The First Amendment: America’s Unique Foundation of Freedom

From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 29, 2026 When I teach about the American Revolution, I explain that it initially began as a fight for the colonists’ rights as British subjects that later turned into a revolution for independence. Even among the patriots in the colonies, many believed the British Empire was … Continue reading The First Amendment: America’s Unique Foundation of Freedom →

Historic Travels: Wilson’s Creek, Missouri

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Like many from Oklahoma, I enjoy visiting Branson. Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Branson is a fun, family-friendly destination where faith and patriotism still thrive. While most people come for Silver Dollar City or the shows, next time you make the … Continue reading Historic Travels: Wilson’s Creek, Missouri →

Why Iran stands alone in the Middle East

From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 22, 2026 As the United States’ aerial war with Iran enters its third week, it’s worth examining the geopolitics of the region, how it has evolved over time, and even the differences with the Persian Gulf War in the 1990s. This can help explain why Iran … Continue reading Why Iran stands alone in the Middle East →

The Unintended Consequences of Attacking Higher Education

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 →

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 →