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.
Will parents opt kids out of Pres. Obama's national school address?
What goes on inside the walls of public schools used to be considered a local responsibility. Like almost everything else in our society, the creep towards Federal interference is becoming more like a leap.
Next week Tuesday, the president will address all public school students in a video address. He is to urge students to work hard, set goals, and be responsible for their education, something the teacher no doubt already told them on the first day, in the first 5 minutes of class.
The pep talk seems harmless enough. It's the other activities scheduled that day that are more troubling: Editorial: Beaming Obama into your kid's head, The president expands his cult into the classroom:
"But there is more to this noontime event than simply interrupting lunch. The Obama administration has recommended a series of activities before, during and after the speech intended to drill home the president's messages. Given that the teachers' unions are some of Mr. Obama's most ardent supporters, we expect that the supporting activities will have the feel of pro-Obama pep rallies".
Commenting on comments
I have heard from some of you that your comments are not being posted. Please know that under the new software, a change I am not happy with for many reasons, I am no longer in charge of editing comments. This change does not please me because now comments that are edgier or more irreverent than I feel comfortable with are being posted. There is the Report Abuse button option to get them pulled on the comment, but that takes a day or two.
Yesterday morning I wrote a lengthy reply to 2 comments on my blog Obama: "You can keep your doctor." Can you? I checked. I can't and clicked the send button. Nothing happened. Later in the day I checked again, still nothing. Why?, I wondered.
Well, I asked Mark Maley, my go-to guy at the Journal Sentinel. Here is his reply:
"There are really only two reasons a comment doesn't get posted to a blog. If it's more than 2,000 characters or if there's a flagged word, like an obscenity or borderline obscenity."
He later added, "...we need to do a better job of telling people that. The weird thing is that the comment that is too long just disappears...it never shows up in the back end of the system."
So, there you have it. My comment disappeared. If your comment never showed up and you didn't include any objectionable words, was it too long?
I would suggest that before hitting the send button, just copy over into Word and do a character count. (I should have done that yesterday!) If it is too long, break it into 2 parts and submit separately.
Of course I wish I still had comment control. I don't care for the nasty, personal attacking tone in many of the comments posted. Frankly, I think allowing writers anonymity can bring out the worst in some people. They will often say things in a comment that they would never say to your face or if their real name was on it.
If I had my way, my standard of comment acceptance would be this: No CRUDE, LEWD, or RUDE comments will be posted.
Another blog I came across had this comment criteria: "As I've told my readers before, Comments personally attacking or cursing will be deleted. Anything you wouldn't say to your own mother or a stranger on the street disqualifies you from engaging in discussion here. "
Amen!
Darwin's theory of revolution 200 years later
No, that isn't a typo. It is what Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution resulted in: a revolution of society. Relativism. Man is little more than animal. Life is cheap. There is no God. etc.
Hersheys sponsors gritty teen TV show
I will admit it; I don't watch network TV anymore. It has become too edgy or sleazy for my tastes. Plus, with a young adult in the house, I don't think we need to bring images into our home of lifestyle choices that we do not approve of but watch as being the norm. What we watch does influence what we think and how we act.
Slipping fast toward a godless nation
http://www.frc.org/washingtonupdate/obamas-bad-science-bailout
HG&D (sex-ed) success, failures & New Berlin's shocking photo scandal
People are still talking about that New Berlin young man at Eisenhower High School, who passed himself off as a teen girl on the internet and then blackmailed his fellow male student respondents for homosexual "favors". It is shocking indeed for many adults--especially if they are older.
Obama's pro-p*orn lawyer nomination for #2 to Attorney General?
You cannot make this stuff up. Attorney David W. Ogden is President Obama's choice for 2nd in command in the U.S. office of the Attorney General. So what?
Christians pray to change Obama's heart, Vatican criticizes Obama on abortion
Last Thursday, I posted Ad celebrates Obama's mother's choice. That very afternoon, I received an email from Focus on the Family Action urging Christians to "pray for a change of heart for President Obama" regarding his pro-abortion and pro Freedom of Choice Act positions
Ad celebrates Obama's mother's choice during Sanctity of Life week
January 18 - 25th is Sanctity of Human Life week. It also marks "the 36th anniversary of the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade opinion that struck down state restrictions on abortion, essentially installing that "right" in the Constitution."
