From the Lawton Constitution When it comes to the situation in Venezuela, President Trump made an interesting comment: “If any South American country misbehaves toward any European country, let the European country spank it.” While this certainly sounds like something Trump might say, the quote actually belongs to Theodore Roosevelt. It is a reminder that … Continue reading The long shadow of the Monroe Doctrine
Category: Historically Speaking
An Impossible Journey That Helped Win a Revolution
From the Southwest Ledger In the history of great events, there are usually hundreds of smaller moments that make them possible. While those moments are critical at the time, they are often lost to history. Such is the case with the American Revolution, which we are commemorating this year. One of those overlooked events occurred … Continue reading An Impossible Journey That Helped Win a Revolution
When protest threatens democracy
From the Lawton Constitution For me, one of the most important issues we face moving forward is our respect for law and democracy. Whether one agrees with it or not, ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is a legal federal agency carrying out legally authorized duties. To claim otherwise is misleading and, at best, risks … Continue reading When protest threatens democracy
The Pamphlet That Made Our Nation
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
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
Historically Speaking 