This week I have noted: a slow springtime in the mountains; whipped-cream clouds; anti-everything; to leave or not; do not call exemptions; other down-ballot distaff candidates; your work week; Austria, 2016; Brexit, Jun 23, 2016.

Tulip and daffodil time. Living in Denver, but spending time in Breckenridge, I have a "foot in both camps," so to speak. At this time of year the city temperatures are hovering in the 70s, the tulips and daffodils have come and gone, the irises are particularly prolific this year, the early-leafing trees are already providing mid-day shade, and the rest are budding nicely. One of the aspens in front of the house is its usual late budding-self.
     In Breckenridge, most of the aspens have buds, but planting anything except pansies is out of the question. After all, there have been several snow squalls the last few afternoons and temperatures still dip near/below freezing at night. In another ten days or so, the usual hanging baskets will begin to appear on the light poles in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Silverthorne. The cool temperatures in late spring and summer make for spectacular flowering baskets on every light pole. One restaurant in Breckenridge is noted for having one side of its building totally covered with floral plantings.

Springtime clouds. The weather patterns have changed, resulting in the puffy, white, whipped cream-like clouds that tower over the plains. They don't always turn black and threatening. If you are flying, you can sometimes watch out the window as your pilot glides between these large cotton balls.

The anti-s have it. This political season is shaping up to be decidedly negative: anti-establishment, anti-immigration, anti-Muslim, etc. You can, if you wish, add your own flavor of anti-.  An article in Roll Call comments on the current feelings by the only two Muslim members of Congress. It is a comment on America's diversity that the first Muslim elected to Congress, Keith Ellison, is an African American representing Minnesota's 5th congressional district on the east side of Minneapolis.
     Ellison is a member of MN's Democratic party, formally known there as the Democratic-Farm-Labor party. Rep. Ellison says that this current presidential cycle is bringing out candidates who want to divide Americans "on any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," i.e. to be elected or re-elected.

The current political cycle attracts candidates who want to divide Americans on "any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," Ellison said.  - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/anti-muslim-rhetoric-trump-muslim-congressmen-ellison-carson-islam-election?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.3zutHAT5.dpuf

the two Muslim members of Congress want Americans to know that it’s not just Trump.

“Anti-Muslim hate spikes with the presidential cycle,” said Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, at an event at the National Press Club Tuesday.

The current political cycle attracts candidates who want to divide Americans on "any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," Ellison said.  - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/anti-muslim-rhetoric-trump-muslim-congressmen-ellison-carson-islam-election?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.3zutHAT5.dpuf

Moving time? The late night talk show hosts have been making the most of the talk about a Trump victory spawning a flood of Americans moving north to Canada. Everyone forgets that "you can run, but you can't hide" from the IRS. On a more serious note, though, the travel industry may reap a short term benefit from this very anti- presidential cycle. Vote as early as possible can by absentee ballot, then escape the deluge of unsolicited robo-phone calls and pervasive TV ads with an extended absence to ....? Well, wherever you want.
      You can even use this link to obtain instructions for voting abroad. There is a Federal Post Card Application that may work in your state. If you are really interested, check the FAQs section at the website. In 2012, I voted early and went to the Caribbean. Of course, upon returning I did have to empty my landline's "missed calls" queue, a small price to pay, though.

No Call list. The fact that you are troubled by unwanted phone calls is just a reminder that Congress has used its prerogative to write numerous exceptions into the national "do not call" law. Hence, those unsolicited calls from Candidate X, political party Y, and Charity Z. You can write a disparaging missive to your congressional representative and both senators, then set your answering machine for as few rings as possible and let calls to to voice mail. I have found that "their machine" usually knows that it has reached "your machine" and they automatically disconnect. Besides, if Aunt Lucy calls and you don't get to the phone in time, she will leave a message and you can call her back.

the two Muslim members of Congress want Americans to know that it’s not just Trump.