Belgium, sanctity of life
Obama is not going to defend life like President George Bush did. It was pretty hard to swallow Obama's line in his inaugural address that science would have it's rightful place regarding health care. I couldn't help think he referring to stem cells. Science is revealing Adult Stem Cells to be useful. Embryonic plagued with problems.
Elmbrook's HG&D (sex-ed) materials need more review time
Wednesday, Jan. 14th, 8:30am to 4pm, is the last official day for interested Elmbrook residents to review the Human Growth & Development sex-ed materials. The HGD committee meets this Thursday to discuss the review comment forms. If you have looked at the sex ed materials, make sure your comments are submitted to Elmbrook's school offices by noon, Thursday, Jan. 15.
A must read article, atheist says, "Africa needs God"
For the second time in a few weeks, another atheist acknowledges God as an important factor in helping people. The first time was in an email I received from an atheist in California concerning my Are you naughty, nice? Stingy, generous? blog on giving. In that blog I concluded "the real litmus test on giving is religion." My atheist emailer then replied, "Never thought I'd say this, but thank God for religion then, if it makes Conservatives altruistic."
Creating better society through Dr. assisted suicide for children under 1?
http://www.parentalrights.org/blog/courts-the-law/un3
Exodus from public education?
poll, 69.99% said it was easier and less expensive than private or homeschooling http://www.onenewsnow.com/Poll.aspx?ekfrm=371710
Little bit of "Christmas" in ads
I've noticed, have you? Kohl's Department Stores are using CHRISTMAS in their advertising!
Expanded Elmbrook Human Growth & Development review hours
Subject: expanded HGD review hours
A recent change in school board policy, combined with the dedicated
efforts of several active members of the Human Growth and Development Parent
Advisory Committee provides a unique opportunity :
Parents and community members are welcome to preview all Human Growth and
Development videos, DVDs, books, materials, lessons, handouts, worksheets -
everything - under consideration for presentation
to our children, before it is approved by the board
and implemented. Your input is welcome on every aspect. This is
the time to act - while the lessons are in the formative stage.
Because more time is needed to thoroughly review the HGD materials
K-12 than the three, 2-hour sessions originally scheduled, I understand the district was flexible in
creating open review this week (Mon Dec15 - Fri Dec19, during
regular CAO hours). Unfortunately this open review is unadvertised. Please
spread the word. People may call Dr. Stewart (262-781-3030 ext 1112) or
Dr. Stewart's secretary Mary Tagliavia (262-781-3030 ext
1117) for details.
Due to being in the midst of the busy Christmas and holiday season,
several have requested open review of the HGD materials to be extended
throughout January. We will keep you posted. If you would
like to have evening hours or a Saturday scheduled for open review,
please feel free to contact Dr. Stewart or Mary Tagliavia with that
request.
Why review HGD lessons and materials?
Some examples of things you may notice and think about when reviewing
lessons & materials include:
We are working diligently to create a
transparent process and
provide HGD content which serves the
best interests of our kids. We encourage reviewers to list specific
strengths and deficits they may find so that the committee, the board, and
any future lesson developers / package screeners will have
these observations as tools to work with. (A general thumbs up or
thumbs down statement doesn't provide these tools.)
Holiday hate speech at State Capitol
Our state capitol in Madison has a Christmas tree (I am using last year's term), a menorah for Hanukkah, and I think something for Kwanza too. I am fine with that. They are holidays celebrated in December by people of various religions and cultures in our state.
Thanksgiving gets shortchanged
It is true; I don't get out much. But even I notice that the retail world goes directly from Halloween to Christmas decorations, totally ignoring Thanksgiving. Every year, the Christmas decor comes out earlier and earlier.
e-Harmony bullied into submission
http://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/11dd023361c25469
"Christmas," I saw it in a store ad!!!
Kohls ad and newspaper bag ad said, Christmas sale.
Elmbrook Human Growth & Development Parent Review: Dec. 9, 12, and Jan. 6
File this under: Plan ahead. Human Growth and Development team member Cheri Mastel left a comment reminding us of these upcoming HGD meetings. Since I don't want any interested parents or residents to miss this opportunity, I am posting portions of her comments here:
Merry Athiestmas?
