July 4, 2026
"Which is better — to be ruled by one tyrant 3,000 miles away or by 3,000 tyrants one mile away?" — Rev. Mather Byles (1706-1788) Does it really matter if the instrument curtailing liberty is a monarch or a popularly elected legislature? This conundrum, along with the...
Nearly 250 years in the making, new Baton Rouge Revolutionary War marker vanished in 3 days
Three years of planning and fundraising to commemorate an obscure but major piece in America's 250th celebration was wiped out in just three days. The story starts before the American Revolution. The British built Fort Bute at the confluence of Bayou Manchac and the...
The Issue is Israel
The little girl had to go to the bathroom. They went into the cafe, one of a small chain, and the barista was happy to help. The father, who wasn't really thirsty, bought a cup of coffee anyway and added a tip to thank her. A few hours later, a picture of the man,...
News From Around the South, 6/22 to 6/29
SOUTH CAROLINA: He died fighting for America’s independence at 14. He’s only just been identified Thirteen of America’s first ever veterans lie beneath a towering pine forest that was once the site of one of the Revolutionary War’s bloodiest battles, names lost to...
War and Constitutional Indifference
Since its inception, the government of the United States has inexorably exceeded its powers under the Constitution. All three branches have been complicit in a consistent pattern of constitutional indifference. Congress has regulated in areas of governance nowhere...
Charleston in Revolt, 1775–1783
Excitement is growing as we begin 2026 as this year will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our nation. America 250 has designated Charleston, along with Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, as cities for enhanced...
How To Keep Loving America — Even When It Hurts
The approach of July 4 is making my heart hurt. Love of this country is deep-dyed in my soul, but pondering how or even whether to celebrate the semiquincentennial provokes a riot of mixed feelings. The right — and not just the MAGA right — responds to any queasiness...
News From Around the South, 6/15 to 6/22
SOUTH CAROLINA: Remains of teen soldier who died in Battle of Camden identified 246 years later SC Battlefield Preservation Trust helped complete Maryland teen’s story A Texas-based forensics company has solved a vexing mystery, identifying the long-buried remains of...
A Republic or an Empire?
The Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, embraces two value sets. The first is natural rights, and the second is limited government. After 250 years, neither value has survived, and the opposite of each currently prevails in America. Thomas Jefferson drafted...
Battlefields Mean Business
Battlefield parks preserve stories of conflict, sacrifice and transformation while also serving as public spaces that attract visitors, support tourism and contribute to local and regional economies. They're also a billion-dollar business. Understanding this range of...
Obiter Dicta
“Which is better — to be ruled by one tyrant 3,000 miles away or by 3,000 tyrants one mile away?” Read More
Recent Posts
SOUTH CAROLINA: He died fighting for America’s independence at 14. He’s only just been identified Thirteen of America’s first ever veterans lie beneath a towering pine forest that was once Read More