“Anti-Muslim hate spikes with the presidential cycle,” said Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, at an event at the National Press Club Tuesday.

The current political cycle attracts candidates who want to divide Americans on "any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," Ellison said.  - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/anti-muslim-rhetoric-trump-muslim-congressmen-ellison-carson-islam-election?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.CEUOnaF7.dpuf

the two Muslim members of Congress want Americans to know that it’s not just Trump.

“Anti-Muslim hate spikes with the presidential cycle,” said Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, at an event at the National Press Club Tuesday.

The current political cycle attracts candidates who want to divide Americans on "any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," Ellison said.  - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/anti-muslim-rhetoric-trump-muslim-congressmen-ellison-carson-islam-election?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.CEUOnaF7.dpuf

the two Muslim members of Congress want Americans to know that it’s not just Trump.

“Anti-Muslim hate spikes with the presidential cycle,” said Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, at an event at the National Press Club Tuesday.

The current political cycle attracts candidates who want to divide Americans on "any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," Ellison said.  - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/anti-muslim-rhetoric-trump-muslim-congressmen-ellison-carson-islam-election?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.CEUOnaF7.dpuf

the two Muslim members of Congress want Americans to know that it’s not just Trump.

“Anti-Muslim hate spikes with the presidential cycle,” said Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, at an event at the National Press Club Tuesday.

The current political cycle attracts candidates who want to divide Americans on "any basis that they can in order to achieve electoral success," Ellison said.  - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/anti-muslim-rhetoric-trump-muslim-congressmen-ellison-carson-islam-election?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.CEUOnaF7.dpuf

The other female progressives. Lest you think Hillary is alone, there are more than a few other progressive women running for political office, all hoping the down-ballot syndrome does not jeopardize their quest.

With money in the bank, the next thing incumbents want is time to campaign. The Boehner era gave them a steady stream of three-day work weeks that allowed for more time at home with constituents. In 2014,  the House had 113 works days scheduled  for the year even before Boehner canceled the last week of session to let members get home to campaign. - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/opinion/john-boehners-parting-gift-gop-knuckleheads-reelection-republican-house?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.zvcNIvAo.dpuf

Your work week. According to an article in [Congressional] Roll Call, in 2014, the US House had a tough schedule -- 113 work days, but then Speaker John Boehner cancelled the entire last week of the session. A steady string of three day work weeks allowed for lots of face time with constituents and, of course, money raising. As George Gershwin wrote, "Nice work if you can get it......"

Austria, 84 years later. All of Europe watched as Austrians went to the polls on Sunday, May 22nd, then breathed a sigh of relief. The far-right candidate who had been thought to have a chance of being elected chancellor was defeated. Nevertheless, the closeness of the results served as yet another reminder that right-wing fervor is remains a concern in all of Europe.
     Many Europeans were probably remembering the German election of 1932 and then January 1933 when re-elected German president Hindenburg appointed an Austrian, Adolph Hitler (just recently-made German), as chancellor. It was all downhill from there.

Brexit, 23 June 2016. (That is the day-month-year format for a date used across the pond.) And 26 June is surely an important date for Great Britain, indeed, for all of Europe. This is the day Brits vote on whether or not to remain in, or exit from, the European Union. In yet another column, American conservative George Will comes down on the exit side of the question.
     He sees no possibility of, indeed no good reason to have, a Europe-wide democracy. "The idea of a continent-wide European democracy presupposes the existence of a single European demos, the nonexistence of which can be confirmed by a drive from, say, Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic." [Emphasis added, to draw the reader's attention to the line from Winston Churchill's famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, 5 March 1946.] Europe is indeed diverse and enmities from the past still linger.

Thank you for reading. Enjoy the first week of June.

These items are noted this week: Sanders vs Clinton; it's all in the name; white flag; Document 9; a test for voters?; what's in a word?; Vietnam revisited; do you have a card?

