tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11738890816337621002024-03-13T15:07:10.235-05:00Greater Milwaukee MenMaking Milwaukee & Its Men GreatK9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.comBlogger440125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-88763906866404310702022-11-08T20:42:00.004-06:002022-11-08T20:42:49.425-06:00City Lights Cans Water. Why its better than bottles.<p>You may have seen the new trend for packaged water with brands like Liquid Death. Now a local brewery, <b><a href="https://citylightsbrewing.com/home/" target="_blank">City Lights Brewery</a></b>, is getting in on the act. Except its not just an act, its not some fad, there are reasons to can vs. bottle water. Good reasons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACmElQZrqd5QQJvUNfwpWPZWhsb5aZfRvYP2aLOBjdrSnBAN5zxm6vNZyroCtbhD2cYgpzV4yy1ZWORXtnFTnWgJcbhtKPB9gadSf8iepOlUaRFIBGHKAakrRS5UxxscPkMagpTXLhdvNbFwh-aXxwJwEsEWCbvVWRlfVnbR7eSSTceNPCWWzHkL_PQ/s1437/313092682_5569936516460437_29944362165524145_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1437" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACmElQZrqd5QQJvUNfwpWPZWhsb5aZfRvYP2aLOBjdrSnBAN5zxm6vNZyroCtbhD2cYgpzV4yy1ZWORXtnFTnWgJcbhtKPB9gadSf8iepOlUaRFIBGHKAakrRS5UxxscPkMagpTXLhdvNbFwh-aXxwJwEsEWCbvVWRlfVnbR7eSSTceNPCWWzHkL_PQ/w400-h364/313092682_5569936516460437_29944362165524145_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://www.wisn.com/article/city-lights-brewing-co-now-canning-water/41891434" target="_blank">WISN recently reported </a>the new venture by City Lights. Canning water. But why cans? It takes "...about five times the amount of water in the bottle goes into making that actual plastic bottle of water, so we're saving water. It's more recyclable. It's not ending up in landfills," City Lights Brewing co-founder Jimmy Gohsman said in the WISN interview.</p><p>As City Lights said on their social media, selling water in cans will help reduce "the landfills, littering in parks, streets and waterways of plastic water bottles!" Plus, the manufacturing process of the containers, aluminum vs. plastic, itself uses less water. About five times the amount of water in the bottle goes into making that actual plastic bottle of water. And cans are recyclable whereas plastic bottles mostly go into landfill.</p><p>In addition to the direct environmental impact, A portion of the proceeds will be donated to <b><a href="https://www.thevalleymke.org/what-we-do" target="_blank">Menomonee Valley Partners</a></b> to help fund environmental sustainability initiatives. And they were able to add more local jobs in packaging and distribution.</p><p>The best way to drink water is in reusable containers, if on the go using multi-use bottles, but if you have to, or just want to, buy packaged water there are options besides plastic bottles including paper cartons and aluminum cans. If you are in Milwaukee, support local Milwaukee business and sustainability with City Lights canned water. Congratulations City Lights on a great project.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-76611314831964187562022-11-08T20:04:00.010-06:002022-11-09T16:56:23.745-06:00Make Men's Health Month About You<p></p><p>The month of November is (one of the) Men's Health Month(s), popularized by the <b><a href="https://us.movember.com/" target="_blank">Movember</a></b> movement. (June is another recognized annual event but since it is November now, November it is.) <br />It's a great foundation, it has been successful and is highly rated for its impact. But, one thing I see with the movement is that while they speak about men's health to the participants, I feel the participants themselves promote it outwardly rather than inward, at them. I personally fell victim to that selfsame issue, but no longer. As of this November, I am taking care of myself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tJbBbws5bA89j69zYSRwEIFCa0slQRfzewIBxrmaYNHdEjV2t5r5xHra1_f-cuLbqYDgV1NCayEUr47Ce2ds1Vv6SNJQrIuGuEsm_OMdHNSP8tfBKdRboUyqPVr94bHL3uSwrcbvUT-NavHhPzUGPfr6jksls8O3tcMFRv0sKMZuQ70WareQkgBluA/s1024/Movember_Primary-Logo_Black-1024x339.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="1024" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tJbBbws5bA89j69zYSRwEIFCa0slQRfzewIBxrmaYNHdEjV2t5r5xHra1_f-cuLbqYDgV1NCayEUr47Ce2ds1Vv6SNJQrIuGuEsm_OMdHNSP8tfBKdRboUyqPVr94bHL3uSwrcbvUT-NavHhPzUGPfr6jksls8O3tcMFRv0sKMZuQ70WareQkgBluA/w400-h133/Movember_Primary-Logo_Black-1024x339.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Movember started out as prostate cancer awareness, then pivoted to men's health in general (first mostly physical), and now has settled on promoting both mental and physical health to men.<a href="https://us.movember.com/mospace/network/view/id/48297" target="_blank"> Milwaukee</a> has had a fantastic local participation, thanks in part to great local leaders like the local Community Ambassador <a href="https://us.movember.com/mospace/220725" target="_blank">Dave Thorpe</a>. In addition to the Movember Network link previously, you can follow all the activities planned in Milwaukee at the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086003456675" target="_blank">Facebook page</a></b>. I used to participate in the November activities, but then the <b><a href="https://www.gentlemansride.com/" target="_blank">Distinguished Gentleman's Ride</a></b> allied with Movember foundation with a ride that was in September and now May, and that is my current way to participate in the movement as local ride captain. But as I have alluded, I didn't fully practice what I preached. Sure I have tried to live healthfully, but I didn't do the number one thing we all need to do to truly pursue health: regularly visit a primary care physician. That changed this year.</p><p>It was just time. Like many things, you can't be forced to do it, but I strongly recommend it. The earlier the better. I had gone for my first general assessment in years in 2020, November as well (the month chosen may have as much to do with it being by birth month as it being men's health month), and didn't have great numbers. The Dr. thought the test may have been bad, maybe I didn't fast long enough, so he wanted me to retest in a few months. It was the middle of COVID and the next year, 2021 was still in the thick of it. I also had been losing weight to the tune of 10 lbs. a year for 3 years and I wanted to get to my healthy weight to see if it helped the numbers. So, I did not go back, not months later, but two years later. Not until this year, a week ago. Going in, I really thought my weight loss was going to have improved my health. That was not to be the case.</p><p>Here's the thing, we often try to self-diagnose, using our gut or the interwebs, both which can be wrong. In my case, I thought my weight loss was from other factors, but other than starting some multivitamins and supplements, its not like I increased exercise or something. The weight loss, it turns out, was from my new diagnosis: Type II Diabetes. We often see diabetes related to being overweight, and I was overweight, more than I really accepted. Like many health issues, I only realized the extent when it started getting better, when I started losing weight and compared myself to the time before. The weight gain for years before probably got me to Diabetes, which then actually caused the weight loss (you can look up yourself how that might happen if curious). But me not being a Dr. I was like, hey weight loss is good, and hoped it would improve my numbers for this recent exam and bloodwork. The opposite was true. Some of the people I have told, like family, were surprised. I am sure some who know me will be when they read this. I eat pretty healthy, I had my weight loss smoke and mirrors. I haven't had any symptoms (that I know of, we'll see looking back if I notice improvements on things I didn't even know weren't great.) The lesson is to not take any change in health lightly, even for the better, as it can be a Trojan Horse. Get regular checkups and let a professional tell you what is going on for better or worse. Don't <i>not</i> get an exam just because you think you are doing fine or even better. Make sure you are doing well. Go every year, at minimum. </p><p>I am addressing it. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed, I'm not hiding it. There's no reason it, it happens. Sure I could have possibly prevented, but maybe not, sometimes its just biological. I just need to do my best to take care of myself now. I listened to the Dr. and was all in on the prescribed path to improve it. I know its something that isn't cured. Like many health issues as we age, I know its a long term, life term, therapy I will have to do. I may be able to reduce medications, or change them if I follow the instructions, but I will never go off them. You just can't. And we have to prepare ourselves that its just part of the aging process, almost everyone will eventually have to take some medications. That's okay. But I have to follow the doctor's orders, because if I don't I could develop serious conditions like kidney disease or neuropathy or vision problems. And I don't want any of that.</p><p>One last note, pursue health for you, not others. That can be a trap. We say we want to be healthy to be around for others (those of us that care that much). But just like any health issue, such as smoking or drinking, you have to do it for YOU. Your personal path to better health will stay on track better if you are doing it because you want to be be healthier, not because someone else does, or because you are doing it for someone else.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-82233888408929823922022-10-27T12:40:00.004-05:002022-10-27T12:40:41.094-05:00Milwaukee Best Place to Visit and Grow<p>Cities are often classified one of two ways: a great place to live but not visit, or a great place to visit but not live. Of course they could be considered good for both or bad for both, but that's pretty rare. Milwaukee has increasingly been recognized for culture and other features that make it desirable to visit, but it gets blasted (rightly so) for socio-economics especially racial disparity. But as much as people, especially native Milwaukeeans, like to dwell on the negatives, the hope by some like myself is that eventually the good things will spread and make things better for all its citizens. Recent news points to Milwaukee continuing to raise its reputation including National Geographic naming it a <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-of-the-world-2023" target="_blank">Top 25 Place</a> to visit, and more news on growth downtown.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l2yqOYb97ZmgxvzwTlNx9nK_b5mF-ZYVLNdZ2bvTBuJiAl2Q_pMwMomCEtWSwVTE1ViFA48niyKnt3QUJPyVs95G-IrFz_xsUfu5qrp3hFLj1YNMO9hufcKuVO3CzqfyeejYvKZ1unlgm-WTXvHVZTjMYv49ByFfp4VD_FQt4L8alPVpXI-nxI6Pog/s1347/PXL_20220807_165832678.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1347" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l2yqOYb97ZmgxvzwTlNx9nK_b5mF-ZYVLNdZ2bvTBuJiAl2Q_pMwMomCEtWSwVTE1ViFA48niyKnt3QUJPyVs95G-IrFz_xsUfu5qrp3hFLj1YNMO9hufcKuVO3CzqfyeejYvKZ1unlgm-WTXvHVZTjMYv49ByFfp4VD_FQt4L8alPVpXI-nxI6Pog/w640-h360/PXL_20220807_165832678.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brewtown Rumble motorcycle show at Deer District</td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>As <a href="http://visitmilwaukee.org/articles/blog/1022/on-top-of-the-world-mke-national-geographic/" target="_blank">Visit Milwaukee</a> points out, the NatGeo list included only 5 spots in America, and only 5 communities of which Milwaukee is in both lists. They even recognize that "traditional neighborhoods are getting fresh development projects, such as the planned arts and cultural center in Bronzeville focused on African American art." in addition to the obvious things about Milwaukee like motorcycles, beer, and the Bucks (natch).</p><p>Some recent and future development includes: Milwaukee Tool is renovating a building downtown to be its HQ, moving from Brookfield back to the city of its namesake. Today we found out that Fiserv is moving its HQ downtown as well, also from Brookfield. Maybe the tide is turning from the flight to the suburbs back to returning to Milwaukee. The couture is finally under construction. We have the (for a moment) tallest timber frame building in the world. New music venues are being planned after the amazing work done on the Bradley Symphony Center, the new home of MSO, and we are getting a pro soccer team with its own new stadium. The plans for the new public Museum look like it will rival the Calatrava wing of the Museum Art Museum. Our river walks are expanding. The harbor district and the aforementioned Bronzeville neighborhood, Haymarket and MLK Drive areas are seeing a renaissance. The Century City Business Park is finally being developed, and yes, Northridge may finally be torn down.</p><p>Of course we have things to work on, some of them big, but that's no reason not to celebrate our successes. Success often breeds success and the more good things that happen here the better it will be for all.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-12408464845279512432022-07-24T19:35:00.004-05:002022-07-24T19:35:16.446-05:00Milwaukee's Third Ward Among Best Art Districts<p>Part of what we do here is celebrate when Milwaukee is recognized for excelling at something. Recently, Milwaukee was voted as having the 4th in the <a href="https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-arts-district-2022/" target="_blank">10 Best Arts Districts</a> in the Third Ward neighborhood by readers of USA Today.</p><p>USA Today made this note: "Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is home to a staggering number of galleries, studios, museums, performing arts spaces and art organizations, including the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Galleries, Milwaukee Potters Guild, ArtWorks for Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network."</p><p>What makes this even better to me is that it's a Reader's selection, vs. the media. It's one thing for a reporter to travel around and visit and select their opinion, but to be in Reader's Choice means that people have actually been here and enjoyed it. </p><p>We beat out the likes of Denver and Chicago just in the top ten, not to mention all the ones that didn't even make it that high.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ek4jbkYOhKZpAwaZT9zbFcVGDN74nv0yO8dG3UgYy2E3_VDdlm1bTvZ7korrsSse7ugS0cpgfzLCUi6gzlgppwe3lef32iNvbKDfFZ5kVGnZ2FXSImbYEXAU-GqSdCHfEbFJ2Xljxa2xPjPeyqOkGqLvpYk2R7uumtB0UNj6kSpPXaw04iXmvt3OcA/s1100/HistoricThirdWard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1100" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ek4jbkYOhKZpAwaZT9zbFcVGDN74nv0yO8dG3UgYy2E3_VDdlm1bTvZ7korrsSse7ugS0cpgfzLCUi6gzlgppwe3lef32iNvbKDfFZ5kVGnZ2FXSImbYEXAU-GqSdCHfEbFJ2Xljxa2xPjPeyqOkGqLvpYk2R7uumtB0UNj6kSpPXaw04iXmvt3OcA/w640-h290/HistoricThirdWard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cr. Visit Milwaukee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-61734169767322050992022-07-05T14:53:00.000-05:002022-07-05T14:53:12.274-05:00Replace Fireworks with Laser Light Shows<p>July 4th, American Independence Day, has passed - but one of its primary activities has not, at least here in Wisconsin. Storms yesterday and today have postponed many community's shows. But maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't have them at all. Maybe we should replace them all with something else, like laser light shows. Some communities, like Salt Lake City, are <a href="https://kutv.com/news/local/laser-light-show-to-replace-fireworks-for-july-holidays-in-salt-lake-city" target="_blank">already doing it</a> because of a few of the many reasons I will argue everyone should.</p><p>Fireworks are... I'm looking for an appropriate word here... problematic. Personally I have stronger feelings against them than that, but I understand that many people enjoy the spectacle. But most people don't understand the negative effects. I'll start with the first and most obvious one and after the break I'll get into more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS19BeB7LttiU8UNhDIiY1GjW41duzfml4UAV0V_XDehqiZwmpJwJA1pDtzVpI4ZDeSq4NwViVAlTRa1-bZPA_l1IFXTRVI4OY7Aq3WwgIwsL2DYjEAepcYqMO3OIHTXz8P8VctGXh1p48h8f_KpSeSUOZhpqKnFil5va4du1VCF7QONSkubL-HWQFw/s741/puppy-scared-fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="741" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS19BeB7LttiU8UNhDIiY1GjW41duzfml4UAV0V_XDehqiZwmpJwJA1pDtzVpI4ZDeSq4NwViVAlTRa1-bZPA_l1IFXTRVI4OY7Aq3WwgIwsL2DYjEAepcYqMO3OIHTXz8P8VctGXh1p48h8f_KpSeSUOZhpqKnFil5va4du1VCF7QONSkubL-HWQFw/w400-h244/puppy-scared-fireworks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>As a dog companion, specifically a dog with noise anxiety among others, fireworks are entirely unenjoyable. The times when official fireworks are set, and usually for days before and after at random times, our life revolves around managing his fear.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Fireworks are a great example of just how selfish human beings can be. People's enjoyment of them, an so-called tradition around their use, makes it easy for people to gloss over the very negative impact they have in many ways. As with any activity or convenience, any calls to look at different options now falls under the 'cancel culture' tag and people shut down and won't even listen. I hope here you do - read - and <i>listen</i> to the effects fireworks have to the world around us including people, animals, and the environment.</p><p>I shouldn't need to get too much into dogs and fear of fireworks. I think most people understand at least that. But as they are 'just dogs' many, most, would scoff at making a change just for them. Before I move on though, a few notes. The effect is more than just having a scared dog in your home. Shelters are inundated with stray dogs. People take them to fireworks displays thinking they will be ok, they may let them out in the yard. Dogs in any situation, even in the house, can and will break free if scared enough. They will slip out of a leash, out of your grasp, out of the yard - they will even break through windows of a house to try to escape. They can get hurt then, and they will run. While running they can get hit by cars or injure themselves. If caught they can end up at shelters, filling them up and increasing their work to try to return these lost dogs on top of their normal case load. July 5th is the busiest day of the year for shelters.</p><p>But its not only dogs or pets that are affected, wildlife and people also can be. As Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) <a href="https://www.fws.gov/story/keeping-wildlife-safe-independence-day" target="_blank">points out</a> the shock of fireworks can cause wildlife to flee, ending up in unexpected areas or roadways, flying into buildings and other obstacles, and even abandoning nests, leaving young vulnerable to predators. The same can affect people, especially those with PTSD. I personally have been with a person suffering during fireworks. People also can be affected by fireworks' affects on air quality. <a href="https://www.iqair.com/us/blog/air-quality/are-fireworks-bad-for-air-quality" target="_blank">IQAir</a> says that fireworks generate huge concentrations of pollutants from colorants and explosives as well as from the metals and fuses that make up the firework itself. Right after a celebration, pollutant concentrations can be up to eight times higher than normal in the hours right after a fireworks show and wind conditions can cause those pollutants to stay in the air for as long as five hours after a fireworks show. And of course, fireworks injure people as well. Fireworks injured 1,500 people and sparklers 1,100 people in 2021. </p><p>There are other environmental effects as well. FWS says fireworks have the potential of starting wildfires, directly affecting wildlife and destroying essential habitat. Litter from firecrackers, bottle rockets and other explosives can be choking hazards for wildlife and may be toxic if ingested. In Wisconsin, 98% of all wildfires are started by by people, and fireworks is one of those ways. While exploding and airborne fireworks are the most hazardous, even sparklers, fountains and smoke bombs can cause an ignition. Salt Lake City moved on from fireworks because of the threat of wildfires as well as air pollution concerns.