Practically Speaking
Kyle and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1986. She became active in local politics and started blogging in 2004. Her focus is primarily on local issues but often includes state and national topics, too. Kyle looks at things from the taxpayers' perspective in a creative, yet down to earth way, addressing them from a practical point of view.
Homemade Baked Beans
What cookout or casual gathering would be complete without baked beans? Homemade ones are not difficult to make and taste ever so much better than canned. Like most things you make yourself, they are less expensive than canned or deli varieties. I make them a day ahead, starting them in the evening and cooking all night.
This recipe was adapted from The Fanny Farmer Cookbook, which called for parboiling and baking, but I make them in a Crockpot. (1977 was the year of the Crockpot--we received 3 of them as wedding presents! I still have the same Crockpot and husband, for that matter.)
"The Tax Man Cometh" and Some People Cheer
I thought this article fitting for the days just before our nations July 4th birthday. I find it so ironic that our colonists had to fight a revolutionary war to fight against the tyranny of high taxes and for the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness only to have a huge number of Americans either totally apathetic or embracing "Change." That Change of course being a leader promoting the greatest tax hike in American history.
http://mail.google.com/mail/#all/11adedd9a1263066
Protect Your Daughter, Yourself, Against Gardasil
Offshore Drilling Doesn't Always = Oil Spills
When I think of oil spills, my mind goes immediately to the Exxon Valdez. Remember that one? In my mind's eye I can still see volunteers trying to wash off animals and rocks with toothbrushes and Dawn detergent.
1989 Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef off of Alaska, it was a case of drunk driving!
God, Gumption, and Guns Served Our Country Well
Ever think about where our country would be without God, Gumption, and Guns?
Imagine our Minute Men without guns. Our Supreme Court almost outlawed our right to bear arms
Girl Scouts Continue Left Leanings
I was a Girl Scout from grade school Brownies to Girl Scout, to Cadet, to Mariner in High School. On my honor I will try to do my duty for God and my country and to obey the Girl Scout Laws. We had a lot of fun and learned things too. We dabbled in making pottery, English horseback riding lessons, did a service project or two, and just had good plain fun.
That oath no longer exists. God was taken out of the oath in 19 and now Girl Scouting is becoming something aout an inner Journey.
Town's Aldi's Approved, UNANIMOUSLY!
How about that turn around? I noticed on Community Watch the Town of Brookfield approved Aldi's! Unanimously!
The Town Board listened to both the public and Aldi's officials and gave the project a chance. (The lawsuit filed on June 4th by Timothy Timmerman, director of operations for mall owner Janacek Investments, probably got the board's attention too!)
If You Are Cutting Through, At Least Drive 25!
Council OKs new traffic-calming policy Lisa Mellone brought this up at our district meeting. She said it works. Hey, I am all in favor of something that works.
Every work day the traffic parade begins like clockwork at about 5pm. Car after car heads east on my usually quiet street. They are not doing the speed limit.
Animal Emergency Center: Open 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week
Seems kids and pets always get sick in the evening, on the weekend, or worse yet, on a holiday. We've been blessed never to have needed the emergency room for our son, but our little pooch, Zipper, is another story.
We're Slipping Fast, Now We're Nearly All Disabled
Congress just passed a bill that counts nearly every malady as disabled worker status. Why? Because this bill was potentially less damaging than one under a Obama Presidency and Dem ruled house and senate. Francifiying the US look for McKenna link
Happy Birthday America, May You Ever Be Great and Good
Alexis de Tocqueville, a French nobleman and political scientist, came
to America in 1831, seeking to find just what made America so great.
This is what he said:
"I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution."
But
Alexis did not find the cause for America's greatness in any of those
assets. It was not until he visited America's churches and heard the
preaching of righteousness therein did he, "understand the secret of
her genius and power".
He concluded: "America is great because
America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will
cease to be great."
Alexis' summation of our country was
Scripturally sound. Proverbs 14:34 says, "Doing what is right makes a
nation great, but sin will bring disgrace to any people."
