Practically Speaking - All Comments

Elm Grove's Sendik's Fall Extravaganza Oct. 9-15th

Practically Speaking — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:13:11 GMT

Here is something fun to do this weekend...stop in at the Balistreri Sendik's stores and celebrate

re: McCain & Palin up close at Waukesha Town Hall + pictures

thoughtfulconservative — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:44:39 GMT

Kyle, Mr. Harris is on WTMJ radio on weekend evenings and sometimes substitutes at other times. He also has a blog, "The National Conversation."

Kyle's reply: Thanks, I now realize I have heard him.

re: A plea for poll watchers to avert voter fraud

My Two Cents — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:03:24 GMT

Jeff B, you can add Saul Alinsky, founder of Industrial Areas Foundation to your list. According to my research, Obama is a follower of Alinsky's "overthrow the American Constitution from within" mentality. Alinsky has written a book, Rules for Radicals, which seems to be Obama's bible. I'd also add Marxism, Liberation Theology, and Black Liberation Theology to that list. If you research any of these subjects, Obama's name seems to come up. This is very frightning.

re: McCain & Palin up close at Waukesha Town Hall + pictures

My Two Cents — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:53:49 GMT

Thanks Kyle, for the report. I wish I could have attended the rally. My greatest concern is voter fraud. Knowing what we know about Obama, it's incredible that voters are willing to go to any extent to elect this socialist. I know morals are going down the tubes in America, but how can anyone corrupt our most precious freedom (besides life), the right to a fair and honest election? We might as well be in Soviet Russia.

re: A plea for poll watchers to avert voter fraud

Jeff B — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:20:37 GMT

Oh man...Now ACORN is tied to Obama? ACORN, Ayres, Wright, Rezko, Fannie, Freddie? Where does it end? How this crook is even still in this election is beyond me.

re: It stinks. Why can't we ask?

mikeyd — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:42:48 GMT

Why can't you ask?

I think you just did.

It seems McCain is dragging this thing down and the issues you say are not in the media are Everywhere in the media... mostly in bitter quotes from McCain and Palin themselves and most see through these pathetic tactics (or is it strategies?).

I don't see or hear Obama bringing up the Keating Five at every speech, or dragging the adulterous character and divorce of McCain or of Palins childrens sex and pregnancy issues, or of Palins using her govermental powers to have people fired for personal reasons. The media brought those issues up, we explored, and now they are hopefully a small part of the equation. At least they are for me. The only story still in news is Palin's firing of the public official that wouldn't fire her ex-brother in law, and that is in the News because it is happening Now. I don't hear the GOP complaining that the negatives of McCain/Palin are not still in the news.. The media likes to talk about current issues, new findings, juicy tidbits, that is what they do. They generally don't keep bringing up stale news or non-issues. You just highlighted a media story, and say why doesn't anyone talk about this, but that is contradicted by the story itself. It is there in black and white, and digital, and highlighted in your blog. It will be brought up as much as the public wants to hear it or is interested in it.

Just because it is a GOP head talking point, and appears the only card they have left to play to comfound the voters and try to drag down voter turnout, doesn't mean the majority of the US wants to hear it.

The Huge problem with the Economy and the direction we have been headed lately has forced these issues to take the backseat, or tossed them completely off the car. I have said a few times here, let's keep it to the Actual Issues. Thank God one of the candidates is trying to do just that, and the undecided voters are moving in his direction due to the need for change in economic policies and in the direction the country has been heading in the past decade, and maybe some are deciding Obama because they don't want that bitter partisan nonsense anymore and will vote for the one that doesn't run down the low road.

re: McCain goes to La Crosse Friday, Palin not willing to give up Michigan

mikeyd — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:59:50 GMT

Hi Kyle,

What percentage amount of total voter registrations in the US or WI do the registrations you are contending are inaccurate amount? What percentage of the votes last presidential elections are you contending were fraudulent? It just doesn't amount to enough to change an election, except in a rare care like the Gore-Bush election, which went Your way. Do you have any problems with inner city polling locations having much higher problems of running out of ballots or running into troubles with voting machines? Ideally we should have no fraud or problems, but also ideally Every single person of age would vote. Ideally we could have a national day off so everyone could vote, even those who can't afford to take an hour off to vote. We all know those the live in apartments, are at college, or that move around alot because they can't afford a home, or don't have a car/drivers license are at a disadvantage when it comes to proving they are US Citizens with ID, and are at a disadvantage of making sure the voter records are adjusted to show their newest address. Requiring IDs that many in groups listed above do not have is unfortunately not the answer, unless there is an agenda to limit the voter potential of the US citizens that fall in some of those groups. What happens if Obama wins in a landslide and not by ruling of the courts in one state? What is he wins big and the states where the group you hate is active do not make up the difference in electorate count? Wouldn't that make your pre-election accusation that this election is fraudulent a mute point? If that group you hate registers 10,000 per state, and every state has a vote differential higher than that number, AND every single registration is fraudulent, than it is a mute point. Accusations are so easy to throw around by the bitter, as are chants of Terrorist! and Kill! Kill! Kill! as we have heard at the McCain/Palin gatherings lately, as those 'candidates' stand smiling and proud.

