“Our nation’s changed,” General Tommy Franks said while speaking at the United States Central Command Change of Command Ceremony on July 7, 2003. “We’ve been blessed with leadership that evidences character and moral courage; depth of resolve seldom seen. We see in our country today the evidence of a core value that, in my view, … Continue reading General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum presents valuable military information, leadership courses
Category: Historically Speaking
Reviewing: “American Soldier: General Tommy Franks”
From Southwest Ledger On March 19, 2003, over a telecast President George W. Bush authorized General Tommy Franks to execute Operation Iraqi Freedom and bring the United States to war against the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq. Two years before Gen. Franks had led a successful invasion of Afghanistan that had topped the Taliban. While … Continue reading Reviewing: “American Soldier: General Tommy Franks”
DON’T THANK A VETERAN THIS MEMORIAL DAY
From Southwest Ledger It’s never wrong to thank a veteran or active-duty military personal for their service, but even they will tell you that officially Memorial Day is not for them. The official day to thank our veterans is Veterans Day; Armed Forces Day is set aside for active-duty military. Memorial Day is specifically reserved … Continue reading DON’T THANK A VETERAN THIS MEMORIAL DAY
With Campus Protests, History Comes Full Circle
There is no doubt that colleges across the nation are more and more starting to look like the 1960s. Within the last month buildings have been taken over and tent cities have sprung up on dozens of campuses filled with students protesting the war in Israel.The demands of the students are varied. The most recent … Continue reading With Campus Protests, History Comes Full Circle
Mother’s Day: An Appeal to Motherhood
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” This is the opening line of the most famous song to come out the American Civil War, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Its author, Julia Ward Howe, is best known for her work as a poet and abolitionist. However, she is also … Continue reading Mother’s Day: An Appeal to Motherhood
Evolving Graduation Ceremonies and Historic Commencement Speeches
From Southwest Ledger This weekend, I like thousands of others gathered for college graduations. This is a time of great joy. For myself I watched my oldest son walk across the stage at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma where I have taught for the past 13 years. Best graduation I have attended. … Continue reading Evolving Graduation Ceremonies and Historic Commencement Speeches
The Failure of the Arab Spring Reviewing Morbid Symptoms: Relapse in The Arab Uprising
From the Southwest Ledger Even while the war in Gaza has been ongoing for about five months now, there is renewed attention to the region as Iran launched drone and missile strikes against Israel on April 13.With help from the U.S., England and Jordanian forces, the Israeli missile defense system shot down the vast majority … Continue reading The Failure of the Arab Spring Reviewing Morbid Symptoms: Relapse in The Arab Uprising
Eclipses that Changed the Trajectory of U.S. History
From the Southwest Ledger On April 8 our nation finally unified around a cause important to us all: posting pictures of the solar eclipse on social media.This was a huge event as people planned a year ahead to get hotels that were in the path of totality. Even if you were not able to travel, … Continue reading Eclipses that Changed the Trajectory of U.S. History
Reviewing Lawrence Wright’s “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11”
By James Finck, Ph.D. I think it is safe to say that the most significant event in my lifetime is Sept. 11, 2001. Yet while names like Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda are now household names, the American public at large knows very little about them, how Al-Qaeda works or much about the other founding … Continue reading Reviewing Lawrence Wright’s “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11”
Prevailing Winds: Switching Political Parties over Candidate Support
In a recent CNN interview, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski hinted that he she is considering leaving the Republican Party. Murkowski has been a long-time opponent of former President Donald Trump and is struggling with the idea of Trump leading her party. Murkowski is not the first to leave the party over a personality, and historically … Continue reading Prevailing Winds: Switching Political Parties over Candidate Support
Historically Speaking 