</p><p>Fireworks cause air, light and sound pollution. They cause anxiety in all living beings, including humans. They can start wildfires. When we have options like laser shows, why are we still using such destructive means of entertainment? Because freedom? We are better than that. Oh, while we are at it, <a href="https://www.fws.gov/story/2015-08/balloons-and-wildlife-please-dont-release-your-balloons" target="_blank">releasing balloons</a> isn't great either. Yeah, I know, I'm a party-pooper.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-53582897408674968432022-06-28T13:16:00.003-05:002022-06-28T13:22:20.634-05:00WI Scouts Step Up As First Responders<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2ftxCVOm7uvrafc5m2YV1OVKsuwXq0TaOe8aJN9MplBTOZUyoIWqqG0k5OJqQHcccPzL2b37Km3cCgNQrJIKLaM4_r8whuOptA7woBVFom1T9JbSzD9xpFwmtAgOt6iGqo1kbiyi0lOxZ9TQuxgACNSrsaBvRnlCibUIh2_22LFdcDLqShzGGUMccg/s589/citzenship-in-society.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="589" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2ftxCVOm7uvrafc5m2YV1OVKsuwXq0TaOe8aJN9MplBTOZUyoIWqqG0k5OJqQHcccPzL2b37Km3cCgNQrJIKLaM4_r8whuOptA7woBVFom1T9JbSzD9xpFwmtAgOt6iGqo1kbiyi0lOxZ9TQuxgACNSrsaBvRnlCibUIh2_22LFdcDLqShzGGUMccg/w200-h198/citzenship-in-society.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />Boy Scouts from Appleton, WI jumped into action when the Amtrak passenger train they were on derailed in Missouri and acted as First Responders. <p></p><p>2 different troops consisting of a total of sixteen youth and 8 adults were on the train when it derailed. <a href="https://www.wbay.com/2022/06/27/appleton-boy-scout-troops-amtrak-train-that-derailed/" target="_blank">WBAY</a> reports that the students "played a major role in the rescue -- breaking windows, helping people off the train, and attempting to save the life of the dump truck driver who died."</p><p><b><a href="https://www.scouting.org/" target="_blank">BSA</a></b>, The Boy Scouts of America, has had its issues, mainly due to sexual abuse allegations against adult leadership, and has taken a deservedly black eye to its reputation. But they are trying to build it back. Their values and standards can still give youth moral and ethical standards to grow on and provides not only leadership and teamwork experience that can help later in life, but also practical skill like first aid that were used in this situation. The organization changed its name to Scouts BSA when they started to <a href="https://www.scouting.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/" target="_blank">allow girls to join</a> and participate, even completing the highest level of Eagle Scout. They have made strides in being more inclusive such as rheir VIEW whose mission is to "promote an inclusive community for BSA’s LGBTQ+ employees and their allies. The group will strive to support diversity across the organization." with a <a href="http://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/merit_badge_reqandres/CitizenshipSociety_ScoutReqs.pdf?_ga=2.133603726.1224631587.1656439571-1978692934.1656439570&_gl=1*xc12f8*_ga*MTk3ODY5MjkzNC4xNjU2NDM5NTcw*_ga_20G0JHESG4*MTY1NjQzOTU3MC4xLjEuMTY1NjQzOTY4MS42MA.." target="_blank">new merit badge</a> for citizenship that promotes inclusiveness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID_G7rh4abmbZn99mTnMbSjH_8ZDYYx9W1fg0m85lTMszSAjR1PAPtdQpzmzPge3Xs1H6WcE2ZkaVxuhY_YCJnTZoaEmvQHgstl16yqPQhR7-A5J32huHdJGtcGPEjyRujTPOJIhCHjCDYId2fQBVpWGc-WykAEqSB0zG2xdCgPCyf3OG_bidnBOunA/s156/bitmap-copy-5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID_G7rh4abmbZn99mTnMbSjH_8ZDYYx9W1fg0m85lTMszSAjR1PAPtdQpzmzPge3Xs1H6WcE2ZkaVxuhY_YCJnTZoaEmvQHgstl16yqPQhR7-A5J32huHdJGtcGPEjyRujTPOJIhCHjCDYId2fQBVpWGc-WykAEqSB0zG2xdCgPCyf3OG_bidnBOunA/w294-h320/bitmap-copy-5.png" width="294" /></a></div><br /><p>It's easy to jump on an organization when it fails, it's harder to give them the opportunity to correct course. BSA is doing that, and we should give them a second chance. As this event shows, participants can learn how to contribute to society with the skills they learn. I myself was involved as a youth and I learned skills I use to this day as a camper and a community volunteer.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-62997007003115042442022-05-24T20:49:00.008-05:002022-05-25T10:04:26.945-05:00Guns Destroy Lives<p>There is another similar saying, one I believe, but when those three words are uttered, they shut down conversation. So instead, I am going with this new phrase: Guns Destroy Lives. These words are probably more provocative, but also probably more definitive and demonstrative, because they do more than just being used to kill people.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Al1zl6nZE3ehHilJ9D4Z_sAAx6vDXnGIQkzL77_Kfhd-4fsm3obz8rxSU8JWLu19osfsxkPTqCobfVIMDz6SJmUZisfHnoVtylxbPuBccQeG65YIA3_bMbWADyx3GN88MyExpLvapINCYGvkIPBEAD4wK103bT9dGjagqMjbks5PbfQZZud0BGV4fA/s992/GunDeathByIntent_v02_LY_1629757891116_hpEmbed_1x1_992.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Al1zl6nZE3ehHilJ9D4Z_sAAx6vDXnGIQkzL77_Kfhd-4fsm3obz8rxSU8JWLu19osfsxkPTqCobfVIMDz6SJmUZisfHnoVtylxbPuBccQeG65YIA3_bMbWADyx3GN88MyExpLvapINCYGvkIPBEAD4wK103bT9dGjagqMjbks5PbfQZZud0BGV4fA/w400-h400/GunDeathByIntent_v02_LY_1629757891116_hpEmbed_1x1_992.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cr. ABC News</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Before I start, as I always do when I broach the subject, I must state the usual disclaimer. I am not anti-gun. I am for gun control. Now that you know I am not out to take away your 'rights', let's get into this, once again, in the aftermath of the Uvalde, TX school shooting that as of this writing took 18 children's and one teacher's lives.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Let's revisit quick one of the arguments against gun control: they are tools. They are not. They are weapons. They were and are designed to injure and most likely kill living beings. Killing something with them is not using them incorrectly, it is their purpose. They are not designed for protection, to injure, they are designed to kill. Yes, some are meant to be used to kill animals, not people - i.e. hunting. But many weapons, and the majority used in individual or mass murders, were designed for the purpose of inuring human beings. For 2nd Amendment touters, it doesn't even say 'guns' or firearms, it says the right to bear 'arms'. Arms is a synonym for weapons. So if you are in the camp agreeing that arms means guns as far as your rights then you must accept that it means weapons, and I don't think its necessary to define a weapon. I could go on forever, but let's move on.</p><p>Whatever possible consensus on a definition of guns and their purpose, American culture has a dangerous, almost mythological, obsession with them. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00673-x" target="_blank">Nature</a> magazine has a great article with extensive research on the legitimization of gun violence. I see gun ownership as a public health issue not dissimilar to drugs. Their very presence causes havoc and has far-reaching effects on the lives of countless people. </p><p>The family and friends of victims and yes, the friends and family of the killer. Let's not forget the life of the shooter, if they survive. It's easy to label shooters as criminals, or crazy, but sure, a small percentage are self-defense and those people are affected. But its more likely that it will be used on the shooter themselves. Suicide, and suicide attempts, are a huge factor in gun use, with 54% of all gun-related deaths being self-inflicted. That's right, even with the mass shootings and the murders in cities that garner most of the attention, the most likely use of a gun is suicide. They also are the most lethal form of suicide, with 85% of suicide attempts with a firearm ending in death (compared to the most common method - drug overdose - which only ends in death 3% of the time). Part of that high mortality is because guns are immediate and mostly irreversible - they do what they were designed to do. Other methods give time to reconsider even after the act and reconsider or seek help. The life a firearm destroys could be your own, followed by your friends and family.</p><p>The very presence of guns, their simplicity and ease of access, directly relates to their usage. Their history, mystique, and reputation can make it easy for someone to have malevolent thoughts and then immediately act on them. They also cause unintentional injury and death - most tragically when youth have access to them. Unintentional injuries from firearms account for 37% of all firearm injuries. That means over one-third of all injurious uses of a firearm were unintentional. For all the arguments that they are useful, needed, for self-defense, in the end they are far more likely to cause unintentional injury or death, or purposeful self-inflicted death - suicide. Only a few hundred deaths in the US are considered justifiable homicides. And though unintentional shootings do not often end in death, the injuries themselves cause physical, mental, and financial harm to the victim and the shooter.</p><p>Entire communities are affected by living in fear of guns. Fear of guns leads to ownership of guns because of the misplaced idea that guns stop people with guns. <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-guns-do-not-stop-more-crimes-evidence-shows/" target="_blank">Scientific American</a> reports on this fallacy, showing that about 30 careful studies show more guns are linked to more crimes: murders, rapes, and others. They also escalate situations. Fear of being the victim of a shooting can lead to a preemptive strike outlook, thinking that shooting first is a form of self-defense (we see examples of this in police shootings, or shooting of police). The after effects of gun violence also involve legal, financial, and physical and mental impacts on individuals and entire communities. </p><p>We must work on common sense, actionable means to reduce gun ownership. One of those ways could be to regulate their manufacture. If ownership laws can't be agreed upon because of differing views on the 2nd Amendment, we can look at reducing the manufacturing, distribution, and sales.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-24937894518515728282022-05-17T11:44:00.000-05:002022-05-17T11:44:01.394-05:00Giannis Is A Blue Dolphin?<p>Giannis is a Milwaukee Buck. An outstanding one at that. Or is he? One reporter claims he is a Blue Dolphin, or at least uses the concept whether he knows it or not. Giannis has shown the ability to shake of the doldrums of 'failure' such as losing Game7 of the Celtics series and being taken out of the playoffs by turning the problem in its head and looking instead at positives.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYip6mYOkbN05SOSvNNuUabzSmhPyiH2IYRZ1GCbKqnq-psHxdzRjpgoRFpBW_l9qq3qaSoVhztL0IdW3Mktr3UFWRLJd2g9d29mXJur_bdOg45wCrQihDqLVVDnxJG66NPFbeO1hL4yuVfHNxcfVHWllI9fR-Qk6dB69EvjjC5VHJp-BzL6Usz5tDZQ/s540/bd374-blue-dolphin-mascot-costume-000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYip6mYOkbN05SOSvNNuUabzSmhPyiH2IYRZ1GCbKqnq-psHxdzRjpgoRFpBW_l9qq3qaSoVhztL0IdW3Mktr3UFWRLJd2g9d29mXJur_bdOg45wCrQihDqLVVDnxJG66NPFbeO1hL4yuVfHNxcfVHWllI9fR-Qk6dB69EvjjC5VHJp-BzL6Usz5tDZQ/s320/bd374-blue-dolphin-mascot-costume-000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.inc.com/author/justin-bariso" target="_blank">Justin Bariso</a> of <b><a href="https://www.inc.com/" target="_blank">Inc. Magazine</a></b> posits in <a href="https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/emotional-intelligence-giannis-antetokounmpo-ironic-process-theory-white-bear-how-to-control-thoughts.html" target="_blank">a recent article</a> that this ability by Giannis is a tool we can all use in our own lives.</p><p>From his dad jokes to his general positive demeanor, there is little not to like about the Bucks superstar. He seems a genuine person without some of the usual flaws we see in professional athletes. But even someone of his caliber will deal with negative situations, usually compounded by having to talk to reporters about them. But Giannis always seems to remain positive, or at least see something to learn from the situation. According to Bariso, this is called the blue dolphin rule. This reaction is opposed to the white bear problem which states that as you attempt to suppress certain thoughts, you actually increase their frequency. Dwelling on negative thoughts makes negative situations more likely to occur. Bariso says "The blue dolphin is a replacement thought, a different point of concentration. It's a go-to, something you can immediately switch your focus to if your white bear comes to mind."</p><p>Check our Bariso's article to see examples of everyday life differences between the white bear and blue dolphin. You may recognize some of those white bears, I know I do, and see how the dolphin can change your perspective, and maybe even stave off the next negative situation.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-73540267183405056562022-04-24T19:20:00.003-05:002022-04-24T19:20:47.235-05:00Do We Even Understand What A Billionaire Is?<p>In today's world, we marvel at billionaires, yet very few actually understand what it means. I know its a ridiculous number we cannot fathom, but the more I looked into it, the more it shocked me how much these people really are worth. Among the general populace, making 'six-figures' or $100,000 is a benchmark of success and wealth. Millionaires are truly wealthy. But what is often misunderstood is how exponentially large adding another, let alone 3, or 6 a number becomes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQAr4rzYkZLp9zcZCf6uiR5rd1A1WnJ_OwM6Sb5JYODLqEMHcfxxFgY-Rt_lB-a8OedHuMhEOichVbY_C0TnCeMPZtmqxcfyZNKo-IL_WNAk1nrTOmWyUK1dJWXUZY_mlG4HCaH2rodjz7H4ovrPgo9LviqveXTyQowz2z1BCdAkl7Pq5nGBtygOcAQ/s1255/Screenshot%202022-04-24%207.19.38%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1255" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQAr4rzYkZLp9zcZCf6uiR5rd1A1WnJ_OwM6Sb5JYODLqEMHcfxxFgY-Rt_lB-a8OedHuMhEOichVbY_C0TnCeMPZtmqxcfyZNKo-IL_WNAk1nrTOmWyUK1dJWXUZY_mlG4HCaH2rodjz7H4ovrPgo9LviqveXTyQowz2z1BCdAkl7Pq5nGBtygOcAQ/s320/Screenshot%202022-04-24%207.19.38%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The wealthiest aren't just billionaires either, they are hundred billionaires. Elon Musk is worth 265 billion. That is 265 with 9 zeroes after it. 265,000,000,000. It would take someone making six-figures 2,650,000 years to amass that wealth with no expenses. 2.65 MILLION years. To reach Jeff Bezos' wealth would <i>only</i> take them 1.77 million years. Even someone who makes a million dollars a year (which is wealthier than a millionaire which is just a net worth not annual salary delineation) would take 2,650 years to become as wealthy as Musk.</p><p>If you get a better understanding of what those number, their wealth, look like, you can begin to understand why so many are frustrated (enraged) that any human being has that net worth. Why unfettered capitalism building such vast amounts of wealth among so few doesn't make sense when so many make so little. That doesn't have to mean laws, or taxes, but corporate policy and fairness doctrines to limit profits for select individuals and better sharing of the wealth not just to employees, but to the bottom line of the company itself and the economy overall.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Let's start at that first level of success, $100,000 annual salary, and go up from there. But to make it <i>fair</i>, we'll move onto net worth since we don't even know what the annual salary of the Musks and Bezos make. Looking at the same six-figure number, we are basically at the average net worth of an American which is $120,000.</p><p>To be in the 1% club of wealthy, you are considered to have a net worth of $10 million. That is 8 digits. 10,000,000. After taxes with no expenses, just based on income alone, it would take a six-figure salary 122 years to amass $10 million. Less than 100 CEOs in the US make gross $1 million dollars a year and for them after taxes, again with zero expenses accounted for, it would take them 15 years to be worth $10 million.</p><p>$10 million a year salary. If you could avoid taxes and bank all of that, it would take you 100 years to amass $1 billion. But again Musk for example is a $265 billionaire, so multiply that by 265: 26,500 years. That's right, a $10,000,000 net income would take over 26 thousand years to become as rich as Musk.</p><p>It's probably still hard to fathom the exponential difference. A different approach can help. Visual and relative comparisons. For example:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 million seconds is 12 days</li><li>1 billion seconds is 30 years</li><li>1 trillion seconds is 30,000 years</li></ul><p></p><p>Here you can get a better sense, especially since we can already relate to the difference between days and years. Going from 1 million to 1 billion takes us from just under 2 weeks to half of many lifetimes, a third of well-lived individuals. If we stuck to weeks, 1 billion seconds is almost 800 times longer in weeks than 1 million.</p><p>If we want to see a visual representation, here is an image that shows the difference.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvp_Ntg15S34gjJlbNp_Jt_w6H2G1RfdLxNAJn2eD33549aCSp8FnoVsfF3MHtBsJb2QAt5TXFNlS3_ZebSJ8weP-OzxbrzlG6Ub1BTq1fCmzcPivX6IfyxxlL5mrGMO2Cw2ZxAW0vV8k48HoWxdtvWit4MJr14DJIBBfDN6lRkbaLonAbml2UbY4dQ/s800/Visualisation_1_billion.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvp_Ntg15S34gjJlbNp_Jt_w6H2G1RfdLxNAJn2eD33549aCSp8FnoVsfF3MHtBsJb2QAt5TXFNlS3_ZebSJ8weP-OzxbrzlG6Ub1BTq1fCmzcPivX6IfyxxlL5mrGMO2Cw2ZxAW0vV8k48HoWxdtvWit4MJr14DJIBBfDN6lRkbaLonAbml2UbY4dQ/w400-h266/Visualisation_1_billion.svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cr. Wikipedia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The largest stack is 1 trillion. 100,000 is that first red square with no dimension. The cube is 1 million, the row is 10 million, the bottom left stack is 100 million. Musk is 265 times that billion stack. Want to see it in actual money? Here is a comparison using $100 bills.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiSdhJYg9pH7e6lsmMgkdlXVfjQZW8T3SAuDTypb9DkS5tXkad4zA5aOPpMNf8RQaDbIvnaAcHOSg6mNmNc6k0F8mc5tmzjyeu_9LSW7yS04asDLz-KZCZVsNyONb90GXKNKQkiVpOeRJ0aVTD2gcU3ODlqc_Wi3Vl-36Hbxl7-tKEQZ7fprRQHhR2w/s1062/amber-orders-magnitude-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1021" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiSdhJYg9pH7e6lsmMgkdlXVfjQZW8T3SAuDTypb9DkS5tXkad4zA5aOPpMNf8RQaDbIvnaAcHOSg6mNmNc6k0F8mc5tmzjyeu_9LSW7yS04asDLz-KZCZVsNyONb90GXKNKQkiVpOeRJ0aVTD2gcU3ODlqc_Wi3Vl-36Hbxl7-tKEQZ7fprRQHhR2w/w385-h400/amber-orders-magnitude-4.png" width="385" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cr. amber.app</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Look, I don't begrudge people for making what they can make. But the fact this is even possible is hard to fathom, and to me shows an inherent flaw in our systems. I don't think the solution is laws or mandates, but there has to be, should be, some moral compass within our corporate systems that allocates or distributes value more equitably to employees and even the company itself. </p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-76505880291775095382022-04-11T21:56:00.002-05:002022-04-11T21:58:39.399-05:00Sports Inspiration Isn't Always About Winning<p>There's a lot going on in the world right now, a lot of bad news. In times like this we look to hobbies and interests for distraction, and following professional sports has long been one of those activities. For as many fans there are of major league sports, there are as many detractors. I'm not here to say either side doesn't have its points, rather, to say that for all the negative in professional sports, they do have their moments. And its not just about the successes of teams or players, its not all about winning. The past few days have displayed moments of true sportsmanship in its best sense from baseball to basketball to golf, in moments that show perseverance, but more importantly caring, and vulnerability. Something we need more of, especially among men.