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
Tag: politics
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
Kimmel, Colbert, Cancel Culture and First Amendment Challenges
From the Southwest Ledger When I first started college, I, like many others my age, really enjoyed “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Stewart was not only smart, but I enjoyed the satirical way he looked at politics. Yet things began to change once George W. Bush was elected.Instead of being just lighthearted and funny, … Continue reading Kimmel, Colbert, Cancel Culture and First Amendment Challenges
Conservative free speech advocate killed in Utah
From Southwest Ledger One of the principal difficulties in George Washington’s presidency was dealing with the French Revolution and whether we should support their fight. While Washington’s cabinet was divided on the issue, one important player from the revolution was not. Written in 1776, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” may be the most important document written … Continue reading Conservative free speech advocate killed in Utah
National Guard troops policing capital not unprecedented, history shows
From the Southwest Ledger On Aug. 11, President Trump ordered around 800 National Guard troops to assume control of policing our nation’s capital — something that was done frequently in the 1960s but had not been done since the Nixon administration. According to CBS News, crime has fallen since the takeover, including violent crime down … Continue reading National Guard troops policing capital not unprecedented, history shows
Constitution 101: Journal and Adjournment Clauses
Article I, Section 5, Clauses 3 and 4 of our Constitution proves there are some areas of the government where everyone actually can agree — well almost. Clause 3 states, “Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment … Continue reading Constitution 101: Journal and Adjournment Clauses
Gerrymandering. It’s nothing new, but its effects are always decided by the majority.
From Southwest Ledger “The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy” is one of my favorite quotes from a Founding Father and one that I use whenever I teach about the Constitution. The quote by our most underrated founder, Elbridge Gerry, shows how the founders were cautious of protecting the government from the … Continue reading Gerrymandering. It’s nothing new, but its effects are always decided by the majority.
Are we simply choosing to ignore the diamond anniversary of a forgotten war?
From Southwest LedgerHow many are surprised to know that this summer marked the 75th anniversary of the start of a war that claimed the lives of more than 36,000 Americans?If this had been a major anniversary of the American Civil War or World War II there would be ceremonies and parades, yet with the Korean … Continue reading Are we simply choosing to ignore the diamond anniversary of a forgotten war?
Historically Speaking 