Where do you get your news?
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=300323577877918
Of equal concern is why the media ignored this good news coming from Iraq. It seems to be of a piece with how they've treated other recent positive developments in Iraq (see editorial below).
1st Amendment took a hit on July 4th
http://agoodchoice.blogspot.com/2008/07/american-freedoms-endangered-species.html
Back to the real world from 1969
I just spent a delightful 4 days with 7 of my high school girlfriends over the 4th of July holiday. You could call it a mini-class reunion. I highly recommended it!
It has been 39 years since we graduated from Shorewood High School. I have kept in touch with 6 of the old gang, be it just an annual Christmas letter for some, emails, phone calls, and the occasional lunch out for others.
91% of voters don't think Congress deserves good/excellent ratings
Oh, this is a new low (H/T Drudge): Congressional Approval Falls to Single Digits for First Time Ever today:
This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job.
The subject of Bush's "Lie" just got shipped to Canada
Over the July 4th holiday weekend, the AP broke the news that 550 metric tons of yellowcake uranium--" the seed material for higher-grade nuclear enrichment"-- was shipped from Iraq to Canada. Considering how many times we heard, Bush lied about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, you would think that would be BIG news.
I always thought it was possible and probable that Sadaam had, or would like to have had, nuclear or chemical weapons. After all, he showed no restraint after the Gulf War on his own people. Seems I wasn't mistaken. Monday's Investor's Business Daily editorial states,
G8 cut of CO2 by 2050 not enough?
The world cannot afford to wait until 2009 to cut American emissions.
The world will be cooked and the G8 leaders will be long forgotten. Hmmm, seems the oceans were going to be destroyed by now too.
Russia threatens U.S. because of antimissile system
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/10/us.iran/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4295309.eceFrom
The Times: Russia threatens military response to US missile defence deal
If evolution is a natural phenomena, why worry about global warming?
Somehow I just cannot square the pervasive belief in evolution with the fear of global warming, and yet, I would bet most evolutionists believe in global warming.
If we are not created in God's image and are just a product of evolving ooze, what difference does it make that the world is heating up?
T Boone, energy independence, and stopping the $ hemorrhage
http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB121556087828237463.html
Let me share a few facts: Each year we import more and more oil. In 1973, the year of the infamous oil embargo, the United States imported about 24% of our oil. In 1990, at the start of the first Gulf War, this had climbed to 42%. Today, we import almost 70% of our oil.
WIS. corn growers still selling ethanol idea
I just heard another ethanol radio ad. It stated, there is "only 8 cents of corn in a box of cornflakes." Then it tried to sell me on the idea that only 20% of the corn crop goes to ethanol production and that biofuel corn is not sweet corn--I would break my teeth on it. In other words, it is not human food corn, so don't worry about it causing food prices to rise. You can't eat it.
No, I cannot eat field corn, but chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows, etc. DO eat it!
Global food prices rise 75%, far more than US says
Did you see Report Blames Biofuels for Food Crisis, A Report Leaked To The Guardian Newspaper Blames Biofuels For Food Shortage?
The report came out over last weekend, and it "contradicts U.S. government estimates that plant-derived fuels have contributed less than 3 percent to food-price increases," and "It wil add pressure on governments in Washington and Europe, which have turned to biofuels to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce their dependence on imported oil."
Thou hast said it, Obama, you are all about "Change" ala flip-flop!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1041130,CST-NWS-obama05.article
Now that Obama is the Democrat's candidate, there has been a lot of sashaying to the right. Be it gun rights, I was for Iraq before I was against it, wear the flag pin, dump your pastor, or you fill in the blank, the shift to center is on. He is even reaching out to Evangelicals. One shift was to the faith based initiatives, "a split with Democratic orthodoxy."
Obama won't comment on Iran Israeli relations
What can you expect from someone who looks to Winnie the Pooh for foreign policy http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2139573/Barack-Obama-aide-Why-Winnie-the-Pooh-should-shape-US-foreign-policy.html
Jimmy Carter was ahead 33% by this time in 1976
Yesterday I heard someone say that Jimmy Carter was ahead in the polls by 33% by mid-July. I checked it out and sure enough, it was true. His lead narrowed to just 2% by election day though.
