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OHS girls lose to Mukwonago

Chris Schuck — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:25:31 GMT

Oconomowoc's varsity girls basketball team lost at home in a nonconference game, 47-40 against the Mukwonago Indians on Tuesday. Mandy Prom scored 12 points for the Raccoons. Sam Haertle scored 11 points....(read more)

Mukwonago School District absentee rates show increase

Carol Spaeth-Bauer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:57:29 GMT

While Mukwonago School District absenteeism rates related to flu-like illness have begun to increase, to date the rates have not reached the levels that have been observed at other nearby districts, an Oct. 15 school health bulletin stated. To date Mukwonago Area School District has only been made aware of a handful of confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza in the school district. Numerous students and staff have experienced flu-like illness including fever and cough, sore throat, body aches, and a variety...(read more)

Drunk Driving Laws

Toni Cattani — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:59:00 GMT

It’s about time! Two proposed bills to make drunk driving violations more strict. Currently, the first time offense is considered a municipal citation.

Bills being proposed:

1.) From Rep. Mark Gundrum, where an OWI at .20 ( two and half times above the legal limit) will be considered a felony. If convicted, violators will serve a minimum sentencing from five days to six months in jail, including a fine.

2.) From Rep. Peggy Krusick, where an OWI at .08 or above it will be considered a felony. Although, the bill is still under construction, Krusick said that an immediate jail-time sentencing will be present.

Gundrum insists that his bill is likely to be passed, because of the reasonable middle ground it displays, which sadly I can see being the case as well. From that, you can see my view is first time offense needs to be felony at .08 or above. Your first time drinking and driving can be someone’s last breath. So, what do you think? Should the charges should stay the same, do you agree with Grundrum versus Krusick’s proposal, or do you have your own opinions?

** On a personal note, I'd like to give a great thanks to Officer Chris Marks of the Summit/Oconomowoc area - he literally saved my life last night and deserves public recognition for being not only a great officer, but a great citizen. THANK YOU!

Thank You !

Kim Stoltz — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:59:54 GMT

Wholly Smokes! As much as I was surprised how fast 2008 flew by - I cannot even believe we are at the end of another school year. Time goes by so fast and now I feel it's time to slow down.

In my ‘Welcome to 2009' blog - I shared what we had done from the start of school through December. Now I will fill you in on what we did the rest of the year.

Field Trips:

1^st and 2^nd Grade - Retzer Center, Story Time Hike and the Planetarium - Our Place in Space and to the Super Scientific Play in Whitewater.

3rd Grade - Boat Trip around Eagle Springs Lake and to Lake Lulu, "Around the World Day" - trip to see our pen pals

4^th Grade - Annual trip to the Capital

4^th and 5^th Grade - Disney "Earth" movie

5^th and 6^th Grade - Retzer Center to learn the basics of using GPS Units

6^th Grade - Lutherdale for teambuilding, low and high ropes

All School Field Trip - Adventure Rock climbing and a picnic/hike at Lapham Peak State Park

Community Service Products:

We raised $806.03 for Pennies for Patients. EV ranked #8 out of the top ten schools with fewer than 200 students on funds raised.
We raised $500.00 for the MACC Fund
We raised $3775.00 during Jump Rope for Heart
We recently donated Hair towards the Locks of Love (the teachers and students that participated did a great job)

If that's not enough - I have more events that occurred since December:

January - Chili Dinner/ Book Fair and Science Fair
February - Community Open House, Celebrated Random Acts of Kindness
March - Grandparent Lunch Week, Family Dance, Variety Show
April - Each class did something for Earth Month, Assembly with David Stokes, Clean Sweep Day, Visit from Waukesha County Land Use Recycling Center for teacher (4) R's
May - Favorite Man Breakfast, Celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, Olympic Day and All School Field Trip, 6^th Grade used their basket making skills from Baskets of Love to make Mother's Day baskets.

Awards / Ranking

EV received the Youth Award for our float in the Midnight Magic Parade
5^th & 6^th Grade Girls took 2^nd Place in the District Basketball tournament
6^th Grade Boys received the traveling Sportsmanship Award in the District Basketball tournament
EV ranked in the top 4% out of 1000 schools for WKCE scores

Now some personal words from me -

It's a bittersweet moment for me to say that my son is now transitioning out of the elementary years to the middle school next year. As much as I'm proud of him, I'm sad to see him grow up. I put a DVD together for the class for the K5 through 6^th grade years and it's amazing to see the changes over the years. It really tugs on those heart strings. Putting the disk together was not a problem, watching the finished piece with music is what hit me. I hope everyone enjoys the DVD.

