Mammoth Blog

The Sun Times today gave a major clue that Barack Obama will indeed go down with Tony Rezko, sooner rather than later. It looks as though Rezko is about to turn on Alexi Giannoulias, the 30-year old State Treasurer of Illinois (who was elected only because Obama backed him).

Here's where all the clues are...and then we'll walk you through the local Chicago politics on how today's hint by the Sun Times has us convinced, for the first time ever, that prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald could indeed send Barack Obama to jail.

We need to repeat that: we never believed, until now, that Obama would go to jail for anything related to Rezko. Today, this breaking news about what Rezko is singing to the Feds about makes us reconsider all of that.

Barack Obama will serve a prison sentence in the next few years -- because knowing Fitzgerald, there is no reason he would be going through all of this if that was not the targeted goal in the long term.

(1) Michael Sneed in her Sun Times column 10/10/08 had the following tidbit:

Sneed hears rumbles political fund-raiser/fixer Tony Rezko, who is now singing sweetly to the feds from his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, has been talking about his "dealings" with a Chicago bank, which has political connections.

(2) We just spoke with someone well-connected in Chicago politics who told us that the bank Sneed is talking about has to be Broadway Bank, which is owned by the politically-connected Giannoulias family. We were told that Sneed's column confirms rumblings people we know heard independently that Tony Rezko is giving up the Giannoulias family to Patrick Fitzgerald -- Rezko and the Giannoulias family are as close and tied together as anyone in Chicago could be. If Rezko is turning on them, then Rezko is going to give up Governor Rod Blagojevich and Obama too.

We don't want to end up in cement shoes for implying anything here, but if you live in Chicago for any length of time, you hear rumors about Broadway Bank, the Giannoulias family, and insert Tony Soprano references here. Kapeech?

(3) So, Rezko is singing about the Giannoulias family and its longtime "business dealings" in Chicago, which would interest someone like Fitzgerald and the Justice Department, who have had a long ambition to crack Soprano-style business dealings in Chicago (the city known for Al Capone hasn't changed much, really). The next plate to drop in this will be Fitzgerald then leaning on the Giannoulias family to give up someone bigger than them, who Fitzgerald once discussed in terms of hoping "he has the morals to do the right thing", to paraphrase. We now believe that person Fitz was talking about is Barack Obama.

(4) The Giannoulias family was involved with Obama as far back as his first state senate campaign in 1996. It has been long rumored here in Chicago that Obama obtained a sweetheart deal on his first town home here in Chicago -- which he could not have afforded otherwise -- and guess who the financing came from for that house? We've been told it was Broadway Bank, the Giannoulias bank. Now, this sets up a scenario where the Giannoulias family helps Obama with his campaign finances and gets him deeper in their pocket with his sweetheart mortgage deal (for the first home he owned that he could not afford) - all in exchange for quid pro quo to be determined later.

(5) One favor political Chicago claims Obama did for the Giannoulias family was in 2006 when, out of the blue, 29 year old Alexi Giannoulias, with no experience, and without ever having voted before, decides to run for State Treasurer of Illinois. Also out of the blue, Barack Obama endorses Alexi Giannoulias for State Treasurer. This was a SHOCK to everyone in Chicago -- and Giannoulias would have never become State Treasurer without Obama's help. In political circles here, it has always been believed that this endorsement was bought years ago with that sweetheart mortgage deal Broadway Bank arranged for Obama to buy his town house.

(6) So, the Tony Rezko sweetheart deal was not the first magic home loan Obama ever received to buy a house he could not afford.

There's more to this that looks like it will break soon. We were STUNNED when we read Sneed's column because we never in a million years believed Fitz would actually be able to take down Obama.

We do not believe this will come out before the election, however, but we do believe Fitzgerald will continue his prosecution to the highest level, because that is what he does. Jean Valjean got off easy, compared to what it's like to be in the crosshairs of perhaps the greatest prosecutor this nation has had in a generation. Patrick Fitzgerald is a force of nature.

Sneed's clue can only mean Broadway Bank...we've now heard this from several people in Chicago. And Broadway Bank can only mean Giannoulias. And Giannoulias leads to Obama through that town house home loan and the quid pro quo political endorsement several years later. And that home loan ties back to Rezko, in that it was the first of two shady home buys Obama made with quid pro quos attached to them.

Just thinking that last paragraph out, Obama's defense in the Rezko business was that he never did anything for Rezko so there was no quid pro quo. What the Giannoulias and Broadway Bank stuff proves is that Obama sits in people's pockets for a while before the favor is given. He bought that town house sometime between 1997-2000 or so, since he lived there for a few years before trading up to the Obama Mansion with Rezko's help in 2005, after he was in the United States Senate. And it looks like the payback was not given to the Giannoulias family until 2006, with Obama's endorsement of Alexi Giannoulias for State Treasurer.

