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!