From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. It’s amazing how much power seven little words strung together can have, especially when, on the surface, they seem rather benign. Yet Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 simply states that Congress has the power “To establish Post Offices and post Roads.” The Constitution’s postal power was … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Postal Clause
Tag: history
Voltron and immigration
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. When I was a young kid, one of my favorite cartoons was “Voltron.” Looking back now, it had a very simple plot, almost comically so. In every episode, some type of monster would threaten Earth, and the five main characters attacked them in their flying robot lions. … Continue reading Voltron and immigration
William Morgan and the Anti-Mason Party
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Historian’s View Over the years, there have been several murders that affected the course of our political history. Most of these are well known, such as the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy. Rarely, however, has the disappearance and presumed murder of a relatively unknown … Continue reading William Morgan and the Anti-Mason Party
America 250: ‘I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country’
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’
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
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
Historic Travels: Pierre’s Hole, Idaho
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. One of my favorite periods in history is the golden age of the mountain man. It’s what I want to be when I grow up, but I’m afraid my wife won’t let me. Being one of my favorite subjects, I have visited the sites of some of … Continue reading Historic Travels: Pierre’s Hole, Idaho
Constitution 101: The Coinage Clause
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 In a 2023 Saturday Night Live sketch, George Washington, played by comedian Nate Bargatze, tries to motivate his troops during a desperate moment in the Revolutionary War. Washington told them they were fighting for a country of their own, a nation where … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Coinage Clause