This all stems from Sneed's clue in today's Sun Times. She says to stay tuned for more, so please do that. Source>>>

Barack Obama Denied National Security Clearance Aug.20, 2008 in General Barack Obama cannot be Trusted with Classified Information

How can the President of the United States be denied a basic security clearance? How can the Commander and Chief of the most powerful military be denied access to classified information? Barack Obama would be denied the necessary security clearance for President if he was held to the same standard as everyone else. If you can't pass a Secret level background investigation, which is required for many soldiers, you should not be eligible for the Presidency.

What is a Security Clearance?

Having served in the U.S. military, law enforcement, and as a civilian government contractor, I've had my fair share of background investigations. The United States government employs a multitier security clearance paradigm.

Confidential - Unauthorized disclosure could cause "damage to national security." Secret - Unauthorized disclosure could cause "serious damage to national security." Top Secret - Unauthorized disclosure could cause "exceptionally grave damage to national security."

Each level of access requires a progressively more in-depth background investigation before the clearance is obtained. The President of the United States should be able to flawlessly pass the most extensive investigation and a polygraph test. Both are required for workers in some Special Access Programs classified Top Secret.

The purpose of the clearance is to determine an individual's honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, financial responsibility, criminal activity, emotional stability, foreign influences, family associations, drug use, mental health, judicial proceedings, employment history, traits of character, and loyalty to the United States. This collective data is used to evaluate your ability and willingness to safeguard national secrets. Based on the facts about Barack Obama, he fails to satisfy the minimum requirements for even a basic secret clearance. His background investigation would have "Red Flags" shooting up in so many places; the issuing panel would deny him a clearance outright.

Obama's Answers on the Security Clearance Application Instead of going through all the Security Clearance Application questions, I'll examine the questions that would deny Barack Obama a Secret Clearance.

List foreign national relatives whom you or your spouse are bound by affection, obligation, or close and continuing contact.

Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. of Kenya, and Lolo Soetoro, the Indonesian oil manager his mother married. These two foreign relatives would probably initiate a Defensive Security Services or Department of Defense investigation that would take roughly a year to explore. I'm not sure how many degrees of separation are involved, but Obama Sr. and Soetoro's associations are not friendly to the United States. However, they are not the primary concern.

Barack Obama's brother, his kin Abongo Obama, is a militant Muslim who has been quoted saying, "A black man must liberate himself from the poisons of European cultures and western values." Obama's paternal cousin, Raila Odinga is also a Muslim extremist who recently lost the Kenyan Presidential election to a Christian. How can such relations exist between the President of the United States and radical Muslims?

Have you ever been an officer or a member or made a contribution to an organization dedicated to the violent overthrow of the United States Government and which engages in illegal activities to that end, knowing that the organization engages in such activities with the specific intent to further such activities?

Have you ever knowingly engaged in any acts or activities designed to overthrow the United States Government by force?

These two questions go hand and hand. Having gone through the interview phase of the clearance process a number of times, I can't image the look on the face of the investigator nor the sheer amount of time it would take to explain Barack Obama's anti American ties.

Sen. Barack Obama served as a paid director alongside a confessed domestic terrorist and granted funding to a controversial Arab group that dubbed the creation of Israel as a "catastrophe." The founder of the Arab group in question, Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, also has held a fundraiser for Obama. Khalidi is a harsh critic of Israel, has made statements supportive of Palestinian terror and reportedly has worked on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization while it was involved in anti western terrorism.

Barack Obama also served on the Wood's Fund board with William Ayers, a member of the Weathermen terrorist group which sought to overthrow of the U.S. government and took responsibility for the bombings of New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, of the Capitol building in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972. Bill Ayers has killed hundreds of civilians, police officers, and was recently quoted saying, "I don't regret setting bombs, I feel we didn't do enough."

I would deny a security clearance for anybody that even shook these men's hands, never mind launching a campaign from Ayer's living room.

Have you illegally used any controlled substance, for example, marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, hashish, narcotics (opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, etc.), amphetamines, depressants (barbiturates, methaqualone, tranquilizers, etc.), hallucinogenics (LSD, PCP, etc.), or prescription drugs?

Barack Obama has specifically admitted to using marijuana and cocaine in his book "Dreams From My Father." He even confesses pursuing heroin, but was scared of the drug dealer. A clearance question such as this is used to test someone's ethical fortitude to stand up for what is right, legally forbidden, and ultimately make correct decisions. Obama fails this test with his weakness to deny temptation.