Besides my son moving on, I will also be moving on. This is my last blog and my term is now over for the Eagleville Governance Team. This is also hard for me. Eagleville is such a great school with so much character, I feel everyone should come to this school to experience what we have over the past six years, I can honestly say that over six years - my son has "never" woke up and complained about going to school. The teachers, although being fairly new, are great, eager and willing to take Eagleville to new places and directions while keeping the history and traditions alive.

So....

*Thank you to all the parent volunteers over the past six years.

*Thank you to all the Eagleville families for your support of the school.

*Thank you to the current and past Parent/Governance Team Members for all the time and effort.

*Thank you to the following Eagleville teachers (past and present) who have helped our children grow and be who they are today: Mrs. Gebhard, Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Struve, Mrs. Budzynski, Mr. Sturm, Mrs. Chapman,

And we can't forget Mrs. Kujawa, Mrs. Alger, Mr. Steib, Mrs.Wilson, Mrs. Raduenz, and Mrs. Hein - you have all played a role in our children's lives.

THANK YOU.

Open Air Living and the NEW blog site

Jeff Konkol — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:51:00 GMT

Greetings outdoor enthusiasts,

I just wanted to let you know the "Living Lake Country Blogs" have moved to a new address:

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/

Unfortunately, it is with great sadness that I inform you I will not be making that move.

There are changes to the new site that I do not agree with and limits to the information I am able to provide.

This is the companies right as the sponsors of this site.

Since the link you are reading this at will be deleted soon, I just wanted to thank each of you for your readership and comments over the last year and a half.

I may return to writing somewhere on-line in the future so feel free to stay in touch jkonkol@outdrs.net

Until then

See you 'round the campfire

Neighbors file dam law suit

Kelly Smith — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:07:20 GMT

City of Delafield - Margaret Zerwekh's neighbors have filed a law suit in Waukesha County Circuit Court challenging a ruling by an administrative law judge that Zerwekh can remove the dam she owns on the Bark River near the corner of Main Street and Mill Road. The law suit argues that Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Boldt and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources failed to follow state laws and regulations and failed to protect the property rights of the homeowners by issuing a permit...(read more)

KM softball team romps

Chuck Delsman — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:11:11 GMT

Kettle Moraine's varsity girls softball team finished play in the Classic 8 Conference Monday by scoring an easy 11-0 win over visiting Mukwonago. KM completed league play at 8-6, good for fourth place. Sam Pfeifer, batting .524 on the season, had three hits and six RBIs for the Lasers. Candace Rupnick led the Lasers with four hits. Katie McCann, Shelbey Hartig and Williams added three hits each to that total. Megan Melbye was the winning pitcher. KM finished with 19 hits, their highest number...(read more)

Wild game for OHS

Chris Schuck — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:55:28 GMT

Oconomomowoc's varsity baseball team lost 23-19 on Monday at Rainbow Park. The host Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings ended up ahed in the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference contest. The loss dropped Oconomowoc to 8-9 overall This season. Junior Aaron Benz had a 3-run homer for the Raccoons....(read more)

AHS girls lose to Pius

Chuck Delsman — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:42:04 GMT

Visiting Milwaukee Pius upset the first-place Arrowhead varsity girls fastpitch sofbtall team Monday afternoon, 4-1, in a Classic 8 Conference game. AHS had defeated Pius twice earlier in the season. The loss dropped the Warhawks to 11-2 in league play with one game remaining. Pius finished the season Monday with an 11-3 record. Arrowhead will host Mukwonago on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. If AHS wins that game, they win the outright conference title. A loss would tie them with Pius for the crown. Arrowhead...(read more)

Man dies from injuries in head-on crash

Jim Stevens — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Town of Genesee - An 18-year-old Town of Ottawa man died Monday morning from injuries he suffered in a head-on crash last week Zechariah Masek of W361 S4910 Wildflower Ct., died at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa at about 10:30 a.m., according to Detective Steve Pederson of the Waukesha Country Sheriff's Department. Masek was driving Weston on Highway G at about 6 p.m. May 14 when he failed to negotiate a downhill curve and while traveling at a high speed his Suburu crossed the centerline and...(read more)

"Batteries Not Included"

Al Neuhauser — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:01:00 GMT

Preface: This is a long article that was not easy to write. I felt it was important because of the increasing attention focused on electric automotive propulsion--plug-in hybrid, all-electric and conventional hybrid--and the major emphasis placed on this technology by our government. This activity is being hyped as our best hope for energy independence, certainly a worthy goal. However, the picture is muddied with over-optimistic projections, incompetent analyses, even worse reporting and some downright deliberately false information.