Violence on the left. Just after last week's blog was posted, this story about possible Democratic violence was noted in the daily [Congressional] Roll Call. There have been physical scuffles and confrontations aplenty at Trump rallies. Among Democrats, however, the conflicts between the Clinton and Sanders supporters have been only noisy and loud. Apparently that ended in Nevada.

New at the Library of Congress. It is not often that the venerable Library of Congress makes waves. However, the Library's decision to revise some of its search terms has raised hackles with some in Congress. For example, to be politically correct or not?  "Illegal alien" is being replaced with "undocumented immigrant" and "alien" with "non-citizen."  Really now, might not the the mythical purple people eater become upset, even depressed at being improperly labeled?
     A total of 6,900 search headings are being reviewed. A recent appropriations bill introduced this past week would mandate that the Library return to its previous category search headings. "The times, they are a'changin."

Surrender and fall in line. To what purpose? One after another, Republican senators and representatives are beginning to line up to declare their fealty to Donald Trump. Forget that not all that long ago many of them had only excoriating words, phrases, sentences for him. Even as Trump inveighs against it, these about-faces are "business as usual" on Capitol Hill.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The so called "Document 9" has surfaced in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Revolution. It is clear that the CCP remains deathly afraid of  -- and will forcefully oppose and suppress -- any organized dissent to its dominant role. Even an organized meditation and exercise program, the Falun Gong, has been deemed anti-social, a potential threat due to its size, independence from the state, and spiritual teachings. 
     If you have never read CCP publications, use the link and read as much as you want, can stomach. It is quite fanciful. During the cold war, the CCP used the literal translation of a pejorative term from the Qing Dynasty ("running dogs") to refer to any nation allied with America.

Citizen voters. In last Saturday's Washington Post, columnist David Harsanyi opined "We must weed out ignorant Americans from the electorate." That headline surely raised some hackles, on both the left and right, though I suspect those on the left felt most offended. Reading further, they would have found Haranyi was all in favor of making it easier to gain rightful access to the ballot, but he then questioned whether the average American voter "knew enough" to make responsible ballot choices. He noted several surveys indicating a larger than you would like percentage of the participants might not have been able to pass the test required of very new would-be citizen.

Let’s also remember that checking a box for the candidate whose campaign ads you like best is one of the most overrated obligations of the self-governed. If you have no clue what the hell is going on, you also have a civic duty to avoid subjecting the rest of us to your ignorance....To be fair, the contemporary electorate is probably no less ignorant today than it was 50 or 100 years ago. [emphasis added The difference is that now we have unlimited access to information. As James Madison wrote, “A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both.”

Indeed, this former social studies teacher wonders how many seniors graduating from a Colorado high school could pass the citizenship test -- even though graduates are required to take at least one class in American government.

In late March, the library announced that it would fine-tune search terms , including changing the term “aliens” to “noncitizens” and “illegal immigration” to “unauthorized immigration.”   - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/illegal-alien-language-ordered-spending-bill?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.Qa3LCLAp.dpuf

The words: stone waller, shape-shifter, liar? In a recent column, Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus discussed the verbal and policy twists and turns political candidates make on their way to the office. "All politicians deflect unwanted questions and demands for information (stonewaller). All evolve, if not outright flip-flop (shape-shifter). All, at times, say things that turn out to be untrue (liar)."
     I first encountered the term shape-shifter in a western mystery novel about the Navajos by Tony Hillerman. The Navajo concept was, of course, more spiritual, a far cry from the crass concept to which Ms. Marcus alluded.

Once an enemy, now a friend?  President Obama traveled to Vietnam early this week. Among the official news items was the announcement that the US would end its forty year-old arms embargo on Vietnam. In attempting to pivot our foreign policy away towards Asia, Mr. Obama is obviously searching for new allies. Vietnam is an obvious choice. In declaring a new friendship for an old enemy, the US (1) acknowledges the changed circumstances in Asia, (2) plays to the ancient (if unspoken) enmity between Vietnam and China, and (3) seeks to encourage Vietnam's interesting mix of capitalism and one-party state management.

