Mammoth Blog

The Truth About Obama: What Every Citizen Needs to Know

Barack Obama's quest for the presidency is remarkable

in many ways, not least of which is the utter

lack of close scrutiny by the dominant liberal media of

Obama's history. What little we know of it is a history

that belies nearly everything those who see him as their

political messiah believe to be true: that he is a reformer,

an agent of "change," a "new style" of "post-partisan"

politician, that his relationships with (to put it mildly)

unsavory characters like Jeremiah Wright and Bill Ayers

are irrelevant outliers, and that Obama is a moderate who

works well with Republicans and Democrats alike to get

important things done.

In his new book, The Case Against Barack Obama,

(published by Regnery and available at Amazon.com:

political reporter David Freddoso lays out in great detail

(averaging 65 footnotes per chapter) the many substantial

flaws in Obama, showing himto be anything but a new sort

of politician and anything but a force for positive change or

real change of any kind, other than change to benefit

Obama and advance the liberal agenda. Obama is, as Fred

Thompson said, GeorgeMcGovern without the credentials.

Although Freddoso gladly admits his conservative

background, The Case Against Barack Obama is neither

an outpouring of conservative political polemics nor a

manifesto by someone who dislikes Obama simply

because Obama is the most liberal candidate we have

seen for the presidency in many years. Freddoso doesn't

focus either on the low-hanging fruit of Obama's being

the least experienced, least qualified candidate for the

presidency in generations.

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Having tried without success to unlock frozen credit markets,
the Treasury Department is considering taking ownership
stakes in many United States banks to try to restore
confidence in the financial system, according to government
officials.

Treasury officials say the just-passed $700 billion bailout
bill gives them the authority to inject cash directly into
banks that request it. Such a move would quickly strengthen
banks' balance sheets and, officials hope, persuade them to
resume lending. In return, the law gives the Treasury the
right to take ownership positions in banks, including healthy
ones.

Plans for a closing ceremony at Yankee Stadium have been scrapped.

The team had discussed organizing an event on the weekend of Nov. 8-9 that would have included remembrances of many of the non-baseball events at the 85-year-old ballpark, such as football and boxing.

"The Yankees were considering having a charitable event at Yankee Stadium for BAT [Baseball Assistance Team], however, the Yankees realized that the final event at Yankee Stadium should be a baseball game, which in fact took place on Sept. 21," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. "Accordingly, rather than having a fundraiser, the Yankees will be donating $500,000 to BAT."

Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen were among the artists the Yankees had reportedly sought for the event.

New York is scheduled to move into a $1.3 billion new Yankee Stadium. The first home game at the new ballpark is April 16 against Cleveland.

The decision to call off the ceremony was first reported by amNew York. Source>>>

There are some big concerts this fall season. We have also included a new coupon exclusively for concert tickets orders. RazorGator.com is currently offering $15 off all concert ticket orders!

The code for this promotion is FALLCNCRTS, it is valid on all concert tickets orders and expires November 23, 2008. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

While the "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" continues on, fans and media alike continue to talk about the wheel-to-wheel-to-wheel action that took place at the Monster Mile on Sept. 21, 2008 betwen Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and race winner Greg Biffle.

The trio's high-banked battle during Dover's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series "Chase" race was called the "best NASCAR race in five years" by SPEED's Kenny Wallace, and fans eager for more action can reserve their seat for NASCAR's return visit to Dover next Spring.

Beginning on Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 at 8 a.m., fans can secure their seats for the May 31, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, May 30, 2009 "Heluva Good! 200" NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 29, 2008 "AAA Insurance 200" NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race race by calling 800-441-RACE or going online at DoverSpeedway.com. By ordering early, fans can reap the benefits of improved seat selection, better ticket availability, and with winter right around the corner, the perfect holiday gift for any NASCAR fan.

Tickets for Dover's second annual race weekend, Sept. 25-27, 2009, will go on sale Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. Returning fans will have the opportunity to renew their same seats for the September 2009 race weekend until Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.

Dover International Speedway continues to offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket options including special three-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality packages, early buy discounts, and a variety of payment plans.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or click here.

