Book review: ‘Jedediah Smith: No Ordinary Mountain Man’

From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. May 12, 2026 This past semester for my reading seminar class, we read several books about mountain men. We read several about famous mountain men like Davy Crockett, Kit Carson, Hugh Glass, and Jim Bridger. While all these men led extraordinary lives, my personal favorite mountain man … Continue reading Book review: ‘Jedediah Smith: No Ordinary Mountain Man’ →

Clay Shooting

I am on the board of the General Tommy Franks leadership institute. This fundraiser is for a great cause if you enjoy clay shooting. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14M3M34ECNK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Big Beautiful Bill Part X

It’s a rainy Saturday afternoon so I took some time to read a bit more, I’m getting so close. Just waiting for some of my oldest friends to arrive for a visit. It turns out my friend Micky from Virgina actually lived in Chickasha as a kid. I can't wait to show him around. I … Continue reading Big Beautiful Bill Part X →

Big Beautiful Bill Part IX

I am a little behind where I hoped to be, I did not realize how long this would take but I am committed and can’t stop now. I finally got my finals graded and got in a round of golf with my son, so I am back. Everything from last time were all part of … Continue reading Big Beautiful Bill Part IX →

Supreme Court January 6th Decision

Please understand that today’s Supreme Court ruling was not necessarily political, even though most will accuse the high court of being political. This is a legal issue that will set precedent. While they are making judgments about the January 6th riot, what they are really doing is looking at the power of government and does … Continue reading Supreme Court January 6th Decision →

U.S. Constitution 101: Laying a Foundation

From Southwest Ledger I have received a great deal of positive feedback from last week’s article, especially regarding the need for many citizens to retake a civics class. For that, I thank you. As an educator at heart, I would like to conduct an in-depth, multi-installment study of our Constitution. These studies will not be … Continue reading U.S. Constitution 101: Laying a Foundation →

Aldean might be proud to be an Okie from Muskogee

Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. New songs stirring the pot and getting people worked up is nothing new, but every so often a song comes out that stirs the pot in the opposite direction. Most times when musical artists get in trouble over their lyrics it is because they are pushing the boundaries of … Continue reading Aldean might be proud to be an Okie from Muskogee →

I wrote this for the Southwest Ledger https://www.southwestledger.news/news/questioning-constitutionality-religious-charter-schools

Historic Travel-The Rhine

Historic Travel-the Rhine Mark Twine once wrote, ““Germany, in the summer, is the perfection of the beautiful, but nobody has understood, and realized, and enjoyed the utmost possibilities of this soft and peaceful beauty unless he has voyaged down the Neckar on a raft. The motion of a raft is the needful motion; it is … Continue reading Historic Travel-The Rhine →

Historic Travels

Driving in the French country side I was moved to see a field of Poppies. I took these in the Normandy region but am now driving past Verdun that saw so many lives taken needlessly during WWI. We did not stop in Verdun, the tour guide said there was nothing to see. Yet it’s not … Continue reading Historic Travels →