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tcp1YuKem4879cKOl-MihXOWj7prxY1pH70fVsgFbv2q8KkS2jwrHHKA0TaY5QkLdBRsfC4c4X7QmF3uK_qnUXyvjRyIGydI2o0s4d4wBAlQOqlT3fiCO2TwAwBu4i-p-EBEaKQ9pwJ4m6LPV9uyoV7TzdMlE8TlMzZZrbpCICInqLF8PcdI4gKryw/s660/07c0012a-0a47-4c89-9810-a61b7282ac71-USP_MLB__Los_Angeles_Dodgers_at_Colorado_Rockies.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="660" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tcp1YuKem4879cKOl-MihXOWj7prxY1pH70fVsgFbv2q8KkS2jwrHHKA0TaY5QkLdBRsfC4c4X7QmF3uK_qnUXyvjRyIGydI2o0s4d4wBAlQOqlT3fiCO2TwAwBu4i-p-EBEaKQ9pwJ4m6LPV9uyoV7TzdMlE8TlMzZZrbpCICInqLF8PcdI4gKryw/w400-h261/07c0012a-0a47-4c89-9810-a61b7282ac71-USP_MLB__Los_Angeles_Dodgers_at_Colorado_Rockies.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Freddie Freeman consoles opponent José Iglesias<br />photo cr. USA Today</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>In sports, from youth all the way up to professional, we are taught that our opponents are like enemies. In order to beat them we need to see them as antagonists and not peers or friends. But that often is not the case. Often, a friend, or at least someone to respect, is on the other side, the other team. Of course you want to beat them,the goal is to win, but can't we do it with mutual respect and admiration? Of course we can, and it does happen, just rarely. But why? Not only that but where boys and men especially are concerned, we are taught that sensitivity is a bad thing (and not just in sports). But again why? When we do see these things, when men are able to show respect and caring for each other, nothing bad happens, in fact its usually the opposite. Sports, athletes, all of us, are made better when empathy are added to the mix.</p><p>Over the weekend, two MLB players bonded over a similar experience when one reached out to the other in a show of emotion and emotional support. José Iglesias had just made his first base hit of the season when he welled up in tears at first base. José had just lost his father, who was always there to see his son play. Freddie Freeman, Jose's opponent an first basemen, was there and asked what was wrong. José told him and Freddie embraced him. Freddie has lost his mom at an early age and understood the loss of a parent. This on-field shared embrace and moment of empathy for some may have broken the rules of engagement, but how can anyone deny that this is actually a good thing? It can only help for fans, especially youth, to see a man caring for each another's well-being and showing support. I wish we would see more of these displays.</p><p>Right here in Milwaukee, the Bucks NBA team took an action that may seem as, if not more, out of character for a franchise than the Freeman display. On the last game of the season, they started Jrue Holiday when they sat and rested other starters. He started the game and played 8 seconds, enough to foul another player then get benched. They let him start so that he would get a salary bonus. By playing his 67th game of the season he reached a milestone that awarded him over $300,000. The Bucks easily could have sat him, again the other stars and starters of the team were benched for the game to rest and not risk injury before the playoffs. No one would have blinked an eye at Jrue being included. But coach Budenholzer did the honorable thing and started Holiday so he could get the bonus. This cost the team, but I am sure it instilled faith and appreciation for the organization by not only Holiday but the rest of the Bucks players, and even possibly other players around the league. The Bucks lost the game, but they won. The Bucks showed they are a stand-up organization that supports their players.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFY2VR10WUzizZU8iWRluSUYdAo5PS8HR4NCLXt3uet_j7OUK0RiJR-rJ6a2WpLRcoGUz_DtzfzDIYl_irRD6UnVfPREDrSPF08Dt_0Mtfz693yKHJLcXPZRXDGNrxV2awJIaxC0CfnSZoEveb5G5kDNAzr8c-I9SHJZlo9B5U14zQyVQb9GI3KBZ3Q/s960/e66bff30-b912-11ec-b7af-3bab1f9ebd6b.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFY2VR10WUzizZU8iWRluSUYdAo5PS8HR4NCLXt3uet_j7OUK0RiJR-rJ6a2WpLRcoGUz_DtzfzDIYl_irRD6UnVfPREDrSPF08Dt_0Mtfz693yKHJLcXPZRXDGNrxV2awJIaxC0CfnSZoEveb5G5kDNAzr8c-I9SHJZlo9B5U14zQyVQb9GI3KBZ3Q/w400-h266/e66bff30-b912-11ec-b7af-3bab1f9ebd6b.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jrue Holiay (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Finally, two things happened during the PGA Masters. One player won without winning, and another player admitted to an emotional display that many would try to hide. Let's start with the latter. Scottie Scheffler would go on to with the Masters, but he admitted he "cried like a baby this morning. [He] was so stressed out. [He] didn't know what to do." He was with his wife, no one needed to know, but at the podium in his acceptance, he revealed this. What may seem <i>unmanly</i> to some, he was open about, and he went on to win. An emotional release did not cause him to fail. Shocking. In the same competition, Tiger Woods was far behind in the final leaderboard. But across the board people respected his performance, as it came just one year after a serious car accident where he nearly lost a leg and severely injured his back. He lasted all four days of the Masters, making the cut for the weekend then surviving two more days. There are many valid - if opposite - opinions about Tiger, he has been both inspiring and disappointing in his personal life, but no one can say he isn't persistent. He could have given up a few times in his career, but he is showing that you can come back from serious injury and be impactful in the arena.</p><p>Let's hope there continue to be stories like all of these this year. It's been a rough two years or more, in other news it continues to be rough, and I myself have had a drought during that time. I would love if I continued to be inspired weekly by sports or other storied about men being, well, Greater, in Milwaukee and around the world.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-34191769648672760682021-09-13T16:40:00.006-05:002021-09-13T16:40:42.298-05:00A Reflection on Labor Day & the 911 Anniversary <p>The 20th anniversary of 911 and Labor Day were in the same week this year, within 5 days in fact. During that time I was doing the great American past time of touring, specifically in an area replete with national identity in South Dakota. The experience of 'getting away' but also being in and among monuments and reminders of what we have accomplished during those dates made me reflect on where we have come recently.</p><p>The trend I see is away from service and community to self-centeredness.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ29SLmkf00/YT-rgqVWVFI/AAAAAAABP9s/EPN5qDn69sIZoUCR_3wusaOizs3xpphGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210912_160551700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ29SLmkf00/YT-rgqVWVFI/AAAAAAABP9s/EPN5qDn69sIZoUCR_3wusaOizs3xpphGgCNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/PXL_20210912_160551700.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of a CCC pin packaging I just bought.</td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>South Dakota has a lot of Americana and symbols of American pride as well as evidence of a time when that pride, that commitment, was about others, about the community, and not about the individual. Mount Rushmore obviously stands for our reverence for our leaders, revered presidents. The Crazy Horse memorial in progress offers a different viewpoint, and even purpose with a man from Poland embracing and championing completely different people in his pursuit of creating the memorial for indigenous Americans. The parks represent a time when downtrodden citizens were offered hope in government assistance through the CCC Civilian Conservation Corps, elevating not only them but our nation through their hard work in tough times.</p><p>While I did experience 911 and the aftermath, I am not old enough to have directly experienced much of the <i>nostalgia</i>, if that is the the word, for some of what America did in the past in preservation steps. This isn't a bemoaning of old traditions, but of actions. Things we did, what we accomplished, how we responded - as a nation. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">911 and COVID</h3><p>In my mind, with my viewpoint and ideals, I just cannot fathom why a large portion of our nation is so opposed to steps to mitigate COVID. None of the steps are hard, or harmful, and we - people before us - have taken steps as a nation to mitigate threats before. Now, I am not naïve enough to not know that there was a percentage of resistance to efforts in the past, but enough people got behind them and did what was needed. Polio was one example. Polio hit us hard, the world hard, just as COVID is, and the efforts to quash it were hard, probably harder than what we should be doing for COVID because of our current technology. I won't get into it, you can read up on it lots of places like <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-history-dept/2015/04/10/398515228/defeating-the-disease-that-paralyzed-america" target="_blank">this NPR story</a>, but to say this: mask wearing and rolling closures were adopted for <i>years</i> - decades actually - to combat it until the vaccine was created and then it was used to make it so we don't even have to worry about it now.</p><p>In living through the anniversary of 911, an obvious comparison that came to mind was the national response to terrorism vs. COVID. COVID-19 could have - should have - been a way for us to rally together as a nation, to overcome a common obstacle. Just as we - as we nostalgically look upon it now - rallied together in anger at the 911 attacks and agreed to restrictions such as all the new travel and TSA check-in requirements, with a good leader we should have rallied together to resist the COVID spread. Wearing a mask, getting the vaccination, social distancing - all could have been embraced the same as taking our shoes off, removing our belts, limiting liquid quantities, using boarding passes and showing IDs.</p><p>On my vacation I experienced the difference first hand. South Dakota is a conservative state. That was obvious in the response, or lack thereof, to COVID, especially when compared to passing through more liberal Minnesota. In SD you could easily tell tourists by the ones wearing masks. In MN, masks were more common and when we visited the SPAM Museum, they required masks, hand sanitizing, and the use of clean stylus pens to activate touch screen exhibits. It's really not much different though than at home and say: Milwaukee vs. Waukesha counties.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajlc43jsTgQ/YT_D7cJ1wTI/AAAAAAABP98/exnhImaFPO0kLUQPulMbF9C3SRZb6UIggCNcBGAsYHQ/s1760/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1760" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajlc43jsTgQ/YT_D7cJ1wTI/AAAAAAABP98/exnhImaFPO0kLUQPulMbF9C3SRZb6UIggCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h336/download.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only the people of SD followed the sentiment of this healthcare system campaign</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In listening to people, really listening - reading between the lines - it comes down to thinking of the self vs. others. Most who wear masks, get vaccinated, say they do it for others, not for themselves. People who won't, say it is because of how doing so affects <i>them</i>. When did we lose the sense of community and banding together against a common threat?</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Labor Day and the CCC/WPA</h3><p>It funny how the people who are most against what Labor Day is actually about embrace it the most, and twisted it. Just because it is a <i>federal</i> holiday doesn't make it about the government. But, do a Google search for images for Labor Day and you will find many, many graphics that look more like Memorial Day with American flags and red, white, and blue and stars and stripes all over them. It's really not supposed to be about America, the political or governmental America. It's supposed to - as the name obviously suggests - celebrate the Labor movement, how trade unions helped shape improvement in workers' rights. It is celebrated across the world and should be decidedly un-governmental or political (though the core ideals influence politics more so outside the US). In fact, despite the fact the New Deal aligned with many labor concepts, FDR actually spoke about the difference between private and public (governmental): "All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service.... The very nature and purposes of government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with government employee organizations."</p><p>Speaking of the New Deal, FDR used it in part to create two programs that were very labor movement-like: the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and WPA (Works Progress Administration). They both sought to put unemployed people to work, giving them income but also experience and just improving morale. The CCC focused on Conservation efforts in <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/civilian-conservation-corps.htm" target="_blank">national lands like parks</a>. The WPA was focused on public works projects like buildings and roads but also employed artists, musicians, and other creatives to provide public art and entertainment. Many women and minorities, and a focus on indigenous people, were utilized and valued. The WPA employed 3.3 million people at its height, the CCC one half million (with a total of 3 million men). Meals, lodging, clothing, medical, and dental care were all free for enrollees so most of their income could be sent home to their families. Wisconsin and Milwaukee benefitted greatly from these project. Over 5,000 women and minorities in Milwaukee were employed for creative endeavors through the <a href="https://www.mpm.edu/research-collections/history/online-collections-research/wpa-milwaukee-handicraft-project?fbclid=IwAR1-q-yX5H3_TbCAK3BmnIRYUUH6K5WOqnkGlRwvZdwjm_nq7yAXANkWplE" target="_blank">Milwaukee Handicraft Project (MHP)</a> and dozens of <a href="https://livingnewdeal.org/us/wi/milwaukee/?fbclid=IwAR3ZhD8X7HrnOXMNj6uUE9GbbbObzCx991Y-Pno8eOwrebwQ5F9ld6yNFjY" target="_blank">public projects</a> were completed here as well.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1VokY6_Tmg/YT-5Hc-HoPI/AAAAAAABP90/M6eXDbk5uT0NYqiQgAzJKr_B9hvhsqqBgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210908_183043525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1VokY6_Tmg/YT-5Hc-HoPI/AAAAAAABP90/M6eXDbk5uT0NYqiQgAzJKr_B9hvhsqqBgCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210908_183043525.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A statue honoring CCC workers in South Dakota</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I think it is the perfect time to implement New Deal-like projects like the CCC and WPA. With two recessions recently and currently and the effects of COVID on the economy and employment, providing meaningful work to unemployed to give them income and experience would be invaluable, all while improving our aging infrastructure, unifying people, and creating a new national pride in ourselves vs. the nation. The Green New Deal and/or the infrastructure bill could embrace and promote this. In a, admittedly far-reaching and highly unlikely, extreme version, national service could be <i>required</i> for certain citizenship benefits. Like some nations that require military or other service (like Israel). But it doesn't have to be military. Nigeria, Germany, and Denmark, and recently France all require learning and using service skills such as first aid. In total, about seventy-five countries have some form of mandatory service. Here it could be tied to benefits like healthcare, free education, and social security (for anyone going forward). Complete the service (1-2 years), and you get the national citizenship benefits . Immigrant citizenship could also be worked though service commitment. Benefits would no longer be handouts or freebies, but rewards for service to the country. But to those mentioned previously, this would be a mandate, a restriction on their freedom, and not a patriotic option - for how much they tout patriotism and devotion to country.</p><p>Finally, seeing the majesty of that region of the country, and returning home to the beauty of my home state, made me question how anyone cannot be for conservation efforts. The CCC - along with other efforts before and after - helped preserve the natural beauty of our nation in national and state parks. It is our job to preserve it for future generations. Whether you believe in global warming or other science, and our impact on the world as a planet, the climate; blindness to immediate, local effects to be is unfathomable. Personal and private sector (corporate) lack of care and responsibility of your local environment angers me. Air quality, water quality, preservation of local flora and fauna all should be important enough for us to take steps personally, and even financially through corporate decisions and our support of them based on those, to make our nation and the world a better place for us (from a self-centered standpoint) and all (in a more global/communal viewpoint)</p><p><br /></p><p>In both of these cases, its easy to blame former President Trump and his cult of personality the blind devotion to one individual - but to me and many others, he was an end result of the path the nation was taking already. A path of nationalism, of isolation, of us vs. them. A focus on 'me' not 'us'. Maybe 911 was the beginning. Our response to terrorism, outsiders - specifically Muslims would grow into any not like us. After that, white America specifically seemed to become ever more suspicious and the seeds of racism and bigotry, long underground, sprouted. While many celebrated the increase in diversity in media, the resistance was also growing. The Republican view of organized labor as a threat, instead of a group to court, started years ago - in Wisconsin we saw it first hand with Walker and a GOP representation that attacked unions and workers' rights in favor of corporate bottom lines. Then, when America was given the choice between a highly qualified woman and a man with a questionable character and suspect business practices, well, the woman won in votes (48 > 46%), but lost in electoral college. Many say that election either way was a choice between the 'lesser of two evils' with blemishes on both, but the loser was an experienced statesman who had unjust accusations and called it on the who the winner was. I could go on about how that election and choice so negatively affected our path not just for four years but who knows how long, but I try not to get political here. But, we also know how Trump managed the COVID response and how he influenced people's response both in medical and financial decisions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEGyqwqxN7Y/YT_FLE2nsQI/AAAAAAABP-E/cnVLi7SBvPcbEWnw_V0pngBCe9NA8ZjngCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Quotefancy-2797900-3840x2160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEGyqwqxN7Y/YT_FLE2nsQI/AAAAAAABP-E/cnVLi7SBvPcbEWnw_V0pngBCe9NA8ZjngCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/Quotefancy-2797900-3840x2160.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>My reflections on these two dates in my time on vacation made me yearn for more of my personal concept of patriotism. Not bombastic displays of our colors, flag, anthem, or individuals; but reverence for the land and the people - all the people - that make up our nation. Working together to make things better for any and all.