Yes, I know there are many PAC groups. Unlike you, I don't promote or fund any of the obviously political ones, they are definitely a big part of the problem. It seems the only thing these groups do is handle the larger mudslinging process and running wild with accusations against the candidate which they oppose. I am sure this is what you would of say the PP Action Fund mailer, as I would say about most everything the 'OCDB' group you are promoting. The whole swiftboat affair brought it front and center in the public eye, and now these groups can't completely undermine the democratic political process. Thankfully more people are wary and tired of such tactics, and the undecided are clearly breaking Obama's way in the polls after each debate is won by the democratic candidate, and as McCain and the PACs try to drag this thing down out of desperation. McCain has even stated over and over in the past week that he is going to take off the gloves and start slinging it himself. If you are in denial about the way the undecided voters are seeing things, check one of your own, Real Clear Politics, and their poll electorate data. MoveOn does have issues, and i agree with them more than disagree, thankfully they have been surprisingly quiet lately.

Kyle's reply: I am not going to waste my time replying to all your comments, but I think the point is, we don't know how many registrations are fraudulent. The idea that poor would be at a disadvantage if ID were required is bogus. The government could issue a voter ID as they do in states like Texas. Same day registration needs to stop.

I do not "hate" any group. I do resent ACORN and their ilk's illegal actions and believe they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Fraudulent voter registrations are a stick in the eye of democracy.

I was at the McCain Palin town hall yesterday, that the media mis-characterized as angry. There were NO chants of "Kill, kill, kill or terrorist."

There is a difference between mudslinging and an honest look at the facts. There is nothing wrong with being held accountable for your actions and associations.

re: George McGovern backs voter privacy, Obama doesn't

Jack Shaw — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:35:55 GMT

Actually, I got my information on the Government site. There is usually some twist on any site that "explains" a bill.

Kyle's reply: I do agree about the twist, but I think the most interesting part of the McGovern plea was that it came from McGovern!

re: McCain goes to La Crosse Friday, Palin not willing to give up Michigan

mikeyd — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:26:51 GMT

From what I have heard, the voter turnout is expected to be extremely high, perhaps record numbers. It seems that many people do 'grasp the consequences of this election'. Thankfully, this is democracy.

Are we now in love with PAC groups, does the infamous swift boat group still exist? Perhaps giving to them would be good for those so inclined. Who needs to hear about issues or hear plans and ideas from the actual candidates themselves, bring on the fluff.

Kyle's reply: I am not sure we have a truly democratic election this cycle thanks to ACORN and similar groups turning in fraudulent registrations. I wouldn't mind record numbers of voters if I knew they were 1. U.S. Citizens, 2. had the proper residency required, 3. were not felons, and 4. they voted only ONCE!

Speaking of PAC groups, I just got a full page color sheet in the mail from a PAC against John McCain and Sarah Palin from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc.

PS, almost forgot the biggie PAC: MoveOn.org

re: George McGovern backs voter privacy, Obama doesn't

Jack Shaw — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:35:54 GMT

I believe you may find that there is a Senate amendment (S. 1312) that will take care of the balloting issue by adding the following:

(1) by striking `Representatives' and inserting `(1) Representatives';

(2) by inserting after `designated or selected' the following: `by a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board in accordance with this section'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`(2) The secret ballot election requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply to collective bargaining relationships that were recognized before the date of the enactment of the Secret Ballot Protection Act of 2007.'.

Kyle's reply: This it? A Case for the Secret Ballot Protection Act.

"Benefits of enacting the SBPA include:

embodying in law an absolute right for employees to make a decision about unionization in a fair, secret, and democratic election;
eliminating unreliable authorization cards as a means for unions to achieve representative status and shielding employees from union misrepresentations, peer pressure, harassment, intimidation, coercion, and forgery of their names;
giving employees at least the opportunity to learn about both sides of the unionization issue before voting; and
freeing employers from union coercion to sacrifice their employees’ interest in a secret ballot election.

Seems there is some concern that the older version could be resurrected?

re: McCain goes to La Crosse Friday, Palin not willing to give up Michigan

My Two Cents — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:19:40 GMT

This race is for more than the Presidency, it's for the Congress too. I don't understand how people don't grasp the consequences of this election. Are Americans ready to give up democracy in favor of socialism? I guess I better send some money to "Our Country Deserves Better," because I believe it does deserve better.

