Practically Speaking

Think soy is healthy? Think again

Kyle Prast — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:53:24 GMT

For years I was a vegetarian. I ate a lot of soy and soy based veggie-meat substitutes. I did it for health reasons. Boy, was I wrong!

A few years ago I started seeing a D.O. (Osteopathic Doctor) because I felt so exhausted. After a number of tests it was determined I had an under active thyroid and an allergy to soy. She added that most people were allergic to soy because it is in so many processed foods.

Today I received an email health alert from Dr. Mercola. (My holistic dentist recommended his website and so I signed up for his health alerts.) Today's alert was all about Dr. Daniel, the author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food, and the dangers of soy.

Why is soy so heavily promoted as a health food? Because it is BIG business. Like so many things in our society, if you "follow the money" you find soy has little to do with health and everything to do with increasing sales.

“One of the most effective things they [the soy industry] did was, some years ago, they recognized that they had a whole lot of soy that they wanted to sell, but they didn’t have a market for it because most people perceived soy products as something that was a communist food or fascist food. Or soy was perceived as a hippie food …

So either way soy did not have a good image and they got to thinking, “Well how can we make soy into an upscale food that people will want to buy and want to pay well for?” And what they did was absolutely brilliant. They came up with the idea of turning it into a health food. And that way rich people and upscale people would start to popularize it and the image would improve and then middle class and lower class people would want to eat it as well.

A soy heavy diet is detrimental enough for adults, causing among other things thyroid disorders, but it has even more drastic effects on children. Soy based infant formula is especially harmful to the long term health of children.

Soy is bad enough for adults, but children and babies who are still developing are particularly vulnerable to soy’s hormone-mimicking effects. This means avoiding soy infant formula like the plague, and also not eating soy products if you are pregnant, is a health necessity.

Not only does soy infant formula have profoundly adverse hormonal effects, but it also has over 1,000 percent more aluminum than conventional milk-based formulas. Many soy foods also have toxic levels of manganese. Soy formula has up to 80 times higher manganese than is found in human breast milk.

In terms of the hormonal dangers, a Lancet study showed that the daily exposure to estrogen-imitating chemicals for infants who consume soy formulas was 6-11 times higher than adults consuming soy foods.

And the blood concentration of these hormones was 13,000 to 22,000 times higher than estrogen in the blood. An infant exclusively fed soy formula receives the estrogenic equivalent (based on body weight) of up to five birth control pills per day.

But don't take my word for it, look into this issue for yourself. Before you reach for that "Silk" soy milk, soy based energy bar, or worse yet, soy based infant formula, read and watch the YouTube in this link as well as Dr. Mercola's comments at the end.

Note: My holistic dentist informed me that the only soy products people should eat are tempeh and miso, both a fermented form of soy. The fermentation process removes the harmful affects of soy.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Even a teleprompter malfunction didn't phase Palin

Kyle Prast — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:11:00 GMT

My husband and I were glued to the TV set last night, watching the Republican convention. The speeches were outstanding--Romney, Huckabee, and Giuliani did great.

Then it was Sarah Palin's turn. Would she be as composed and confident as she was on Friday? Would all the vicious, negative media attention throw her?

Nope.

Not even a malfunctioning teleprompter * could keep her from delivering her message.

Halfway through Sarah Palin's speech tonight at the RNC, people following the speech noticed she was deviating from the prepared text.
According to sources close to the McCain campaign, the teleprompter continued scrolling during applause breaks. As a result, half way through the speech, the speech had scrolled significantly from where Governor Palin was in the speech. The malfunction also occurred during Rudy Giuliani's speech, explaining his significant deviations from his speech.

I don't recall her uttering even one a, er, or um. (My speech professor from UWM would have heartily approved her delivery. He was a stickler and would deduct one grade level for each um or filler word uttered during our presentations.)

Contrast her flawless performance with Obama's when his teleprompter fizzled,

[Obama] was left stuttering before a crowd unable to advance his speech until the problem was resolved.

In addition to a well delivered speech, Sarah Palin did what few women can do: criticize without being perceived as being witchy. She skillfully used humor when needed to make her points. Ronald Reagan was good at this too.

Any wonder the left is said to be "Sarah-fied" today?

PS Yes, she was wearing lipstick!

* Some controversy exists over the word, significant. The Politico says it was only slightly.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Victory in Anbar can't compete with "important news"

Kyle Prast — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:03:35 GMT

If the liberal media wants to know why conservatives have pretty much given up reading their papers and watching their broadcasts, this may give them some insights. From Investor's Business Daily: (My emphasis throughout)

"Iraq War: We interrupt coverage of Bristol Palin's pregnancy to announce that the U.S. has turned over control of Iraq's wild, wild west to Baghdad. Memo to Barack Obama: Soon you will have nothing left to surrender.

On Monday, while Democrats waited to see if Hurricane Gustav would be another Katrina and the GOP juggled its convention schedule, U.S. commanders formally returned responsibility for security in Iraq's Anbar province to the Iraqi Army and police. [The Iraqis have actually been in control since April.]

Maybe you missed it. The New York Times Web page had three stories on Bristol Palin. The Washington Post's online magazine, Slate, is running a "Name Bristol Palin's Baby" contest. And Us Weekly has "Babies, Lies and Scandal" on its cover.

Victory in Iraq can't compete in an environment where Bristol's boyfriend is more thoroughly investigated than Obama's lifelong association with Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers.