Would anyone question your honesty?

Obama's lies regarding his recollection of policies supported and the reality of what he actually did endorse are too numerous to count. However, these lies are unfortunately common in today's politics. An article written in a conservative blog has outlined 26 more personal deceptions Obama has made to the American people. How can anyone trust this guy with confidence?

So far, because the mainstream media is smitten with him, Barack Obama has been able to get by running a campaign based on hope, change, unity, love, and rainbows made of cuddly kittens.

However, before we get around to coronating Barack as our new President/Cult of Unity Leader, there are a few questions he should have to answer before America starts drinking his Kool-Aid.

Granted, many members of our esteemed press seem to consider it crass to expect Obama to actually answer questions about unimportant things like his agenda, his character, and what he actually wants to do when he becomes the leader of the free world. That's why he would probably get away with doing what slick politicians like him always do when they're asked tough questions: lie, misdirect, and dodge.

But still, wouldn't it be great if there were some members of the mainstream media that at least had enough integrity to ask him the tough questions in the first place? Ok, you can stop laughing now. Let me put it another way: if there are any Hillary Clinton fans in the press who'd like to help derail Obama so that your preferred liberal candidate can win, start putting questions like these to him:

* You've made unifying the American public and putting our political divisions behind us one of the central themes of your campaign. Yet, National Journal ranked you as the single most liberal senator in 2007. So, which liberal beliefs of yours are you willing to give up for unity's sake?

* Along the same lines, John McCain has been behind numerous pieces of prominent bi-partisan legislation. So, if voters are looking for a candidate who can unify the country, wouldn't he be a better choice than you?

* If you didn't agree with Jeremiah Wright's racist and anti-American views, why did you take your own children to his church and expose them to what he had to say?

* If I may steal a question from Peter Weher, "With which elements, if any, of black liberation theology -- as represented by Reverend Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ -- do you strongly disagree? Do you think any of the core tenets of black liberation theology are racist?"

* Could black voters trust a white candidate to fairly represent their interests even if he attended an anti-black church and was close friends with a prominent white minister who was famously hostile to black Americans?

* John Conyers has said that he intends to "move legislation that could lead the federal government to apologize for slavery and pay reparations" if you become President. Would you support that legislation?

* Given our budget deficit, how can you justify giving away 845 billion dollars of our tax money to other nations over the next 13 years via your Global Poverty Act?

* In 2004, you said that you opposed the Defense of Marriage Act, which is designed to keep gay marriage from being imposed on the country by judicial fiat. Do you think the American people and their representatives should have a right to decide whether or not they want gay marriage in their states? If the answer is "yes," how can you possibly square that with your opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act?

* Given that you're pro-partial birth abortion, would you support overturning the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003?

* You claim to support the 2nd Amendment, but why should people believe you when, in 1996, you supported "banning the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns?"

* Many people believe your plan for Iraq would be viewed as a huge victory for Al-Qaeda in much of the world, would lead to the collapse of democracy in that country, would boost Iran's standing in the region, and would lead to genocide on a massive scale. Do you believe that those things won't happen or do you believe that those are prices we should be willing to pay to leave Iraq?

* You've often spoken about what the positive effects of pulling out of Iraq will be, but what do you think the negative consequences of your choice to lose the war in Iraq will be?

* Given that we're fighting a war on terror, why do you think it's appropriate for you to continue to personally associate with terrorists like William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn who bombed buildings on American soil, attempted to murder Army officers, and even today, publicly say that they have no regrets about their actions?

* Can you give a more convincing explanation for why you no longer wear a flag pin and why you famously chose not to hold your hand over your heart for our National Anthem?

* Your campaign has suggested that you should receive half the delegates from the state of Michigan even though your name wasn't even on the ballot. Given that your supporters helped thwart a re-vote, isn't that extraordinarily hypocritical, arrogant, and undemocratic of you?

* Given your past history of using cocaine, which is extremely addictive, would you be willing to regularly take drug tests during the campaign and when you're in the White House to insure Americans that you're not still using?

* You claimed that you "never saw or approved" an "Illinois voter group's detailed questionnaire" that had you taking some embarrassingly liberal stands "on gun control, the death penalty and abortion." You chalked up those answers on the questionnaire to an overzealous aide. Yet, it turned out that you were blatantly lying and were actually interviewed for the questionnaire and even sent in your own handwritten notes. So, if you're willing to tell such a bald-faced lie to cover up your liberal positions, why should the American people believe you now when you claim, on issue after issue, to have flip flopped to a more moderate position than you held just a few years back?