World's Most Popular Hockey Mom Sarah Palin to Drop Puck
Palin to Join Flyers Hockey Mom Contest Winner on Ice Before Game
philadelphiaflyers.com

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the nation's most popular hockey mom, will join the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers regional search for the "Ultimate Hockey Mom" contest and drop the puck at the ceremonial opening face-off as the home team Flyers host the New York Rangers at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, October 11 at 7 p.m.

"Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started," said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider who founded the Flyers in 1967. "We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very proud of the publicity she is generating for hockey moms and the sport of hockey."

The Flyers have been searching for the ultimate hockey mom in the Greater Philadelphia Region through an on line contest which asked hockey players or hockey moms themselves to submit their hockey mom poster to the team.

Hockey moms and players were encouraged to submit posters showing their hockey mom pride and their loyalty and dedication to the sport via the team's website, philadelphiaflyers.com, by October 7. The team will award all hockey moms entered into the contest with a free "puck-er peach" lipstick and four tickets to a Philadelphia Phantoms hockey game. The winner will appear on the ice with Palin for opening face-off.

In addition to the in-game recognition, the ultimate hockey mom winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to David J. Witchell Salon and Spa/Insyte Cosmetics, a $500 gift certificate to the Wachovia Center's Fan Gear store, a Hockey Mom Flyers jersey, four tickets to a Phantoms game, skating passes good for any of the four Flyers Skate Zone locations, and a $500 gas card -- a package ultimately totaling over $5,000. Second and third place finishers will receive a $500 gift card to be redeemed at Gear Zone, the hockey pro shop at all four Flyers Skate Zone locations.

Individual home game tickets are on sale now exclusively through ComcastTIX at philadelphiaflyers.com or 1-800-298-4200.

MMA Rated is floating the rumor that UFC 93 from Dublin, Ireland will be shown on a delayed free broadcast on Spike TV on January 17. This makes sense when you consider the UFC's increasingly consistent practice of using UK cards on Spike as a way to pump up forthcoming pay-per-views, such as they're doing later this month with UFC 89 airing for free from England just a week before UFC 90 in Chicago, which you're going to have to pay for.

The only thing that might make us wonder if we won't end up paying $45 for this one is the fact that the main event for 93 is slated to be a light heavyweight clash between Dan Henderson and Rich Franklin. The card is also said to include Mark Coleman and "Shogun" Rua reprising their meeting in Pride, hopefully this time without the freakish injury and ensuing Hammer House-Chute Boxe brawl (Okay, they can brawl again, but only if they have another uncomfortable "apology" backstage afterwards).

Oddly, January 17 is also the date that Affliction was originally rumored to be considering for their second show. That's before Tom Atencio said they had no date and admitted he wanted no part of any direct competition with the UFC, which is perfectly understandable. A free show of that magnitude on the same night would have really put Affliction in a bind, but as of right now it looks like they'll squeak in between the free show from Dublin and a January 31 pay-per-view with (God willing) a Georges St. Pierre-BJ Penn superfight main event.

If this all holds true, UFC 93 might be the best UFC event in a very long time to air for free. And yes, I know Spike TV isn't technically free since it's on cable, but come on. You have internet access but no cable? Dude, you gotta move out of your mom's house. source>>>

There are so many great rivalries is college football. You got Army-Navy, Notre Dame-USC, Ohio State-Michigan, The Border Showdown, and no one can ever forget about The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

So, what is so great about the Red River Rivalry. There are many reasons for why this rivalry is so huge, but here are three very BIG reasons.

1. Tradition of Oklahoma/Texas

The tradition of Oklahoma and Texas football is deep and rich. Oklahoma football has seven national championships and also 41 conference championships. OU also has 144 All-Americans and 4 Heisman Trophy winners. The Sooners hold an NCAA record 47-game winning streak and is the No. 1 of No. 1's with 96 weeks on top of the AP poll.

Texas also has a deep tradition in football. Texas has four national championships, 29 conference championships, and two Heisman Trophy winners. Texas also owns the Red River Rivalry series 57-40-5, but have lost 6 games since 2000.

2. Cotton Bowl

The second reason of why this game is so big is the atmosphere at the Cotton Bowl. Many teams have tried this neutral field games, but none have topped of how big the OU-Texas game is at the Cotton Bowl.

The Cotton Bowl is right in the middle of the Texas State Fair. You have corny dogs, the midway, and all the fried foods that you can eat. When the buses roll in on that fateful Saturday, one side of the street there is OU fans putting the horns down and booing you if you're on the Texas bus.