Fox news why believe in good, just be good for goodness sake, the american humanist association 'Why Believe in a God?' Ad Campaign Launches on D.C. Buses
"Choose this day whom you will serve"
Well, today is the day. The day we go vote for president and our other government representatives*. How will you choose which one?
Obama, Are you for or against Same-Sex Marriage? Yes
Obama's I'm against same-sex marriage but against ending it's practice via California's Proposition 8 rings about as true as Wisconsin State Senator Jim Sullivan saying, he is for Voter ID but not for a state constitutional amendment referendum question requiring Voter ID. It's doublespeak for I don't want the current situation to change, but don't want to be on the record as saying so.
That was quick. Choice Hotels responds to public pressure
People, you have a voice. Use it!
Even janitor would know life began for some Obama said should die
No wiggling out of this question by saying it is above my paygrade. Even a janitor would know these babies were children and were alive
Home Depot figured "...we need a little Christmas"?
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Spread the Wealth already at Elmbrook and other schoolsEverytime your child works on a cooperative learning project, they are the victim of spread the wealth around ideology Catholic Church solidly against abortionhttp://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081026/OPINION10/81025022/1004/OPINION Stay in our hotels, aborting young mothers doFamily Research Council brought this very disturbing news to my attention: Choice Hotels' Quality Inn in Maple Shade, New Jersey and the Clarion Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey are offering a room discount up to $50 to women who are in the process of having an abortion. From Family Research Council: The boycott is over, "McDonald's straightens up and fries right!"I almost forgot about this: the McDonald's boycott ended about 2 weeks ago. Family Research Council reports: **Obama on Partial Birth Abortion: Are you for or against? YesPartial Birth Abortion is a barbaric procedure in which doctors induce a late term pregnant woman to actually give birth, but before the baby is totally delivered, doctors will puncture the child's brain to kill it. If any other culture did that we would be outraged. (This procedure is to be confused with late term labor induced abortion, which occurs earlier in the pregnancy.) Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidayshttps://store.afa.net/c-23-merry-christmas-buttons-and-stickers.aspx Parents, what is your child learning at school?We value education in the United States. Parents often make sacrifices to send their children to good colleges. But do you know who is teaching your child? Do do you know what your young adult is learning at their school? R and PG-13 movies in Elmbrook Schools've recently become aware by parents in our community, as well as by School Board members, that "R" rated movies are being shown in classrooms within our Elmbrook Schools (as part of "curriculum") and are also kept within the school libraries. Please consider contacting Elmbrook School Board members as this item will be up for discussion very soon. Board Members need to hear from the community in order to make changes to this policy (or lack thereof). Board Member email addresses can be found in the email address section below. Christianity is not an ala carte menuOne of the most important differences between the 2 political parties is their Pro-Life or Pro-[Abortion]Choice stance. An American Carol: Funny & thought provoking, but w/reservationsI saw An American Carol on its debut, Friday, Oct. 3. Usually I wait for a movie to hit the Budget Theater, but with these more offbeat type films, often you better see them when you can. (Same thing happened with the movie, Expelled. It just came out on DVD in case you missed that one.) Obama ad misleading about McCain stem cell research stanceWhat if I had a cure for Parkinson's, leukemia, diabetes, or paralysis caused by spinal cord injury? All you would have to do is take an infant, remove all of its stem cells (sorry, the infant dies), tweak the cells, and transfer them to the ill patient. A retraction of my commentI would like to formally retract a comment I made on Cindy Kilkenny's Fairly Conservative blog. It was regarding Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live (Sept. 13th.) I said, McDonald's, I'm not lovin this eitherIf 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. HG&D Work Session Report: Keep Parent & Board ApprovalI attended the Human Growth and Development (Sex Ed.) work session Tuesday night. Several of the HG&D parent committee members were in the audience along with some interested parents. McDonald's, I'm NOT lovin it! End Support of Gay & Lesbian Chamber of CommerceMcDonald's has been showing it's true rainbow colors as of late, and I'm not lovin it. What next? Ronald McDonald coming out of the closet? (Ooh, not ready for that!) |