Much of what is going on in vehicular battery and hybrid/electric automobile development is shrouded in proprietary secrecy. The Obama economic stimulus package contains at least $2 billion for"battery development," which certainly suggests that there are still major problems, in this case with lithium-ion battery automotive battery development. In fact, this is also the case with much of the current hybrid/electric propulsion technology.

I firmly believe in the former--now abandoned--motto of the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain: "Give light and the people will find their own way." Therefore, I have prepared the following discussion of the state of the automotive electric propulsion industry, as best as I can determine. It at times will get into technical areas, which is unavoidable with a subject like this, but I will avoid the deeper stuff as much as possible in the interest of clarity. I hope it will be worth the effort to plow through and that you the reader will come out the other side just a bit better informed than you were going in, and hopefully without eye strain.

Introduction: Recently there has been a considerable escalation in the hype and hope surrounding the issue of electric automotive propulsion. The Chevrolet Volt, a "plug-in" all-electric, is anticipated, according to Jennifer Granholm (Gov., MI), to be the savior of General Motors. It will employ lithium-ion battery technology, touted as a great improvement over the nickel-metal hydride battery technology employed by Toyota in its hugely successful Prius gas-electric hybrid, among others. Unfortunately, the media coverage of the subject of electric/hybrid technology has been incredibly inept and misleading, as have been government information releases.

One example of the technically inept reporting appeared in a recent issue of the local daily newspaper. An article reported on Chinese plans to enter the hybrid and all-electric automobile market in a big way--500,000 units a year. The article stated that the planned Chinese and all other hybrid/electric autos will utilize lithium-ion battery technology, which is false. The universal battery technology presently in use for all gas-electric hybrids is nickel-metal hydride. Lithium ion large-capacity battery technology is still in the development stage, fraught with problems. There remain several unresolved issues involving safety, reliability and life.

There are three battery types in past, current and projected use for automotive propulsion: lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion). The first is the familiar storage battery presently in your automobile(s). The second (NiMH) is used by Toyota in their hybrid Prius and all other present-day hybrids. The third (Li-ion) is largely in the developmental stage for automotive propulsion, although commonly used in lower-power applications like laptop computers and cameras. Let's look at these three technologies.

Batteries

Lead-acid: The familiar lead-acid automobile battery has been around for ages. It was used in attempts at electric automobile propulsion as early as 1910 (the Baker Electric). More recently, it was employed in GM's all-electric EV-1 developed to meet California's "zero-emission" requirement of the early 1990's. GM, under the direction of CEO Rick Waggoner, abandoned the EV-1 and cancelled all electric automobile research and development when California abandoned the zero-emission mandate in the mid-90's. Meanwhile, Toyota continued development of its gas-electric hybrid technology and introduced the Prius in 1997. The rest is history.

A lead-acid storage battery contains two electrodes configured as plates, an anode(-) consisting, when the battery is charged, of lead (Pb) and a cathode(+) consisting of lead oxide (PbO2), immersed in an electrically-conducting fluid or electrolyte of dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4). As the battery discharges, both electrodes are converted to lead sulfate (PbSO4) and the electrolyte gradually becomes pure water. (This is why a discharged battery may freeze in winter.) This reaction produces free electrons that provide the electrical output current from the battery. Charging the battery by forcing an electric current "backwards" through the battery reverses the chemical reaction and returns everything to its original state.

The lead-acid storage battery owes its longevity to its low cost and ability to provide high output current surges to operate the engine's starter motor and other high-drain electrical loads. It can survive deep discharge without damage, does not have a "memory" characteristic* and is quite safe and reliable. It's main disadvantage is its low energy-to-weight ratio--it's heavy.

*Certain types of batteries, the common nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) being the most notorious, lose capacity when subjected to a number of partial discharge-recharge cycles ("micro-cycles"). They require a deep discharge to recover.

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH): This battery technology is used in all present hybrid/electric automotive propulsion systems. It has an energy density double that of lead-acid and 40% higher than nickel-cadmium, the familiar NiCad which was used in some very early automotive designs. They are less susceptible to the annoying memory characteristic of NiCads and accept higher charge/discharge rates. The higher energy density means lighter weight and more compact size, both great advantages in automotive applications. The single-cell NiMH output voltage is about the same as for lead-acid: 1.2 volts. (A "battery" is a group of cells connected together to sum the voltages.)

