Crazy Religious Zealots for Obama! (w/ Update)

If you haven’t seen this video of Obama supporter, Catholic Priest Michael Pfleger, you can watch it here:

Can anyone say nut job?

For those of you who don’t recall his name, this is the same priest that used to protest the Jerry Springer show in the late 1990’s, and this is also the same guy who urged his parishioners to “buy time” with prostitutes to preach the gospel.

So to recap, this is a priest who will fight TV producers, work to ‘heal’ hookers, and try to heal as many societal wounds as possible. However, when it comes to one of the biggest divides in the United States, the black/white divide, this joke of a theologian is only making matters worse.

Based on what I’ve read about him, his missions, his sermons, etc, he seems to be “cherry picking priest,” only taking verses of the Bible that help him further his causes.

For the most part, his causes are noble and have a solid purpose, however it’s quite clear that he feels that white people should give up the ‘benefits of being white’, based on actions that happened generations ago.

Maybe Rev. Pfleger should flip his Bible to the Book of Ephesians and read 4:31-32:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

And no, I’m not getting rid of my 401(k).

Update (5/30): Pfleger appologises for comments after condemned by Obama (via CNN.com)

Tired of High Gas Prices? Join the Protest!

Odds are, if you’re a commuter, there is one thing that is more painful these days than any traffic jam – gas prices.

Obviously, you’re not alone when it comes to resenting these extremely high fuel costs. However for most folks, it’s just assumed that there is nothing that they can do to lower these costs.

For some, people have changed their routines to make their drive times as efficient as possible. For others, they have decided to take public transportation to work instead of driving. Then there are those who simply want to avoid the stress and cost altogether and give up driving completely.

It’s not just a small handful of people who are making these various adjustments to save a buck either, just check out these statistics from CNN.com:

The Department of Transportation said Monday it had seen the sharpest monthly drop in driving since it began keeping records. In March, Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles than in March of 2007.

I have no doubt that when the data is released for April and May, the number of miles driven will continue to decline significantly.

While I think it’s great that Americans are driving less, there are many who simply can’t make these adjustments, whether that be due to location, schedule, etc. What about these people? How do they fight the pain at the pump?

The truth is, the American people DO have the ability to lobby their members of Congress to fight more aggressively to reduce the price we pay at the pump.

Just today, a new website was launched serving that very purpose – giving Americans the ability to sign a petition that urges Congress to suspend the federal gas tax, increase American oil production, and expand U.S. refineries.

If you’re tired of high gas prices, and want those you have elected to take action, you should sign this petition.

I’m confident that this petition will take off soon, and hopefully, instead of Congress spending hours questioning oil executives, they will use their power and creativity to pass legislation that eases gas prices immediately.

The real “mortgage crisis” culprits?

Here is a great post examining one Congresswoman’s mortgage problems and why she creates the perfect example of what the real problem with the housing market is.

I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

Obama Leads McCain in Dollars, sort of.

I hope this storyline changes soon (from CNN.com):

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama raised millions more than his Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain in April. Obama brought in $31 million, his campaign announced Tuesday.

 Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady, raised $22 million in April, campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson said. McCain’s take of more than $18.5 million was a new high for the Arizona senator, according to his campaign’s monthly finance report.

Though it’s not so bad for the party as a whole (from AOLNews.com/AP).

The RNC, which is the party’s main political arm, had nearly 10 times more cash on hand than its Democratic counterpart at the end of April, a notable GOP advantage in what has otherwise been Democratic fundraising dominance this election.

The committee on Tuesday reported having $40.1 million in the bank. The Democratic National Committee had $4.4 million.

The RNC raised $15.7 million in April compared to $4.7 million by the DNC.

Significantly, the financial disparity comes in a presidential election year when the candidates rely on the parties to mobilize voters and promote their message. Overall this year, the RNC has raised more than $52 million, the DNC has raised more than $22 million.

This shouldn’t be a reason for us to get cocky, because once the Democrats have their nominee, it should be no shock to anyone that they will probably match us dollar for dollar, especially if their Democratic White House Victory Fund idea actually takes off. This new concept will give the DNC the ability to maximize donor potential even before there is a nominee.

As part of the unusual pact, donors can contribute up to $33,100 to the newly created Democratic White House Victory Fund. The money would benefit whichever candidate becomes the nominee. Some Democrats said the deal would permit some of Clinton donors to get behind Obama without having to write a check directly to his campaign.

The fundraising success of the RNC is something that should be evaluated further. Does this suggest that the RNC is simply being more aggressive in their fundraising tactics? Does this mean that Republicans are more comfortable giving their money to the RNC than they are to John McCain?

Or, does this simply mean that the McCain campaign is doing its fundraising in segments – building the RNC war chest now, and waiting to do the more aggressive campaign fundraising when more people are mobilized behind his campaign and the mud starts flying?

I think it’s probably a little of each.

Wishing ‘Senator Ted’ a speedy recovery

Today I had the opportunity to get a rare glimpse into just how powerful and revered certain members of the Senate can be, amongst “politicos” from both sides.

As I’m sure you all have heard Senator Ted Kennedy has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Taking his age, previous health problems and overall severity of brain tumors into account, there are many who are wondering what the future will hold for the Senator.

Tuesdays are normally busy and chaotic days here in Washington, where lunch hot-spots are usually bustling with activity and the conversation is centered on the latest policy of the day.

However, this afternoon was different. What was already a gloomy day, was made even more morose by the news of Senator Kennedy’s health concerns.

I was just speaking with a friend who was having lunch with some Republican leaders this afternoon at an establishment that is frequented by many Republicans, and he told me that the main topic throughout the course of their late lunch and throughout the dining room was the health Senator Kennedy.

Now, my friend mentioned that this isn’t the first time that Senator Kennedy has been this popular, but he did say it was the first time that he saw leaders from both sides, truly concerned about the wellbeing of another member.

No matter what your thoughts on Senator Kennedy and his politics are, this is an impressive showing of just how powerful he has become over the decades. In terms of Republicans commenting on Senator Kennedy, I think that John McCain, who has spent many years with Kennedy, said it best (from CNN.com):

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to him. We hope and pray that they will be able to treat it and that he will experience a full recovery.”

“I have described Ted Kennedy as the last lion in the Senate. And I have held that view because he remains the single most effective member of the Senate.”

While there are many who might not think of him as the most effective member of the Senate, I’d argue that if there was ever one person who could help a bill pass, it’s Senator Kennedy.

Either way, Senator Kennedy will be in the prayers of many and I wish him a speedy recovery.