From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Once again, questions surrounding Gaza have captured the nation’s attention as pop culture is dragged into the debate. Rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour after lecturing the audience about what he called as a genocide in Gaza. Then we have comedians, like Bill Maher, who … Continue reading Ancient ownership of Israel
Category: Historically Speaking
Voltron and immigration
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. When I was a young kid, one of my favorite cartoons was “Voltron.” Looking back now, it had a very simple plot, almost comically so. In every episode, some type of monster would threaten Earth, and the five main characters attacked them in their flying robot lions. … Continue reading Voltron and immigration
When the chant isn’t about football anymore
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. I wanted to weigh in on the controversy that happened Saturday night at the Bringham Young–Colorado State game, when the Colorado State student section chanted, “Fthe Mormons.” This has not been an isolated incident; it began last year and has happened at almost every stadium where BYU … Continue reading When the chant isn’t about football anymore
William Morgan and the Anti-Mason Party
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Historian’s View Over the years, there have been several murders that affected the course of our political history. Most of these are well known, such as the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy. Rarely, however, has the disappearance and presumed murder of a relatively unknown … Continue reading William Morgan and the Anti-Mason Party
America 250: ‘I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country’
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Historian’s View Wars produce memories, often of battles or heroes, but they also produce memories of famous quotes that were meant to inspire those involved in the conflict or, more often, were created later to help build patriotism. Over the past two years, as I have been … Continue reading America 250: ‘I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country’
The third most important gift is laughter
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight. It’s time to put on makeup. It’s time to dress up right It’s time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight. So … Continue reading The third most important gift is laughter
In Defense of Liberal Art
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. Right now, the academic system as we know it is under attack, not just at my university but at colleges all around the country. Colleges are moving away from traditional liberal arts models to career readiness. While I do not believe finding a job is the sole … Continue reading In Defense of Liberal Art
Remembering 9/11 25 years later
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Historian’s View I am going to confess upfront that this has been a difficult piece to write. Over the past 25 years, I have written about 9/11 many times, and I have pondered what I could say that would be different? What would add some new thought … Continue reading Remembering 9/11 25 years later
Constitution 101: The Counterfeiting Clause
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. In 1981, “Sports Illustrated” published a cover showing $100 bills falling into a basketball hoop. The lead story was about a college basketball point-shaving scandal. The Secret Service warned Time Inc., the magazine’s publisher, that the color reproduction of the money could violate federal laws against photographing … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Counterfeiting Clause
President Trump’s beef policy may help food prices, but at what cost?
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. When President Trump ran for office in 2024, a large part of his platform was bringing down the cost of food. With tariff wars, not to mention an actual war with Iran, this has proven difficult, as food prices have continued to rise. This has been nowhere … Continue reading President Trump’s beef policy may help food prices, but at what cost?