Nickel-metal hydride battery technology is based on a hydrogen reaction. It employs an anode construction employing a metal-hydride consisting of rare-earth elements (REE) such as lathanium. The cathode is nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) and the electrolyte is alkaline potassium hydroxide. The need for lathanium and other REE's is one of the problems associated with NiMH battery production. Although this battery technology was invented in the U.S. by a Detroit-area engineering firm, Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD), General Motors at the direction of recently-deposed CEO Rick Waggoner abandoned NiMH battery development for its all-electric car design, the EV-1, in the 1990's when California dropped its requirement for "zero-emission" automobiles. This drove ECD into near-bankruptcy until Toyota licensed its NiMH technology and began to mass-produce, in concert with Matsushita, large NiMH batteries for its soon-to-be-released Prius and Honda's Insight.

Toyota along with China began locking up the world's supply of the REE lathanium without which NiMH batteries cannot be built. Due to price considerations, production of automotive (and most other) NiMH batteries was centered almost exclusively in China, who got the technology from ECD in return for a supply of lathanium. (This was before Rick pulled the rug out.) This situation is largely true today, which creates a huge problem for American car manufacturers trying to build hybrids and is the major impetus for lithium-ion battery development. Buying batteries from China creates it own set of problems, including the fact that the Japanese get first dibs followed by the burgeoning Chinese hybrid/electric auto industry. Detroit comes in third.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion): Small lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have been used for some time in laptop computers and other small electronic devices. They have performed well, except for an embarrassing problem with Sony laptops whose Li-ion batteries displayed a tendency to burst into flame. Sony determined that there was a defective lot from a Chinese manufacturer and recalled them all at considerable expense. The defect, in fact, was inadequate provision for heat elimination, a known problem with Li-ion batteries.

The advantages of Li-ion batteries include lighter weight, twice the efficiency and higher output voltage per cell--3.2 volts versus 1.25 volts--compared to NiMH. This is, of course, a great advantage for automotive propulsion where voltages in the range of 250v-500v are required. Another factor recommending Li-ion battery technology is the fact that it utilizes no rare-earth elements like the scarce (in the U.S.) lathanium. All materials used in these batteries are fairly common. The disadvantages include an aging problem, where capacity decreases with time regardless of usage; heat sensitivity, reducing capacity; and safety issues including overtemperature (fire hazard) and overpressure (explosion hazard). These hazards require internal safety devices, which use up space and increase weight.

While progress is being made daily, there are still major development problems in creating a practical Li-ion automobile battery pack. There is, however, a frantic effort both here and in Japan and China to solve these problems because of the very substantial advantages of this technology. However, as of this writing, significant problems remain. How soon they will be solved to the extent that Li-ion batteries become practical for hybrid/electric automotive propulsion is impossible to tell at this time due to the secrecy surrounding much of the effort. My impression is the problems are very difficult and total solution is at least two years off. For now, NiMH is the only game in town, which has a Chinese name.

The internal electrodes of the Li-ion battery consist of a graphite anode and a complex two-layer cathode of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2). The electrolyte is a lithium salt in an organic solvent. In the event of overdischarge, the LiCoO2 breaks down into lithium oxide (Li2O), which is irreversible and destroys the battery. This is one of the problems with Li-ion technology. There is research underway to develop improved electrode materials, especially for the cathode.

The Hybrid Drive

In the early 1990's, GM dropped electric car research and development, leaving the field open for the Japanese, specifically Toyota who developed the premier hybrid design incorporated in the Prius. They also patented it up, down and backwards, creating huge problems later for U.S. competitors who were faced with high license fees or an expensive R&D effort to work around the patents. GM, Ford and Chrysler are presently marketing very limited numbers of hybrid vehicles, but the current technology is rudimentary and less efficient than the Toyota system, despite overblown mileage claims.

GM has a very ingenious two-mode hybrid drive system in advanced development that should be an effective competitor to the Japanese and eventually the Chinese. However, our Asian friends are not resting on their laurels and are also developing advanced hybrid systems. Both are working hard to incorporate Li-ion battery technology.

Toyota: The latest Toyota hybrid design is called the "Hybrid Synergy Drive" (HSD) (See Figure 1). It uses two motor-generators. (A motor-generator (MG) can function either as a motor when electrical power is applied to it, or a generator when it is driven and connected to a load like a battery.) The Toyota Prius hybrid employing this general concept has been in production since 1997.

