 “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father … Continue reading →

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The Use of Conflicts in the Gospel of Mark

Posted on August 10, 2021 by hessd

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus responds unevenly to the opportunities he has to engage in conflicts. There is an easy way to demonstrate this, although I am sure it would not persuade anyone who wasn’t willing to be persuaded. You simply … Continue reading →

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The Distrust Party

Posted on July 20, 2021 by hessd

In situations of persistent conflict, it is really hard to continue to wish good things for your self and your group without also sliding off to wishing bad things for “them.” That is one of the very large problems the … Continue reading →

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My colleague, the Honorable Scumbag from North Dakota

Posted on July 15, 2021 by hessd

It is a commonplace that the United States is now in a hyperpartisan era. People who think that is not true or who think it is not important often pass it off by saying that nothing is more naturally human … Continue reading →

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Living on Autopilot

Posted on July 15, 2021 by hessd

Human personalities are incredibly complex. I know that because I have one, myself. And for some purposes, I think we should lean into and fully appreciate the complexity. But there are other purposes—I am going to explore one today—for which … Continue reading →

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