Seeing as Obama isn't ahead of McCain by leaps and bounds, yet the media acts like he was already elected, I wondered how this election compared to other elections. (Although nothing about this election is typical!)
Here I thought I could tell Elmbrook: Practice what you teach
Yesterday, Brookfieldnow informed us there was a Hearing set on high school additions. That got my attention.
Could it be the board was still allowing public input on the referendum? If so, I would have requested that since Elmbrook has classes that teach global warming*, they should put into practice what they are teaching. If the district would scrap their plans to air condition both high schools, they could reduce our carbon footprint and reduce energy use. I am not a global warming-ist, but I do favor reducing costs: Air conditioning installation and operation costs money!
Iran fired missiles yesterday & today. Want to talk about it?
It is becoming more difficult to ignore the threat of Iran and its long-range (see UPDATE at bottom) missile program. Yesterday they fired 9 missiles and I heard 4* more overnight. I found the reaction of the candidates to this eyeopening.
Launch Brings Different Reactions:
Dreaded 3 words uttered and seen: Back to School
Before the 4th of July, I went in search of my son's favorite blue jean shorts. Where were they? I asked. That is when the store clerk uttered those most feared words in the English language....We're clearing those out because we are getting ready for "back to school" sales.
Of course, those same 3 words sometimes bring delight to a mother's heart--especially if the kids are being whiny and demanding.
Kids, how about a little Medieval Mahem next week? It's free!
If you are a child, 4 years old through 6th grade, you are invited to Brookside Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School next week.
The theme this summer is Medieval Mayhem. (I think it is based on an Armor of God theme--same topic as our recent Sunday sermons.)
Science lesson: "Our Mr. Sun," CO2, and the Germans
One of the benefits of being a homeschool mom is that essentially I had a refresher course on grades 1-12. (English skills are still rough!) It's been 39 years since I graduated from high school, but even without homeschooling, one thing I never forgot were the basics of photosynthesis. Seems like some of the Global Warmingists could use a refresher course too.
I still remember the 16mm educational film entitled, "Our Mr. Sun." It was quite entertaining and featured a very young Eddie Albert and a scientist. Coincidentally, I was able to show that same movie to my son for our science class. One of the things they discussed was photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is still a mystery today, but we do know the basic ingredients needed for plants to create food from sunlight: H20 + CO2.
President to lift executive ban on offshore drilling at 12:30
I just heard this announcement on the news: Bush to Lift Executive Ban on Offshore Oil Drilling. (This would be the moratorium his father enacted.) He will be talking about this decision from the Rose Garden at 12:30pm today.
This move will not make offshore drilling possible in itself, but it will put the pressure on the Congress to act,
Cost of "Hot Air Tour," Tailgate, and Brewer Game July 26th
UPDATE: The Hot Air Tour rally location has been moved to AFP headquarters at 1126 S. 70th St, West Allis, 1:30pm.
Americans for Prosperity offers you 3 options to learn more "about the serious threat global warming alarmism poses to our prosperity, including legislation being considered by Congress that would more than double gasoline prices."
Michelle suggests buying earrings, I'm paying property taxes
Last week Michelle Obama did it again. She said something that revealed who she is and how out of touch she is with the average American's economic circumstances.
The Washington Times reported that each campaign needed to rein in their surrogates:
Going "halvesies" should mean we each pay half--up front
I remember being surprised the first time I heard BC(2) was behind in their payments for the artificial turf project at Central High School. Behind? I would have thought they were required to pay their half up front? After all, what do you do if they can't or won't pay up?
Best case scenario, even if they only needed to pay their half in installments, that would still mean the school district (us) needed to finance their share until all payments were made.
Kohl, nobody's senator at all
Kohl letter on drilling. WHat, this is his version of I voted for it before I was against it?