Figure 1. Toyota Hybrid Drive System (Prius)

The system shown above has been enhanced in the latest version by the addition of a DC-DC Converter, essentially a voltage multiplier, that boosts the battery voltage to about 500 volts. This gives more power without a larger battery pack. The HSD system uses two motors, one of which can also function as a generator to recharge the battery. This MG is also used to start the engine. Both motors are connected to the gasoline engine via a complex power splitter gear and clutch system and a fairly conventional planetary gear transmission.

Under heavy load, as when accelerating or going uphill, both motors and the engine power the car. Under light load and low speeds, one electric motor alone powers the car. If the battery needs charging, the gas engine starts up and charges the battery via the motor-generator. The gas engine never directly powers the car. When braking or coasting down a hill, the motor-generator is engaged via the gears and power splitter to provide regenerative braking which charges the battery. (Regenerative braking uses the normal drag of a generator that is supplying electrical power to slow down the car while its electrical output charges the battery. Conventional brakes cut in when more drastic braking is required.)

Honda: The Honda Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid drive uses only one MG plus a 1.3L gas engine (see Figure 2). The gas engine is coupled to the MG which in turn drives the vehicle through continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that varies the reduction ratio via belts, depending on torque requirements. It does not shift gears as in a conventional transmission.

Figure 2. Honda IMA Hybrid Drive

Both the MG and engine can power the car. At low speeds, the motor-generator alone powers the vehicle, the gas engine being shut down. Regenerative braking/deceleration is incorporated to help recharge the 120-volt NiMH battery.

General Motors and others: There are several different hybrid drive systems in use by U.S. manufacturers. GM's recently-introduced mild hybrid drive system is much simpler than Toyota's. It essentially consists of an oversize starter motor and battery, and a conventional gas engine that drives the vehicle (See Figure 3).

Figure 3. GM Mild Hybrid Drive

The engine is turned off when the vehicle is stopped or coasting and restarted to drive. Accessories are run by the battery when the engine is stopped. The battery is recharged by a conventional alternator system on the engine. There is no regenerative braking. The new Chevy Malibu uses a slight variation, employing a super-sized motor-generator/alternator that boosts the engine under heavy loads.

These are much less efficient systems overall that the Toyota design, but can provide significantly reduced gas consumption under certain conditions due to the engine being shut down. GM has developed a more sophisticated two-mode (low and high speed) system similar in design to the early Toyota drives. It is ingeniously packaged in a single assembly, reducing weight and space requirements. It is expected to be introduced later this year.

There are at least two other hybrid designs in use by U.S. manufacturers. Ford uses a system similar to Honda's (see above). GMC and Chrysler SUV's and large trucks use a more sophisticated two-mode system involving a two-level electrically variable transmission for low- and high-speed operation and a single motor-generator that can either charge the battery pack or drive the vehicle (at low speeds). This system also incorporates regenerative braking.

Much of U.S. hybrid development is shrouded in confusing press releases, claims and advertising. Frankly, I had a hard time figuring out exactly what was going on. There are a myriad of advertising and press reports, not all of which are consistent. The above discussion represents my best interpretation of the available information.

Summary and Conclusions

Amidst all the hype and confusion, one thing stands out. The Asian Rim is well ahead of the U.S. in hybrid/electric vehicle design. The huge publicity surrounding the planned release of the Chevy Volt 40-mile-range all-electric plug-in automobile at some unclear future date is largely unwarranted. It is essentially a modern version of GM's early-1990's EV-1 electric car, with lithium-ion batteries instead of lead-acid. Unfortunately, Li-ion batteries for vehicle propulsion are still in development fraught with problems.

The proven NiMH battery technology is not available for large-volume American production because the Japanese and Chinese have locked up the supply of essential component materials. There is little doubt that Li-ion batteries, which are lighter and more efficient that NiMH, will eventually be practical. The Japanese and Chinese are also involved in heavy research and development of this technology. We, specifically GM, dropped the ball in the 1990's and ceded hybrid/electric development to the Japanese. Bad idea, Rick.

The future will see more sophisticated hybrid drive systems. A new Toyota system is due for production in 2010. Whether the all-electric car, like the Chevy Volt, will ever achieve a mass market is doubtful. There will always be range limitations and the nuisance of lengthy plug-in recharging. Plug-in hybrids, which offer the option of overnight battery charge "top-off" are a good compromise which should be--and are being--pursued by both Asian and American manufacturers.

The preceding discussion is not intended to be all-encompassing. The subject area is complex and confusing. The battery discussions are fairly complete, absent the chemical formulas. (You're welcome!) The hybrid vehicle discussions are very abbreviated and not complete. There is just so much in the way of confusing claims and data that space does not allow for inclusion, even if I were inclined to do so, which I am not. I believe what is included is accurate, although the industry is in a state of frenetic flux, so I may have missed something new and wonderful.