The media prefer to ignore how wrong Obama was on the major foreign policy issue of the Bush years. He opposed the war and the surge. He supported cutting off funding. He sponsored a bill to have U.S. troops withdraw in defeat by March of this year, their sacrifice in vain. His policies would have led to a humanitarian and strategic disaster.

"I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence," he [Obama] said in 2007. "In fact, I think it will do the reverse." When confronted by ABC News with the success of the surge, asking if he would have supported it knowing what he knows now, Obama's answer was "No."

Not only was Obama wrong about Iraq, but he selected a running mate who also was wrong. Remember Joe Biden's Slice and Dice solution to turn a sovereign Iraq into a sectarian sectioned country?

I am thrilled that Iraq has made this progress, but I don't think it was due just to the increase in troops. IBD touches on this:

The extra troops allowed a take-and-hold strategy that convinced Iraqis that America wouldn't cut and run. It would later be called the "Anbar Awakening."

Sure, the extra troops helped reverse the dire situation in Iraq,

In 2006, al-Qaida in Iraq declared Baqouba to be the capital of the Islamic State in Iraq, and said it controlled both Anbar and Diyala. In January 2007, CNN's Michael Ware described Ramadi, a city of 500,000 and Anbar's capital, as "the true al-Qaida national headquarters."

But more than that, the Surge told the Iraqis that we were committed to being there. Despite the end the war rhetoric from liberal politicians and media, the Iraqis were not in this alone.<.p>

My neighbor's son, a Marine, had been to Iraq on 2 tours. During the first tour, he said that the people were so afraid, it was palpable. He explained you could always tell when an attack or surprise bombing was going to occur because the residents would be very quiet and hide in their houses.

Since the people were usually friendly to the Americans, why wouldn't they warn them if an attack was imminent? Because they were afraid of repercussions from the terrorists. You see, they did not feel they could depend on the Americans to be there later. When you don't know who will hold the power later on, do you really want to cross them now?

The Iraqi people still remembered what happened in the first Gulf War when the Kurds in the north went out on a limb for America. After we pulled out, Sadam ruthlessly attacked them in revenge.

But on my neighbor's 2nd tour of duty, he noticed the people were more willing to talk to the Marines. The people were more confident that America meant business and would see this through.

This phenomena was even noticeable during Brookfield's last mayoral race. Many people were for the opponent, but because of their job, city contracts, or their need to remain in favor with City Hall, they were fearful to take a bold stand against the incumbent.

People naturally like to be on the side of the winner. In Iraq however, it was a matter of life and death.

If the Iraqi people had doubts about America's resolve to see things through, I think we can lay a good amount of that blame on the liberals and liberal media. Almost from the start they were determined to turn Iraq into a Vietnam.

Thankfully, some people, like John McCain (and others), were not about to let popular opinion sway them from what they believed was necessary. Because of that resolve and Providence, we are edging toward victory.

"Not in our wildest dreams could we have imagined this," said Mowaffak al-Rubaie, the Iraqi national security adviser, who flew in from Baghdad. "Two or three years ago, had we suggested that the Iraqis could take responsibility, we would have been ridiculed, we would have been laughed at."

On Tuesday, General David Petraeus had another surprise, announcing that U.S. troops might be leaving Baghdad as early as next summer. Another defeat for the defeatists.

Is it any wonder the liberal media is ignoring this?

(AFP/Graphic)

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Information meeting re: Percheron Square tonight, Sept. 3, 6-7

Kyle Prast — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:17:02 GMT

My 2 aldermen, Lisa Mellone and Renee' Lowerr, sent out an email that there will be an information meeting on Percheron Square tonight, from 6-7pm at City Hall in Council Chambers. If you are interested in this development project, this would be a good opportunity for you to find out more. (Sorry this is late, I have been having computer troubles.)

Percheron Square is an AVS project (division of VK Development) and will be located on the former Ruby Farm and WTMJ properties next to Swanson Elementary School. Former plans.

The plans have changed a few times since it first came to the plan commission last June. The fitness and recreation facility is no longer a part of Percheron Square. I believe the fitness / recreation element was touted as being a benefit to the community at the plan commission meeting. I don't know if there now is some sort replacement for that loss.

The old Ruby Farmstead is still a part of the development plans.

There will also be a public hearing on the rezoning of the project to a PDD on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 7:45pm, at the beginning of the Common Council meeting.

Past posts: VK's Percheron Square a.k.a. Ruby Farms proposal heads to plan commission Monday, 7pm

No surprise, Percheron Square PDD passed first hurdle, or should I say jump

Percheron Square: Again, density is the problem

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Palin on difference between hockey mom and Pit Bull dog

Kyle Prast — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Evidently Sarah Palin was warned about the potential for vicious attacks from McCain's opponents. She is no shrinking violet though. William Kristol posted this:

"A nervous young McCain staffer took it upon himself to explain to Palin the facts of life in a national campaign, the intense scrutiny she'd be under from the media, the viciousness of the assault that she'd be facing, etc." Here is what she had to say,

Palin: "Thanks for the warning. By the way, do you know what they say the difference is between a hockey mom and a Pit Bull?"

McCain aide: "No, Governor."

Palin: "A hockey mom wears lipstick."

You have got to say she has chutzpah!

I am eagerly anticipating her speech tonight. Will we see the same confidence we saw in her on Friday?

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Lower temperatures and country's mood quell global warming ferver

Kyle Prast — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:43:10 GMT

Have you noticed that this summer was cooler than usual? That fact, coupled with our recent cold and snowy winter, takes the subject of Global Warming off the front burner.

