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’
Tag: history
Our nation’s path to Louisiana v. Callais
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. May 10, 2026 So far this year gerrymandering has been one of the dominant stories, as both sides do everything within their power to secure more of their party’s members in Congress in the midterms. I already have written about the Virginia election that enabled the state … Continue reading Our nation’s path to Louisiana v. Callais
Constitution 101: Commerce Clause, Part II
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. May 5, 2026 Last month I wrote that while Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of our Constitution, known as the Commerce Clause, is one of the shortest clauses, its impact is much more prevalent than most. It is so important and has been adjudicated so often … Continue reading Constitution 101: Commerce Clause, Part II
Revisiting the end of History
From Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Historically, the 1990s stand out as a fascinating decade, the one immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. For generations, political theorists had grown up in a world where “containment” defined foreign policy and shaped global strategy. With that structure … Continue reading Revisiting the end of History
Fallen heroes memorial comes to Hobart
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. 7 Over my years of travel, I have had the opportunity to visit many sacred sites. Some of these are sacred to religions, like small temples, giant cathedrals, or the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Other sacred sites are more patriotic, like Arlington National Cemetery, Valley Forge, or … Continue reading Fallen heroes memorial comes to Hobart
From Panama to Tehran: Big stick diplomacy then and now
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Apr 19, 2026 What began as promising negotiations between the United States and Iran earlier this month ended in an impasse. Following a massive U.S. bombing campaign against Iran that began in February, both sides agreed to a two-week ceasefire starting on April 8 to pursue a … Continue reading From Panama to Tehran: Big stick diplomacy then and now
1968 and now: When space united a divided nation
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Apr 12, 2026 Stop me if you’ve heard this one. In the months after a very contentious election, our nation seems more divided than at any time since the decade before the Civil War. The new Republican president is under constant attack for his beliefs. Cultural wars … Continue reading 1968 and now: When space united a divided nation
Constitution 101: The Commerce Clause
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. When studying Congress’ authority and responsibilities in Section 8 of Article I of our Constitution, one of the shortest clauses has become one of the most complicated and litigated in American history. Clause III, known as the Commerce Clause, gives Congress the power “To regulate Commerce with … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Commerce Clause
What Does A ‘Fair Share’ Really Mean?
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 With all the debate about taxation in our state, I’ve been trying to educate myself more to better understand it myself. I’ve also had several discussions with students about ideas like equality and fairness, especially since many of them constantly repeat phrases … Continue reading What Does A ‘Fair Share’ Really Mean?
The First Amendment: America’s Unique Foundation of Freedom
From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 29, 2026 When I teach about the American Revolution, I explain that it initially began as a fight for the colonists’ rights as British subjects that later turned into a revolution for independence. Even among the patriots in the colonies, many believed the British Empire was … Continue reading The First Amendment: America’s Unique Foundation of Freedom
Historically Speaking 