If you are so inclined, comments and questions are more than welcome. Unless you have just skipped to the end, thank you for reading through my poor effort at injecting a little clarity and useful information into this subject.

Damaged money stolen from M&I

Amy Nixon — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:26:52 GMT

According to a release from the Village of Mukwonago Police Department, a large amount of mutilated money was taken during the M&I Bank robbery last Wednesday. The money was worn or damaged and was going to be sent in for destruction. If anyone sees or receives an increase in damaged money, please contact the Village Police at 262-363-6435....(read more)

New site for the column

Tami Klink — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:24:00 GMT

As you probably know by now, LLC/JSP have decided to 'improve' their website. Unfortunately, this means that there is also a new link to my columns. For those of you that have the old link 'saved' in your 'favorites' area, you will need to change it to the one below.

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/communityblogs/hears_to_life.html

With this change, all of the writers on the blogs have less access to what we really grew used to working with. For instance, in my case, I was able to see how many 'hits' there were on columns. This helped me to decide which topics to go into further detail on based on the number of readers that were involved. It also enabled me to see what websites were using my material and gave me the ability to check to make sure that they were using the link and not copying what I had written. This feature is also gone. I won't even go into the frustrations that are going to occur when someone types in a word in a search engine to find articles on a certain hearing loss subject and then gets an error message when they go to the former site address. DUMB!

To email me from the new site, you will need to click on my name. I know that a lot of you send me emails vs. posting a comment and are used to seeing the 'email author' icon at the top of the page.

There will be a lot of growing pains with the new site and I appreciate the patience from all of the readers during this time. If you have any questions or are having problems, please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll try and help you out. I am in the process of moving all of the columns over to the new link and if you go to the archives section, you can still access them.

Have a great week!

If Nancy Pelosi were a Republican, her political career would be over.

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:22:00 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BISLNUzO1BQ

Does anyone really believe Queen Nancy is telling the truth? Even many Democrats are distancing themselves from her. Pelosi should have taken a few lessons from Bill Clinton on the art of lying. She isn't doing too well on her own.

Imagine, this woman is third in line to become President of the United States. Scary thought. (Although Joe Biden, as second-in-command is even more frightening.)

If Nancy Pelosi were a Republican, she would have been forced to step down as Speaker of the House by now. As we all know, Republicans are held to a much higher standard of behavior and conduct than Democrats. The media tends to ignore many reprehensible acts by liberal politicians, but delights in reporting (over and over) on any improprieties by Republicans. In addition, we currently have a President who doesn't have enough guts to confront Pelosi and demand she resign. After all, who would Obama turn to for guidance? Harry Reid, George Soros, and moveon.org may suffice for awhile, but Nancy Pelosi is the one Obama really takes orders from. He'd be lost without her. The Democrats in Congress and the Senate control everything and will do all they can to protect her - right or wrong, simply because she is a Democrat.

Look what the election of 2008 got us. A President who doesn't know what he is doing. A Vice-President who is kept hidden away due to his ability to embarrass the Obama administration every time he opens his mouth. And now the Speaker of the House saying the CIA lied to her - and her alone - about enhanced interrogation techniques. How embarrassing. How low our country has sunk in just a few short months. Pelosi should have the decency to step down. Unfortunately, as we have seen time and time again, Democrats seem to believe they can do no wrong. Mrs. Pelosi will not go gently into that dark night...

even though it is the right thing to do for America.

Mendacity

Al Neuhauser — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:58:00 GMT

There is an old movie titled Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, based on a play by Tennessee Williams and starring Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor and Burl Ives. The plot centers on a wealthy Southern family, headed by patriarch "Big Daddy" (Ives) and featuring his severely troubled son Brick, played by Paul Newman. Brick's problem centers on deception and hypocrisy within the family, which he calls "mendacity". Mendacity is a four-syllable word essentially meaning lying, a practice in heavy use by our fine, upstanding politicians of the day.

Allow me to digress into a personal note. Over a 50+ year career in aerospace and industry, I was involved with many large projects involving much research and development and major equipment purchases. In all that time, I practiced total honesty and openness with vendors and demanded the same from them. (Not all reciprocated; they didn't get the business.) I can state unequivocally that this worked out amazingly well for customer and vendor alike. Today, I am very comfortable in the knowledge that I never deliberately misled or "gamed" anyone with whom I dealt. I didn't get rich and never made VP in charge of anything, but today I can look in the mirror in personal comfort over a long, moral and honest career. I am a firm believer that the truth is a good friend, not an enemy, even in sticky and sometimes embarrassing circumstances.