The last time the temperature didn't hit 90 degrees in Milwaukee during a summer* was in 2000, the weather service said. Before that, it was 1915.

But without even knowing what the daily highs were, could you tell our days and nights were cooler when compared to other summers? I could. Thanks to lower evening temperatures, we were able to avoid turning on our electricity guzzling air conditioner this summer.

As a gardener, I know this summer has been cooler. Tomatoes, which require warm evening temperatures, are ripening slowly. This spring my peach trees let me know we had a colder than usual winter by producing only 2 blossoms. Essentially all of the flowering buds were frozen out. I haven't had a bumper crop in years.

We may have had a stretch of warmer than usual temperatures in recent years. These fueled the Global Warming argument. Who could forget the summer of 1995? (We were remodeling. The whole east side of our house was open to the elements and mosquitoes. Couldn't run the air.) Remember that summer? We had a number of 100+ days! It was awful.

But the warming trend seems to have turned around, and I think it is taking the wind out of the Global Warming alarmists' sails.

Did you notice how the Global Warming/Climate Change issue was no longer in the limelight at the Democrat convention? There was lots of talk about energy independence and getting off of foreign oil from the Democrats, but not much on reducing carbon footprints, or Global Warming specifically, that I heard.

Barack Obama did not mention Global Warming or even Climate Change in his speech. The closest Obama came to it was, (my emphasis)

And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East...

...As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power**... ...And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced.

Al Gore referred to it as climate crisis in his convention speech. But Gore was not on the prime time coverage I viewed. He is still gung-ho on reducing dependence on big oil and coal, but even Gore did not refer to the term Global Warming--except in reference to McCain backing away from "mandatory caps on global warming pollution" legislation.

The Republicans are off to a slow start with their convention due to hurricane Gustav. Last night Joe Lieberman did mention global warming briefly:

If John McCain was just another go-along partisan politician, he never would have led the fight to fix our broken immigration system or to do something about global warming.

I will be listening tonight and tomorrow to the speeches--especially for specific mention or even a hint of Global Warming or Climate Change. I think the whole issue has cooled off in light of the large temperature drop this year and the majority of Americans wanting us to drill domestically. McCain's choosing Sarah Palin from an oil producing state leads me to believe we won't be hearing much about it.

*The article stated that for record keeping purposes, they count summer as being June, July, and August instead of the June 22 - Sept. 22 definition of summer.

**Pretty ironic. The Democrats have been blocking these energy sources in Congress, but now that the American public is demanding domestic drilling, natural gas, clean coal, and nuclear is OK?

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Brookfield has Green Herons too

Kyle Prast — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:31:00 GMT

One of the things I love about living in our City in the Countryside is the variety of wildlife here. Last year, it was not unusual to see a Red Fox or the entire Red Fox family out and about in our neighborhood. This year I saw a coyote in my back yard.

Birds also abound here. When the fruit trees are in bloom and when mulberries are ripe, Baltimore Orioles are regular visitors to my yard. Hummingbirds frequent my perennial flower garden. I love it!

Kinsey Park pond (at the end of my street) often has Blue Herons fishing at the pond's edge. It is fascinating to watch them.

But yesterday, for the first time, I saw a Green Heron.

Two girls who were frogging at the pond edge said they saw it there last week too.

I often walk my dog past the park and pond, but this time this bird startled us by flying out from the weeds at the edge. At first I did not know what kind of bird it was--it did not seem large enough to be a Heron. Maybe a Kingfisher of some sort?

But then it stood in the shallows and stretched its neck out. Pretty comical looking, but not Kingfisher-like. This bird looked like it was all head and neck atop of a too small body! It also had a top knot. What was that bird? Wouldn't you know I did not have my camera with me. (This photo was from RioRVPark.com)

Once back at home I got out my trusty Audubon bird field guide and narrowed it down to the Green Heron. I also read that suddenly flying out from a weedy water's edge was a characteristic of Green Herons. But what about the long neck?

A look on the internet confirmed it. Cornell Labs All About Birds site explained that Green Herons often held their long necks close to their bodies. That clarified why the photos showed a short, stocky neck, but the actual bird had a long one.

The Great Blue Heron's may have been in the news lately, but don't forget to look for the Green Herons too next time you are near a pond or wetland. After all, Brookfield's wildlife is one of the perks of living here.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

MSNBC crossed the line

Kyle Prast — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:02:24 GMT

Last night, Bill O'Reilly was hot under the collar about MSNBC's coverage of McCain's Sarah Palin VP pick. Here is the YouTube clip.

MSNBC really crossed the line by adding the caption, "How many houses does Palin add to the Republican ticket?" under their breaking news bulletin of the event. I also agree with O'Reilly that Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams bear some responsibility here too. By appearing on MSNBC, they lend credence to this type of snide reporting.

Any wonder MSNBC isn't watched by conservatives?

I used to get all my news from NBC; I've watched ever since the Dave Garaway years! The Today Show used to be the first thing I turned on in the morning and I prepared dinner with Tom Brokaw. But over the years, NBC became so biased (and fluffy), I couldn't take it anymore.

In Googling this topic, I came across a new acronym for NBC: New Barack Channel

By the way, I think it's odd that MSNBC would even raise the house question since Sarah Palin seems so very mainstream American and working class. There doesn't appear to be an elite bone in her body--she loves moose stew and probably doesn't even know what arugula lettuce is!

