Every day in my American Civ class I begin the morning asking if anyone has any questions, not just about what we studied the day before, but about what is going on in the world. I believe the purpose of this class is to study the past to explain the present. Some classes are better … Continue reading Alien Enemies Act
Tag: Trump
DOGE Underscores Gradual Power Shift Between Legislative, Executive Branches
From Southwest Ledger This may be the most difficult column I have ever written. When it comes to the Department of Government Efficiency, I really have no idea what’s going on. How is that for an opener? What makes me feel better is I don’t think anyone else really has an idea of what is … Continue reading DOGE Underscores Gradual Power Shift Between Legislative, Executive Branches
Controversy over Cabinet Secretary Choices is Nothing New in American History
From Southwest Ledger Amongst the many perceived controversies of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president are some of his choices for cabinet secretaries. Of the 15 secretary positions, so far 11 have been confirmed by the Senate including controversial nominees like Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and … Continue reading Controversy over Cabinet Secretary Choices is Nothing New in American History
Birthright citizenship among barrage of challenging executive orders
From Southwest Ledger I have spent more class time discussing the barrage of executive orders and pardons from both the outgoing and incoming presidents this week. As a federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order to change birthright citizenship, that topic seems to be the best place to begin. I should mention that I … Continue reading Birthright citizenship among barrage of challenging executive orders
2024: A Year of Political Whirlwinds, Conflicts, and Transitions of Power
From Southwest Ledger As we come to the close of 2024, it is worth looking back over this year at some of the highs and lows. Being an election year, and a historical one at that, with only the second time a president has served two nonsequential terms, it is probably not a surprise that … Continue reading 2024: A Year of Political Whirlwinds, Conflicts, and Transitions of Power
Constitution 101: House Vacancy, Impeachment Clauses
From Southwest Ledger Article I, Section II of the U.S. Constitution is all about the House of Representatives. While the first three clauses attract most the attention and discuss the setup of the House, the last two clauses are equally important and deal with vacancies in the House and that body’s role in impeachment. It … Continue reading Constitution 101: House Vacancy, Impeachment Clauses
“It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose”
From Southwest Ledger Unfortunately, assassination attempts are not new to our nation. In a time of such hatred, when each side sees the other as evil, it is no surprise that an attempt was made towards Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. When discussing assassinations, most historians focus on the death of the four … Continue reading “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose”
Absolute v. Qualified Immunity: Examining Executive Vesting, Separation of Powers Clauses
From Southwest Ledger Starting with the Jefferson administration, the courts have recognized two types of immunity: absolute and qualified. Absolute is just how it sounds, absolute redress regardless of motive or action. Qualified is also how it sounds, it’s a limited protection. For this, the person accused must demonstrate they acted with the belief their … Continue reading Absolute v. Qualified Immunity: Examining Executive Vesting, Separation of Powers Clauses
Challenge Examined in Sooner State’s Congressional Primary
From Southwest Ledger Next week Oklahomans will take to the polls to choose their party’s candidates for several positions including the U.S. House of Representatives. The presumptive winners will most likely come from the Republican Party, so they have garnered most of the attention.As per the U.S. Constitution, members of the House serve two-year terms, … Continue reading Challenge Examined in Sooner State’s Congressional Primary
Reviewing “For the Love of Country:Leave the Democratic Party Behind”
From Southwest Ledger Stop me if you have heard this before. The Democratic Party is threatening our freedom and democracy. Its leaders care more about power than safety. By trying to remove Donald Trump from the election ballot they are killing the democratic process. They are using the criminal justice system as a tool against … Continue reading Reviewing “For the Love of Country:Leave the Democratic Party Behind”
Historically Speaking 