President Obama recently made headlines with some off-the-cuff historical commentary at the National Prayer Breakfast. In discussing the challenge posed by terrorist groups like ISIS, Obama cautioned: “Lest we get on our high horse and think (violence in the name of faith) is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people … Continue reading Interpreting Obama’s History Lesson on the Crusades
Month: February 2015
How Much Can We Really Learn from History?
“Why do we bother to study the past?” Like many other teachers, I sometimes begin the new school year by putting this question to my eager young pupils. It could be considered The Great Challenge of All History Teachers Everywhere—getting kids to see the relevance of something that happened a thousand years ago, when they (like most of us) … Continue reading How Much Can We Really Learn from History?
Conflict, the Constitution, and Compromise: Six Takeaways from Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Many Americans are frustrated by the gridlock and lack of cooperation in Washington. Some blame Republican “obstructionists” in Congress, while others point to an insular and dysfunctional White House. There have even been attempts to lay our current troubles at the feet of James Madison, Father of the Constitution. But does it really have to … Continue reading Conflict, the Constitution, and Compromise: Six Takeaways from Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
The Front Porch Philosopher 