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Our VP's nickname was Sarah Barracuda

Kyle Prast — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:01:00 GMT

"She's a female Teddy Roosevelt" a caller told Jay Weber today, as I was listening for the latest VP news. That sums it up well.

Sarah Palin seems a perfect complement to McCain: Young, energetic, a governor, pro-marriage, passionately pro-life. She is a life long member of the NRA, hunts and ice fishes.

McCain and Palin have the potential to get our budget under control and end waste. Palin's nickname was the barracuda in high school.

I heard she cleaned house in Alaska, leaving a trail of bodies in her wake. (Many of them good ole boy republicans!) It sounds like she won't tolerate corruption or waste regardless of whose party it comes from. That is what we need.

I think Ronald Reagan would be pleased. I know I am breathing a sigh of relief. I will feel even better when I hear John McCain say it himself. (I am a bit of a Doubting Thomas at times.)

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Holding my breath in preparation for holding my nose

Kyle Prast — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:09:00 GMT

(See updates at bottom of post)

The word is, John McCain will declare his running mate tomorrow. I have come to terms with voting for McCain. To quote a colorful little saying of my father's, "He's a little better than the average...but the average ain't so good these days." The more I find out about Obama, the better McCain looks.

I think as long as he doesn't pick a real loser of a running mate, most conservatives like me will take a deep breath and vote for McCain on election day. The fact that a number of pro-choice candidates have been hinted at however, such as Tom Ridge and Joe Lieberman, to me destroys all the positive ground McCain gained since he became the Republican's candidate.

If McCain picks Lieberman or any other pro-choice running mate, I guess I will need an oxygen tank to keep me going on Election Day!

There is one V.P. possibility that excites me: Alaska's governor Sarah Palin. She is young, energetic, pro life, pro gun, pro small business, very pro oil...what's not to like? I doubt Democrats will bring up her lack of foreign policy experience because that would just point to Obama's lack of experience too. She's a mother of 5, her oldest son enlisted in the Army; her youngest was born with Down's Syndrome. So unlike Romney, who has changed his position, she truly believes in the sanctity of life and has demonstrated that by her actions. (Just so you know, I would be just as excited by her if she were male.)

Mitt Romney would be OK with me too. His speech on faith and his concession speech last spring were outstanding. He is pro-life enough for me and I know he would defend our freedom of religion, even though I don't share his faith. Many people do not see Romney in a favorable light however.

Tim Pawlenty's name has been out for a while. He would be good. He is young, pro life, and fairly conservative, but he is hook, line, and sinker an ethanol promoter. (What can you expect in Minnesota?) He comes from humble roots, so that would be a nice contrast. Since Pawlenty was for McCain all along, there would not be the 180 degree flip flops on McCain being a good president as Biden has had to do with Obama.

Another name tossed out there is Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Senator from Texas. She does not excite me, but at least she isn't a Lieberman or Ridge.

Paul Ryan or Bobby Jindall would be great too, but they are just a little on the young side for most people. (Next time?)

Any of the above would be better than a pro-choice pick.

What I don't understand is why McCain would even flirt with the idea of a pro-choice running mate? It is pretty obvious that the pro-life issue is important. To many voters it is the #1 criteria.

Eyebrows are still rising over Obama's vote on the Infant Protection Bill. Others agree that a Pro Choice Veep Equals Political Suicide, (My emphasis)

I hate to rain on John McCain's parade right after he trounced Barack Obama at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church forum, for which I heartily applaud him, but McCain's trial balloon consideration of a pro-choice running mate demands a response.

The prospect of an Obama presidency is so horrifying that many conservatives have temporarily put aside their misgivings about McCain to focus on defeating Obama.

They hold their noses on McCain's immigration record, his campaign finance reform zealotry and his newfound acquiescence to the propaganda narrative of environmental extremists. But they are profoundly appreciative of his tougher stance against tax increases and mindful of his undeniable superiority over Obama on foreign policy and national defense. Recent world events, including Russia's naked aggression against Georgia, magnify this already-glaring contrast.

But while national defense necessarily occupies the front burner, McCain would make a fatal mistake to assume that social issues, especially abortion, are ever off an equally blazing front burner for an inestimable number of social conservatives, the Republicans' most reliable voting bloc over the past three decades.

The pro life issue still has traction. Why give it away?

Because of McCain's age, the running mate becomes an even more important issue. Plus, wouldn't it be great to have a strong V.P. candidate that could step up when McCain fulfilled his term/s?

In the meantime, I'm holding my breath and thinking, don't make a colossal blunder, McCain!

UPDATE: After Barack Obama's speech tonight, the word on Fox News was that Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Tim Pawlenty would be meeting with McCain in Ohio tomorrow. Other sources had a longer list of VP possibilities. Ugh, I hate waiting.

Friday morning UPDATE: Mitt Romney will be in Ohio, Tim Pawlenty is not the pick and is not coming to Ohio, Mike Huckabee said he was not vetted (phew), but there is mention of a private charter flight to Ohio from ALASKA! (Jay Weber) Drudge has a campaign button mock up with McCain Palin on it big as life.

2nd Friday update: Fox News says it is not Mitt Romney.

3rd Friday update: My hopes are dashed. Rumors of Palin being in Ohio are said to not be true. ABC says she is in Alaska and set to visit their state fair today. I suppose she could still be the pick? They could be wrong? I hope? There are other rumors that Palin has been spotted in Ohio--that a woman and 2 teens got off that Alaskan charter flight last night. The announcement will come at 11am today--at least I can exhale then.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Have a Harley? Love bikes? Stop in at HOT TOPPERS

Kyle Prast — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:43:00 GMT

They come from all over the country; people from all walks of life--from Rich Urban BikerS (RUBS) to hardcore bikers. The one thing they have in common is that they love their machines. Customizing is part of the love affair. I snapped this picture near Sturgis, South Dakota early in August. Many bikers, just like this couple, are coming to the Milwaukee area for the 105th anniversary celebration of Harley-Davidson. (Yes, that is a coffin shaped trailer.)