* You personally, along with your campaign, have continuously and consistently lied and claimed that John McCain wants to fight a war in Iraq for the next 100 years. However, what he actually said -- and has repeated many times is, "Maybe (we'll be in Iraq for) 100 (years)...We've been in Japan for 60 years, we've been in South Korea for 50 years, that'd be fine with me as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed." Why have you continued to knowingly lie about this issue and why should voters trust what you say if you're going to deliberately try to mislead them in this fashion?

* After engaging in a crooked land deal with Tony Rezko, a man who donated $10,000 from (an) alleged kickback scheme to your campaign, how can voters trust you to act in an ethical fashion in the White House?

* According to an April 23, 2007 article from the Chicago Sun-Times called "Barack Obama and his slumlord patron, "Obama, who has worked as a lawyer and a legislator to improve living conditions for the poor, took campaign donations from Rezko even as Rezko's low-income housing empire was collapsing, leaving many African-American families in buildings riddled with problems -- including squalid living conditions, vacant apartments, lack of heat, squatters and drug dealers." Do you have any regrets about teaming up with a slumlord to further your own political career on the backs of the very poor people you claimed to be helping?
_________________

http://www.conservativeusa.org/megalink.htm

Number eight on Judicial Watch's corrupt politicians list is Barack Obama:

In 2006, it was discovered that Obama was involved in a suspicious real estate deal with an indicted political fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko. In 2007, more reports surfaced of deeper and suspicious business and political connections It was reported that just two months after he joined the Senate, Obama purchased $50,000 worth of stock in speculative companies whose major investors were his biggest campaign contributors. One of the companies was a biotech concern that benefited from legislation Obama pushed just two weeks after the senator purchased $5,000 of the company's shares. Obama was also nabbed conducting campaign business in his Senate office, a violation of federal law.

Antoin Rezko:

According to the New York Times, Antoin Rezko's company was one of the first campaign donors to Barack Obama as well as holding fund-raisers and rallying support for Obama.

After Rezko was indicted on federal charges of business fraud and influence peddling involving the administration of Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois,Barack Obama has given over $21,000 to charity from Rezko's donations from Rezko associates. He also gave away $11,500 from Mr. Rezko himself last fall.

Also reported by the New York Times:

Records show that when Mr. Obama needed cash in the waning days of his losing 2000 Congressional campaign, Mr. Rezko rounded up thousands of dollars from business contacts. In 2003, Mr. Rezko helped Mr. Obama expand his fund-raising for the Senate primary by being host of a dinner at his Mediterranean-style home for 150 people, including some whose names have since come up in the influence scandal.

And when Mr. Obama and his wife, Michelle, bought a house in 2005, Mr. Rezko stepped in again. Even though his finances were deteriorating, Mr. Rezko arranged for his wife to buy an adjacent lot, and she later sold the Obamas a 10-foot-wide strip of land that expanded their yard.

The land sale occurred after it had been reported that Mr. Rezko was under federal investigation. That awkward fact prompted Mr. Obama, who has cast himself as largely free from the normal influences of politics, to express regret over what he called his own bad judgment.

$50,000 worth of stock:

In another New York Times article it was reported that Obama bought more than $50,000 worth of stock in two speculative companies whose major investors included some of his biggest political donors.

One of the companies was a biotech concern that was starting to develop a drug to treat avian flu. In March 2005, two weeks after buying about $5,000 of its shares, Mr. Obama took the lead in a legislative push for more federal spending to battle the disease.

He also bought $50,000 woth of stock in a satellite communications business whose backers include four friends and donors of Obama's and they had raised over $150,000 for his political committees.

Obama's spokesperson claims that his broker had purchased the stocks without consulting Obama.

http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2007/12/judicial-watchs-top-ten-most-corrupt.html

OWASSO - When Gary Rofkahr from Owasso heard there was a baby doll on local store shelves that said, "Islam is the Light," he didn't believe it.

He bought the Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle and Coo doll to see for himself and he was shocked to hear the words, "Islam is the Light" among other baby gibberish including "Mama."

"I have a 1-year-old granddaughter," he said. "It makes me mad that someone is trying to indoctrinate our children with an innocent toy."

He called Fisher Price to complain. He was told they were aware of the problem and would gladly refund his money.

"I told them I didn't want my money back, I wanted them to pull these dolls off the shelf," he said. "They told me they can't pull an item just because a customer requests it, they have to have corporate direction. I told them I would get corporate direction and get back to them. I told them I'm from a town of 30,000 people with 46 churches in it and I know someone who attends each one. I'm going to everyone I know to tell them about this and I'm going to call Target and Wal-Mart and see if we can pull this doll off the shelves."

