From Southwest Ledger Amongst the many perceived controversies of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president are some of his choices for cabinet secretaries. Of the 15 secretary positions, so far 11 have been confirmed by the Senate including controversial nominees like Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and … Continue reading Controversy over Cabinet Secretary Choices is Nothing New in American History
Category: Historically Speaking
Pardoning Proves Power of Presidency
From Southwest Ledger December 2024 and January 2025 may possibly go down in history as one of the most politically significant moments in recent history. In December then-President Joe Biden broke a record by issuing pardons or commuted sentences of more than 1,500 people. Several of his pardons were preemptive ones for family members and … Continue reading Pardoning Proves Power of Presidency
Constitution 101: Senate Qualifications Clause
From Southwest Ledger As our Founding Fathers were discussing the creation of the Senate, or upper house in Congress, they had to consider qualifications for members to hold such important positions. What they determined constitutes Article I, Section III, Clause III, of the Constitution or what is known as the Senate Qualification Clause. This clause … Continue reading Constitution 101: Senate Qualifications Clause
Birthright citizenship among barrage of challenging executive orders
From Southwest Ledger I have spent more class time discussing the barrage of executive orders and pardons from both the outgoing and incoming presidents this week. As a federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order to change birthright citizenship, that topic seems to be the best place to begin. I should mention that I … Continue reading Birthright citizenship among barrage of challenging executive orders
No taxation without representation was not only for the American Revolution
From Southwest Ledger “No taxation without representation” may be one of the most famous sayings in American history. Although the phrase had its roots in the Glorious Revolution and was an inspiration behind the American Revolution, and just about every elementary student can repeat it, with recent toll increases in Oklahoma, it seems to have … Continue reading No taxation without representation was not only for the American Revolution
Jan. 6 marks first time since 2000 that Democrats have not challenged Republican victory in Electoral College
From Southwest Ledger January 6, 2025, was an important day as a joint Congress confirmed the electoral votes certifying that Donald Trump was indeed the newly elected President of the United States. Much was made this year of the difference between this meeting and the one four years ago where protesters stormed the Capitol to … Continue reading Jan. 6 marks first time since 2000 that Democrats have not challenged Republican victory in Electoral College
Constitution 101: Senate Composition and Vacancy Clauses
From Southwest Ledger Section III of Article I of the Constitution is all about the Senate. When reading the original Section III before modern amendments, right away one might notice some differences in the Senate today from when the Founders created it, and I have found that most Americans are surprised. Article I, Section III, … Continue reading Constitution 101: Senate Composition and Vacancy Clauses
2024: A Year of Political Whirlwinds, Conflicts, and Transitions of Power
From Southwest Ledger As we come to the close of 2024, it is worth looking back over this year at some of the highs and lows. Being an election year, and a historical one at that, with only the second time a president has served two nonsequential terms, it is probably not a surprise that … Continue reading 2024: A Year of Political Whirlwinds, Conflicts, and Transitions of Power
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
From Southwest Ledger Being that this has been a tumultuous year for many, I thought I would share a Christmas message of hope. It is not a happy message per say, but one of peace. As an American Civil War historian, one of my favorite Christmas songs is, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” … Continue reading I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Dorothy’s Incredible Journey To Oz Is Much More Than A Fun Story
From Southwest Ledger As I sat in the theater with the rest of the nation this past week watching “Wicked,” I was happy to see the movie pay homage to its past. Whether it was the stars of the original Broadway cast of “Wicked” getting cameos, seeing the movie title in the same font as … Continue reading Dorothy’s Incredible Journey To Oz Is Much More Than A Fun Story
Historically Speaking 