I found out about HOT TOPPERS from my Brookfield friend. She is a friend of Elm Grove residents Maureen Denney and Bob Lundquist, the owners of HOT TOPPERS. They needed my son the techno-doctor to pay a house call to HOT TOPPERS, to repair their 2 Harley themed pinball machines. When he returned, I asked him, What do they sell there? He really could not tell me. Hmmm. I had to check this out for myself, and I am really glad I did! What an interesting place.

The HOT TOPPERS shop is located at 255 N. 121st Street, just a few blocks south of Bluemound Rd. and 121st St. What do they sell there? Why, HOT TOPPERS of course! Triple chrome plated ABS plastic covers for the various bolt heads on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

The caps come in various styles and sizes and are easy to apply. Their hours are Monday - Friday, 9-5 (often earlier and later.) They are also open by appointment on the weekends.

How can chrome caps be that interesting? Because their bolt covers and chrome accessories shop also is home to their extensive collection of vintage motorcycles and motorcycle themed collectibles.

Everything from vintage toys to antique and collectible promo items, T-shirts, lunch boxes, collector plates and mugs are neatly displayed in their shop's garage. (This represents about 1/3 of their collection.)

Their oldest bike is a French 1901 Clement. They also had a 1907 Triumph.

I believe this one is a 1914 Excelsior. They welcome visitors, and as their brochure states, it is a "Fun Place To Visit."

For more information on their attractive alternative to stainless steel bolts shown here on the HOT TOPPERS bike, see their website: hottoppers.com, call 414-282-5858, or email HOTTOPPERS@aol.com

"Still the best bang for your buck when it comes to chrome!"

Happy 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson

You can also see their products at Hal's Harley-Davidson in New Berlin.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

An enthusiastic Hillary talks about...Hillary!

Kyle Prast — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:32:00 GMT

I caught some of the Democratic convention last night. It was Hillary's big night. The video before she spoke was very well done and I think candidates will be using that medium more and more.

Finally it was Hillary's turn. Would she unify the party? She opened with,

I am honored to be here tonight. A proud mother. A proud Democrat. A proud American. And a proud supporter of Barack Obama.

(As she went down her different identities list, I wondered if she would say, A proud wife too.)

Hillary has improved her delivery style; she seemed very enthusiastic and energetic in speaking of her (and Bill's) accomplishments and experiences. If Obama wins, more than likely, she will finally get her health care plan--maybe even a Cabinet post too? (Transcript my emphasis)

And when Barack Obama is in the White House, he'll revitalize our economy, defend the working people of America, and meet the global challenges of our time. Democrats know how to do this. As I recall, we did it before with President Clinton and the Democrats. And we'll do it again with President Obama and the Democrats.

Just think what America will be when we transform our energy agenda by creating millions of green jobs and build a new, clean energy future. Barack Obama will make sure that middle-class families get the tax relief they deserve. And I cannot wait to watch Barack Obama sign into law a health care plan into law that covers every single American.

She promised Obama would end the war--responsibly. (No longer do they talk of immediate troop withdrawal.) This issue is rather moot at this point since President Bush and the Iraqi leadership are talking the same line.

Barack Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly and bring our troops home a first step to repairing our alliances around the world.

Best zinger of the evening:

Now, with an agenda like that, it makes perfect sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities. Because these days they're awfully hard to tell apart.

I don't agree that Bush and McCain are hard to tell apart, but then, to someone on the outside, we all look alike. Most conservatives will be holding their noses in voting for McCain. They are hardly the same. It was a good line just the same.

She talked about the women's suffrage movement and other strong women. I thought she should have mentioned Geraldine Ferraro though. After all, Geraldine was the first female V.P. candidate, making her a potential president should she be needed.

And after so many decades 88 years ago on this very day the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote would be forever enshrined in our Constitution.

My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for president.

Maybe it is just because I am a mom too, but I truly did appreciate how special it must have been for her to have her mother, who was born before women had the right to vote, and her daughter both able to vote for Hillary on the presidential primary ticket. This does show how far we have come as a nation, as does having an African American as one choice on the ticket.

I can't help but wonder if Hillary's convention speech will leave attendees and Democrats wondering if they nominated the wrong candidate, just as Republicans thought after Ronald Reagan spoke at Ford's convention. The pressure is on Obama to deliver the speech of his lifetime on Thursday.

Former President Bill Clinton's speech tonight should be interesting. Will he stick to the topic assigned? Just heard on an afternoon news blurb that he has also been instructed to keep his speech to 10 minutes!

P.S. Hillary even made light of her infamous pantsuit with a reference to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants-suit! You can tell she is a gutsy woman by her clothing selection last night. Anyone who can carry off a tangerine-coral colored pantsuit is no shrinking violet. She has been criticized about her fashion choices, but speaking as a former fashion design major, it is not the worst choice for her. She is not a size 12 or even 14. Heavier women, looking for business attire, have a very difficult time of it. If they wear a suit jacket with a skirt, they come off rather Janet Reno-ish. The pants give a more vertical line--especially if teamed with a monochromatic blouse and jacket. She is a summer in her coloring, so yellows and oranges look good on her. OK, enough of the fluff.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

The softer side of Michelle Obama

Kyle Prast — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:11:00 GMT

So, Why do we need change?

