Plugging her monthly "Color of Money Book Club" entry today, Washington Post finance columnist Michelle Singletary made a gratuitious reference to Al Gore, comparing consumer debt to global warming:

James D. Scurlock, author and director of "Maxed Out," hopes to do with the overselling of credit what former vice president Al Gore has done for global warming -- elevate people's consciousness about a terrible threat to our existence. In this case, it's our financial well-being.

Now, on balance The Washington Post's finance columnist Michelle Singletary isn't that bad. She's big on preaching the values of delayed gratification, saving your money, and staying as debt-free as possible, often making reference to the role her faith and her upbringing in church guided her financial discipline. Heck, she even defended tithing as a spiritual and financial discipline:

Scurlock's book takes you along on his journey to make the documentary. He takes a few missteps in the beginning when he criticizes radio talk-show host Dave Ramsey, who rightly encourages people to get out of debt and shun credit (except for a home mortgage). As in his film, Scurlock's snide references to tithing come off as useless potshots rather than insightful dialogue. People are not in debt because they tithe, as he seems to suggest.

But the Gore reference? It's just plain dopey.