</p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-80015267212911056992021-09-13T13:12:00.007-05:002021-09-15T09:35:14.460-05:00Home Sweet Home: A Love Letter to Wisconsin<p>I just spent a week visiting South Dakota, and while places like the Badlands and Black Hills are impressive, it was another case of making me appreciate my home state of Wisconsin even more.</p><p>This is a place to appreciate Milwaukee, but MKE is in the state of Wisconsin, and its home state is to be celebrated as well. While Wisconsin is known for its outdoor recreation as one of its features, I think it is underrated for its grandeur. It may not have the <i>scale</i> of natural features of some states like mountains, canyons, or the ocean, we have a lot of variety and beautiful landscapes. I have visited many regions of the nation now in my early 50s, at this point really just the Northeast rural/wilderness areas (outside of the metropoles) and as I already stated, none of them have tugged at my heartstrings more than my home state.</p><p>What makes Wisconsin so great in my mind?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1a8Mf5bD-w/YT9sphDQB9I/AAAAAAABP88/lr-d7P8h_bwnFxyEGj4FgjMrJvTR-dvCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210701_235113260.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1a8Mf5bD-w/YT9sphDQB9I/AAAAAAABP88/lr-d7P8h_bwnFxyEGj4FgjMrJvTR-dvCQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/PXL_20210701_235113260.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs of the Apostle Islands</td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>It starts with nature. </p><p>We are surrounded on 3 of 4 'sides' by grand bodies of water, 2 Great Lakes (Michigan and Superior), and the Great River, the Mississippi. Many people especially from the eastern half of the state forget we are a Mississippi state. In between, there are plenty of other large rivers (Wisconsin, Rock, Wolf, and Oconto), lakes (Winnebago, Petenwell, Chippewa Flowage, Castle Rock), as well as smaller bodies like ponds and creeks including <a href="https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/natural-attractions-and-parks/7-easy-access-picnic-perfect-wisconsin-waterfalls" target="_blank">waterfalls to see</a>. There is a friendly argument between us and Minnesota on who has the most 'lakes' in the US depending on definitions. Those all provide plenty of amazing views and outdoor recreation opportunities.<span> </span></p><p><span>We have a wide range of natural features. We have the kettles and moraines left by the glaciers and in contrast the Driftless area where the glaciers never visited. A National Forest in the north and sandstone cliffs in the south and limestone cliffs throughout. Protected wetlands, the <a href="https://doorcountycoastalbyway.org/niagara-escarpment/" target="_blank">Niagara Escarpment</a>, islands, and caves. Travel Wisconsin has a great list of <a href="https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/natural-attractions-and-parks/7-natural-wonders-of-wisconsin" target="_blank">7 'awe-inpsiring' natural wonders</a>. We have four seasons, Autumn here is beautiful with the changing of the colors.</span></p><p><span>We have bald eagles, and monarch migration paths. Bear, elk, cougar and wolves; and of course deer - you can't drive far without seeing a deer crossing sign. We have great hunting and fishing.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWh1UgvGTUs/YT99Cv2aM3I/AAAAAAABP9I/bQ6pZdU7qys3WckMJgpVq7BypPoRj8vTACNcBGAsYHQ/s1184/IMG_20151010_084934.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1184" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWh1UgvGTUs/YT99Cv2aM3I/AAAAAAABP9I/bQ6pZdU7qys3WckMJgpVq7BypPoRj8vTACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h469/IMG_20151010_084934.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite place is Rock Island off of the Door Peninsula</td></tr></tbody></table><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span>It continues with the people and communities. </span></p><p><span>The people, and the places they live, also make Wisconsin great. We are known for being friendly people (maybe not on the level of Canadians, but pretty nice). Our state motto could be 'Ope!", an exclamation usually of apology. I am a fanboy of Milwaukee of course, but we also have Madison our capitol of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin with lots of great culture as well as cities like Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Manitowoc and many, many quaint smaller communities like my first hometown of Cedarburg, all of the Door County towns and Lake Geneva which both are like the Cape Cod of the Midwest, Mount Horeb, and Elkhorn, Baraboo, Bayfield, Princeton, Spring Green; and too many to list (apologies if I missed your favorite).</span></p><p><span>There's also all the great products.</span></p><p><span>Every state has its exports, whether natural or man-made. Agriculture is big here, with the common grains. But we have many local specialties. We have the most and best cheese <a href="https://www.wisconsincheese.com/the-cheese-life/article/74/world-championship-cheese" target="_blank">in the world</a>, producing 1/3 of the nation's total. We have apples, Door County cherries, cranberries and lots of strawberries. Idaho may be best known for potatoes but we are a leading producer as well. Bratwurst (no other state makes them like we do), kringle, cheese curds, frozen custard, fish fries, Brandy Old Fashioned cocktails all are great state foods and beverages to try while here. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fggHxUnwOeY/YT-TM-pk5PI/AAAAAAABP9c/lrx7p2oFfEgkuu8AL_WyqVIBQnqUMpo3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s919/Annotation%2B2021-09-13%2B130624.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="919" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fggHxUnwOeY/YT-TM-pk5PI/AAAAAAABP9c/lrx7p2oFfEgkuu8AL_WyqVIBQnqUMpo3QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h340/Annotation%2B2021-09-13%2B130624.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kringle. Photo cr. O&H Danish Kringle</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span>Other stuff we make includes: bikes - powered or not (Harley-Davidson and Trek), shoes (Allen-Edmunds), motors (Briggs & Stratton, Ariens, Mercury Marine), locks (Masterlock), Oshkosh Trucks, Milwaukee Tools, paper goods (check out the Paper Valley), Kohler plumbing +, and many more great products.</span></p><p><span>And things built here.</span></p><p>Wisconsin has its fair share of cool architecture. We are of course the home of Frank Lloyd Wright with his home an Taliesin. Milwaukee has the Calatrava wing of the Milwaukee Public Museum. We have many lighthouses being on two lakes with shipping. Octagonal barns and covered bridges. Our domed capitol building is a majestic example of classic architecture. <a href="https://www.thehouseontherock.com/" target="_blank">The House on the Rock</a>. The Basilica of Holy Hill.</p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmXHbD7px9A/YT_q1wayk_I/AAAAAAABP-4/tEWYRKpZTI4eV3nz2bafiNihasaWWvukwCNcBGAsYHQ/s900/Taliesin%2BLR2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="900" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmXHbD7px9A/YT_q1wayk_I/AAAAAAABP-4/tEWYRKpZTI4eV3nz2bafiNihasaWWvukwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h292/Taliesin%2BLR2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin photo cr. wrightinwisconsin.org</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>I will always enjoy getting out and experiencing the rest of our great nation and what each state has to offer, but I am always overjoyed to return home. With a river nearby not unlike the creek I walked along as a child in the same great state.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7GBBwqh9kY/YT-UHcoFhCI/AAAAAAABP9k/3ePeWRIcp0APXsgiQ8LOC912Ane-f0_EACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20160808_120343.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7GBBwqh9kY/YT-UHcoFhCI/AAAAAAABP9k/3ePeWRIcp0APXsgiQ8LOC912Ane-f0_EACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20160808_120343.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Menomonee river in the Village of Wauwatosa</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-63810251377608827382021-07-31T22:29:00.004-05:002021-08-01T12:04:13.737-05:00Starship Analogy: Acceptance By A Skeptical Introvert<br />Yesterday I attended a sold out concert in an amphitheater. While I generally enjoyed myself, the experience made me not only accept that I am an introvert, but it inspired what I think is an analogy that may help non-introverts, aka extroverts, understand what its like to be introverted. Or should I say capital I Introverted?<div><br /></div><div>I call it the Starship Analogy, based on how deflector shields are typically described in science fiction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5MD1ISHeVA/YQYMUJAQ5sI/AAAAAAABNzA/zLdLFLSpt58FEggh4UwNkG4Y2TzFbLfLgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/main-qimg-ba8dfd784990c05970c35107842c3843.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5MD1ISHeVA/YQYMUJAQ5sI/AAAAAAABNzA/zLdLFLSpt58FEggh4UwNkG4Y2TzFbLfLgCNcBGAsYHQ/s0/main-qimg-ba8dfd784990c05970c35107842c3843.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll explain it a bit later. First, let's talk about the whole Introvert thing.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>I've been reluctant to accept the whole Introvert/Extrovert thing, mostly because it has been hard for me to identify myself. Of course some people are more outgoing, some more reserved, but is there really a different energy usage and transfer? As you will see, I have come around to yes.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am introverted, but never considered myself an Introvert.Every personality test says I am, yet I do enjoy being social. But, I've never been a fan of being around a <i>lot</i> of people. Festivals and fairs and the like have never excited me other than being there with friends - everyone else I could do without. I thought it was always just that, well, I didn't like crowds, or the chances of types of people being in said crowds. I liked 'my people' and felt more comfortable around them. As long as I am surrounded by a number of my people, I can navigate through a larger event. But very easily, if I am not in control of my surroundings and actions, I can become overwhelmed.</div><div><br /></div><div>You see where this is going right? I would explain exactly what the definition of an Introvert is without seeing that was what it was.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, as I sat at this concert, though I enjoyed the performance and I was with my wife who buffered me from some, I felt more and more drained being around all the people. As I sat there, in my own thoughts to attempt to keep annoyances at bay, a thought came to me:</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a starship. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wait, what? What does that mean?</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a starship. My body is the ship. I have a reactor for energy, it comes from me, from within. That reactor powers a shield that protects me. There is an engineering area that manages the shield, constantly redirecting the shields to deflect harmful effects. Each time the shields are redirected, it uses up energy. At some point the ship, me, becomes drained and I have to recharge. But there is no charging device. You have to shut systems down and it will recharge itself. </div><div><br /></div><div>But what are these 'attacks' or harmful effects on the shield? Anything from another human, really. We pick up on negative energies around us. And it doesn't have to be a personal attack, although those are even more impactful. People arguing a few rows away. People disrupting your experience by constantly going back and forth. Your partner getting upset, not even at you. Someone doing something wrong, as in malicious, or just poorly. It may sound silly, but just bad vibes. Even the anticipation that someone is going to do something negative can set off a defensive response and use up energy planning for it to happen.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml67Oz1qjRc/YQYKTK8vZzI/AAAAAAABNy8/wqBjoKzxe5QJFpkSsx4LCwUsIDA-oRwbgCPcBGAYYCw/s480/main-qimg-91b558a919bd52e22f52c93239849820.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml67Oz1qjRc/YQYKTK8vZzI/AAAAAAABNy8/wqBjoKzxe5QJFpkSsx4LCwUsIDA-oRwbgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/main-qimg-91b558a919bd52e22f52c93239849820.webp" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div>So, how is this different than an Extrovert? Well, I can only guess at what the other is like. I would think that an extrovert is more like a solar powered device, and the people around them, the excitement, the emotions, are like the sun that charges them up.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are an Introvert, does this compute? Do you ? If you are an extrovert, does this help you understand your Introvert friends?</div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-17261673141434085032021-02-27T18:47:00.002-06:002021-02-27T18:47:18.140-06:00No Festivals That Cancel Aren't Taking Away Your Freedom<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ8RoKO7tfs/YDrARxEjS6I/AAAAAAABK_U/7B8f0ctdvYQXiOx5NsnrXM5EzUq-0oPfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/101814549_10219344810105742_2556174121499099136_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="944" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ8RoKO7tfs/YDrARxEjS6I/AAAAAAABK_U/7B8f0ctdvYQXiOx5NsnrXM5EzUq-0oPfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/101814549_10219344810105742_2556174121499099136_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of the street festival<br />I organize.</td></tr></tbody></table> We saw them all last year, and they are cropping up again this year. Festivals small and large cancelling. A common reaction, at least in social media announcement post comments is something like this:<br />"Why don't you just have the festivals? If people want to go, they will go."<br />Is it that simple? Just hold the festival and let however many people are comfortable going show up?<br /></p><p>Of course it's not.<br /></p><p>But people with this reaction won't even take a minute to ponder the consequences, and not from a public health standpoint but to the festival itself. They have no idea what it takes to put one on and what is involved and what you can lose if you even have only 75%, let alone 50% or less attendance. Or if they even have the capability to put it on still. <br /></p><p>Let's take a quick, very quick, look at what goes into making this decision.</p><span><a name='more'></a>I am an organizer for a small street festival in Milwaukee so I have some experience and direct knowledge of what it takes to put one one, and at least some insight into what larger festivals like the ethnic festivals, Summerfest, and State Fair have to deal with. This could get long if I really went into all the ins and outs, but for brevity's sake, I am just going to list possible factors. Easily any one of these could be the reason for anyone to call off an event, but when you get to 2-3 or more, its easy to understand, if you just take a moment to try.</span><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Profitability thresholds for most, many of which are non-profits, are paper thin. A bad weather year with a small percentage attendance drop can cause an event to be non-profitable, just imagine what 20-30% less, let alone 20-30% total attendance could mean.</li><li>Sponsors may not have the money, or be comfortable supporting an event with possible liabilities attached.</li><li>Speaking of liability, events have to have insurance. They may not have coverage for if it becomes a super-spreader event. The venue may require insurance the insurer won't give.</li><li>All events, even on private property, but especially on public, require permits. The community may not approve one.</li><li>Bands have to be booked, and cancelling closer may be detrimental. The pool is also smaller based on practice time, travel possibility, illness, etc.</li><li>Vendors may not be able to pay the booth fees or if they do and attendance is low they could have personal financial issues and even raise them back to the event if there is not sufficient attendance.</li><li>Food vendors may not want, or be able to in the space allotted at the festival, to accommodate for the safety requirements.</li><li>Events need volunteers, and that pool of availability is also smaller right now. Many volunteers are older and either may have gotten COVD, or don't want to risk getting it.</li></ul><div>I am sure I am missing some, but those are the ones that come to mind based on my experience and just plain common sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope this helps any who think the festivals are caving to pressure by some 'cancel culture', understand there are so many other factors that go into making the decision, and even still, it is a difficult one to make. There is no conspiracy to control you, to take away our freedom to decide what to do. These decisions are made by groups of people making a tough but rational decision not to risk the event for many reasons.</div><p></p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-14921133395171588872021-01-07T11:42:00.002-06:002021-01-08T09:47:34.332-06:00Whataboutism and the attack on the Capitol<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5nhB9tZuhc/X_c44tJzkdI/AAAAAAABJ2Q/PqrpJ7u-Shc9TKdupQTlE8xvh0tUIX1_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/5ff64dd96d61c10019cce0fa.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5nhB9tZuhc/X_c44tJzkdI/AAAAAAABJ2Q/PqrpJ7u-Shc9TKdupQTlE8xvh0tUIX1_wCNcBGAsYHQ/w200-h100/5ff64dd96d61c10019cce0fa.jpg" title="cr. J. Scott Applewhite" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cr. AP J. Scott Applewhite</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the realm of politics in America, in a two party system that easily lends itself to us vs. them reactions, cries of hypocrisy are common. I find myself using the term probably too often. Yes, often there are cases where each side can show the other side does the same thing. But, l</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">et's be clear, there is no false equivalency whataboutism that can compare yesterday to the protests of 2020.</span><p></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="3jnlr" data-offset-key="bidft-0-0" style="background-color: white;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bidft-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bidft-0-0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The events of January 6th were a planned (and further incited) attack on THE Capitol of the nation, the representatives inside, and the process of the official, final selection of the next administration. The response by law enforcement to the event, once which again was an attack on the People's House - the seat of our national government - was far from equitable to other protests. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bidft-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bidft-0-0" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is <i>whataboutism</i>? Oxford defines it as: </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the technique or practice of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counteraccusation or raising a different issue. It's an attempt to weaponize claims of hypocrisy, to refute a statement or opinion by claiming 'both sides do it'. As if there are not levels of negativity, that we can't look at whether one case is worse than the other and thus inequitable.