I listened to Michelle Obama last night. She spoke about how she and Barack came from humble roots. No trace of her for the first time I''m really proud of my country attitude. She did a nice job, but her persona last night was quite different from the Michelle of the campaign trail.

It was very clear she had wonderful parents. She spoke passionately about how they were hard working and dedicated to their family. When she spoke about them, I believe it was from her heart. From the transcript: (My emphasis throughout)

He [My dad] and my mom poured everything they had into me and Craig. It was the greatest gift a child can receive: never doubting for a single minute that you're loved, and cherished, and have a place in this world. And thanks to their faith and hard work, we both were able to go on to college. So I know firsthand from their lives — and mine — that the American dream endures.

She then spoke of Barack's background and how even though he was raised by a single mom and grandparents, they shared those same values: that you work for what you value.

And you know, what struck me when I first met Barack was that even though he had this funny name, even though he'd grown up all the way across the continent in Hawaii, his family was so much like mine. He was raised by grandparents who were working class folks just like my parents, and by a single mother who struggled to pay the bills just like we did. Like my family, they scrimped and saved so that he could have opportunities they never had themselves. And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them.

I could relate to her speech. I was raised in a blue collar family. My parents did not go to college; my father did not even attend high school. I was the first in the family to go to college and they scrimped and saved to make that possible. God blessed me with fantastic parents who instilled in me the very same values that Michelle extolled.

And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

Hard work is the common thread to achievement. She then goes on to talk about how she and her husband have made sacrifices to serve their country, a country which she admits has given her much.

And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us — no matter what our age or background or walk of life — each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.

Very nice. It is good to give back. But that life of public service is hardly on the same plane as joining the Peace Corps or something. The Obama's live very comfortably serving the public and are considered rich by most American people's standards. Don't get me wrong, they have every right to make money--I am all for it. I guess I just take exception to the idea that they somehow are living sacrificially now. I suppose all things are relative.

She concludes with,

And as I tuck that little girl and her little sister into bed at night, I think about how one day, they'll have families of their own. And one day, they — and your sons and daughters — will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They'll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming. How this time, in this great country — where a girl from the South Side of Chicago can go to college and law school, and the son of a single mother from Hawaii can go all the way to the White House — we committed ourselves to building the world as it should be. (Then a pitch to vote for Barack.)

But if an African American blue collar worker (without a college education) from the south side of Chicago could produce a Princeton schooled lawyer, who is now a potential First Lady of the land, and a single mom on food stamps along with dedicated grandparents can send a son to private school, and that son goes onto Harvard and is the Democrat's candidate for president, doesn't this prove America already is the land of opportunity? There is room for improvement, of course.

Michelle acknowledged the "American Dream endures." As she summed up the reason for their success, notice that it was the simple principle of HARD WORK that got both of them to this unique moment in history.

Michelle Obama did a good job with her speech--it just did not ring true to me. I don't think what she said last night supported the need for the kind of "Change" her husband's campaign promotes.

Campaign signs of Common Values/Common Purpose abounded in the audience. I share the values of hard work and sacrifice Michelle spoke about. What I don't share is Obama's vision for our nation's future.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Catholic group not happy with Biden V.P. pick

Kyle Prast — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:27:00 GMT

I am a little puzzled by this statement, since the Democrat's presidential candidate and platform are pro-abortion too.

The Roman Catholic group, Fidelis, says Barack Obama's selection of pro-abortion Catholic Joe Biden to be his V.P. running mate "is a slap in the face to Catholic voters" and poses a major challenge for American Catholics.

In a press release sent out overnight, Fidelis president, Brian Burch, declared that Barack Obama has "re-opened a wound among American Catholics" by picking a pro-abortion Catholic politician like Joe Biden.

According to Burch, the American Catholic bishops have made it clear that Catholic political leaders must defend the dignity of every human person, including the unborn.

The article goes on to state Joe Biden's "steadfast support for legal abortion" in the US Senate.

This same issue came up in the 2004 election when John Kerry "sparked a nationwide controversy over whether Catholics who support legal abortion can receive communion."

The Catholic group's president, Brian Burch stated, "Selecting a pro-abortion Catholic is a slap in the face to Catholic voters."

According to Burch, "The American bishops have instructed Catholic voters to consider many issues, but have characterized the defense of human life as foundational and have explained that the issue has a special claim on the conscience of the Catholic voter. This means that a political candidate like Biden, because of his strong support for abortion rights, forfeits any claim for support despite his views on other issues like health care and the economy."

I would agree with Mr. Burch that this issue is foundational.

What I don't quite understand is why would a pro-life Catholic (or a pro-life voter from any other religion) be voting for Barack Obama--the most anti pro-life candidate?

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Dr. Gibson flirts with 4K again to cure Elmbrook's budget woes

Kyle Prast — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:57:00 GMT

Last night I caught a bit of the July school board meeting on cable TV*. The board was discussing Elmbrook's coming budget woes and the difficult decisions our district needs to make to keep our schools operating within budget. (Unfortunately, I missed at least the first half of the meeting, but I will watch again and take better notes.)

Glen Allgaier had created a list of cost saving possibilities--none of them an easy choice. The list included the unpleasant prospects of closing a school and increasing class sizes. The idea was we needed to dramatically cut spending in order to meet our financial obligations. There seemed to be agreement that drastic measures were necessary.