This vital vitamin is FREE
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-07-13-vitamin-d-tests_N.htm
Do I like this? Obama consults 300 advisors daily
We shouldn't have nuclear weapons, we shouldn't have weapons shields in outer space, yet Iran isn't a threat
First Amendment rights threatened by court ruling
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=69881
McDonald's, I'm not lovin this either
If you remember, The American Family Association objected to McDonald's joining the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, making a $20,000 donation to that group, and placing a McDonald's executive on the their board back in April. McDonald's did not take the AFA's objections very seriously.
This month, the AFA is dialing up their objections a notch; they recently announced a McDonald's boycott because of McDonald's refusal "to stay neutral in the cultural war over
homosexuality." From The Washington Post:
skunk cabbage
electricity from manure
Electricty generated from manure!
Back in the 1970s, we were in an energy crisis. Because oil supply was limited and prices high, many alternative fuels and energy generating operations were talked about and tried. Capturing methane gas from rotting garbage was a popular idea at the time--I think it was even featured in Mother Earth News. (My husband and I were subscribers.) I don't remember if many people actually tried it though. Today, oil prices are up again and people are looking for alternatives.
I recently saw an interesting electricity generating operation on Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs show. Host Mike Rowe paid a visit to Fair Oaks Farm in Indiana where Mike helped with all sorts of dirty, grimy, icky, jobs in that "Dairy Cow Midwife*" episode. Mike literally rolled up his sleeves and even got in up past his elbow to help a cow deliver her calf. (Haven't seen that since watching All Creatures Great and Small!)
Making the most from methane
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2003/05/05/story8.html
http://www.scjohnson.com/family/fam_pre_pre_news.asp?art_id=97
Paper or Plastic? Los Angeles says paper, Shorewood does too
Shorewood cotton bags are too small, the word on the street is...
"Inconvenient Fact(s)" Re:100% zero-carbon electricity in 10 years
Most of us heard about Al Gore's JFK-like 10 year challenge last week for "America to run 'on 100% zero-carbon electricity in 10 years." Bret Stephens wrote about it and Al Gore in his Wall Street Journal piece, Al Gore's Doomsday Clock. He wrote, "though that's just the first step on his road to 'ending our reliance on carbon-based fuels.' Serious people understand this is absurd. Maybe other people will start drawing the same conclusion about the man proposing it."
Do read the complete article. Bret Stephens presents many interesting statistics on where we have been and where we are going on our carbon-free electrical journey.
In Mr. Gore's prophecy, a transition to carbon-free electricity generation in a decade is "achievable, affordable and transformative." He believes that the goal can be achieved almost entirely through the use of "renewables" alone, meaning solar, geothermal, wind power and biofuels.Um, Mr. Gore, last time I looked, biofuel was not zero-carbon. Plants themselves contain carbon in the form of simple sugars (that is what makes them a fuel), emit CO2 at night, and require carbon fueled tractors for cultivating the crop and later transporting crops to biofuel making factories and finally to gas stations.
Pawlenty for V.P. predicted back in Nov. 2006
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/11/look_for_mccainpawlenty_in_200.html
The Common Council's "Dog Days of Summer" - Correction
Traditionally, the days between July and September are called the Dog Days of Summer, not because of the heat and humidity causing you to pant like a dog, but because of the appearance of Sirius, the bright star in the constellation Canis Major.
But this summer, Brookfield's Common Council's Legislative & Licensing Committee* is having their own Dog Days. The Aldermen members are discussing whether or not Brookfield should adopt a dog and cat limit.
Shorewood's David Zucker's new spoof on Michael Moore coming soon!
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=4C076ECF-3048-5C12-00C6DB7D2CCC50D3
A September 11th Republican.
Brewer's boot "Hot Air Tour" from ballpark Saturday, July 26, but it's still a go!
Americans for Prosperity, a nationwide grassroots group, was to have held a rally/press conference as part of their Brewer game Taxpayer Tailgate outing tomorrow. The rally was to raise awareness "about the
serious threat global warming alarmism poses to our prosperity,
including legislation being considered by Congress that would more than
double gasoline prices."
