From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 One of the lessons I try to teach my students through history is the idea of unintended consequences. A good example comes from the presidency of Andrew Jackson, who had a deep hatred of banks, especially the Second Bank of the United … Continue reading The Unintended Consequences of Attacking Higher Education
Month: March 2026
1776 wasn’t just about independence
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 13, 2026 There is no argument that 1776 was a revolutionary year. The political ideas coming out of the American Revolution changed how people viewed government and inspired change around the world that continues to the present. It is easy to focus on those political changes … Continue reading 1776 wasn’t just about independence
Disappointed in our Olympic Spirit
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 11, 2026 I have been very disappointed over the past two weeks watching the Olympic Games. I am a huge Olympics fan and watch as much as I possibly can. I can’t explain how I suddenly became a passionate fan of sports I normally never watch, … Continue reading Disappointed in our Olympic Spirit
‘The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge’
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. One of the dumb jokes I often tell in class is that when I grow up, I want to be a mountain man, but if that doesn’t work out, being a pirate would be fun too. You can imagine my surprise and excitement when I discovered a … Continue reading ‘The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge’
Iran at a crossroads: Democracy, monarchy, and the lessons of the 1950s
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 8, 2026 Watching the news unfold about the attack on Iran, I find myself both excited and confused. The excitement is easy to understand; there is the possibility of either a good, or even a very good outcome. A “good” outcome would be to damage Iran’s … Continue reading Iran at a crossroads: Democracy, monarchy, and the lessons of the 1950s
Constitution 101: The Borrowing Clause
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 1, 2026 When our Founders drafted the Constitution, they envisioned three branches of government with equal strength, balanced by a system of checks and balances. Yet they clearly leaned toward strengthening Congress. Article I, Section 8, which outlines the powers of Congress, is, by far, the … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Borrowing Clause
It’s been one hell of a party: Remembering Robert Duvall
From Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Feb 24, 2026 In the world of entertainment, many actors can go their entire careers without ever making a film that truly matters, an iconic film, let alone one that becomes the standard by which all others in the genre are measured. Make one iconic movie and you’re … Continue reading It’s been one hell of a party: Remembering Robert Duvall
Historically Speaking 