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
Tag: politics
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
From Schenck to today: When political rhetoric edges toward dangerous lines
As a Civil War historian, I’m often asked how close we are to repeating 1860. My answer has always been that we aren’t there yet, but we are edging closer to the 1850s. A recent example of this rising partisanship came last month when six Democrats released a video urging U.S. troops to refuse presidential … Continue reading From Schenck to today: When political rhetoric edges toward dangerous lines
Constitution 101: The Ineligibility and Incompatibility Clauses
From Southwest Ledger When the American colonies first clashed with Britain over taxation, much of their frustration focused on Charles Townshend and later Frederick North. Both men served simultaneously as members of Parliament and as Chancellor of the Exchequer. In American terms, this would be like someone serving as a senator while also acting as … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Ineligibility and Incompatibility Clauses
The cost of misusing history in our political debates
From the Southwest Ledger I had an interesting experience in class last week; one I hope won’t get me in too much trouble. As the semester is winding down, one of my classes was giving presentations on their research projects. Two students happened to present on Nazis. Both did an excellent job; their work was … Continue reading The cost of misusing history in our political debates
Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate
From Southwest Ledger https://www.southwestledger.news/opinion/constitution-101-privileges-immunities-and-debate Over the years, I have come to realize that many of my students know little about the U.S. Constitution. And even as I speak to older generations, I realize parts of the Constitution are somewhat foreign to them as well. Most know the basics and major clauses, but there is so … Continue reading Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate
Open primary voting and ending party choice? Not here.
From Southwest Ledger Next year, Oklahomans will have the opportunity to go to the polls and basically decide if the Republican Party will still be allowed to choose its own candidates for state elections. While this is being touted as closed versus open primary elections, it is more complicated than that.As the U.S. Supreme Court … Continue reading Open primary voting and ending party choice? Not here.
Constitution 101: Congressional Pay Clause
From Southwest Ledger We have come to the juicy part of our Constitution where members of Congress get paid. Congressional salaries have come under great scrutiny since our nation was founded. Lately, with the administration’s appointments and confirmation hearings, some may say, “Congress spends too much time investigating the people when someone should be investigating … Continue reading Constitution 101: Congressional Pay Clause
Historically Speaking 