Category: Historically Speaking

If college football won’t settle it on the field, maybe the courts should

From the Lawton Constitution James Finck Ph.D. Normally I don’t think government and sports should mix, but in the current college playoff system, including mostly public schools, it may be time. College football has always been controversial in the way it chooses its national champion. Because teams don’t all play each other it has depended … Continue reading If college football won’t settle it on the field, maybe the courts should →

The Story Behind the Stories: Unlocking Western Literature and History

From Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D.One of my all-time favorite movies, “Hoosiers,” is a perfect example of a David and Goliath movie where a small-town basketball team in Indiana makes it all the way to the 1954 State Championship to take on a big-city team. As the team is getting ready to leave the … Continue reading The Story Behind the Stories: Unlocking Western Literature and History →

Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate

From Southwest Ledger https://www.southwestledger.news/opinion/constitution-101-privileges-immunities-and-debate Over the years, I have come to realize that many of my students know little about the U.S. Constitution. And even as I speak to older generations, I realize parts of the Constitution are somewhat foreign to them as well. Most know the basics and major clauses, but there is so … Continue reading Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate →

From Smith to Friedman: What great economists would say about Oklahoma’s proposed minimum wage hike

https://www.southwestledger.news/opinion/smith-friedman-what-great-economists-would-say-about-oklahomas-proposed-minimum-wage-hike In June 2026, Oklahoma voters will decide on State Question 832. If passed, the minimum wage in Oklahoma will go from the federal minimum wage of $7.25 to $15 by 2029, more than doubling minimum wage wages over the next three years. Economists and politicians will argue the pros and cons of this wage … Continue reading From Smith to Friedman: What great economists would say about Oklahoma’s proposed minimum wage hike →

Militia, Insurrection acts give Trump authority to protect Americans

From Southwest Ledger One of the biggest differences between traveling abroad and traveling domestically is seeing armed soldiers at airports and on the streets in most other nations. While this is still fairly true, it is not the case if you are traveling to our nation’s capital, and possibly soon to Portland or Chicago. President … Continue reading Militia, Insurrection acts give Trump authority to protect Americans →

Open primary voting and ending party choice? Not here.

From Southwest Ledger Next year, Oklahomans will have the opportunity to go to the polls and basically decide if the Republican Party will still be allowed to choose its own candidates for state elections. While this is being touted as closed versus open primary elections, it is more complicated than that.As the U.S. Supreme Court … Continue reading Open primary voting and ending party choice? Not here. →

Constitution 101: Congressional Pay Clause

From Southwest Ledger We have come to the juicy part of our Constitution where members of Congress get paid. Congressional salaries have come under great scrutiny since our nation was founded. Lately, with the administration’s appointments and confirmation hearings, some may say, “Congress spends too much time investigating the people when someone should be investigating … Continue reading Constitution 101: Congressional Pay Clause →

Kimmel, Colbert, Cancel Culture and First Amendment Challenges

From the Southwest Ledger When I first started college, I, like many others my age, really enjoyed “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Stewart was not only smart, but I enjoyed the satirical way he looked at politics. Yet things began to change once George W. Bush was elected.Instead of being just lighthearted and funny, … Continue reading Kimmel, Colbert, Cancel Culture and First Amendment Challenges →