Then Dr. Gibson chimed in that we could also look at increasing revenue producers to solve our money problems as well as implementing cost savings measures. That was when he mentioned 4K as well as looking at nonresident students. Gibson acknowledged that we had decided to forgo 4K but it seemed the state aid dollar potential was still tempting him.

Another "revenue producer" would be to go to the taxpayers with a referendum to raise the spending cap!

The idea of coming at taxpayers on the heels of our $62mil high school referendum would be very distasteful to me--especially considering our budget shortfalls are nothing new. While I had suggested a referendum to raise the spending cap to increase the maintenance/capital improvement budget as a way to deal with the high school improvements and needs, that spending cap referendum was to be instead of not in addition to the high school referendum!

4K was mentioned not as an improvement to education but solely as a cure for budget woes--as in increasing the school budget, not decreasing the taxpayer's burden. Our board decided last fall to eliminate 4K because it was not shown to improve student performance in the long run. But here we are again mentioning 4K as a possibility.

Universal 4K is also a subject of the presidential election. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama support the idea of nationwide 4K. The Democrat party believes in pre-K as it is sometimes called.

Today, the Wall Street Journal's Protect Our Kids From Preschool summed up much of what I wrote last fall when Elmbrook was deciding their 4K question. In a nutshell, there is no longterm evidence that 4K is beneficial in the long run:

Barack Obama says he believes in universal preschool and if he's elected president he'll pump "billions of dollars into early childhood education." Universal preschool is now second only to universal health care on the liberal policy wish list...

But is strapping a backpack on all 4-year-olds and sending them to preschool good for them? Not according to available evidence.
...
Mr. Obama asserted in the Las Vegas debate on Jan. 15 that every dollar spent on preschool will produce a 10-fold return by improving academic performance, which will supposedly lower juvenile delinquency and welfare use -- and raise wages and tax contributions. Such claims are wildly exaggerated at best.

In the last half-century, U.S. preschool attendance has gone up to nearly 70% from 16%. But fourth-grade reading, science, and math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) -- the nation's report card -- have remained virtually stagnant since the early 1970s.

The piece concludes with:

If Mr. Obama is serious about helping children, he should begin by fixing what is clearly broken: the K-12 system. The best way of doing that is by building on programs with a proven record of success. Many of these involve giving parents control over their own education dollars so that they have options other than dysfunctional public schools. The Obamas send their daughters to a private school whose annual fee in middle school runs around $20,000. Other parents deserve such choices too -- not promises of subsidized preschool that they may not want and that may be bad for their kids.

Jay Weber talked about 4K in his 8am hour today too. A man whose wife taught in Elmbrook's kindergarten program called in. He said his wife presented 25 reasons 4K was beneficial at the board meeting, but the board voted to discontinue. The caller then added, he wouldn't send his children for 4K! (He must have had his own 26 reasons it wasn't beneficial?)

Finland was again mentioned as a standard. Finland doesn't start school until age 7. Their students do better than the rest of the world.

Taxpayers are asked for more and more money each year, whether at the local or national level. Can we at least narrow down the wish list to programs that actually work?

Past post: Does 4K deserve tax dollars?

If you wish to read other past postings on this subject, just click the tag 4K and they will come up.

*Our venture in to cable TV was short lived. We signed on with TimeWarner for a special deal that wasn't delivered as promised. Now to get the package that was presented would cost $30 more per month. Too much for television! Monday the cable TV will be shut off.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Save 10% on gas with the "Melchert Plan"

Kyle Prast — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:15:00 GMT

Last May I told you about Randy Melchert, candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly--24th District. Although that is not my district, his "Melchert Plan" to lower area gasoline prices by 10% is appealing. I don't have to live in the Menomonee Falls/Germantown area to be in favor of that!

From his website:

...[His] three-part plan would eliminate the Minimum Markup Law, lower the state Gas Tax to the national average, and end the forced use of Reformulated Gas.While gas prices have risen nationwide, gas in Wisconsin has risen more than other states because Wisconsin has one of the ten highest gasoline tax rates in the nation! The Tax Foundation shows how gas taxes in Wisconsin are 3 cents higher than Indiana, 5 cents higher than Ohio, almost 11 cents higher than Minnesota and Iowa, almost 15 cents higher than South Carolina and Kentucky, and 19 cents higher than New Jersey

Now I could understand if the gas tax was used for highway maintenance and road repair, but when Governor Doyle can steal $240 million from the transportation fund to cover the rest of his budget, we're paying too much in gas taxes.

On his website, Melchert includes a series of interesting charts, graphs, and lots of statistics that illustrate how Wisconsin drivers pay more for gasoline than most other states. There is also a savings calculator where you can punch in your numbers to see how the minimum mark up, reformulation, and higher gas taxes affect you. On average, I probably would save $300 a year, but if I would calculate the savings for our entire household, we would be saving somewhere around $900 a year.

Since we just returned from a trip out west, I can confirm we found gas prices elsewhere much cheaper. The added bonus was that we could get non-ethanol gasoline in other states, giving us more miles per gallon.

For example: in a 2 day period on Aug. 16th and 17th, regular gasoline in Sioux Falls, SD was $3.49/gal, Willmar, MN was $3.62/gal, but in Wisconsin, reformulated gas (the only kind available) in Black River Falls was $3.79/gal.

Check out the information on Melchert's website, and if you would like to save 10% on your gasoline bills, contact your representatives and senators and ask them to implement the Melchert Plan!

