Jan 25thOl’ Hickory

I saw this in the washington post today (probably not worth your time, I pasted the pertinent stuff below):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/01/25/five-reasons-that-big-block-of-cheese-day-part-iv-might-be-a-bad-idea/

While I do enjoy cheese, roquefort, brie, manchego, aged cheddar, etc., what struck me about the article was Andrew Jackson’s party planning.  I fancy myself an entertainer, but the article describes the party as follows:

“According to the Wall Street Journal, one witness described the scene thusly, “The President was literally pursued by a motley concourse of people, riding, running helter-skelter, striving who should first gain admittance into the executive mansion, where it was understood that refreshments were to be distributed.” When they got to the executive mansion, glasses were broken, furniture was tossed about, and the punch was spilled.”

Sounds like a good time.  I don’t have any cheese on hand, but I do have a bunch of beer left over from last weekend.  Maybe I should buy a wheel and have some people over.  Jackson is a president I’d like to know more about.  Right now, my recollection is limited to his caning a would be assassin half to death, and his good taste in architecture.

However, a brief look at wikipedia reminded me that Jacksonian democracy involves greater democracy for the common man, expanded executive branch power, and increased public participation in government.  Perhaps I’ll add a Jackson biography to my kindle queue.