I will be cycling in a fundraiser for the Khuphuka Project, an AIDS/HIV health care initiative in rural South Africa. Sponsor me!

Sunday, I am cycling 40 miles in this fundraiser for the Khuphuka Project, a very effective and efficient HIV and AIDS community outreach program serving the Mqatsheni tribal area in remote South Africa. I am seeking sponsorships of $20 in order to help make a difference in this remote African region.

To sponsor me for this Sunday’s 40-mile bike ride, let me know and send your money to:

* Send me a check (payable to SF Insight with Khuphuka Project in the memo line): joe rodriguez 3607 22nd Street, SF, CA 94114
* Or donate online at https://www.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=94-1186221 (This is Unitarian/Universalists online donation center, another sponsor of this fundraiser.)

Thanks, Joe

(While this event is being held by SF Insight, a local Buddhist group, the Khuphuka Project is a medical and education program, not a religious one.)

Ted Kennedy's great dream...realized for the U.S.

A note left by Patrick Kennedy, on Monday, at his father's graveside: "Dad --The unfinished business is done." Amen.

David Plouffe reminds Karl Rove of his and the GOP's dishonesty on Iraq and now health care reform. Karl squirms at the truth.

This is my president, my country and my health care reform plan

Kudos to forward-looking Americans who did so much to help President Obama and Nancy Pelosi to pass landmark health care legislation last night. It took political courage and tenacity to do this, overcoming the hundreds of millions of lobby dollars showered on the Republicans by their insurance and pharmaceutical company overlords.

Read this article on how Nancy Pelosi got Obama and Reid on track after the Scott Brown victory.

This is my president! Obama reads letter to insurance company executives to shame them. Shame them he should.

Read this.

After all the listening and compromising, Obama comes out charging on health care reform. It is time.

I am glad to see this aggressive side of Obama after this year-long process. Read about his speech today.

David Brooks recognizes Obama's leadership at the health care summit

I don't often agree with his policy recommendations, but David Brooks, a thoughtful conservative, today acknowledges Obama's leadership at the health care summit. The tea baggers and birthers don't like David, but that is a good thing. Read his op-ed here.

Does the GOP really want health care reform? We will soon find out if their actions match their words. See this clip from Jon Stewart.

Today is World AIDS Day

Until every single human being is healed of this disease, this is a day I will never forget. I miss and love my deceased friend Mike.

Let's care for families, not insurance companies

Over the last eight years, I have given Sen. Lieberman every benefit of the doubt when it came to his policies that I disagreed with him on. However, on Tuesday, I finally had enough, when he said he would participate in a Republican filibuster of any health care reform that includes a public option. This guy doesn't care about America and the health of its citizens; he is more interested in protecting his contributions from health care and insurance companies.

The Huffington Post ran an interesting piece on the 15 mistakes he has made on key legislation.

This is the last straw. I emailed and called his office today, and I will do anything I can to defeat him if he votes against health care reform. Connecticut and America deserve a visionary Senator, not a craven politician.

P.S. One more point on health care...

Things that work and things that don't!

Health care reform is threatened by forces of greed, selfishness, and fear. It is time to wake up!!!

Please indulge my moment of moral outrage -- What sort of country do we live in when millions, including children, go without regular health care? How can people call themselves "Christians" when they actively rally against universal health care? How can we live in fear of contracting a chronic illness that can bankrupt us? How can spend the highest-per-capita on health care in the world and have some of the lowest outcomes? Why do we trust insurance companies and bureaucrats (who are amoral, private profiteers) but are afraid of government regulators? Why do reward the number of procedures a doctor provides versus the wellness of the patient? How can you play politics with people's lives and health, and sleep well at night? Are we that stupid to put our health in the hands of uncaring corporations?

Our country needs to look deeply at itself and reexamine its values and do what is right, creating an effective and efficient medical system for all its citizens -- not just for its elite, especially the Republican Congressmen who refuse to give the rest of the country the same medical benefits they enjoy at our expense. Where is their MORAL RESPONSIBILITY? THEIR CONSCIENCES? And THEIR SENSE OF COMPASSION? This is the party of corporate interests and the plutocracy, not Abraham Lincoln! He would be absolutely appalled by their short-sightedness, selfishness and greed (and would summarily quit the GOP). And so am I.