The Waukesha Carnival 10/5/2008 « Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative

The Waukesha Carnival 10/5/2008 « Musings of a Thoughtful Conservative — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:38:00 GMT

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BizzyBlog » Things I’d Like To Post About Today ….. (100708, Morning)

BizzyBlog » Things I’d Like To Post About Today ….. (100708, Morning) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:52:19 GMT

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re: The silver lining is...oil prices fell 40% since July

Larry Knetzger — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:50:09 GMT

Hi Kyle, purchasing natural gas is done by the utilities on the futures market, its a commodity. On staff at the utilities are traders that do nothing but trade futures on natural gas. It is gambling but it is the way commodities are sold and bought. At the time these futures were bought Oil was at its highest. Tough decision for Utilities, but of course they don't loose a nickel, just pass the cost onto the consumer. Kind of a job like a weather forecaster, right or wrong you still are employed for your next prediction. Life in the fast lane.

re: The silver lining is...oil prices fell 40% since July

winegirl — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:43:08 GMT

I was also watching the futures market news this morning, and I saw December 2009 oil prices are equal to the near term futures prices. I am not an expert in futures, but this tells me that the professionals don't see the prices coming down at all over the next year and that buying at today's prices seems like a bargain. I expect the utility companies will try to lock in reasonable prices for future resale but no price breaks will come about next year. Only thing individuals can do is reduce consumption as much as possible: wear your woolies, turn off the heat and any appliances that are not absolutely needed, stay off the roads.

More income spent on utility costs will be less available for discretionary spending. And we have to remember that local government won't be "cutting back."

Kyle's reply: Gasoline prices are at least coming down right now. That will help a little to offset the higher utility costs.

You said it, government does not back be it the local school board (oh joy, looking forward to those years of paying off the referendum), city, state, or nation.

Since I am always cold, this is an important issue for me. I found that wool is a wonderful fiber for keeping warm--much superior to synthetics. I am also fond of my heating pad that I use as a foot warmer and my tiny space heater that I use for very localized heating. These items allow me to keep the temp. down on the thermostat and yet stay comfortable.

re: The silver lining is...oil prices fell 40% since July

winegirl — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:58:01 GMT

It appears falling oil prices won't help homeowners this winter, according to the news article published today in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The utility companies purchased their supplies for this winter months ago.

"Homeowners in the Midwest can expect winter heating costs to rise by about 17% this winter, the federal Energy Information Administration said this morning.

That would translate to an increase for the average household of about $170 a month during the six-month heating season, the agency said.

Households that rely on propane can expect increases of 10% and those that use heating oil can expect an increase of about 12%.

If the forecast holds, this will be the most expensive winter heating season on record, no matter which fuel homeowners use to heat their homes.

The winter heating outlook being released today is based on the agency's latest assessment of energy prices and a long-term weather forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that calls for warmer than normal temperatures across the Midwest.

The price of crude oil, natural gas and even gasoline at the pump have all fallen sharply since mid-summer, with the price of oil falling below $90 a barrel on Monday.

The spot price of natural gas is also much lower than it was in July, but home heating costs are based in part by the skyrocketing prices this summer, when utilities were building up inventories of natural gas for the winter heating season, the agency said."

Kyle's reply: Thanks. I had forgotten about pre-purchasing. What is left? Wood heat? :)

I remember Elmbrook discussing the increase in heating costs for this year at the July (?) meeting. Many institutions pre-purchase their own energy supplies too. Some schools are able to switch to oil during peak use to save money on their utility bills. Central used to be able to do that; East still had dual fuel? I don't know if the new heating systems will be dual fuel at Pilgrim, Central and East. (Institutions can get a reduced natural gas rate if they are willing to switch to oil during the really cold weather.)

Many people this summer pre-purchased gasoline believing it would only go higher. I wonder how they are feeling now? Futures markets are always risky.

Bottom line is, OPEC is not about to let prices fall much lower. They will just cut back on their production to keep prices up. That is why I strongly believe we need to increase our own domestic production of oil and natural gas.

re: The silver lining is...oil prices fell 40% since July

Larry Knetzger — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:45:55 GMT

Hi Kyle, While we watch the stock market crash, the dollar rises to a 13month high, just a really adverse relationship of value. Really hard to comprehend. More buying opportunities but when to pull the trigger is the hard part.

Kyle's reply: I hope the Fed does not lower interest rates more!

re: Democrat's donations key to why they think rich must pay more taxes?

Tom Polzin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:26:22 GMT

Thanks Kyle. While many conservatives are far from generous themselves, it is truly rare to find a liberal politician who believes in anything enough to give sacrificially to it, especially their church. I admire your courage to call a spade a spade.

re: Short trips: Out and about in West Bend

Cindy — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 02:55:32 GMT

You never cease to amaze me. I'm just a little jealous I wasn't invited, especially since there was chocolate and coffee involved.

re: Not every bank is broke, Wells Fargo to buy Wachovia

intewedm — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:39:43 GMT

Only a fool doesn't think that the banks are going to come out of this smelling like a rose! One bank buys another for pennies on the dollar without regard to the underlying value of the assets? When the survivors start to report record profits, their execs with get huge bonuses for being so brilliant. The banks being bought will not have to comply with any rules, so their execs can get huge buyout bonuses. This whole thing stinks to high heaven, and the politicians are enabling it. They are on TV this morning saying "I can't stand this bill, but I'm voting for it because we have to do something." Right, like screw the taxpayers! I'll not vote for anyone who votes for this bill including Sensenbrenner.