Advertisement
Click Here!
"We've pulled it," said Mitzi Tatowicz, co-manager of the Owasso Wal-Mart.

She said Wal-Mart had heard about the doll and its recording several days ago and pulled the doll from the local store. Apparently, overnight the dolls had been put back on the shelves, but Tatowicz said "We've voluntarily pulled them and believe they shouldn't be on our shelves."

Local Target officials refused to comment on whether the dolls were still on shelves and directed the Owasso Reporter to a corporate media relations phone number that went directly to voicemail. At around 11 a.m. Wednesday, an Owasso Reporter employee purchased one of the dolls, which are made in China, at the Target in Smith Farm Marketplace for $19.99. UPDATE - As of 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, an Owasso Reporter employee confirmed several of the dolls were still on store shelves at the Owasso Target.

Upon further investigation, the Owasso Reporter came across some Web sites where others have discovered this doll and also claim she utters the words, "Satan is King." When the Owasso Reporter contacted Fisher Price to ask for official comment, they were redirected to a Mattel representative. When an employee called the number, they received a voicemail message that directed them to an email.

The voicemail message and email had not been returned by press time. The email did receive an Out of Office AutoReply that said, "If you are consumer and have a question about a product, please email our Consumer Relations department directly at service@mattel.com." The Fisher Price inquiry number on the doll's box is 1-800-524-8697.

Check for updates of this situation and don't forget to listen to our attached video to see a video of the baby doll and hear what she has to say. Due to the poor sound quality of the doll, the recording is slightly hard to hear.

Editor's note: The Owasso Reporter has chosen to only play the video of the phrase the doll utters that sounds like "Islam is the light." Video of the phrase where the doll sounds like she utters "Satan in the king, Mama" is very hard to distinguish and cannot be truly judged through a video on the Internet. Therefore, we have chosen not to run this part of the video.

Update - Reporter Amanda Morgan-Scott received a reply from her email to Mattel. The email has been copied and pasted in full below.

As a result of a recent news report regarding our Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo dolls saying an inappropriate phrase, we immediately undertook a thorough investigation to fully understand the issue. A summary of our findings include:

*The Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo dolls feature realistic baby sounds including sweet cooing, giggling and baby babble with no real sentence structure. *The only scripted word that the doll actually says is "mama." There is a sound that may resemble something close to the word "night, right, or light." All of the other sounds are baby sounds with no real words or sentence structure.

*We have found that if told to listen for a particular phrase, you may hear something similar due to the power of suggestion.

*Actual sounds may be imprecise due to sound compression played through the very tiny inexpensive toy speakers from the doll.

As a result of these findings, we remain confident in the high quality standards of our Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo dolls. If any consumer has any questions or concerns regarding any Mattel toys, they may contact our Mattel consumer relations center at 800/524-TOYS (8697), and we will be happy to assist them. We take each call from our consumers very seriously and do our best to help address their concerns.

UPDATE: At 2:19 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, Target had to call police when a customer asked for the Little Mommy doll to be pulled from their shelves and the store refused. The police report says, "Subject came in last night and demanded for us to remove some merchandise from the racks due to inappropriate language. The company did not remove item." Source>>>

We are very happy to announce that on Tuesday November 4th, we will be releasing our 1st EVER greatest hits cd, titled "The Best Yet." This 18 song collection includes the newly released song "This Is Home", as well as such tracks as "Dare You To Move," Meant To Live," and "This Is Your Life." See below for complete track listing.

Even more exciting than the regular CD, however, is the Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes a DVD containing 14 music videos and band commentary. Includes video favorites like "Stars", "Dare you to Move", and "Meant To Live", along with rarities spanning our entire career.

The Best Yet Deluxe Edition will be included in this year's Holiday package which includes a new unreleased Switchfoot B-side, and much more! Pre-orders for this special package have now started, quantity limited. So mark your calendars, and have a Christmas party in November!

Track-listing for CD:
1. Dare You To Move
2. Meant To Live
3. Stars
4. Oh! Gravity
5. This Is Home (unreleased, full-band version)
6. Learning to Breathe
7. Awakening
8. This Is Your Life
9. On Fire
10. Only Hope
11. Dirty Second Hands
12. Love Is the Movement
13. Company Car
14. Lonely Nation
15. The Shadow Proves The Sunshine
16. Concrete Girl
17. Twenty-Four
18. The Beautiful Letdown

Track-listing for DVD:
1. Dare You To Move
2. Meant To Live
3. Stars
4. Oh! Gravity
5. Awakening
6. We Are One Tonight
7. The Blues
8. Chem 6A
9. Company Car
10. New Way To Be Human
11. You Already Take Me There
12. Happy Is A Yuppie Word
13. Meant To Live (original)
14. Dare You To Move (alternate)

**Plus band commentary!

NEW DECEMBER TOUR DATES WITH 3 DOORS DOWN

Switchfoot will be joining 3 Doors Down on tour this December throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic US. Please see tour dates below for more info.