In contrast, it is difficult to detect even a morsal of truth in the public pronouncements of the professional politicians infesting the halls of government these days. It is so bad that even if on rare occasions a pol should speak the truth, we would doubt his or her veracity. Thus, government is neck-deep in bull-loney and the public is almost totally in the dark about what is really going on. Everything is subordinate to getting re-elected and amassing campaign contributions. Somewhere in this morass of mendacity, the public good is lost. Following are only two recent, glaring examples.

Congress today is still in full hue and cry after the former Bush administration for the "illegal and immoral" invasion of Iraq. Several committees are in the midst of, or starting, investigations of Bush malfeasance relating to this actually very successful, though costly, endeavor. When reminded that Congress fully and by a wide margin voted to approve the invasion, many of our forthright representatives claim they were misled and lied to by Bush and the CIA. "Bush lied and people died!"

What is never mentioned is that not only the CIA, but every major intelligence agency in the Western world, including the Israeli Mossad, British MI6, the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), the French General Directorate of External Security (DGSE), the Italian Agency for External Information and Security (AISE), and the Spanish National Intelligence Center (CNI) all agreed with the CIA that Saddam had an active WMD program, including nuclear. The fact that he was engaged in an elaborate ruse never occurred to anyone. So, unless you believe the Bush administration had somehow orchestrated a world-wide intelligence conspiracy, Bush did not lie. However, someone else is.

The second example involves the matter of "enhanced interrogation techniques" (EIT) and who knew what when. Currently, Congress, at least the Democratic side, is in high dudgeon over the CIA's use of EIT, including the nefarious waterboarding, to elicit information involving national security. Some Democrats are actually demanding that lawyers who advised the Bush administration that EIT were legal in this instance be prosecuted for war crimes or something. At center is the admitted use of waterboarding to "break" key al Qaeda operative and terrorist attack facilitator Abu Zubaydah, which led to the identification of 9/11 operatives and the capture of one of them, Ramzi Binalshibh, a key 9/11 facilitator (presently in Guantanamo) who tried and failed to obtain a visa to enter the United States to take part in the attacks as a pilot-hijacker.

Former Democratic members of the House Intelligence Subcommittee, especially present Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have disavowed knowledge of a 2002 CIA classified briefing that detailed the use of EIT, including the fact that waterboarding was being used on Zubaydah. Republican members of that committee, including Porter Goss, subsequently the CIA director (DCI), insist that the material was fully covered. Present DCI Leon Panetta filed a report in 2002 to Congress on the briefing that acknowledged that EIT planned or in use were covered in detail. Nancy Pelosi has told four different versions concerning the 2002 CIA briefing, including that it never took place, her last version being virtually incoherent. She also has asserted that the CIA, full of Clinton appointees, is "out to get" the Democrats and is lying about the EIT briefing. I think I know who is lying, and it isn't the CIA.

The sad thing about all this political lying is that it separates we the public from the government we're paying for. When mendacity is the rule, communication suffers mortally, informed voting is impossible and our government is well on the way to becoming fully autocratic. "1984", here we come!

Remember John Kerry?

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:43:00 GMT

Several years ago, while President Bush was still in office, Senator John Kerry made the following statement:

"I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it." - John Kerry, 3/16/04 (while speaking at Marshall University, referring to his voting record on supplemental appropriations for military operations in Iraq).

Kerry's comment brought new meaning to the term "flip-flop." His words came back to haunt him and contributed to Kerry's unraveling during the 2004 presidential election.

Inconsistency, or "flip-flopping," is not a very admirable quality. Yet, President Obama has surpassed John Kerry and has cornered the market on flip-flops.

First Obama vowed to end military tribunals while on the campaign trail. And he did once elected President. Now Obama is bringing military tribunals back.

First the Obama administration insisted there would be no prosecutions of the Bush administration lawyers who did little more than give advice on enhanced interrogation techniques. Then Obama decided to support such prosecutions. Later, he changed his mind.

First Obama promised to change the Bush policy in regards to Iraq. Now Obama's policy is an exact replica of President Bush's.

First Obama was enthusiastic about complying with the wishes of the ACLU to release detainee abuse photos to the public. After a few weeks, he changed his mind. Now he is against the release of such photos.

