Watching the news unfold about the attack on Iran, I find myself both excited and confused. The excitement is easy to understand; there is the possibility...
When our Founders drafted the Constitution, they envisioned three branches of government with equal strength, balanced by a system of checks and balances. Yet they clearly...
During our recent political difficulties, it has become increasingly hard to keep up with the lingo—especially the labels. For example, what’s the difference between a colonialist...
One of the most interesting perspectives when traveling in Europe is the sense of time. Many cities are divided between “old” and “new” sections, and what...
This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, let’s not forget other important events that shaped our nation, not politically, but culturally. Two hundred...
One of the primary goals of our Founders in writing the Constitution was to limit governmental authority. While they recognized the need for a stronger federal...
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” This famous line, attributed to Thomas Jefferson, has...
When it comes to the situation in Venezuela, President Trump made an interesting comment: “If any South American country misbehaves toward any European country, let the...
I remember attending a training session in college that included a presentation on sexual assault. At one point, the speaker advised women to be cautious about...
In the history of great events, there are usually hundreds of smaller moments that make them possible. While those moments are critical at the time, they...
For me, one of the most important issues we face moving forward is our respect for the law and democracy. Whether one agrees with it or...
On the first day of class each semester, when discussing expectations, I tell my students that the most important thing I hope they learn is how...
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...
“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...
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...
This Christmas, one of the things I’m most grateful for is technology. As a fan of Christmas music, I love being able to create a playlist...
As the story of a University of Oklahoma student receiving a zero on an assignment for citing the Bible has become a major national headline, I...
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...
There has been a lot of discussion lately about shows like “South Park” and whether they push their content too far. This year, especially, the show...
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...
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...
One of my all-time favorite movies, “Hoosiers,” is a perfect example of a David and Goliath movie where a small-town basketball team in Indiana makes it...
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,...
One of the biggest differences between traveling abroad and traveling domestically is seeing armed soldiers at airports and on the streets in most other nations. While...
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...
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...
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...
Two years ago, as I sat in an airport, distraught and brokenhearted, I tried to distract myself by watching a young mother struggle with a couple...
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...
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...