The Band's Levon Helm and instrumentalist Larry Campbell have joined the lineup of the All for the Hall concert in New York City benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. As previously announced, the Oct. 15 "guitar pull" will also feature Rodney Crowell, Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris. Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters will host. Campbell, who worked several years in Bob Dylan's band, recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Americana Music Association. The concert will be held at the Nokia Theater in Times Square. Tickets are $750 per person.

NASCAR driver Kyle Petty will performing an opening set for Gary Allan on Sunday (Oct. 12) in Charlotte, N.C., at the Whisky River bar, which is owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. In addition, the fifth annual Dale Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction will be held Monday (Oct. 13) at the Concord (N.C.) Convention Center. All proceeds will benefit the Dale Jr. Foundation, which in turn supports several organizations, including Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Jason Aldean Prepares "Completely Different" Show for CMT on Tour
CMT on Tour, which also features Lady Antebellum and newcomer Eric Durrance, kicks off Wednesday (Oct. 8) in Cullowhee, N.C. In a recent interview at CMT's offices in Nashville, Aldean talked about the challenges of writing a set list, his friendship with the members of Lady Antebellum and what he's learned from touring with Rascal Flatts.

Singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen will be the subject of a live tribute album to be released on Jan. 6, 2009. Undone: A MusicFest Tribute to Robert Earl Keen was recorded live at the annual MusicFest event in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Performers include Bonnie Bishop, Jason Boland, Wade Bowen, Cody Canada, Chris Knight, Cory Morrow, Randy Rogers Band and Reckless Kelly, among many others. Keen contributes the final five songs to the double-disc set, including "The Road Goes On Forever."

Opera 9.6 Web Browser New Features Include Optimized e-Mail, RSS Options
Slideshow Summary

Opera Software's Opera 9.6 Web Browser release includes new features for optimized e-mail, RSS for the Opera 9.6 Web browser's built-in e-mail and messaging client. Opera Software's Opera 9.6 Web Browser offers low-bandwidth option for slow connections, a magazine style preview of RSS fields and custom search engine settings and typed browser history available in any Opera desktop browser.

This Weekend in the Wolfgang Concert Vault

We've featured a few bands this week that rely heavily on vocal harmonies, so we decided to wrap up the week with another great band in the same vein: CSN&Y. Check them out from Long Island during their first reunion tour (with a little help from their friend, Joni Mitchell).

The rest of our weekend releases are elemental.
Earth: Enjoy a set by city boy turned Massachusetts farm man Jonathan Edwards, then check out an interview with Kansas co-founder Phil Ehart as he talks about the Midwest effect on his music.

Wind: Let the Grateful Dead take you on a trip through the ether with some spacey jams from 1969. Then check out the reverb and echo heavy ambience of Simple Minds in 1982.

Fire: A smoking set from The Heaters depicts an intriguing meeting between The Ronnettes and The Pretenders. You can also listen to George Duke talk about his pyrotechnic Dukey Stick.

Water: Come back on Monday as we start off a week of great Americana song writing with a featured download from Delta Spirit. Based in San Diego and invoking sounds to be found along the Mississippi, these guys are truly a confluence of our history and present.
This Weekend's Rewind Concert
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Roosevelt Raceway 9/8/1974
This Weekend's B-Side Concerts
Grateful Dead Fillmore West 6/5/1969
Jonathan Edwards Knight Auditorium 4/23/1976
Simple Minds Newcastle City Hall 11/20/1982
The Heaters Bottom Line 6/17/1978
This Weekend's Interviews
George Duke Interview 5/5/1978
Phil Ehart Interview 10/29/1988
Upcoming Indie Monday Concerts
Delta Spirit Cafe Du Nord 3/1/2008
Throw Me The Statue Great American Music Hall 2/28/2008
The Hundred Days Great American Music Hall 2/28/2008
Wallpaper Rickshaw Stop 3/1/2008
Tulsa Independent 3/1/2008
West Indian Girl Bottom of the Hill 2/27/2008
Whispertown2000 Great American Music Hall 3/2/2008
Golden Animals Cafe Du Nord 2/27/2008
Okay Bimbo's 365 2/29/2008

BEASTIE BOYS & FRIENDS ANNOUNCE SWING STATE VOTER AWARENESS TOUR
Selected Dates in Battleground States

Beastie Boys have confirmed selected dates through the crucial swing states of the upcoming election. Joining the band in various markets will be Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Crosby & Nash, Santogold, Tenacious D, and special guests, as well as representatives from the Rock The Vote, who will be on hand to distribute information on local polling sites, including early voting locations where available.