Organ transplants. I do not know about you, but my CO driver's license has a red heart on the front, which indicates I am a potential organ donor. Advances in medial technology have made transplants more readily available, more likely to succeed. Interestingly, one major advance involves how the donations are cared for and monitored during transportation.

term “aliens” to “noncitizens” and “illegal immigration” to “unauthorized immigration.”   - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/illegal-alien-language-ordered-spending-bill?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.Qa3LCLAp.dpuf

In late March, the library announced that it would fine-tune search terms , including changing the term “aliens” to “noncitizens” and “illegal immigration” to “unauthorized immigration.”   - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/illegal-alien-language-ordered-spending-bill?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.Qa3LCLAp.dpu

In late March, the library announced that it would fine-tune search terms , including changing the term “aliens” to “noncitizens” and “illegal immigration” to “unauthorized immigration.”   - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/illegal-alien-language-ordered-spending-bill?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.Qa3LCLAp.dpuf

term “aliens” to “noncitizens” and “illegal immigration” to “unauthorized immigration.”   - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/illegal-alien-language-ordered-spending-bill?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.Qa3LCLAp.dpuf

"Having seen up close the lack of conscience or concern for the ramifications of their actions—indeed, the glee with which they engaged in such destructive behavior—we expect similar tactics at the National Convention in July," wrote Nevada party counsel Bradley Schrager in a letter dated Monday. - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/reids-nevada-democrats-warn-dnc-violence-sanders-supporters?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.GEai9vSF.dpuf

"Having seen up close the lack of conscience or concern for the ramifications of their actions—indeed, the glee with which they engaged in such destructive behavior—we expect similar tactics at the National Convention in July," wrote Nevada party counsel Bradley Schrager in a letter dated Monday. - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/reids-nevada-democrats-warn-dnc-violence-sanders-supporters?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email#sthash.GEai9vSF.dpuf

Thank you for reading. Enjoy the week ahead.

Here are this week's items: a local concert; the new consumer; the non-summer of 1816; notable anniversaries; first Americans; North Korea's 1%-ers; in Denver a noted passing.

The Aurora Symphony Orchestra (ASO).  For more than thirty years the ASO has been bringing classical music to the community. This season's last concert was representative: a piece composed by an orchestra member, Stravinsky, and Beethoven's 5th. The present conductor, from Costa Rico, is in his second year and chosen by ASO members from among five applicants. A major ongoing  problem is finding a permanent performance location.

Not your old box store. Quarterly financial reports for many American standards (e.g. Macy's, Best Buy, etc.) are down, some by at least 40%. The linked article notes, "The [old school store] industry is suddenly awash in talk about being “overstored,” too many physical outlets chasing too few shoppers." Store closings will, of course, have repercussions for both the particular chains and their communities.

A summer of winter. Two hundred years ago, snow fell unexpectedly over New England. The US experienced its coolest, cloudiest summer in hundreds of years. Unbeknownst to much of the world, in Indonesia, Mt. Tambora had erupted in what many scientists believe remains the most violent explosive event in recent world history. Untold millions of tons of soot and ash were spewed miles up into the atmosphere. Asia went dark! Weather and agriculture were effected worldwide.
     Most Americans do not realize that the our beloved, much visited Yellowstone National Park (the first) sits atop a massive volcanic caldera and potential super volcano. Volcanologists are certain that if Yellowstone were to erupt, the resultant event would prove catastrophic for much of the US -- not to mention its world-wide effect.

Anniversaries: May 14th: In 1948, Israel is "born" and recognized almost immediately by President Truman. Hence, this is also the date that our involvement with (nay embroilment in) the ongoing Arab-Israeli situation. In 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition, destined for the Pacific coast, left their camp near present-day Hartford, IL.
     May 16, 1966: The not-so-nice so-called Cultural Revolution began in Communist China, heralding the "Little Red Book" era and the deaths of untold hundreds of thousands. Occasionally some repercussions of those troubled times still resound in Chinese policies.

