From the Southwest Ledger On the first day of class each semester, when discussing expectations, I tell my students that the most important things I hope they learn is how to write. Most of them will never work in the field of history and while I certainly hope they gain an understanding of the past … Continue reading The Pamphlet That Made Our Nation
Category: Historically Speaking
What were we reading?
From the Lawton Constitution During this time of year, a popular topic for articles is looking back at the year that was. In that spirit, my editor asked if I would write a book review of one of last year’s top 10 best-selling books. I agreed, then quickly realized a problem. I hadn’t read any … Continue reading What were we reading?
Constitution 101: Revenue and Presentation Clauses
From the Southwest Ledger As we begin the new year, we are also starting a new section of Article I, one of the most familiar and important parts of our Constitution. When we think about constitutional protections, we often focus on checks and balances, and one of the most notable of those checks is the … Continue reading Constitution 101: Revenue and Presentation Clauses
Still a City on a Hill: Celebrating 250 Years Of the American Experiment
From the Southwest Ledger “We must delight in each other; make others’ conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body... We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of … Continue reading Still a City on a Hill: Celebrating 250 Years Of the American Experiment
Searching for Offense in a World Desperate to Find It
From the Lawton Constitution Several times recently I have written that being offended is often the price you pay for learning. If you can go through four years of college without ever having your ideas challenged, then you are not really getting an education. What I did not say is that students should not go … Continue reading Searching for Offense in a World Desperate to Find It
2025: A Year in Review
From the Lawton Constitution At the end of every year, I like to look back over my columns and reflect on the events significant enough to write about. Given the ups and downs of the past 12 months, it almost feels cliché to say that 2025 was a crazy year. Crazy has become the norm. … Continue reading 2025: A Year in Review
Christmas Brings a New and Glorious Morn
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” What a perfect line for our world today one that often feels so very weary While December 25th is not the actual birth date of Jesus, I’m still grateful that this is when we celebrate it. I’m glad Christmas … Continue reading Christmas Brings a New and Glorious Morn
Light the World campaign reaches Oklahoma
One of my favorite aspects of the Christmas season is how the spirit of Christ makes people just a little bit kinder. People look out for the welfare of their fellow man just that much more. Finding ways to give back is not hard this time of the year as there are angel trees and … Continue reading Light the World campaign reaches Oklahoma
Merit vs. equity in college football
From the Lawton Constitution Now that the playoffs are set, it’s worth taking a moment to understand the flaws and biases built into the college football ranking system.While fairness may be an interesting word, I’m someone who typically values merit over equity. The problem in college football is that fans can’t truly measure merit when … Continue reading Merit vs. equity in college football
Hanukkah Blessings
From the Lawton Constitution Last week, I dedicated my column to the music of the season. This week, I want to add one more essential song to that playlist. In my previous piece, I mentioned that one of my favorite holiday records is “Barenaked for the Holidays” by Barenaked Ladies. While the band is often … Continue reading Hanukkah Blessings
Historically Speaking 