On Sale THIS Saturday 10/11 @ 10am Here

Oct 28 Richmond, VA - Richmond Coliseum
Beastie Boys/Sheryl Crow/Jack Johnson/Norah Jones/Santogold
Tickets available at Richmond Coliseum and at Ticketmaster.com

Oct 29 Youngstown, OH - Chevorlet Center
Beastie Boys/Sheryl Crow/Ben Harper/Norah Jones

Saturday 10/11/08 9:00 AM
2008-09 Men's Basketball Blue & White Scrimmage
Saturday 11/01/08 4:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday10/22/08 9:00 AM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Missouri-St. Louis
Monday 11/03/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 10/22/08 9:00 AM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Ouachita Baptist (exh)
Friday 11/07/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 10/22/08 9:00 AM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS TBA (exh)
Friday 11/07/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 10/22/08 9:00 AM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Virginia Military Institute
Friday 11/14/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 11/12/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Delaware State
Saturday 11/22/08 12:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 11/12/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Lamar
Wednesday 12/03/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 11/12/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Longwood
Monday 11/24/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 11/12/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Miami (FL)
Saturday 12/06/08 5:30 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 11/12/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Mississippi Valley State
Sunday 12/07/08 3:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 12/10/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Auburn
Wednesday 01/21/09 9:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 12/10/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Central Michigan
Monday 12/29/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 12/10/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Florida Atlantic
Saturday 12/27/08 3:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 12/10/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Indiana
Saturday 12/13/08 4:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 12/10/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Tennessee State
Monday 12/22/08 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 12/10/08 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Vanderbilt
Saturday 01/10/09 2:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Thursday 01/22/09 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Florida
Tuesday 02/10/09 9:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Thursday 01/22/09 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Mississippi State
Tuesday 02/03/09 7:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Thursday 01/22/09 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS South Carolina
Saturday 01/31/09 3:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 02/11/09 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Georgia
Wednesday 03/04/09 8:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 02/11/09 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS LSU
Saturday 02/28/09 4:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY


Wednesday 02/11/09 6:00 PM
Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball VS Tennessee
Saturday 02/21/09 1:00 PM Rupp Arena Lexington KY

For a complete list visit TicketsOnsaleToday.com

9:00 AM

2008-09 Men's Basketball Blue & White Scrimmage Rupp Arena - Lexington, KY

10:00 AM

AC/DC Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh, PA

AC/DC U.S. Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH

Anthony Hamilton Center Stage Theatre - Atlanta, GA

Blind Melon Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA

Christmas with Amy Grant and Vince Gill Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI

Dead Schembechlers Lifestyle Communities Pavilion - Columbus, OH

Duran Duran House of Blues Atlantic City - Atlantic City, NJ

Freestyle Motocross DCU Center - Worcester, MA

John R. Wooden Tradition Conseco Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN

Laurie Berkner Lisner Auditorium - Washington, DC

Lil Wayne Boardwalk Hall - Atlantic City, NJ

Monster Jam RBC Center - Raleigh, NC

Monster Jam Time Warner Cable Arena - Charlotte, NC

New York Dolls The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Plain White T's Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH

Q-Tip Center Stage Theatre - Atlanta, GA

Shelby Lynne The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI

Smashing Pumpkins Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH

Taking Back Sunday Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, MI

TAKING BACK SUNDAY The Norva - Norfolk, VA

The All-American Rejects Masquerade - Atlanta, GA

The All-American Rejects The Social - Orlando, FL

The Jagermeister Music Tour featuring Hinder Piere's - Fort Wayne, IN

The Verve Pipe Intersection - Grand Rapids, MI

Tokio Hotel Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH

Trapt Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY

TraptPiere's - Fort Wayne, IN

YesThe Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI

For a complete list visit TicketsOnsaleToday.com

11:00 AM

AC/DC American Airlines Center - Dallas, TX

AC/DC Fargodome - Fargo, ND

AC/DC Qwest Center Omaha - Omaha, NE

AC/DC Sommet Center - Nashville, TN

AC/DC Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO

AC/DC Scottrade Center - St. Louis, MO

AC/DC Xcel Energy Center - Saint Paul, MN

Alan Jackson Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN

B96 Jingle Bash Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL

Blake Shelton Paragon Casino Resort - Marksville, LA

Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration BJCC Arena - Birmingham, AL