First (Native) Americans. The story and dispute continues: when/where did early man arrive in the western hemisphere? Among archaeologists there are generally the "Clovis" and the "pre-Clovis" schools of thought. The link above describes yet another, older (?) site which appears to suggest another  pre-Clovis site has been uncovered, this one in Florida.
     Archaeology's dating tools/techniques continue to improve, further fueling this long standing, not always "gentlemanly," dispute. Much as in politics and foreign relations, archaeologists have tended to become "linked" to this or that theory and school of thought. Foolishly, professional reputations are thought to be at stake.
     FYI, the term "First Americans" is used by our neighbors to the north in Canada. Here in the States, we've adopted "Native Americans." 

The ultra-rich in North Korea. We mostly associate North Korea with a tragically failed command economy, extreme poverty, outright starvation, a dictatorial family dynasty, and a troubling nascent nuclear program. Scattered, irregular reports from foreign visitors and defectors tell of growing economic disparity in the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).

North Korea now has a 1 percent. And you’ll find them in“Pyonghattan,” the parallel ­universe inhabited by the rich kids of the Democratic People’s Republic....[The country] as a whole remains economically backward — industry has all but collapsed, and even in Pyongyang, the official salary remains less than $10 a month — but the rise in recent years of a merchant class has created a whole layer of nouveaux rich in the capital city.

Looking back, much the same disparity developed in communist Russia, becoming one of the factors in the ultimate demise of the USSR. The Soviet communist party, indeed non-party elites in all tightly controlled countries, develop their own parallel social and economic universes little resembling those of the workers. For example, the average Russian could never have hoped to own a car; rather, they crowed onto ever more crowded subways, trams, and buses. All the while the elite sped around Moscow and the other larger cities using their "private" restricted center lanes.

Sister Brendan Jordan. Sadly, last Sunday (5/15), I received an email from a retired colleague telling me that Sr. Brendan, a beloved member of the Mullen High School community, had passed away. The email noted that a dinner and mass had been scheduled at the Church of the Risen Christ to celebrate Sr. Brendan's upcoming retirement. It continued, saying that Sr. B would have enjoyed the dinner and mass, but had vowed never to retire. RIP, Sister.

Thank you for reading. May your upcoming week be pleasantly tranquil.

Here are the topics for this blog: unsettling health news; the other Republicans; the state of our union; a forgotten anniversary; the new vs old consumer.

Unsafe hospitals. Studies seem to indicate that the third leading cause of death in the US may be preventable medical errors in hospitals and physicians' offices. Makes you wonder.

Being "down ballot."  Kermit sang, "It's not easy being green." Nor will it be any easier being a Republican listed on the ballot below presidential candidate Trump. Americans are not particularly prone to ticket-splitting.

A less than healthy union. Writing in The American Interest, Walter Russell Mead opens with this sentence, "The state of our union can be summed up pretty easily: Democratic policy ideas don’t work, and the Republican Party is melting down." He continues, noting, "[t]he more 'Democratic' an institution is these days, on the whole the less well it is working...Yet against the backdrop of failing Democratic policies and institutions, the collapse of the Republican Party into political and intellectual incoherence is all the more striking." Clearly, the Republic is unsettled. Mead's piece is well worth your time.

That unholy Sykes-Picot treaty. In an op-ed piece, veteran correspondent, David Ignatius, notes that this May 9th marks the 100th anniversary of a treaty which, more than any other, illustrates the folly -- then as now -- of "nation building." Sykes-Picot (aka Asia Minor Agreement) laid the foundations for modern-day Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and other fragile Middle Eastern nations from the Ottoman, French, and British empires. Most Middle Eastern observers thought then the treaty was at best ill advised. Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon have been hotbeds of military action and terrorism ever since. Palestine still does not exist, though Israel does. But that is a whole another story.
    The Kurds, who were never considered in post-WW I foreign policy discussions, have emerged as a significant regional force. A senior Kurdish official recently said, “For 100 years, a system has been in place in Iraq that has now failed. Iraq was never built on the right foundations. It was built to serve the interests of the great powers. A hundred years of failure is enough. We need to look at new options.” He might well have included Syria among those with shaky foundations.

