Ladies & Gentlemen, MR. PRESIDENT!

I dont' think words can really express this historic moment so, I give you the 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA! -photo from the front page of the Chicago Sun Times Newspaper.

This past Sunday, American Forces raided a small farm inside the Syrian Border killing eight people. The US claimed it was hunting Al-Qaeda members who were responsible for the recent number of insurgents found crossing the Iraq border and causing some of the damage to our American soldiers. Some see the raid as part of the ongoing war on terror where the US has vowed to following terrorists wherever they are. Yet, still others look at this as a well planned "October Surprise" instituted by the GOP and the Bush Administration as an attempt to alter the Presidential Elections and to stall some of the momentum recently enjoyed by Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama. Whatever the reason, whatever the outcome, we have to be critical of the motives considering the past revelations of the Bush Administration. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is this an October Surprise or is this a legitimate raid on a threatening nation? Post your comment because, "the world NEEDS to hear what YOU have to say!"

Remix: Al Gore's Challenge to Repower America

I think we ALL should begin to think for ourselves about energy in AMERICA. Stop letting those who have been running this country into the ground for YEARS tell you we need to keep drilling. It's insane logic. There are other countries who are almost 90% free from oil and fossil fuels. So what does that mean? It means the technology IS HERE NOW! The powers that be are trying to block innovation and progress because the benefit from the oil destruction. STAND UP, Jedi Followers.

Sarah Palin And Republican Hypocrisy

Most of the election has been super-serious. Well, I wouldn't be the JEDI if I didn't find this video and post it. Enjoy a laugh at all of the Hypocrisy in the Republican Party. Please voice your comment.

Bush's mortgage bailout

President George Bush attempted to get approval from Congress to purchase over $700 Billion in bad mortgages in an effort to fix the failing economy. The purchase would allow the government to own the bad debt for two years. The Democrats including Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, want the bailout plan to be used to help severely strapped home-owners stay in their homes and to limit the compensation paid to corporate executives.

The Bush proposal will give largely sweeping powers to the government to dispense gigantic sums of taxpayer dollars, which would be secretly concealed from court scrutiny AND without oversight (a major reason how the mortgage crisis began in the first place). The proposal would raise the statutory limit on the national debt from $10.6 trillion to $11.3 trillion to make room for the bailout. What's even more interesting is the proposal does not require the government receive anything from banks in return for unloading their bad assets. So essentially, the institutions would be bailed out and the government (taxpayers) could receive nothing in return. What a deal!

An elusive question is how can the government endorse such a plan without considering how pensions and homeowners would be saved. Only the JEDI readers would have the correct questions for this delimena. Let's hear from you.
Chicago Jedi '08

The Real Palin?

During the Republican National Convention, Sarah Palin was introduced as the party's Vice Presidential Nominee to John McCain. During this introduction, Palin seized the opportunity to tell the world about her background including being mayor of a small Alaskan town. She described snowmobile riding, PTA & soccer mom duties as well as snubbing the traditional good ole' boy's network, which apparently had dominated the state. All pushed out to the public to highlight Palin's so-called "executive experience". A stretch compared to the traditional vetting of a corporate VP let alone a Presidential one. That was not the most interesting part of Palin's speech. Instead of appearing humbled by the obvious surprise nomination from McCain, Palin came out swinging and smug. She did not hesitate to give the grand old party's base exactly what they hungered for. She belittled Democratic Nominee, Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer as well as suggesting he did nothing during his time in the Illinois or Federal Senate. Palin mocked Obama's criticism of the military treatment of prisoners and upholding the rights of prisoners in United State's custody while the crowd chanted "USA, USA!" This was a Sarah Palin who seemed to say "up yours" quite often, building on her "baraccuda" nick-name (even though the authors of the song sent requests the RNC stop using their song at their events.)

I for one, found this to be quite upsetting. In a time where Palin may be called upon to lead the country or influence the President, her smug, defeatist and non-compromising attitude would only fuel the flames already started by George W Bush. I truly hope the world doesn't sleep on this election. DO YOUR PART AMERICA!!! Speak out, let the world hear what YOU have to say. Post a comment and pass it along.
Chicago Jedi 2008

STATE SENATOR AND PASTOR REV. JAMES MEEKS ENCOURAGES BOYCOTT OF CPS.

Yesterday, The Illinois Senator organized and instituted a boycott of the widely publicized first day of school for some Chicago Public School students. Meeks, who often wears two hats, organized the boycott in what he described as an effort to put pressure on law-makers to improve the school system as well as to call attention to what he believes is school funding shortages for CPS students.

As a show of purpose, Meeks offered to cancel his boycott if the Governor and other high-ranking officials including House Speaker Michael Madigan (father of Attorney General Lisa Madigan), and Senate President, Emil Jones would agree to back Meek's three year school reform package, which some estimate as being $120 Million Dollars.

Meeks' contention is CPS is not doing the most for its students and is encouraging a transfer of some CPS students to outlying suburban schools such as New Trier School located in Winnetka, Illinois. It is estimated Chicago spends approximately $10,500 per student compared to $17,000 for New Trier School.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is Meeks right on or off base concerning this subject?

Chicago Jedi '08

John McCain - Lost in Space

Presidential Candidate Barack Obama has been accused of flip-flopping and being "dangerously inexperienced to be President." In a climate where lies and fear have been cornerstones of this administration scrutinizing their words and information are more important than ever.

Judge for yourself and LET THE WORLD HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!"

To Our Leaders: Give Us 100% Clean Electricity in 10 Years

Gas is approaching $4.50/gal yet we aren't getting any more gas milage for our money. Gas vehicles are getting similar milage as they did in 1985. Something is wrong. How can you say we need change yet do nothing? Take a stand HERE on the CHICAGO JEDI BLOG.
Peace,
Chicag Jedi '08

Don't be fooled!

As the days move into months and we vastly approach the crucial November deadline to elect our next President, I cannot help but think of how we are going to accomplish that. I mean it's as simple as going into the secret booth and casting the ballot, right? But, is it? Recent studies have shown history has a real chance of repeating itself this November and the overall favorite could loose. Polls are closer than ever. In a time where racial tolerance is becoming more profound, an atmosphere hosting the "appearance of tolerance" is ever-present.

Something called the "Bradley effect" has been tossed around recently. Without going into a huge history lesson, Tom Bradley lost a stunning defeat in the California Governor's race in 1982 after he was largely picked to be the winner by a landslide. David Dinkins had a similar experience in '89 where the polls showed him to be ahead of his competitor by as much as 15 or so points only to loose the election in the Virginia Governor's race. "So, Chicago Jedi, what's your point?" Well it's simple, we cannot sit back and assume CHANGE will come mystically. We have to work just as hard to CHANGE the General Election as we did to change the primary.

For those of us who are tired of being held under the thumb of a lying government and a President who imposes his will blindly without the thought of the people, CHANGE is as important as AIR. Speaking of air, we also could use a President who is concerned about its cleanliness.

IF we are to ensure that CHANGE in November, we have to work hard, we have to be determined, we cannot be fooled by the tricknology. THE CHICAGO JEDI encourages you all to host a party and watch both the DNC & the RNC. Pass the hat and donate it to who YOU consider to be the CHANGE candidate or MOVEON.ORG (you can find BOTH websites on this site).

In the prophetic words of Bill Cosby, "Come on, people!" Let's get involved, get into it.
Peace,
Chicago Jedi '08