Clint Black Mystic Lake Casino Hotel - Prior Lake, MN

Conor Oberst The Palladium Ballroom - Dallas, TX

Duran Duran Majestic Theatre San Antonio - San Antonio, TX

Duran Duran Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX

Hank Williams, Jr. Amphitheater at The Wharf - Orange Beach, AL

Harry Connick, Jr. Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN

JAGERMEISTER MUSIC TOUR FEATURING HINDER Milwaukee, WI Eagles Club/The Rave/Eagles Ballroom -

Jason Mraz Myth - Maplewood, MN

Oak Ridge Boys Show Me Center - Cape Girardeau, MO

Offspring Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX

OneRepublicSokol Auditorium - Omaha, NE

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Bellobration Scottrade Center - St Louis, MO

Rock the Vote US Cellular Arena Wisconsin Center District - Milwaukee, WI

Swamp Pop Revue Paragon Casino Resort - Marksville, LA

Terry Fator-Ventriloquist Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX

The Jagermeister Music Tour featuring Hinder House of Blues Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, SC

The Lowe Family Christmas Prairie Capital Convention Center - Springfield, IL

Wrestlemania Reliant Stadium - Houston, TX

Yes US Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington, IL

For a complete list visit TicketsOnsaleToday.com

12:00 PM

Cradle of Filth Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO

Fall Out Boy Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO

Fishbone Station 4 - Saint Paul, MN

HinderNokia Theatre Times Square - New York, NY

Iced Earth Station 4 - Saint Paul, MN

KC & the Sunshine Band Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO

Letters To Cleo Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA

LordiGothic Theatre - Englewood, CO

Michael W. Smith Xcel Energy Center - Saint Paul, MN

PantyraidGothic Theatre - Englewood, CO

Pat Green Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA

The Jagermeister Music Tour featuring Hinder First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN

Widespread Panic / Yonder Mountain String Band Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

For a complete list visit TicketsOnsaleToday.com

1:00 PM

2K Sports Bounce Tour featuring Q-Tip & The Cool Kids Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo -

Blues Traveler House of Blues Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

Blues Traveler House of Blues Sunset Strip - Hollywood, CA

Blues Traveler McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR

Blues Traveler Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA

Club Lucky House of Blues Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

ColdplayHonda Center - Anaheim, CA

Cradle of Filth Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA

Cradle of Filth The Music Box at the Fonda - Hollywood, CA

Dan Wilson Pantages Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

Dawn Upshaw Newmark Theatre - Portland, OR

Etown: Live Radio Show Newmark Theatre - Portland, OR

George Clinton and Parliament Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA

Godsmack's Sully Erna The Music Box at the Fonda - Hollywood, CA

Jeff Foxworthy Mega Center at Pheasant Run - St. Charles, IL

John Hiatt House of Blues Sunset Strip - Hollywood, CA

John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA

Los Lobos House of Blues Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

Los Lobos House of Blues Sunset Strip - Hollywood, CA

Mark Chesnutt Emerald Queen Casino - Tacoma, WA

Nine Inch Nails ARCO Arena - Sacramento, CA

Q-Tip House of Blues Sunset Strip - Hollywood, CA

Simply Red Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA

Spirit of the Season featuring Susan Egan Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - Reno, NV

Sycuan Presents Los Lobos with the Blasters House of Blues San Diego - San Diego, CA

Tesla Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA

Teton Gravity Research-¥Under the Influence¥Film Aladdin Theater - Portland, OR

The Temptations and the Four Tops Gibson Amphitheatre - Universal City, CA

TOM MORELLO: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN with special guests Showbox at the Market - Seattle,

Usher Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas, NV

Usher-Ladies Only The Warfield - San Francisco, CA

Wild Sweet Orange McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR

WWE No Way Out KeyArena - Seattle, WA

Yes The Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL

Yundi Li Flint Center - Cupertino, CA

For a complete list visit TicketsOnsaleToday.com

2:00 PM

Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Bobcats Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. New Jersey Nets Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Bobcats Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Family Night Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Guys Night Out Package: Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards Pepsi Center - Denver, CO

Lamb of God Ventura Theatre - Ventura, CA

For a complete list visit TicketsOnsaleToday.com

3:00 PM

Cradle of Filth Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

Jim Brickman Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

Jonas Brothers Hollywood Palladium - Hollywood, CA

Jonas Brothers MGM Grand Hotel - Las Vegas, NV

Jonas Brothers MGM Grand Hotel - Las Vegas, NV

LordiGlass House - Pomona, CA

Saosin The Rock - Tucson, AZ

Smashing Pumpkins Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas, NV

All of the above available at Ticketmaster