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The Second and Third Amendments to the Constitution

There were no British soldiers in the American colonies for 130 years. Colonists distrusted soldiers due to stories of brutality against civilians by soldiers under orders of tyrannical kings in Europe. They most feared the housing of soldiers in their homes. Colonials provided for their own defense by organizing themselves into local militias, training with their weapons, and serving when called. They envisioned their militias as protection against a military state as well as protection against native peoples. In 1754 the French and Indian War began. Almost 20,000 British soldiers ...

Why U.S. manufacturing?

A few years ago, I did an interview for the University of Colorado student radio station. They wanted to know more about energy, especially gas and oil. In the middle of the interview, the host stops me and says, “Did you hear what he just said, dear friends?” I’m thinking, Now what! The host continued, “We don’t like wells or petrochemical plants, but we like our skis, our climbing ropes, our cars and our cell phones. If we are going to have those things, doesn’t it make sense, like Mr. Kozera said, that they be made in the USA under U.S. environmental law where they can ...

Two patriots and a liquor license

Sometimes history research happens by accident. One day I noticed a framed document at the Wine Cellar Restaurant. I squinted at the yellowed paper. It was a liquor license dated 1793. Below is the wording: To Whom It May Concern Know Ye that Josiah Munro having obtained a ...

MOV Climate Corner: Why not West Virginia? A comparison

As a lifelong West Virginian, I have a soft spot for seeing my state succeed. With all of its grit, tenacity and work ethic, there’s no reason that West Virginia shouldn’t be a national leader in many respects. But yet, we see our state struggle to keep up as new opportunities arise, trading in progress for the same old, worn out tagline. We all know the jingle. “Coal is West Virginia,” right? Over the last four years, America has been at an important moment for innovation and expansion of the clean energy economy. For all its supposed faults, the Inflation Reduction Act ...

Young drummers helped honor Civil War encamped in Marietta in 1903

Thousands of veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic descended on Marietta in May of 1903 to reflect on their service and honor those who had died in the Civil War. Decades after the north and the south reunited, veterans of the conflict were still gathering from time to time to ...

Teach the meaning of legacy to our children

What legacy do you want to leave for your children? As parents we do our best to teach our children what is right and what is wrong. Tell your child: You’re strong and you’re brave and you are so loved, more than you ever know you are worthy and you are one of a kind and I know, ...