The other side, Texas fans putting up the horns and booing you if you're on that OU bus. There is no other better feeling in the world as a fan of both teams.

Once you get into the Cotton Bowl stadium, you see what will now be about 92,000 people. One half of the stadium crimson and the other side burnt orange, divided at the 50-yard line.

As a player, it seems like nothing, but as you come out of the tunnel you here the fans of who ever own that side, be it OU or Texas fans. This kind of atmosphere can send chills down your spines. Nothing is better than the OU-Texas game at the Texas State Fair in the Cotton Bowl.

3. Big 12 and National Race

In recent history, the game has become a race for Big 12 and national contention. The winner of the game, since 1999, has gone to the Big 12 Championship game seven times. The only time that was different was Oklahoma going in 2006 after losing to Texas and Texas going in 2001 after losing to Oklahoma.

The teams have been so dominant in the Big 12 Championship game that OU or Texas have lost only three times. That would be Texas in 1999 to Nebraska, Texas in 2001 to Colorado, and Oklahoma to Kansas State in 2003. Every other champion has been to OU or Texas.

The national race also comes into play when OU and Texas have played. OU or Texas has played in the national championship four times. Those teams being OU in 2000, 2003, and 2004 and also Texas in 2005. Out of those games there has been 2 national championships between them. This year will just be as big since OU will go in ranked No. 1 and Texas will go into the game ranked No. 5. source>>>

The Consumer Electronics Association said Tuesday that sales of gadgets are thriving as people hunker down in their homes to weather the brutal economic storm battering world markets.

Sales of flat-panel televisions are up an unwavering 40 percent from last year and the videogame industry is poised to do more business this year-end holiday season than it did in 2007, said CEA economist Shawn DuBravac.

"Consumers are cocooning; hunkering down," DuBravac told AFP.

"And since they are not traveling to see grandma this holiday season they might as well be able to talk to her on the mobile telephone of their choice."

While cutting back on nights out at movie theaters, people are evidently rewarding themselves with electronics that provide more cinematic viewing experiences at home, according to the CEA.

"It seems that part of the story here is that people cutting back and living with 'good enough' everywhere else in their lives figure they might as well enjoy flat-panel televisions and other electronics."

Some industry forecasts cited by the CEA project that consumer electronics sales will be more robust this year-end holiday season than they were last year.

Laptop computers, mobile telephones and satellite-linked navigation devices are among the electronics selling strong as portability remains a lure for gizmo buyers.

"During the past two recessions consumers did cut back on CE (consumer electronics) spending," DuBravac said. "I think we are clearly in the midst of a recession right now and yet we haven't cut back on our CE purchases."

People appear to be shifting discretionary spending from cars, travel or other big ticket items to home electronics gadgets, particularly those that promise to last a few years.

In a promising sign for electronics makers, retailers' inventories are running lean so increases in sales will trigger needs for ordering stock.

DuBravac expects online stores to benefit as people staying at home turn increasingly to the Internet for shopping bargains.

"People spooked by the headlines will be seeking value in online stores," he said. "As people cut back on things like travel and stay at home, some online retail fits nicely into that." source>>>

And welcome back to the continuing saga of Indiana, Kelvin Sampson and justice as dispersed by the NCAA.It all seemed as if things were going to be resolved over the summer, after the hearing before the infraction committee. Indiana voluntarily gave up several scholarships. Then an additional accusation was leveled.

A dreaded "failure to monitor" charge was made against Indiana with regards to the men's basketball program. A charge that could mean additional sanctions and simply a huge black mark at a school that until Sampson had prided itself on following NCAA rules and graduating its players. Indiana made it's response which comes down to two basic points:

1. It is all Kelvin Sampson's fault; and

2. The NCAA is persecuting Indiana because they hired Sampson.

Indiana has put most of the blame for the violations and their failure to notice the violations for a year on Sampson hiding the information from them. This is the biggest shift for Indiana in that they are now outright accusing Sampson of not simply knowingly committing the violations, and misleading investigators. They are saying he purposefully hid and tried to cover his actions and outright lied about it.
Sampson is now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. His only public statement was a short press release through his publicist.

