Paul Finkelman, Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law, spoke Tuesday night on the Constitution in the era of terrorism.

As a highly respected constitutional historian, Finkelman was selected to speak on topics including First Amendment rights and the idea of ongoing war.

“We live in a time of terror,” he said. “If we are at war with terrorism, and I do not believe terrorism will ever become fully extinct, then we will be perpetually at war,” Finkelman said. “We need to protect our rights and rethink this idea of perpetual war.”

In addition to numerous books he has written analyzing constitutional issues, Finkelman played a large role in the case involving the monument to the Ten Commandments that was erected outside of an Alabama courthouse.

“We possess our rights as what Thomas Jefferson called ‘inalienable rights,'” Finkelman said.

“They are not rights that are given to us but rights that belong to us. The First Amendment doesn’t express what our rights are, but instead establishes limitations on governmental actions that may infringe upon our rights.”

Finkelman also asked students to consider the congressional failure to technically declare war when American troops are deployed worldwide to engage in combat.

“Like most lectures offered at the university, this lecture aimed to encourage students, faculty and staff to think about and discuss a given topic,” said Ricki Shine, program coordinator for the honors program.

“Regardless of an individual’s political leanings, the question of how the Constitution is interpreted to protect individual rights as well as the collective good is important. It’s something we all, as citizens or residents of the United States, should understand.”

With a high audience turnout and positive response to Finkelman’s lecture, the Committee of Lectures expressed an enthusiastic reaction to their role in this year’s Constitution Day celebrations.

The lecture was part of Iowa State’s ninth-annual commemoration of Constitution Day, which is formally recognized Sept. 17 .

“It is up to individual institutions to decide how to celebrate,” Shine said.

“According to a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, most universities are sponsoring a lecture. That is what Iowa State chose to do as well.

“We hope future lectures will focus on constitutional and legal issues as we commemorate Constitution Day in upcoming years,” Shine said.