What can the American people learn about President Obama from his decisions (or lack of decisiveness)? For one thing, Obama is clearly inexperienced. "Amateur Hour" has come to the White House. Obama makes quick decisions based on his leftist ideology, without thoroughly thinking solutions through. Witness how quick Obama was to sign papers instructing Club Gitmo to be shut down. Now the Obama administration finds itself in a quagmire (love that word!). What to do with murderous terrorist prisoners that want to kill Americans? Where should they go? Well, that's the Democrats problem now. The Democrats found it to be much easier during the Bush years to be the party of obstruction and complaints. They are finding it much more difficult to lead and assume responsibility for their actions.

Concerning Obama's latest flip-flop on deciding not to release the photos of detainee abuse, it is easy to conclude that Obama did this more out of personal interest than concerns for national security. Obama didn't want to see his popularity decline, as it surely would, were he to open up the United States military to an even greater threat from terrorists due to the photos. Even though the military experts and other politicians were quick to point out to Obama the dangers of releasing the photos (which a child could probably figure out), it took Obama several weeks to do an about-face. Even after Obama was told over and over that releasing such pictures would further endanger our troops, Obama's knee-jerk reaction was to placate the ACLU.

At least Obama did eventually make the right decision, even if it is self-serving. It is just unfortunate that the American people have a very "green" leader (no offense to all you tree huggers out there). No experience equates to stupidity in many cases. How long a learning curve are the Obama supporters of the United States going to give the President before they say "enough?" Obama's mistakes are very damaging - and dangerous - to our national security. Our own president has succeeded in making our military men and women afraid to do their jobs. Afraid to question terrorist suspects. Many fear prosecutions by U.S. lawyers once they return to America. It is despicable that our own soldiers have to worry about being put on trial by their own country for doing their jobs and protecting American lives! And the President of the United States has set such attitudes in motion.

In addition, President Obama seems hell bent on apologizing to anyone or any country that will listen for all the ills of America. For it's perceived wrongs. Obama likes to wallow in the supposed "badness" of our country, ignoring the greatness. This viewpoint helps to contribute to Obama's poor decision-making process. As we have witnessed several times now, Obama's first instinct in addressing issues and problems always seem to be wrong. Obama's initial decisions always seem to benefit our enemies. Sure, show the detainee pictures! Sure, free the enemy from Club Gitmo! Sure, prosecute lawyers who made recommendations concerning enhanced interrogation techniques! Sure, tell the enemy all about our withdrawal plans from Iraq!

Obama seems to believe that by demonstrating to the world that America is awful, our enemies will forgive us. They will realize how great we are because we are humble. President Obama needs to wake up from his liberal pipe dream. The world doesn't work that way. Our enemies will only see us as weak and vulnerable. And if President Obama continues to provide erratic leadership when America needs a strong, unwavering commander-in-chief, our enemies will be right.

UPDATE: Vandalism at OAC

Donna Frake — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:20:48 GMT

Oconomowoc Area Schools - Police are investigating an incident of vandalsim at the new Oconomowoc Arts Center that occured overnight May 14. Authorities are reviewing the district's surveillance video and district officials are confident the matter will be resolved soon. "At this time we are close to bringing this to some consequence," said Superintendent Dr. Pat Neudecker. "We do not have any reason to believe this is a group activity. We think that this is an isolated situation...(read more)

Lose your winter insulation in the great outdoors

Katie Memmel — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:52:30 GMT

This is Wisconsin, so there's no shame in gaining "winter weight" to keep your body nice and insulated during the icy cold months. But now that spring has officially sprung and summer is right around the corner, it's time to get out and get active. The parks and hiking trails are beckoning with an explosion of greenery and blooms, the lakes and rivers are losing their chill and are ready for water sports, and the events calendar is full of outdoor activities to encourage people...(read more)

Ottawa man hurt in head-on crash

Jim Stevens — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:40:00 GMT

An 18-year-old Town of Ottawa man was flown by helicopter to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa on Thursday evening after a head-on crash in the Town of Genesee, according to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department. According to a sheriff's office news release, the crash was reported about 6 p.m. on Highway G jus east of Morris Road. The man was driving a 1998 Subaru Legacy west on Highway G when the vehicle crossed the centerline and struck an eastbound 2005 Ford F-250 pickup truck. The driver...(read more)

Vandals damage OAC

Donna Frake — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:27:14 GMT

City of Oconomowoc- Using spray paint in the school's colors of purple and gold, vandals wrote "'09" on the side of the Oconomowoc Arts Center at Oconomowoc High School and also vandalized the 9-foot bronze statue named ‘Melody' that stands sentry outside the facility. The paint was scrawled on the metallic front of the center of the facility. No damage estimate was available. The paint was cleaned away by mid-morning on Friday, May 15. Police will view the video from the school's...(read more)