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3jnlr" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="background-color: white;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0"><span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">People who support, or even just aren't entirely against, what happened on the 6th, like to say 'whatabout' the riots (their term) of 2020. You were okay with the violence and destruction of property by BLM, or ANTIFA, but this is where you draw a line? Isn't that hypocrisy? Yes and No, </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">respectively</span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. It is where I draw the line and its not hypocritical. Why not? Because of severity, magnitude, effect.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0"><span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0"><span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, there was some destruction of property in the racial justice protests. People in Wisconsin can especially look at what happened in Kenosha. Others will point to Portland. I am not devaluing the damage to public and private property, but none of that was an assault on the symbol of our nation. They were not planned attacks on federal representatives (we will have to wait for more to come out, but there are definitive photos that show the MAGA/Q Anon/Proud Boys assailants were planning to kidnap government officials). In Portland, protests led up to a federal building, but the protesters did not attack it, they made a presence around it. Some destruction was done, such as security cameras and windows, but again they did not try to enter the buildings. I am not condoning those actions in Portland, but we will talk about equity of severity and response later.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite what you might think, have been told or shown, the vast majority of protests by BLM and similar groups, ones where ANTIFA was involved, were peaceful, and even ones that went off the rails by peripheral bad actors started that way. As <a href="https://time.com/5886348/report-peaceful-protests/" target="_blank">TIME Magazine</a> reported: "</span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">more than 93%—have been peaceful" A report published <a href="https://acleddata.com/2020/09/03/demonstrations-political-violence-in-america-new-data-for-summer-2020/" target="_blank">The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project</a> (ACLED) states that more than 2,400 locations reported peaceful protests, while fewer than 220 reported “violent demonstrations.” </span></span><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2020/10/24/trump-claims-blm-protests-violent-but-majority-peaceful/3640564001/" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">USA Today</a><span style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> also did a report, talking to people in cities affected by protests - including Milwaukee - where they found that "</span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Very few of those charged in protest-related arrests appear to be affiliated with highly organized extremist groups, and many are young suburban adults from the very neighborhoods Trump vows to protect from violence, according to a review of thousands of pages of court documents by the Associated Press."</span></span><span style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This shows what many of already know, but unfortunately the majority (2/3 in an IPSOS poll) don't believe, namely that that the violence often happens around or after the protests, by actors not related to those protesting. In the Milwaukee area - which includes Wauwatosa and Kenosha - "local officials and residents say the protests have been marked more by determination than destruction."</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, we can't forget to address equity in response as well. People have rightfully noticed a lack of equity in the treatment of the rioters yesterday and protesters that were not pro-Trump, not white-cause related. Compare the Portland response, or more directly related: the Lafayette Square response in D.C. This isn't a hypocritical projection by people but a valid comparison. In the previously mentioned report, this is show: ACLED also highlights a “violent government response,” in which authorities “use force more often than not” when they are present at protests and that they “disproportionately used force while intervening in demonstrations associated with the BLM movement, relative to other types of demonstrations.” I personally saw first hand how police can escalate a situation when a march came past our house, literally at the corner my house is on in Wauwatosa. It was one of almost weekly marches that come and go within a few minutes peacefully with just a little noise, when police aren't involved. This time police decided to block them, block them in at the intersection with no way to keep moving on. The police then told them they were at fault for lingering in one place, caused by the very police. It got pretty hairy but ended peacefully. But I saw how a situation can change for the worse when the protests are interfered with rather than just allowing them to go on with their peaceful plans.
</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uoih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you don't understand why the protests have and are occurring, I can't help much with that. Self-reflection and some research may be required, beyond your usual outlets. Regardless, claiming that the January 6 attack on the Capitol was equitable to social justice protests and thus people who support one and decry the other are hypocritical is, well, delusional.
The events of yesterday, Jan 6, were a low point in our nation and the actions were unacceptable and incomparable to other protests. The image above, of security defending our representatives against violent attackers, should never be something we have to see in our nation.</span></span></div></div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-42770506415173266762020-09-23T18:47:00.002-05:002021-08-01T12:10:16.892-05:00Poaching Chicken Adds Flavor, Saves Time Later (Poached Chicken & Mushrooms With Umami Rice)<div class="separator"><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1863" data-original-width="1863" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6RNruffPEh8/X2vXZANCSHI/AAAAAAABISI/zucq6ccE6vgbS-385Kl1gCeRuEyKKdqZwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20200923_222047358.jpg" /></div></div><p></p>Poaching chicken (sous vide as well) is a great way to do some prep work to save time later, while adding flavor at the same time. I whipped up this recipe with tons of flavor using limited ingredients. It could be seen as a <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/clean-eating/faq-20336262" target="_blank">Clean Eating</a> recipe, but it was created to be a <a href="https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/low-residue-diet-foods#1" target="_blank">Low Residue</a> meal for prep day for a colonoscopy, following all the rules, which also works for people with IBD or similar digestive issues.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-poach-chicken-breasts-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-28367" target="_blank">Poaching chicken</a> is definitely not new, but the ways it can be used are more than you might think. Its commonly used to cook the chicken for chicken salad, or sliced to top a salad or on a sandwich (instead of store-bought deli meat). You can also shred poached chicken to use as you would any other shred, like in barbecue sauce, on a pizza, or for tacos. But all those uses really use it as it comes out of the pot. In Clean or Low Residue cooking, it serves as a shortcut to cook it fully in other ways and use less to no fat to cook it. Poached chicken, like sous vide chicken, reheats exceptionally well, and since it is already cooked through-- and already has lots of flavor -- from poaching, it can be added at the end of cooking another recipe and you don't need to use lots of (or any) fat to cook it or need to make sure that is safely cooked all the way through. </p><p>I'll show how it can be used to make a super umami bomb of flavor with minimal time and effort and especially with minimal ingredients. In this case savory chicken and mushrooms over broth-cooked rice.</p><p>As usual, there are ways to customize for yourself either for taste or other dietary requirements (such as vegan). While this is about poaching, I am not going to show how to do it, there are plenty of resources (like the link I shared above). From an ingredient standpoint poached chicken really is only 1: the chicken, but there are savories used in the water; usually carrot, celery, onion, peppercorns, and herbs (usually tarragon, I used bay leaf). One note: I prefer to use chicken thighs versus breasts for more flavor and a better texture. You can safely store poached chicken in the fridge for days.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Poached Chicken & Mushrooms With Umami Rice</h3><div>serves 2, increase as need be for more (double, etc.)</div><p><b>Ingredients</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1/2 cup white rice</li><li>1 1/2 cups chicken broth (sub. vegetable or mushroom broth)</li><li>1/2 cup water</li><li>2 tbsp butter (I used plant based as I try to avoid beef products), divided</li><li>1 tbsp cooking oil (your choice: olive, canola, etc.)</li><li>2 Poached chicken thighs, chopped or shredded (or sub. tofu, tempeh, cauliflower, etc.)</li><li>1/2 medium yellow or white onion, diced</li><li>8 mushroom caps, diced</li><li>2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce</li><li>2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast</li><li>1/2 cup mushroom broth (or your choice)</li><li>1 tbsp corn starch</li></ul><div><b>Directions</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Add rice, broth, water and 1 tbsp butter plus any seasonings. </li><ul><li>A salt-free seasoning of your choice can be used here to amp up flavor: I used The Spice House <a href="https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/greektown-mediterranean-seasoning" target="_blank">Greektown</a> blend.</li></ul><li>Bring to a boil, reduce heat to Med-Low and cook for 20 minutes.</li><li>Add oil and remaining tbsp butter to a pan or skillet.</li><li>Sweat onions.</li><li>Add mushrooms and chicken and any seasonings and cook over med heat for 5 minutes.</li><ul><li>I used The Spice House <a href="https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/bicentennial-game-rub" target="_blank">Bicentennial</a> blend.</li><li>Because the chicken is already safely cooked from poaching before, it will cook up fast.</li></ul><li>Add tamari or say sauce and cook for a few minutes to your doneness (chicken is already cooked to temp), I got the mushrooms and chicken edges a little crispy</li><li>Add broth & Nutritional Yeast and turn heat up to med-high.</li><li>Mix corn starch with a bit of water and add to the pan.</li><li>Cook until liquid thickens to a gravy.</li><li>Divide rice in two dishes and add chicken & mushrooms over rice.</li></ul></div><p></p><p><br /></p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-56380660387759211562020-09-21T10:56:00.003-05:002020-09-21T11:00:03.995-05:00Nutritional Yeast Is My Fregan Recipe Secret Weapon (Mushroom Onion Casserole Recipe)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySoOJtRtRB4/X2i5CG_mYKI/AAAAAAABIMw/nT9jd6BCNqA4WdxlY8Q2N8-oNCMTYmdLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20200920_173800.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySoOJtRtRB4/X2i5CG_mYKI/AAAAAAABIMw/nT9jd6BCNqA4WdxlY8Q2N8-oNCMTYmdLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200920_173800.jpg" /></a></div><br />In my quest to east healthier and give up certain things as a flexitarian (or as I just made up: Fregan), I have developed an arsenal of special ingredients like smoke salt, onion and pepper water (from their jars); none are as useful and versatile as nutritional yeast.<p></p><p>Sometimes mistakenly called brewer's yeast, nutritional yeast is known mostly as a popcorn topping, or to vegetarians and especially vegans as a cheese substitute, but it has so many more uses. </p><p>I used to in three ways in one recipe I just created that is both vegan and gluten-free: <br />Mushroom Onion Casserole with Crispy Tofu.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I'll try to be curt about my love of nutritional yeast, and get to the recipe ASAP. I know I personally hate recipe posts where you have to scroll through pages and pages of expounding on the recipe and then the play by play with copious photos of cooking (I'll do that too, but <i>after</i> the recipe).</p><p>Nutritional Yeast, from the same family as baking and brewing yeasts, was developed specifically as a food product, and is no longer 'live' when you buy it. It's main usage is as a substitute for cheesy flavor: sprinkle on dry like Parmesan (as on popcorn), combine with soaked cashews to make a cheese substitute. When I first got it that was my main purpose and I've made my fair share of soft 'cheese' and warm cheesy dip and mac and 'cheese' with it. It's not just a flavor profile replacement either, it has fiber, but more importantly protein and B vitamins which are found in meat and can be missed in a vegan diet.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">My secret weapon</h4><div>Once I purchased some and saw the consistency and flavor, my mind raced with possibilities to use it. Sure it's 'cheesy' but it's really just an umami flavor. And the powdery consistency makes it useful as a replacement for other ingredients, even flour (especially as a coating). I have made crispy tofu just by dredging it in the yeast instead of flour and baking or frying - do the same with cauliflower, it can be used to thicken soups and gravies (making a great vegan gravy), add it to vegan scramble (instead of the hard to find kala namak/black salt).</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">RECIPE: Mushroom Onion Casserole</h3><div>As may casseroles are, this is a flexible recipe, as many of mine are, its a base that you can riff off of to make other versions, simply by swapping out various ingredients. I'll try to note them as I go along. Most importantly, if you are not gluten-free go ahead and swap out any gf flour or ingredient for regular one.</div><div><br /></div><div>At its core, this is a baked grain and protein recipe. Feel free to change up the grains and the protein. My selections were made to try to amp up the protein in it in lieu of a usual meat product.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the basic recipe, so you can get to it. Photos will follow.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grains</b></div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 cup white or brown rice</li><li>1/4 cup lentils or split peas (whatever you have in the house or prefer, great source of veg protein)</li><li>2 tbsp quinoa (you can skip if you want, but it adds more fiber and protein)</li><li>2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast</li><li>1 package onion soup/dip mix (<a href="https://www.simplyorganic.com/simply-organic-french-onion-dip-mix-1-1-oz/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAduQ8mFOqhTVGzv9MKAzwBrKnVJ3-kMSwT47fKL8Tn4VP468P2CCxR0aAq9ZEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Simply Organic</a> and other brands are gluten-free)</li><li>2 cups mushroom broth</li><li>1 celery stalk (diced)</li><li>1/2 small onion (diced)</li><li>1 1/2 cup mushroom broth</li><li>1 cup water</li><li>4-5 mushrooms, sliced</li><li>1/2 small onion, diced</li></ul></div><div><div><b>Protein</b><br />(if not vegan, use chicken</div><div><div><ul><li>1/2 block extra firm tofu, water pressed out (or tempeh, or portabello mushrooms, squash, whatever you want)</li><li><a href="https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/hickory-smoke-salt" target="_blank">Smoke salt</a> (if you don't have smoke salt or smoked salt, can use salt plus smoky paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or just skip)</li></ul></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>'Egg wash'<br /></i>(if not vegan use an actual egg wash)<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 tbsp flax seed</li><li>1 tsp Nutritional Yeast</li><li>2 tbsp water</li></ul></div><div><div><i>Breading</i></div><div><ul><li>1/2 cup Schar gluten free bread crumbs (make your own, find another brand, if not gf use regular crumbs)</li><li>1/4 cup gluten-free flour (your choice, I used rice flour)</li><li>1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast</li></ul></div><div><b>Instructions</b></div></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Preheat oven to 375.</li><li>Combine the dry and wet Grains ingredients in a casserole dish. Add mushrooms and onions on top.</li><li>Cover and cook for 25 minutes.</li><li>While grains are cooking, prepare the Tofu.</li><ul><li>Press tofu to remove excess moisture.</li><li>Cut into whatever size pieces you want, I cut in half, in half again and in hald again to make 8 slices.</li><li>Season the tofu.</li><li>Combine egg wash ingredients and let sit 5 minutes or more.</li></ul><li>'Bread' the tofu with <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/the-standard-breading-procedure-995453#:~:text=The%20standard%20breading%20technique%20includes,in%20crispy%20breadcrumbs%20like%20Panko." target="_blank">standard breading practice</a>.</li><ul><li>One dish of flour, one with egg wash, one with breading.</li><li>Dredge tofu in flour.</li><li>Moisten in the 'egg' wash.</li><li>Coat in the breading.</li></ul><li>Add the tofu to on top of the grains, cover and bake an additional 10 minutes.</li><li>Remove cover from dish</li><li>Set oven to Broil (Light)</li><li>Sprinkle entire dish with Nutritional Yeast</li><li>Broil, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes (until tofu coating is golden brown).</li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Putting it together</h3><div>If you want the obligatory food blog recipe photos, here they are:<br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWZP6PbzVRY/X2jGkj67ECI/AAAAAAABIN4/2-d_GcjVuoEx39Ub95f1iw9-rdZXSIEKwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20200920_163213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWZP6PbzVRY/X2jGkj67ECI/AAAAAAABIN4/2-d_GcjVuoEx39Ub95f1iw9-rdZXSIEKwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20200920_163213.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grains with liquid and mushrooms & veg <br />ready to bake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qFe9xc4vX5A/X2jGkr9pYDI/AAAAAAABIOE/Y0cq90R7W04KVlzRLMCZBPdI9oAF74ojwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20200920_163343.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qFe9xc4vX5A/X2jGkr9pYDI/AAAAAAABIOE/Y0cq90R7W04KVlzRLMCZBPdI9oAF74ojwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20200920_163343.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tofu prepped<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LM3_SQEs1OM/X2jGleo7aYI/AAAAAAABIOA/byJojaweSl4yR1guIRY2BvwdR9XOrmtWwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20200920_170324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LM3_SQEs1OM/X2jGleo7aYI/AAAAAAABIOA/byJojaweSl4yR1guIRY2BvwdR9XOrmtWwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20200920_170324.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breading process: flour, wash, breading<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCT7VUwpWlM/X2jGlism3qI/AAAAAAABIOE/Cc6DeausMmQxxYsmCBrum69SYtVJewSQwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20200920_170356.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCT7VUwpWlM/X2jGlism3qI/AAAAAAABIOE/Cc6DeausMmQxxYsmCBrum69SYtVJewSQwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20200920_170356.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grains baked with tofu starting to <br />be added</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLp0Q8Rxa3s/X2jGlwYxyoI/AAAAAAABIOI/m1q_Kutgzg8ZPbm84IJOx3q8Q35yC5orwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20200920_172709.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLp0Q8Rxa3s/X2jGlwYxyoI/AAAAAAABIOI/m1q_Kutgzg8ZPbm84IJOx3q8Q35yC5orwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_20200920_172709.