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’
Category: Historically Speaking
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?
The queen is gone. There will never be another
from the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Aug 30, 2026 I write a lot about country music. It’s my favorite genre. In several of my columns, I have debated the top country singers or most important influential and/or inspirational songs. Many of these debates are subjective, but there has always been one that is … Continue reading The queen is gone. There will never be another
Recalling the history of recalls
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Just last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a notice that New York’s Prince Bakery voluntarily recalled five of their products distributed in bodegas and small retail markets around Bronx and Westchester, New York, because the company did not declare their products contained milk and … Continue reading Recalling the history of recalls
America 250: The Battle of Long Island
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Back in July, I wrote a column about the Declaration of Independence in which I praised the document while also arguing that, in many ways, it was worthless. Its ideas were revolutionary, but words alone did little to secure American independence. To accomplish that, the colonists would … Continue reading America 250: The Battle of Long Island
Historical Travels: Beaver Lake, Utah
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Before my semester begins next week, I was able to fit in one more trip out west to attend my nephew’s wedding. Most of the family festivities took place in Provo and St. George, Utah, but, as I always do, I looked for interesting historical sites to … Continue reading Historical Travels: Beaver Lake, Utah