But the Brewer's ballpark decided they did not want anything political going on in their parking lot and so they said NO to the hot air balloon rides and Hot Air Tour, the name of the rally. They will not put any of that in writing, but the hot air balloon permit was canceled just the same.
Al Gore is no Ralph Nader
I don't agree with Ralph Nader on most things, but at least he practices what he preaches. Can't say the same for Al Gore.
This video clip was emailed to me from American's for Prosperity: "Watch our video exposing Al Gore's hypocrisy, and tell your lawmaker to allow more American energy production. CLICK HERE."
Boy Scout Troop 55 gives park shelters a face lift
Saturday, July 26th, Boy Scout Troop 55 will be giving several Brookfield park shelters an interior face lift.
Testing the waters: VK, McCain, and Elmbrook Swim Club
Unsure about how an idea will go over? Test the waters!
I saw it happen at the June 9th Plan Commission meeting with AJS' Percheron Square (VK). Their first plan came in with higher density and so AJS requested a PDD. It passed easily. (Sad part was, the more realistic plan--without the underground office parking--was not that much larger than the density already designated for.) Then, shortly after that approval, Community Watch (June 16) reported,
French president sounded more American than Obama!
I heard some of France's president's speech from when he was here. He sounded more like an American than our US presidential candidate, Barack Obama!
High gas prices hurt lower income people most
CORE addressed the Congress about this. Jerry Bott spoke about it on Mark Belling Monday, 28th.
Record gas prices in 1973, a starting teacher made about $8,000/year. Today, a starting teacher in Elmbrook makes $38,800/year.
Chicago on the cheap--no gas prices involved
http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/ Free summer evenings at Chicago Art Institute 5-9pm
John Voight
John Voight has concerns about Obama
Rent John Voight movies!
Gerard Baker - Obama; Greatest Story Ever Told
E85 Vs. Gasonline - READ IT HERE
Penn and Teller - A Petition to Ban Water!
Big Brother Congress: Pre K, Education Begins at Home, & Advancing Am. Priorites ACts
the "craziness" continues
The government trying to help again, better watch out.
Typically, gas prices are lower in August than May
We rekindled our love affair with road trip vacations in 2001 when our son was finally old enough to endure 3 days of driving at a time,
and we were able to afford more dependable transportation. Instead of our usual 2 hour drive to some favorite State Park for 2
weeks of camping, we graduated to visiting various National Parks out west. It has been great.
Guard your daughter against Guardisil vaccine
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/31/12-babies-die-during-vaccine-trials-in-argentina.aspx?source=nl
Last month I wrote an article about the HPV vaccine Gardasil, at which time the VAERS database contained 6,760 adverse events, including 16 deaths.
Infant vaccinations, they wouldn't treat a dog like that!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/09/22/blaylock-vaccine-coverup-part-one.aspx
No need to drill, says Obama, just properly inflate your tires!
Wow! We don't need to drill in the US for more oil. All we have to do is properly inflate our tires*. At least that is what Obama said yesterday, Obama energy policy: 'Inflate your tires' Candidate claims oil savings would equal new production plans:
"There are things you can do individually, though, to save energy," Obama said. "Making sure your tires are properly inflated – simple thing. But we could save all the oil that they're talking about getting off drilling – if everybody was just inflating their tires? And getting regular tune-ups? You'd actually save just as much!"
Barack O-Boo-Boos
First it was that Barack visited all 57 states. (No, Heinz has 57 varieties, the U.S. has 50 states.)
Then it was that hypothetical child with asthma in the emergency room who needed the breathalyser instead of the inhaler.
Dr. assisted suicide covered by Oregon health plan, but not treatment
This is the shape of things to come. Dr. assisted suicide could be considered comfort care by government health care plans.
Mark Levin, July 31.
*Out and about in West Bend
My sister and I recently took a little jaunt to West Bend. Our mission was to visit the Museum of Wisconsin Art and hopefully do a little digging into some background information on Wisconsin artist Francesco Spicuzza.