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final product after broiling,<br />ready to dish out</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-15361375501356943092020-08-20T11:50:00.010-05:002020-08-20T20:43:56.159-05:00Where Did A Progressive Wisconsin Go?<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFoPmsjkg7E/XzyXuuj1aII/AAAAAAABHf0/hyUvLCSS3VoPYO8neRhF5jnIdVRWZTvOACNcBGAsYHQ/s1584/miss_foreward_2_lg.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFoPmsjkg7E/XzyXuuj1aII/AAAAAAABHf0/hyUvLCSS3VoPYO8neRhF5jnIdVRWZTvOACNcBGAsYHQ/w126-h200/miss_foreward_2_lg.jpg" width="126" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Statue of the spirit of Forward</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>People elsewhere, especially on the coasts, even many Wisconsinites, may not know it, but Wisconsin has been a leader in many historical, progressive, movements.<p></p><p>In his DNC address, Wisconsin Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes gave a shout out to a few of our accomplishments, but there are many more. </p><p>After all, our very motto is, simply, 'Forward'. </p><p>Read on to learn about the many accomplishments our state has been a part of.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>"Progressive." For those of certain political leanings, it drums up an image. But in the end, it just means people who have an "idea of progress in which advancements in science, technology, economic development and social organization are vital to the improvement of the human condition". People who want things to be better, to make <i>progress</i>. There should be no stigma on people who consider themselves 'progressive' regardless of political affiliation. Shouldn't we all want our communities: cities, counties, states, our nation; to progress - to get better? </p><p>At one time Wisconsin was at the forefront, whether we remember or want it to have been and be now and in the future. That hasn't necessarily been the case in recent years, decades. </p><p>As a reminder, here are some of the many progressive things Wisconsin and its citizens have accomplished. Maybe it will remind people of what we have been and can still be: a leader. I am sure there are even more out there, these are just the ones that first came to mind, and a few were suggested by friends that I forgot about.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The 19th Amendment</h3><div>It is touted that Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment enfranchising women;s right to vote, but Wisconsin women were much more involved before that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although progress on the federal amendment stalled, women also campaigned for changes to state suffrage requirements to win the vote. An 1869 Wisconsin law allowed women to run for school board positions. The Wisconsin Woman Suffrage Association (WWSA) successfully lobbied for legislation that allowed women to vote in elections related to school issues in 1884.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>After decades of arguments for and against women's suffrage, Congress finally voted in favor of the 19th Amendment in 1919. After Congress passed the 19th Amendment, at least 36 states needed to vote in favor of it for it to become law. This process is called ratification. On June 10, 1919, Wisconsin made history by becoming the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution granting national suffrage to women.</div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Birthplace of the Labor Movement</h3><div>As <a href="https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-030/" target="_blank">Wisconsin Historical Society</a> reminds us: "Wisconsin's workers and reformers made significant contributions to the history of labor in the United States, helping to enact legislation such as workers' compensation and unemployment insurance that served as models for similar laws in other states." </div><div><br /></div><div>We even led, created, the very study of labor by UW economist John R. Commons. Industrial advances and manufacturing growth led to many unions, and we were leaders in organizing them by trades. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps most importantly, with the biggest impact, the Milwaukee Labor Reform Association (later the Eight-Hour League) argued for the eight-hour day that we now take for granted, and also worked towards unemployment compensation.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Labor safety & OSHA</h3><div>While OSHA was formed by the US government in 1970, Wisconsin led the way. The state legislature passed one of the nation's first Workmens' Compensation laws.</div><div><br /></div><div>From <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/aboutdol/history/osha" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Labor</a>: "In 1911, Wisconsin became the first State to successfully establish a workers' compensation program. Within one year it was joined by nine other states and by 1921 most States had followed suit... A workers' compensation advocate, John R. Commons of the University of Wisconsin, found this system in use in Europe and urged its adoption in the United States. Wisconsin, in another pioneering move, created the first permanent State industrial commission which developed and enforced safety and health regulations, after hearing comments from labor, management, and others. This idea was widely accepted and became a guide for future State and Federal regulation of occupational safety and health."</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Wisconsin Idea</h3><div>Our esteemed University of Wisconsin had an idea, one that would impact the state more than just educating our people. They created "The Wisconsin Idea", a general principle: that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.</div><div><br /></div><div>This meant doing more outreach to citizens with summer courses and other non-degree programs, as well as working with the state government to provide resources to consult on law-making, including some of the labor laws listed above.</div><div><br /></div><div>Through this approach, Wisconsin developed a national reputation for legislative innovation.</div><div><br /></div><div>It makes me sad that our current president has the exact opposite idea...</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">GOP: The anti-slavery Republican Party</h3><p>Most people know that the philosophies of the two major US political parties evolved and flipped over time. The ideas that brought Lincoln to the GOP are not necessarily those of the party today, and for them to call themselves "The Party of Lincolns" is disingenuous. When it was founded - right here in Ripon, WI - it was definitely a progressive party, seeking a place for anti-slavery politicians. </p><p>The first meeting to establish a new party to oppose the spread of slavery into the western territories was held here, and spread across the north.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Earth Day</h3><div>Nationally celebrated and respected, Earth Day was started by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson who in September 1969 proposed a national teach-in on the environment to send a message to Washington that public opinion was solidly behind a bold political agenda on environmental problems. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can read more about Nelson's involvement and the impact of the event <a href="http://www.nelsonearthday.net/earth-day/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Sexual Orientation Discrimination</h3><div>Another case where you would think we would be behind, far behind, California and New York, but again, we were the first. In 1982, Wisconsin was the first state to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, education, credit and all public accommodations. When <i>Republican</i> Governor Lee S. Dreyfus signed the law. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Milwaukee's Socialist Mayors</h3><div>Th S-word conjures up some big emotions in some people, many think they are against it and decry the theory. Many opinions are forged by the use of the word for the governmental or economic structure of nations they see as failed experiments at minimum, anti-US/Democratic at the worst. In reality the US has many examples 'socialist' tendencies. And that opinion wasn't always the case here in Wisconsin, especially Milwaukee.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Milwaukee has had 3 socialist mayors, and their influence on the city is, for the most part, in hindsight considered positive as <a href="https://www.wuwm.com/post/how-did-socialist-mayors-impact-milwaukee#stream/0" target="_blank">this NPR story</a> details. "Milwaukee's socialists fill in part of the lake to create more public access, they also cleaned up city government." One of our iconic skyline objects, the Hoan Bridge, is named after socialist mayor Dan Hoan. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Forward!</h2><div>We may not be New York, or California, or even Chicago, but Wisconsin has had an influence on or even completed many 'progressive' advancements for the nation. We are proof that, at least in the past, you didn't have to be from the East or West Coast, you could be from the middle of the nation, and still be at the forefront of progressive ideals. Well, we are on the Third Coast, so maybe that's part of it. It does seem that people near large bodies of water have a different view than those landlocked. I hope we can somehow find that 'Forward' thinking across the state again.</div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-28932171602107276972020-08-18T20:54:00.004-05:002020-08-18T21:54:33.746-05:00Internet Speed At Home In the Time Of Home Work And Schooling<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVuo-MkdGWo/XzyA81T4pNI/AAAAAAABHfg/Klmgd_A6MdYwSff1exUBxjvg568-OetPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1200/feature-family-sharing-0218.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVuo-MkdGWo/XzyA81T4pNI/AAAAAAABHfg/Klmgd_A6MdYwSff1exUBxjvg568-OetPwCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h168/feature-family-sharing-0218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most families aren't this happy on their devices<br />photo cr. Apple</span></td></tr></tbody></table>At this time of COVID, a lot of people are finding out things about their internet connection, usually not good things. What you night have encountered at night, all of your family on devices at the same time, happens all day, with bigger and more resource consuming devices like work and school computers versus just phones and tablets. So, many people are looking into increasing their Internet speed from their provider (ISP), which means paying more. But before you do so, I want to help people understand how it works and why it may not even help in the end to pay more for faster speeds. What <i>may</i> help more is making your home network better. <p></p><p>What many people don't understand is that your internet speed is dependent on 2 things:</p><p>1) Your Internet service provider speed</p><p>2) Your device's speed (PC, laptop, tablet, phone) from its internal network adapter.</p><p>On any device the speed will only be as fast as the slower of the 2. So you can have fast Internet & WiFi but your device might not be very fast. Or your device may have a fast network adapter but you have slower Internet speed. All if it throttled by your home WiFi network.</p><p>We will take a look at what this means and my recommendations.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsy8C3utDAs/XzxzzcCpifI/AAAAAAABHfM/6hTk3WQh418tpKsgACb2JnzqO3MhyN90wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1441/Screenshot%2B2020-08-18%2Bat%2B7.31.55%2BPM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1441" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsy8C3utDAs/XzxzzcCpifI/AAAAAAABHfM/6hTk3WQh418tpKsgACb2JnzqO3MhyN90wCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h307/Screenshot%2B2020-08-18%2Bat%2B7.31.55%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrome's built in speed test</td></tr></tbody></table>To start with, how do you you know how fast your Internet is? Well, you can check your internet speed here: <a href="https://fast.com/">https://fast.com/</a>, or <a href="https://www.speedtest.net/">https://www.speedtest.net/</a>, or other sites if you Google "Internet Speed Test" (Chrome has a built in one that will come up as a first option in that browser). Your ISP may also have a tester on their site. Your speed will be in Mbps for megabytes per second. If you are lucky you might hit Gbps which means Gigabytes per second or 1,000 Megabytes. <p></p><p>Your fastest speed will usually come from a desktop computer connected to your router via an ethernet cable (wired). </p><p>For example, at home I have fiber connection to my ISP.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Gaming Desktop PC Wired: 912.3 Mbps | WiFi: 244.3 Mbps</li><li>Work laptop: Wired: 93 Mbps | WiFi: 119.2 Mbps</li><li>Pixelbook high-end Chromebook: WiFi: 1.1 <b>Gbps</b> </li><li>Android phone: </li></ul><div>Yes, you read that right, my Pixelbook's WiFi adapter is faster than my wired gaming desktop PC. It can keep up with the fastest my fiber connection gives me. It's all about that adapter in the end my friends. More importantly, it is more than 10 times as fast as my Windows work laptop. The laptops purchased by and provided to most employees just don't come with decent ethernet adapters.</div><div><br /></div><div>So great, now I know how fast my devices can connect, what can I do with that information? How can I improve my setup?</div><div><br /></div><div>To start with, you probably tested your speed in one room, now walk around your home and do it in other rooms. Note the difference from more distance from the router, more walls between, even outside. Find your slow points. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Internet Service</i></b></div><div>Most people want to start with their service provider (ISP) and check their speed and bandwidth. What is the difference? Speed is how fast you can connect, bandwidth is how much you can pass - how much you can download or stream. Bandwidth may have a max for how much at a time and a total per billing period. In truth bandwidth is probably a bigger deal than the speed.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can do work to see how much you use, most ISP provide reports and you can see how much you might need. But most packages are good enough, even in this time of bigger demand.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can check the different packages and weigh the cost and benefit of spending more to get more. But do you really need it? Will it really help? We'll talk about that below. In the end the decision is yours. But here is one tip:</div><div><br /></div><div>See if fiber, fiber-optic cable, is available to you. If it is, it will be the best option. It is flat out faster - up to 10Gbps versus 10Mbps to 1Gbps of cable (yep - 10 ore more times as fast). While when it was new it was of course more expensive, I have found that now it may cheaper than faster cable packages, even from the same ISP (mine is $10 per month cheaper for fiber than the fastest cable package). Why else is it better? Its different tech: you get a dedicated line vs. sharing a connection - even at home, it is more reliable, it has better two-way upload and download symmetry. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I picked my ISP package, how else can I improve my speed?</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>2.4ghz vs. 5ghz</i></b></div><div>You may notice that when you connect to your WiFi there are actually 2 of them. Your router is sending signals on 2 different frequencies, and you can use this to your advantage. Use both of them. So that you don't have too many devices on one frequency connect some to one and some to the other to break up the bandwidth usage. 2.4 while smaller and generally slower, it has an advantage, it travels farther better so if your device is farther away from the router connect to that one. 5 is faster but has a shorter radius, the farther you get the worse the signal will be. Try to have your devices with the biggest requirements be closer to use 5ghz.</div><div><br /></div><div>But what if you can't move your router or device to take advantage of 5ghz when you need it? <br />(Like a streaming device or gaming console for your TV that will need a lot of bandwidth)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Amplify it</b></div><div>There are ways to make your signal stronger, to go farther. There used to be only one for homes, but now another has come on the market. Newer is usually better and that does work here. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Extenders</i> do what their name suggests, they extend the range by repeating the signal. But its still just one signal. The same network remains but the extender is placed far from the router, gets its signal, and repeats it to extend the range. This is helpful, but the problem is, once connected to one your device will stay on it until it is lost then find the extension. Its not smart enough to start using the extension ones it finds it is stronger than the base. They also aren't super easy to setup. The main advantage is your network will remain the same - no need to reconnect your devices and tell visitors.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQpVLu2zqOw/XzyAZxl0hlI/AAAAAAABHfY/XPp0N9SY6JsQIAeK1kPF6R_iepGq_t0FQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1100/5845daf3e02ba735318b7364.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1100" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQpVLu2zqOw/XzyAZxl0hlI/AAAAAAABHfY/XPp0N9SY6JsQIAeK1kPF6R_iepGq_t0FQCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/5845daf3e02ba735318b7364.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">photo cr. Business Insider</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Mesh Routers</i> are better than Extenders as they create a mesh in your house of overlapping smart regions created by access points, one network that does not need switching between so it is seamless. They also will use both 2.4 and 5 frequencies efficiently, using 5 for devices but 2.4 for network communications and other optimization business. The only irritant is that it will be a new network, you plug your current network cable into it and then setup a new network name and password so you will have to connect all your devices to it. Again. But, its also far easier to setup, usually with an app that walks you through a few steps to create the network and connect the mesh access points. </div><div><br /></div><div>But remember, in the end, your device may make this all moot. Your work or school computer, and your phone, will likely have far lower speed it can communicate to the network with than the network can send. But, other devices should keep up: tablets; desktop computers; media streamers like Roku, Firestick, AppleTV, smart TVs; gaming consoles; etc. all have better network adapters, expected to work via WiFi all the time and provide streaming content without interruption.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>So what do I recommend?</b></i></div><p></p><div>If you can get fiber, get it. You can usually get it cheaper than the higher packages for regular cable internet and it is much faster.