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The Eagles bring the "Long Road Out of Eden" tour to the Forum, 401 Channelside Drive in Tampa on Jan. 29.

"Long Road Out of Eden," released in 2007, was the legendary band's first album of new material in 28 years. It made No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart and has sold more than 7 million copies.

Tickets, $52.25, $72.25, $102.25 and $152.75 plus service charges, go on sale Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. at the box office and Ticketmaster outlets. Prices were not announced by the show's promoter, Live Nation. Call the box office or Ticketmaster. source>>>

Now that attorney's for the state and online gambling websites have made their cases, it has become quite clear what the verdict should be. The online companies have done nothing illegal, but that does not mean the judge will rule in their favor.

In what could be a precedent setting case, the state of Kentucky paraded out a private lawyer to tell their side of the case involving online gambling site domain names. The lawyer argued that what the online sites were doing is illegal and the state should get the rights to the names.

Lawyers for the online sites did their job to the best of their abilities. They struck down the notion that domain names are "devices". That is the term that is allowing the state to bring on the suit in the first place.

The attorney's also brought the Commerce3 Clause of the Constitution into the case. They claim that they are protected under the Clause, which says that states cannot regulate commerce.

The arguments from the online casino companies layers was compelling. They brought up several legal issues that would make it almost impossible for the judge to rule against their clients. That does not mean they will get a favorable verdict, however.

The judge in the case, County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate will now take some time to review the cases that both sides presented. It is expected that he will make a ruling within the next week on the case. source>>>

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear wants to block 141 gambling websites calling them illegal and unregulated. He claims that these online gambling sites are "leeches" to the Kentucky economy, yet Rick Muny, the Kentucky State Director of the Poker Players Alliance, claims his organization has well over 10,000 members in the commonwealth and winning poker players pay state taxes just like everyone else.

"I have to pay taxes on my winnings," Muny pointed out during a Monday press release.

Patrick Gleason of Americans for Tax Reform claims that Kentuckians are paying some of the highest taxes in the country.

"Kentuckians are getting clobbered by taxes," he said. "We need to make Kentucky a better place to live. The Government is squandering taxes on this case."

The Associated Press emphasized that Beshear supports gambling, but opposes Internet gambling.

Beshear, a Democrat, made his support for a constitutional amendment legalizing casino gambling a central focus of his campaign for governor last year. The governor tried and failed earlier this year to get the General Assembly to put a proposed amendment before voters.

Kentucky already allows gambling on horse racing and bingo, and has a state lottery.

Still, Beshear has called the Internet gambling sites targeted by his administration as "leeches on our communities" and acknowledged the move would protect the state's "signature industry."

Louisville NBC affiliate, WAVE 3, interviewed Edward James Leyden, attorney for iMEGA, Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association on Monday following the news conference.

"Nobody has been as reckless as Kentucky has on this."

Leyden, whose group was founded to foster cooperation between the online industry and government at all levels, and to promote innovation, openness and freedom on the Internet, was just one of the lawyers and representatives of 141 gambling web sites being targeted by Beshear who aren't happy to be in the Bluegrass state again.

"Here's how I react to it. Governor Beshear needs to read the constitution," said Leyden.

The group calls the move by the governor unprecedented and an attempt to limit competition in free marketplace.

"They compete with instate interests," Leyden said.

Specifically, the Kentucky Lottery and horse racing. They point to twinspires.com as a site that wasn't on the governor's list. But, Kentucky Justice and Public Safety officials say all the sites on the list operate offshore and are illegal. They say online paramutual wagering, like twinspires.com, is allowed by federal law and is fully regulated.

"I guess the perception is it's just out of staters and it's just people who aren't here in Kentucky, then it's a free ride," said Leyden. source>>>

The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team was picked to finish seventh out of 10 teams in the 2008-09 preseason Ohio Valley Conference poll conducted by a vote of OVC head men's basketball coaches and sports information directors. Meanwhile, senior guard Mike Rose was named to the preseason all-conference team.

Eastern Kentucky returns three starters from last year's squad that tallied 10 OVC victories and finished tied for fifth in the final league standings. Six of the 14 players on the roster are new to the team this season. Eastern added four freshmen and two junior college transfers.