Spending vs. saving. Robert Samuelson, the Washington Post's economics columnist titled his latest column, "The economy's real drag is us." ?There’s an Old Consumer and a New Consumer, divided by the Great Recession....The Old Consumer borrowed eagerly and spent freely. The New Consumer saves soberly and spends prudently....Americans are repaying old debt, avoiding new debt and saving more." He closes on this cautionary note, [t]he public and politicians should take note: This legacy of the Great Recession will endure. It has left a deep psychological scar that won’t soon heal."

Here are this blog's topics: first US mammal; Puerto Rico; third party anyone?: Trump; Andrew Jackson and populism; PBS Antiques Road Show.

Nearly extinct. However, unlike the passenger pigeon, a precious few American bison survived. Certainly there were even a few more, uncounted and unmolested, "hiding" up the numerous gullies, ravines, canyons, and couloirs of the high Rockies and various Badlands. The current congress, unable to do much of  import, did manage to pass the National Buffalo Legacy Act. For many Anglos, the buffalo is now business (one way or another), but for Native Americans this majestic animal is a part of their spiritual and cultural heritage.
     Even the City/County of Denver has a buffalo herd located, appropriately, at the Buffalo Herd Overlook along I-70 (Exit 254) just west of the city. Indeed, the herd's vitality meant Denver sold off 40+ animals this spring. Use caution, however; unless adequately fenced, the buffalo not a safe "selfie" subject. Draped with clinging last spring snow, this is a majestic symbol. Though one young friend, did think him, "a truly ugly animal." Her parents, both CU graduates, were momentarily taken aback.

The current "West Side" story. George Will writes that if something sensible is not done to deal with Puerto Rico's current debt crisis, Washington may soon find itself dealing with similar state-level financial crises -- Illinois comes most immediately to mind.

Three anyone? Tom Toles's Thursday cartoon may not be far off the mark. Do the names Wallace, Anderson, Perot (twice) ring a bell? All were third party presidential candidates: George Wallace (D, AL), 1968, 13.5% of the popular vote; John Anderson (I, IL), 1980, 6.6%; Perot (I, TX), 1992 & 1996, 18.9% & 8% respectively. Chances? Slim to none, especially given our Electoral College system.

The Donald. George Will's column on Saturday is yet another example of a conservative pundit who is exceedingly perplexed to find the horse out the open barn door. Amazed that his preferred party could not see -- let alone stop -- what he now perceives as a disaster-in-progress. David Brooks also comes to mind; he, too, foresaw/predicted what he thought was the inevitable end to a Trump candidacy.
     Alas, unless Ted Cruz "wins" in both the IN and CA primaries, their party may well get its just deserts. Given the fact that his fellow Republicans and the GOP establishment so dislike Cruz, there is more than a little irony in his campaign signs/slogan, "TRUSTED."


A populist president. Never, though 1828 was close.. Salino Zito reviews the history of populism, noting...

To date, we’ve never elected a populist president. The only presidential candidate to capitalize on voter discontent and win the presidency during a populist revolt was Andrew Jackson in 1828.
Old Hickory understood that for a very unsettled electorate to propel him into the White House, its anger had to be grounded in civic virtue, restoration of personal and states’ rights, and noble public service, rather than simple demagoguery.

Antiques. May 2nd, Omaha, NE. Two items caught my attention: mid-1800s Native American war club, $10,000 to $15,000. A solid silver, James Madison medal, $20,000 to $30,000. The latter item was brought in by a lady whose father got the 2" coin from a neighboring farmer who had literally turned it up in one of his fields. A trade was made: 3 live pigs for the coin!