Author: James Finck

Dr. James W. Finck was raised in the shadows of history in the great state of Virginia. Growing up it was difficult to travel too far without running into a monument or battlefield from the Revolutionary or Civil War. In this environment, Finck developed a love for studying the past and from his youth knew that he wanted to make it his life’s work. Finck received a B.A. from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He then studied under James I. Robertson and William C. Davis at Virginia Tech, while earning a Master’s degree. Finally, he received his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas, under the direction of Daniel Sutherland. For five years, Finck taught at the University of Texas-Pan American before accepting his current position as American Historian at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 2011. At a small liberal arts institution, Finck considers himself a generalist in history, but his specialties are the Civil War and American Politics. Finck has established himself in Oklahoma with the creation of the Oklahoma Civil War Symposium, which has brought in leading Civil War scholars for the past eight years, and he has spoken at many venues around Oklahoma, especially working with the Honey Spring Battlefield. Finck is the author of Divided Loyalties: Kentucky’s Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War, as well as Images of America: Chickasha. Finck is also the author of the syndicated newspaper column “Historically Speaking.”

Reviewing Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis”

From Southwest Ledger In 2016 J.D. Vance released a memoir of his formative years as a member of a hillbilly family just trying to survive. His story was about overcoming obstacles as he eventually made it out of his small town to attend college and Yale Law School. At the time, it was overwhelmingly praised … Continue reading Reviewing Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” →

Constitution 101: Enforcing the long-ignored Vesting Clause

From Southwest Ledger Of all the sentences in the Constitution, Article I, Section I is the most important and today is also the most abused.  Our Founders created a document they knew they needed but were afraid of. They feared an all-powerful government that would control them. To help quiet their fears they created the … Continue reading Constitution 101: Enforcing the long-ignored Vesting Clause →

Presidential assassination attempts tend to backfire even when would-be assassins strike their target

From Southwest Ledger “I am here in despair. And why; For doing what Brutus was honored for. What made Tell a Hero. And yet I for striking down a greater tyrant than they ever knew. Am looked upon as a common, cutthroat. My action was purer than either of theirs. One, hoped to be great … Continue reading Presidential assassination attempts tend to backfire even when would-be assassins strike their target →

Will Harris be the Democrat’s Presidential Nominee Replacement

From Southwest Ledger Our political world erupted July 21 when President Joe Biden finally admitted his chance of winning seemed bleak and decided to step down.  The eruption came from political pundits trying to decide who would replace Biden and how any replacement would work. In their rush to inform viewers, several TV personalities reported how “historic” and“unprecedented” this was.  Historically speaking, while this is historic, as it has never happened quite this … Continue reading Will Harris be the Democrat’s Presidential Nominee Replacement →

“It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose”

From Southwest Ledger Unfortunately, assassination attempts are not new to our nation. In a time of such hatred, when each side sees the other as evil, it is no surprise that an attempt was made towards Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. When discussing assassinations, most historians focus on the death of the four … Continue reading “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose” →

American Civics 101: The Preamble to the Constitution

From Southwest Ledger Although the Preamble is the most memorized part of the Constitution, it has no legal standing in government, however it does state the government’s authority and outline the government’s duties. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for … Continue reading American Civics 101: The Preamble to the Constitution →

Absolute v. Qualified Immunity: Examining Executive Vesting, Separation of Powers Clauses

From Southwest Ledger Starting with the Jefferson administration, the courts have recognized two types of immunity: absolute and qualified. Absolute is just how it sounds, absolute redress regardless of motive or action. Qualified is also how it sounds, it’s a limited protection. For this, the person accused must demonstrate they acted with the belief their … Continue reading Absolute v. Qualified Immunity: Examining Executive Vesting, Separation of Powers Clauses →

Do Televised Presidential Debates Sway Voters? Short answer: Probably.

From the Southwest Ledger Historically speaking, presidential debates are relatively new. The first one presidential debate was held between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy in 1960. Before then, debates were seen as beneath presidential candidates. There were plenty of debates for other positions. The 1858 Lincoln-Douglass Debates for the Illinois Senate seat are probably … Continue reading Do Televised Presidential Debates Sway Voters? Short answer: Probably. →