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously consider a Mesh Hub network, it will smooth out bad spots. It will 'replace' your current network with a new name and password. The best setup is the base and at least 2 access points but even 1 can be a big help. There are many brands, <b><a href="https://eero.com/shop" target="_blank">eero.com</a></b> is a well reviewed one and very affordable at $249 for the base and 2 access points. Another good one is <b><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/NETGEAR-Orbi-AC3000-Mesh-WiFi-System-Up-to-5-000-Square-Feet-RBK50-100NAS/54445769" target="_blank">Netgear Orbi </a></b>from Walmart. I went with <b><a href="https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_wifi" target="_blank">Google Nest</a></b> even though it is pricier (price for 1 access point the same as 2 from other brands) for 2 reasons: we use Google everything so it was easy to setup in our Google Home app with all our other devices, and each access point works as a home smart speaker so it added one to our existing network of Nest speakers for another room with audio and other smart speaker functions. The base package only comes with 1 versus 2 access points as other brands have, but it just works for us.</div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-82302798623875068462020-08-15T10:15:00.004-05:002020-08-15T10:15:59.127-05:00Systematic. Militarization. Escalation. the state of Police in America: A Firsthand Experience<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biad-dbRa0A/Xzf6E3IGoyI/AAAAAAABHak/rdbpfJJRtJMXN9yIRg8NIbcoFOiDqvQ-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/117944056_10219980063506680_3292778154947940034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biad-dbRa0A/Xzf6E3IGoyI/AAAAAAABHak/rdbpfJJRtJMXN9yIRg8NIbcoFOiDqvQ-gCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/117944056_10219980063506680_3292778154947940034_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last night I witnessed firsthand the inflammatory nature of law enforcement the way they operate in today's America.</div><div><br /></div><div>Taking the race thing out of the equation (which we can't), I saw their modus operandi. From the beginning to the at least reasonable and peaceful end.</div><div><br /></div><div>From my perspective, here's a pretty simple concept: the way to react to people protesting police violence is not with police violence.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>For a few weeks, every week, peaceful protesters have come up our street as we live a block away from the new Mayor of Tosa. They protest an officer still being on the force that has killed 3 men in the line of duty. Now, the Mayor doesn't really have personnel power over PD but he still is a community leader so I get them wanting to make a statement. It has always been peaceful, they show up, well organized, stay in the street, off property, and just speak for around 15-20 minutes and leave.</div><div><br /></div><div>That changed last night. Not because of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every other time there has been minor police presence, mainly to direct traffic away behind them so people don't get stuck mid-block. Last night the police tactics changed. This time the had officers set up in front of the protesters, a block away from the Mayor's house, right in front of our house. When possible we have tried to go out and cheer on, even join, the protesters, and last night was no different. So we saw when three police vehicles came and made a blockade outside our front door. Then one protester on a bicycle tried to proceed forward. The police took him down. They grabbed him off his bike, three police threw him down, and they tackled him. You can judge for yourself watching the video <a href="https://www.wisn.com/article/wauwatosa-police-tackle-protester-while-blocking-mayors-house/33610322" target="_blank">here</a> (recorded by lawmaker no less - Rep. Jonathan Brostoff), but it was unnecessary and more forceful than it needed to be, there really wasn't any resistance. Any motions by the subject were more to gain balance from being ripped off his bike than against the officers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course this was not liked by the fellow protesters. They tightened up on the police, to protect one of their own. There was no violence by the protesters. They just congregated more tightly around, shouting at the police to stop. There were waves of action and reaction, again mostly peaceful. But over time you could see the police ratchet up the situation. Police, half with masks and half without (you are in close proximity to people, for the public's safety, and for your family regardless of law and your own health - come on - wear one) pulled out batons. One or two got our riot shields. It escalated over time with many local forces joining in, police making a shield wall, and a standoff occurred. Because we are on a corner we could walk through our yard from the front to see the protesters, and get behind the police to see their reaction. You could see each wave come with more and more gear, the sheriffs had full on body armor gear on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVxOY458lIU/Xzf6FHjgbQI/AAAAAAABHa0/8xhkPet2XyUzPEyh0wTT38j373BJVFlBgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_20200814_204902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVxOY458lIU/Xzf6FHjgbQI/AAAAAAABHa0/8xhkPet2XyUzPEyh0wTT38j373BJVFlBgCPcBGAYYCw/w320-h240/IMG_20200814_204902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Throughout it all, protest leaders kept their side calm, focusing them to stay in the intersection and not escalate from their side. Police claim in a statement "The protesters attempted to prevent the arrest by physically engaging officers and blocking off routes, preventing squads from leaving." That is not true. Police could have turned around or backed up and left away, they were trying to drive through the intersection and the protesters. Eventually an ACLU lawyer for the protesters talked to police and got them to leave, but they did so literally one step at a time backwards, the lawyer walking them back (you can see my wife's video <a href="https://www.facebook.com/robin.barry.169/videos/pcb.10219980388834813/10219980381274624/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">here</a>). The protesters stayed where they were, they did not follow and taunt police, and eventually moved on from here to go to the police station to protest there.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the police needed to do at the beginning, even at the end, was let the protesters walk. They would have done so, said their peace, and then continued on. The police could have dispersed, but they didn't want to look weak, like they just turned and left, so they did their walk back, which just made the ACLU lawyer and the protesters look stronger for their actions, or lack of actions, just letting them retreat.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we have seen elsewhere, these situations are escalated by one side: the police. If and when left to their own devices, protests end without any violence or destruction or negative interaction with police. But when law enforcement steps up, as Newton said, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.</div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't what police are needed for. Nothing was going to happen if they just let the protest proceed as it had the last five times I have witnessed it. No crime was committed, no person or property was in danger. No one needed help. But police inserted themselves and we saw the result.</div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-36887388628242979582020-08-11T17:06:00.001-05:002020-08-11T17:06:34.515-05:00Stone Creek Joins Sprecher In Parks Support<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoQVY6Ut52g/XzMVlLXuJkI/AAAAAAABHW4/gFBENCgL_mQZTtlM6xHy98iiQOXHkkojACNcBGAsYHQ/s800/SCC_LoveYourParks-1-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoQVY6Ut52g/XzMVlLXuJkI/AAAAAAABHW4/gFBENCgL_mQZTtlM6xHy98iiQOXHkkojACNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/SCC_LoveYourParks-1-800x800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last month we were happy to pass along that Sprecher was supporting Milwaukee parks with their <a href="http://www.greatermkemen.com/2020/07/sprecher-supports-local-parks-with.html" target="_blank">ParkLife Beer</a>,and today we get to applaud another local company for the same thing. Stone Creek Coffee has stepped up to give us the <a href="https://www.stonecreekcoffee.com/product/love-your-parks/" target="_blank">LOVE YOUR PARKS 2-PACK</a> as part of the <a href="https://www.loveyourparksmke.com/" target="_blank">Love Your Parks Initiative</a>.<p></p><p>$2 of every purchase of Love Your Parks will be donated to Milwaukee County Parks. Read more about the Love Your Parks initiative at <a href="http://loveyourparksmke.com">loveyourparksmke.com</a>.</p><p>Stoen Creek says the flavor profile is "the sweetness of dried fruit paired with citrus and cream." </p><p>This is a limited time offering and will only be available until August 26th. </p>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-18149134621769537372020-07-09T22:44:00.002-05:002020-07-10T15:31:02.888-05:00My Feelings About Harley & America Are Pretty SimilarI'm probably not the type of person you would think of as being a Harley-Davidson brand loyalist. I don't look the part of the few different stereotypes whether it be cruiser outlaw, chopper boho, or midlfe crisis professional. I like the bikes that most other fans don't like, that they consider to be un-Harley. But having grown up in the Milwaukee area and loving my community and its brands, I also grew up loyal to the brand. Loyal regardless of the times they disappoint me.<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWnB4JlvU0/XweKcmGDrRI/AAAAAAABGik/iOFuCgN_xfUPXMuEIZRI71YIDHN7RSSnACK4BGAsYHg/s400/s-l400.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="400" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWnB4JlvU0/XweKcmGDrRI/AAAAAAABGik/iOFuCgN_xfUPXMuEIZRI71YIDHN7RSSnACK4BGAsYHg/w320-h158/s-l400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>As I hear about the new round of layoffs at The Motor Company, the fact that its not doing well, I think about how similar my feelings are towards HD and our country, of America.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love Harley. I love America. Even with their rust, but especially when they shine.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>While many people buy products for practical reasons (price, capability, features) not necessarily a specific brand, in the motor vehicle industry, especially among motorsports enthusiasts, brand loyalty is similar to and can be as - even more - passionate than loyalty to a sports team. The location of the brand is often one part of it - Domestic vs. Import for example - but often is just a somewhat random selection. I mean if you are from Detroit which do you pick - and people do pick: Ford, Cadillac, Lincoln, Dodge, General Motors and its brands. People pick their brand and stick to it even if it becomes subpar, touting its history and ripping on competitors (there are so many bumper stickers or decals about one brand over another like Ford vs. Chevy). The same goes for motorcycles. It can be style of bike (cruiser vs. sport bike), American vs. Import, Brit, German, Japanese, Italian... There are many ways to claim your brand. It is also true that many bikers love al bikes and may own more than one brand, even tracking and celebrating their diversity with a patch for each brand they have owned on their jacket. And while being an American owning the American brand of Harley-Davidson is considered patriotic, being from Wisconsin, especially Milwaukee, and jumping on the HD bandwagon is a badge of honor few can match in levels of pride. And I am one of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have owned three 'Harleys', in quotes because one is an HD company brand and another was made by another brand, both models that some wouldn't consider true Harleys. I have owned a Sporster, and currently own a 1974 HD Z-90 and a 2001 Buell Blast. The Z90 was made by Italian manufacturer Aermacchi and marketed here as a 'Harley', while the Buell has an HD motor in it and at the time (in one of Buell's many iteration) was owned by Harley and says right on the bike that it is 'A Harley-Davidson Company'. I have been HOG member since 2006, I was a founding member of the Museum, I have a special edition leather jacket and countless tees and other paraphernalia. So yes, I am an enthusiast of the brand. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I am also critical of the brand - the company, its products, its devotees. They can disappoint me as often as they inspire me. Leadership can make poor decisions. Their products can lack diversity and progress. Enthusiasts can act in ways that make me not want to be associated with them. But I will also stand up for them when others point out their flaws. They are MY brand, my local, Milwaukee, company and I want them to succeed. I want them to be a source of pride for our community so they can also be a source of support for the community via - most impactfully- jobs, but also philanthropy and other ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel the same way about my country. I am loyal to the brand of America, but also - because I am a loyalist - can hold it up to certain standards. I can be both celebratory and critical. I can want my country to make changes to become better, without 'hating' it. I can love my country, and have expectations it isn't meeting. It's not mutually exclusive.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that's not how all see it. If you say anything negative about the brand, or the country, you aren't a true fan. You may even be a 'traitor' just because you question something. Until a decision is made that doesn't meet their image, then its okay for <i>them</i> to complain. The want to make a smaller bike, or an electric one - OMG what are they doing??? The country evolves to new ideas on human rights, or healthcare, or taxes and they act like its the end of the world. There's a word for that: hypocrisy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Harley fans, and many Americans, can be so resistant to change, changes that may move their brand forward. One of the biggest issues with Harley, as a company and as a brand - its consumers and fands, is diversity. Diversity across the board in all areas. And many celebrate the single-mindedness. Certain Harley-philes will say that the only true HD motorcycle is one above 1000cc, a big bike for those not versed in motorcycles, yet their most successful bike is the 750cc XR750, the winningest bike in racing. The Sportster, a widely popular model, does come in 1200cc, but also 883 - and other sizes in its history (though there many fans will say the 883 is a 'girl's bike' or not a Harley likes its larger version). And its not like they started making twin big-bore bikes from the beginning. It took time to get there, so the truly legacy motorcycles are much smaller. When HD came out with one of their newest from the ground up model, the Streets in 750 and - gasp - 500 cc versions, social media platforms were filled with rage-quitters. "How can they release a bike like that? That's not a Harley!" And then there is the all-electric LiveWire which made some of the enthusiasts' heads spin. But then people like me can't suggest that smaller, more affordable bikes, in different styles than the bagger or cruiser might help. Like, if you don't like all their products how can you say you love the company? Well, right back at ya buddy. If you don't like all their products - even new or smaller or just different ones - how can you say you love the company? Why can't they accept and applaud forward progress? In truth, we don't have to see eye-to-eye. We can both love the brand even if we don't like everything they make or do. But in a far majority, in the two scenarios, I would more likely be seen as the outlier, the poser, because I like when they have challenged themselves versus doing the same old thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love my country, and I love my local motorcycle company. Unlike some, I love when they show progress versus stagnation. Harley, and America, were showing some steps to progress. Right now both are taking a step back. Harley, under current leadership, has stopped their plans to expand model lines to new arenas, and double down on their conservative nature of focusing on cruisers and baggers, focused on a singular clientele and retreating from leading the industry in new tech and design. America, under current leadership, seems to want to double down on its outlook of the past, a singular, nationalistic focus on one set of citizens, retreating from global leadership, instead of a global outlook.</div><div><br /></div><div>While Harley has from the bike standpoint closed its circle, I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised in their support of a broader audience. In the past weeks they have supported both the BLM movement as well as the LGBTQ+ community. Steps that while please me and my friends and can expand their appeal, has obviously ticked off some of their loyal fans. People who like to whine about cancel culture have claimed on social media to want to 'cancel' HD, rage-selling their bikes and dumping all brand merch they own. I highly doubt any will do so and in a week or so will forget it even happened, well, at least until the next socially conscious ('virtue signalling') social media post. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think both HD and the USA would be better keeping a broader scope and paying attention to more than one narrow class of people. Time will only tell if either or both will do so.</div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-23179716090997109532020-07-08T08:59:00.001-05:002020-07-08T08:59:40.774-05:00Sprecher Supports Local Parks With ParkLife Beer<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ3VyL3Ru9A/XwXPBYDseCI/AAAAAAABGhI/FszhftjbCOYVAItOIfTfavvWyAlR3Rt5gCK4BGAsYHg/s600/106572620_1309896882546330_8554330847175608056_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ3VyL3Ru9A/XwXPBYDseCI/AAAAAAABGhI/FszhftjbCOYVAItOIfTfavvWyAlR3Rt5gCK4BGAsYHg/s320/106572620_1309896882546330_8554330847175608056_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>It's always great when a local business supports the local community, and we get that chance with the new <b><a href="https://www.sprecherbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Sprecher</a></b> <b>ParkLife</b> beer.</div><div><br /></div><div>First in a series of brews intended to give back to Milwaukee County Parks, one of the jewels of our community, you can grab one at the Grant Park beer garden, and other locations.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>The brew is part of the <b><a href="http://www.loveyourparksmke.com/" target="_blank">Love Your Parks</a></b> campaign, a much needed program to support the parks in these times. </div><div><br /></div>This is from <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sprecherbrewing/" target="_blank">Sprecher Brewing</a> </b>Facebook Page:<br /><div>"Drink a Grant Park ParkLife beer at Grant Park! Parklife is a new beer made by Sprecher Brewery in collaboration with Milwaukee County Parks. a portion of sales will go to the Milwaukee Parks Foundation. #1 in the series features the historic clubhouse at Grant Park Golf Course. The course celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The limited-edition can is available at the Traveling Beer Garden and in some local stores."</div><div><br /></div><div>It appears this is the first in a series, with a new can featuring a different park, so they will be collectible as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can socially distance outside, at a beer garden, and support Sprecher and the Parks at the same time, what could be better than that?