If I lived in the 24th District, I would be voting for Randy Melchert come Sept. 9th. But I live in the 14th District, so my vote happily goes to Leah Vukmir.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Gas prices fall and so does interest in small cars

Kyle Prast — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:47:00 GMT

According to Wednesday's USA TODAY Money section, the slight fall in gas prices has already influenced the type of car people are looking at.

It seems that now that the heat is off, rising gas prices wise, so is the interest in small cars.

The article, Hot ;small-car sales simmer down - Falling gas prices pull reins on stampeding buyers, stated that, "Car shoppers who panicked in June and July about gas prices are losing intrest in small cars and hybrids as fuel prices have declined."

This drop in interest was based on Edmunds.com users searching for certain types of cars--compacts and hybrids. A chart showed that although gas prices rose from $3.33/gal in April, to a peak of about $4.10 in July, and have fallen to $3.81 now, the percentage of compact and hybrid searches is now just about where they were in April.

"In June, 31.4% of recent new car buyers surveyed said the purchase was motivated by a desire for better gas mileage, Acxiom says. That is up from 21.1% in February, but still less than a third of buyers. there is 'not this huge flood to one segmennt in the auto industry," says Tim Longnecer of Axiom's automotive practice. 'There's still going to be this hughe desire for utility.'"

The article concluded with a quote from Jeremy Anwyl of Edmunds "At the end of the day, people need space."

We too toyed with the idea of trading in my PT Cruiser, which does not get great gas mileage, but concluded the cost to upgrade to a better gas mileage model was not worth it. We figured we could purchase a lot of gas, at a higher price, for the difference in sticker cost for that more efficient model.

The other influencing factor for us, just as Amwyl stated, was size. We needed a vehicle at least PT's size to use for a vacation car, so we did nothing. (Plus I still have 2 more years of warranty left.)

How about you?

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Email tags and a bumper sticker

Kyle Prast — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:18:11 GMT

You see a lot of bumper stickers on cars. Some are quite funny; some cruel. This one isn't a bumper sticker yet, but I suspect I will see it: I thought it was a clever play on a campaign slogan. (It was an email post script tag.)

NObama 08, Keep the Change!

This next slogan actually was a bumper sticker, and it was bipartisan!

DON'T STEAL, THE GOVERNMENT HATES COMPETITION

My son spotted this email tag on a VW car bullitin board site.

My carbon output feeds the trees the liberals love to hug!

Any one see a funny McCain bumper sticker?

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

Tomatoes and garlic salad Italian style

Kyle Prast — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:27:00 GMT

Growing up, one of our favorite summer meals was sweet corn, Italian bread, maybe some tuna fish, and tomatoes and garlic salad. It was a very simple supper, but it sure tasted good!

I still make this marinated salad just like my Italian grandfather did--with homegrown tomatoes (or from the farmer's market), garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. It is very simple to prepare. If you like tomatoes and garlic, give it a try.

Put all ingredients into a salad bowl.

Use at least one tomato per person. Wash it, core it, and cut into wedges--about 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inches.

Peel and slice 1 clove of garlic per 3 tomatoes--more or less to taste.

Pour on about 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil per tomato.

Some people might want to add a pinch of salt.

Let sit at room temperature for a few hours and stir a few times. DO NOT REFRIGERATE!!!

When ready to serve, you can pick out the garlic slices if you like, or leave in.

Serve with Italian bread. The juice from the tomatoes mixed with the oil and garlic is delicious. Grandpa would break off pieces of the bread to soak up the juices with. That is how we eat it too.

I like the Italian bread from Angelina's Deli on North Ave. just east of Pilgrim. They also have the best Italian sausage in town, in my opinion. The sausages would make a nice addition to this meal, instead of the tuna.

We get our sweet corn from Simon's on Greenfield Ave. and Vista View--between Mooreland and Sunnyslope. It is excellent.

So give this simple summer supper a try soon.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna

*Happiness is a trailer and a hitch, or fun times at the recycling center

Kyle Prast — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:54:08 GMT

One of the first things we purchased when we moved here was a utility trailer. What do we need that for? I asked my husband. He said we would need to to haul brush to the dump. (Back then we still called it the dump.) He did use it for that purpose...a lot.

In 1995 I became the one to go to the recycling center. We were remodeling and in 1995 the center still allowed residents to bring in their used building materials.

Every week I would make at least 3 trips with trailer fully loaded. I was a bit of a novelty, because there were not too many women who would drive a car with a trailer. (I got to know the guys pretty well--a few were nice.)

I've made a few trips since then, but I always needed my husband's car since he had the hitch.

But this summer, I got a trailer hitch put onto my car. That might not seem like a big deal to you, but it made me happy. Now I can go to the Recycling Center whenever they are open.

On a recent trip, my son and I watched other residents struggle shoveling mulch and dirt into their trunks and mini vans. I happily forked the mulch into my little old red trailer.

The Recycling Center has changed a great deal since my earlier visits. The new facilities for Public Works are pretty impressive. (Our tax dollars at work.)

I must say I miss the piles of stuff and scrap lumber though. It was always fun to check those out. (Once a nice worker even let me retrieve a plaid metal lunch box from the scrap metal heap!)

Kids loved the idea of bringing home wood for a fort or tree house. It was truly a Recycling Center back then!

If you like to garden or if you have a lot of mature trees on your lot, may I recommend the humble trailer and hitch. They have more than paid for themselves at our homestead.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, Mark Levin, Vicki Mckenna