Obama's Gazebo & Hebro' Connection

Rabbi Capers Funnye, cousin to Michelle Obama. "Though a few acquaintances of Funnye and the Obamas said they knew of the connection, the news came as a surprise to most members of the Chicago Jewish community. Neither Funnye nor the Obamas have made a point of mentioning their family ties. In Funnye’s synagogue, however, the rabbi’s link with the Democratic presidential nominee is a matter of common knowledge.

“He really jumped on everyone’s radar after the 2004 convention,” Funnye said. “That’s when some people said, ‘Isn’t he related to you or something?’ I said, ‘Yeah, he’s married to my cousin, and she’s making him everything that he is.’”

Our Voices, with Funnye.


Our Voices, Part 2.

Obama earmarks: A $100,000 grant for a garden project in Englewood, Ill., which was initiated by campaign volunteer Kenny Smith. The “Englewood Botanical Garden” project was never built. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “Today the garden site is a mess of weeds, chunks of concrete and garbage.” State records show that $65,000 of the grant money obtained by Obama went directly to Smith’s wife Karen, Judicial Watch said.

More earmarks: In July 2000, Obama helped secure a $100,000 grant for the Community of St. Sabina, the Catholic Church headed by the Rev. Michael Pfleger.

Also in 2000, Obama helped secure $75,000 for FORUM, a political activist group run by Yesse Yehudah. Five people working for FORUM donated $1,000 to Obama’s campaign after getting the grant, according to Judicial Watch. FORUM also contributed $5,000 to help pay Obama’s campaign debt after Obama lost his 2000 Democratic primary challenge to incumbent U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.

In 1999, Obama arranged for $50,000 for adult literacy and counseling services offered on Chicago's South Side by a group called Blue Gargoyle. A $25,000 grant for the group's youth services followed the next year. (Blue Gargoyle is Rabbi Funnye's baby.)

Chaaange change change hmmm unhuh ummmhuh change chaaaaange chaaange ..... (sing to the tune of Aretha's Chain of Fools). For 4 long years mmmmm I thought you were my man ....hmmm mmmm change change chaaaange ... then I found out .... mmmm unhuh mmm ... my papa said come on home ...