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't want to or can't visit the Traveling Beer Garden, you can find the brew at other county park locations including: Humboldt Park Beer Garden, Whitnall Park Beer Garden, Milwaukee County golf courses and at these stores:</div><div><br /></div><div>Total Wine & More (Greenfield & Brookfield)<br />Discount Liquor (Waukesha & Milwaukee)</div><div>Woodmans (Oak Creek & Waukesha)<br />Within Reach Bar & Grill, Cudahy</div><div>Consumer Outlet Beverage Center, Hales Corners</div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-34039455491776293012020-06-30T22:49:00.019-05:002020-07-01T16:34:12.733-05:00The Romanticizing of Guns in American Culture<p style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">This has been stewing in my head for a while. School shootings, mass shootings, racist killings, and more always get me wanting to start and finish this. It took the ridiculous image of the <b style="line-height: 1.5;"><a href="https://www.kmov.com/news/st-louis-couple-seen-pointing-guns-at-protestors/article_afbb1b2c-b98e-11ea-ba7e-b3452007bfc8.html" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">St. Louis couple</a></b> inappropriately brandishing firearms and peaceful protesters (and social media discussion about it) to get to it.</p><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><p style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="787" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LG7MbN-m6yg/XvwF-z2dCbI/AAAAAAABGV8/6k6cxAOLdxQoHkXeP16QQDGkQSPR4_3sACK4BGAsYHg/s320/ken-and-karen.jpg" width="320" /></p>The discussion around the St. Louis incident seems to boil down to basically 1st Amendment versus 2nd Amendment rights. The first seems to be clear, the protesters had the right. The local Circuit Attorney, Kim Gardner has already supported that: "I am alarmed at the events that occurred over the weekend, where peaceful protesters were met by guns and a violent assault. We must protect the right to peacefully protest, and any attempt to chill it through intimidation or threat of deadly force will not be tolerated," <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5;">Gardner</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisCityCA/status/1277655376779980802" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(220, 220, 220); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">tweeted</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5;">.</span><p style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">So then it comes down to, was this an appropriate use of gun ownership by this couple? Is this type of event, the "Self-Defense Gun Use" or SDGU, appropriate or necessary? Let alone legal?</p><p style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">In America, we have romanticized gun use to the point that even rational people get so worked up about the concept of owning guns that they are blinded to whether they are needed, useful, or are they actually dangerous to the owner and loved ones to keep around. Just look at what this couple did, they brandished their guns movie-style, like kids emulating their action movie hero with toy guns, with dangerous lack of discipline.</p><span style="line-height: 1.5;"><a name='more'></a></span><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Caveat: I am not anti-gun. Don't put those words in my mouth because of the above introduction. I don't think no one should have any guns. But like many reasonable Americans, and as we have seen people around the world, I feel that the level of ownership here has gone off the deep end. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">I am against ownership of guns specifically designed to kill people. Here's an interesting stat: in California, <a href="https://www.thetrace.org/2018/12/gun-violence-facts-statistics-2018/" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">80% of all assault rifles</a> owned are in possession of individuals that own 10 or more guns. What is the deal with these people hoarding these guns?</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">I'm not going to get into the 2nd Amendment. It's really no worth it. It is so short, and so vague, and from such a different time (when it would take a considerable time to reload a gun with one shot) that it is pretty much impossible to apply to today. IMHO we should amend the Amendment with updated language so as to limit confusion. I mean, to start with, it doesn't even say 'gun' it says Arms which while often means firearms, can also just mean any weapon. And then there's the 'well-regulated militia' opener... but I digress, I said I wasn't going to discuss it here.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">So let's start with a basic question:</div><h1 style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">What is a Gun?</h1><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Is a gun just a tool? An instrument or implement used (by a person) to perform a task? Well, maybe, but even if that is all a gun is, we know what the purpose is: to injure something. Something living. A gun is no shovel, there's no benign usage for it, for it to then be misused.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">It's a common meme, just a statement, not even really an argument, used to promote the "guns don't kill people, people do" argument. Often compared to a hammer, or a shovel. A hammer is a tool with one or more purposes, but it <i style="line-height: 1.5;">can</i> be used to harm someone, and if used in such a manner it is the person wielding not the hammer. Of course, yes, that is true. but... </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Guns are weapons. It is the definition.<br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;">noun. a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.</div></div></div></blockquote><div> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">But beyond an official definition, it is what it is. A gun is a weapon. Does anyone want to argue it is not? And if its a weapon, that is what it is, a weapon is not a 'tool.'</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">A weapon is "any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">Like many weapons, such as a sword, a gun has a pretty singular purpose: to injure another creature. A sword at least can be used for defense, to block another weapon, but every gun is solely offensive. Of course some guns are designed to hunt, to injure animals and not necessarily other humans, but many guns are designed with the sole purpose of inuring another human, nothing else.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">Most pistols are designed to harm (kill) a human. (Yes they can be used to shoot some small critters). Assault Rifles are definitely designed to kill (harm) other humans, as are civilian AR semi-auto rifles. Anything that is repeating, semi-auto or auto is designed with the sole purpose of harming, and likely killing, people. Want proof that guns, whether low or high powered, are made, with their ammunition, to mortally injure other people, not just chase them off by waving them or a well-placed small injury? Gunshot victims require <a href="https://www.thetrace.org/2018/12/gun-violence-facts-statistics-2018/" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">10x the blood</a> compared to all victims of other trauma.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">But that is all 'justified' by gun 'enthusiasts' in the defense, well, defense. They only have them to protect themselves from intruders, or even the government (as if even all these people combined together with their stash of guns could defend themselves from a state's National Guard let alone the US Military). </div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">So let's look at:</div><h1 style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">The Self-Defense Argument</h1><div style="line-height: 1.5;">An <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/04/13/602143823/how-often-do-people-use-guns-in-self-defense#:~:text=The%20latest%20data%20show%20that,crimes%20from%202007%20to%202011." style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">NPR article</a> on Guns and self-defense, "According to a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743515001188" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Harvard University analysis</a> of figures from the National Crime Victimization Survey, people defended themselves with a gun in nearly 0.9 percent of crimes from 2007 to 2011." Now, this is a survey, so this is people's self-reporting of their idea that they had defended themselves.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br />Per the Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Based on the 2018 NCVS, the violent victimization rate among persons age 12 or older in 2018 was 23.2 victimizations per 1,000 persons." That could be simpler said as 2.32 victimizations per 100 person, which is easily understood as 2.32%. If we take .9% (defenses) of 2.32% (victimizations), we come up (or down) to .02%. In a city of 100,000 people,that would mean 20 people might have thought they successfully defended themselves.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">In the NCV article on SDGU (Self-Defense Gun Use), that found that 0.9% involved a SDGU, "After any protective action, 4.2% of victims were injured; after SDGU, 4.1% of victims were injured." So there is negligible difference in an already low rate of victim injury. Meanwhile in property crimes, "55.9% of victims who took protective action lost property, 38.5 of SDGU victims lost property, and 34.9% of victims who used a weapon other than a gun lost property." So we can see while using some sort of protective action reduces loss of property a little bit, a gun actually had a 4% higher rate of property loss than another form of defense - a quirky statistic to be sure, but there it is. Their conclusion is that "Compared to other protective actions, the National Crime Victimization Surveys provide little evidence that SDGU is uniquely beneficial in reducing the likelihood of injury or property loss." Let's look at those numbers again quick: a .1% less victims were injured if they brandished a gun, and 3.6% <i>more</i> people lost property if they did so. I think that pretty much destroys the idea that guns are some miracle device that protects your home from theft and injury.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Yet the concept still exists. Pro-gun people, led by the increasingly political NRA of recent decades, tout the power of a gun to defend their homes.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">What is more likely, in fact, is that a gun in the house will be used for another purpose, accidental harm to someone other than an invader - like a family member or friend, or even more likely, for suicide. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;">As the NPR article states, "David Hemenway, who led the Harvard research, argues that the risks of owning a gun outweigh the benefits of having one in the rare case where you might need to defend yourself." Per Hemenway: "The average person ... has basically no chance in their lifetime ever to use a gun in self-defense, but ... every day, they have a chance to use the gun inappropriately. They have a chance, they get angry. They get scared."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">The National Safety Council tells us that "Gun-related deaths from preventable, intentional, and undetermined causes totaled 39,740 in 2018." Of those, 14,611 were from murder, while 60% were from suicide. <b>60%</b> of deaths in America by a gun were from suicide. In fact, accidental gun deaths total 2.7 times the number of intended deaths. 50% of all suicides involve a gun, just think, if a gun wasn't present and a different, usually more difficult, method had to be tried, how many people could be saved. Simply, the presence of a gun in the house is far more likely to be used for self-infliction or even accidental use on a loved-one than to be used for defense, or even a crime. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">And when we compare the US to other developed nations, we are winning. Well, in that we are much higher, which is actually losing. Per the <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/08/16/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank">Pew Research Group</a> "The U.S. gun death rate was 10.6 per 100,000 people in 2016... far higher than in countries such as Canada (2.1 per 100,000) and Australia (1.0), as well as European nations such as France (2.7), Germany (0.9) and Spain (0.6)." This starts with the fact that in America we own more guns than nations we think of as violent, and far more than our peers like Canada. We have 120 guns per 100 residents. That's right, we somehow average more than 1 gun per civilian, because those who own guns tend to have many more than one gun. Meanwhile Yemen has 52 per 100, and Canada is 34 per 100. Germany: 19, England: 4.6. As a quick comparison, in the US we have 81 cars per 100 residents. We own less than 1 car per person, but have 1.2 guns per person..</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">So what do we do about this? Without outright banning guns, which I said up front I am not for, what steps can we take to reduce gun violence?</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Here's one idea:</div><h1 style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">The Vehicle License Model</h1><div style="line-height: 1.5;">When I think of how we can work on fixing this issue, my typical concept is regulation similar to vehicle ownership and operation licensing. There can be a very direct correlation between different classes of vehicles and what we are required to do to pilot one and different classes of guns.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">We have to - for the most part - obtain a license to operate vehicles, and there are different licenses for different vehicles: car, motorcycle, commercial vehicles (even split into more classes), planes (helicopters being different). These licenses require proof of understanding, need to be re-tested at certain intervals, and can be revoked for usage or personal wellness factors. Then each vehicle has to be registered. In every state, we are required to have liability insurance at some level, or a bond proof of financial responsibility. And the license to operate, even the vehicle itself, can be revoked and seized based on other actions or statuses of individuals. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">The thing is, we don't even think twice about these types of restrictions when we want to purchase or rent, and pilot a motor vehicle. I don't feel the need to spell out how this is readily applied to handguns, rifles, shotguns, semi-auto, automatic, etc. I think its pretty obvious and easily extrapolated and understood. But, since I am not alone in this thinking and it hasn't gotten off the ground, maybe a different approach is needed.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Instead of the guns themselves, let's look at the ammunition.</div><h1 style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">Bullets Kill People</h1><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;">In one area I agree with these people: guns don't kill people. Bullets do. The bullet is really the object that does the damage, the gun just propels it. That's why I think an approach to make people safer, and a way we can get around some of the <i style="line-height: 1.5;">gun</i> ownership arguments, is to better regulate bullets. Make bullets considered a Dangerous substance or good along the lines of drugs, poisons, explosives, corrosive chemicals and the like, especially higher calibers of ammunition. Make ammunition legally considered Controlled Substances.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">Require permission to purchase, control the dispensing of it, and set a maximum quantity at any given time. Let them be purchased and used in dedicated locations (like a firing range) but you can't take more than a certain amount home. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">We could even look at some levels of usage as addiction to said controlled substance.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">The opportunities are endless if we look at it a different way.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><h1 style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;">Conclusion</h1><div style="line-height: 1.5;">In America we have an obsession with guns. I don't know how we got here and will leave it to experts to argue over what cultural events have had an impact (although <b style="line-height: 1.5;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/17/nra-gun-lobby-gun-control-congress" style="line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">this</a></b> may explain it more than movies or video games, or whatever). Just like with addictions we first need to admit it, then we can look at practical, reasonable solutions to our inflated ownership and inaccurate perceptions of their purpose and usage.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5;">There's so much more I could discuss here, but in my mind at least, it's pretty clear.</div></div>K9vinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073546906437746916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1173889081633762100.post-16609614179713588762020-06-19T13:16:00.004-05:002020-06-19T14:40:39.895-05:00Why Saying All Lives Matter Is Ridiculous: An Analogy From A Motorcyclist<div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEpFql554L0/Xuz_IvzHo1I/AAAAAAABGBs/68-6hbl5hpUpdct016IR3w3VhooVoDJmQCK4BGAsYHg/s1320/636040026826690055-AFP-553857502.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEpFql554L0/Xuz_IvzHo1I/AAAAAAABGBs/68-6hbl5hpUpdct016IR3w3VhooVoDJmQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/636040026826690055-AFP-553857502.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span data-offset-key="1qg13-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">When someone says:</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="54s0e-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="54s0e-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="54s0e-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Watch for Motorcycles</b></span></div></div></div></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="64tu8-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="64tu8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="64tu8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">You don't hear people correcting them:</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="cjn1c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cjn1c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cjn1c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Watch for ALL Vehicles!</b></span>
</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cjn1c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<a name='more'></a></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="8fe1" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Because most people understand that motorcyclists are just pointing out that they need a little more attention for their health and safety than people in cars.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">That they both have equal rights to the road, but people in cars have had unequal effect on motorcyclists, roads and laws and other things are setup in favor of cars. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And sure, not all motorcyclists are responsible, but that doesn't mean they should all be treated with undo suspicion or presupposition that all motorcyclists will ride dangerously, or do something illegal (related to motorcycles or not).</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">There are a lot of good analogies out there, like Save the Whales, or Breast Cancer awareness vs. other cancers, but this one is in my wheelhouse.</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><b>Watch for Motorcycles.
</b>Doesn't mean we don't want you to also watch for drivers, or bicyclists, or pedestrians, or skateboarders, or anyone else on the road. But please, yes, watch for motorcycles on the road.</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><b>Black Lives Matter.</b></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pabl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">No caveat needed.</div></div>
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