Rose, a native of Naperville, Ill., started all 30 games last year while ranking fifth in the conference in scoring (15.3 ppg), fifth in free throw percentage (81.5 percent) and fourth in steals (1.8 spg). He became the 28th Colonel to reach the 1,000-point plateau when he scored a team-high 21 points at Tennessee Tech on Feb. 2. Rose will be shooting to become the first EKU player to earn back-to-back first team All-OVC accolades since Bruce Jones and James Tillman accomplished the feat in 1979 and 1980.

Murray State was picked as the 2008-09 OVC preseason favorite. The Racers, who received 11 of 20 first-place votes, finished second in the OVC last season (13-7) and return nine players and four starters from the team. UT Martin senior guard Lester Hudson was tabbed OVC Preseason Player of the Year after having an All-American junior season in which he finished fifth nationally in scoring (25.7 ppg).

The Colonels open the 2008-09 schedule on Friday, Nov. 14, at Florida International. Eastern Kentucky compiled a 14-16 record in 2007-08 while posting double-figure league victories for the fourth straight year. source>>>

VTech's Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train(TM) earned a top spot on the Toy Wishes "Hot Dozen" list, announced today during the magazine's holiday preview event at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. The "Hot Dozen" honor recognizes toys expected to be at the top of children's wish lists for the holiday season and is bestowed on the twelve brightest toys of the year. VTech's V-Motion(TM), KidiArt Studio(TM) and Create-A-Story(TM) were also named Toy Wishes "All Stars," given to the year's most influential and innovative toys.
"Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train from VTech was one of our top selections for the Hot Dozen because it provides the age-appropriate, educational learning qualities and value that parents look for when purchasing toys for their children," said Gareb Shamus, Publisher of Toy Wishes. "The Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train is right on trend for the educational toy market this year and clearly earned its place on our Hot Dozen list of this year's best educational and learning toys."
The versatile Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train, for children ages 12 months and up, teaches babies numbers, letters, colors, songs, stories and more with its two learning modes. As a part of VTech's Sit-to-Stand line that grows with babies, this adaptable device can also be used as a ride-on toy. The Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train is on-shelf now and has an ERP of $49.99.
"With award-winning toys like the Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train, VTech continues to be moms' ally by providing age-appropriate products they can feel good about giving to their children because they combine active fun, educational learning qualities and price-value," said Julia Fitzgerald, vice president of marketing, VTech.
Award Winning Choices for Parents
In addition to Toy Wishes "Hot Dozen" and "All Star" awards, several other new VTech toys have won some of the year's most prestigious accolades. All of VTech's newest award-winning toys are available on store shelves.
V-Motion -- Ages 3 to 7 years -- ERP: $69.99
V-Motion merges educational play with motion-activated video gaming to provide an engaging new gaming experience. Kids participate in active gaming while giving their minds a workout, too, incorporating lessons in basic math, reading, science, spelling and more. Additional product details include:
-- Available with eight Smartridges(TM), which are compatible with the entire existing V.Smile Smartridge library.
-- New titles include Kung Fu Panda, WALL*E, and classic friends such as Thomas & Friends, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Dora the Explorer.
-- Motion-activated controller is adaptable to both right- and left-handed play.
-- Includes VTech V.Link(TM) that connects kids to VTech's secure online site for kids to track their scores and unlock bonus gameplay.
In addition to being a Toy Wishes "All Star," V-Motion was featured on Time to Play's "Most Wanted List" and Toys "R" Us "Hot Toy" List. V-Motion is also a recipient of the Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award and The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.
KidiArt Studio(TM) -- Ages 4 & up -- ERP: $79.99
This interactive art console is a perfect "junior Photoshop" that allows kids to create, edit and display their work on the TV. Through its built-in digital camera, kids can capture images, create stop motion animations and personalize their images with wacky effects and frames. In the PC-connect mode, creations can be saved, shared or printed. Additionally, custom e-cards can be created for family and friends!
In addition to being a Toy Wishes "All Star," KidiArt Studio awards include Creative Child 2008 Toy of the Year Award, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Honors Award and The Toy Book/Redbook's Toy Insider "HOT 20
Create-A-Story(TM) -- Ages 3 to 5 years -- ERP: $49.99
Create-A-Story inspires creativity by enabling children to build their own story. They can choose from favorite Disney and DisneyPixar characters (including My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Cars, Finding Nemo and Disney Princess), develop the storyline and watch and listen as their very own story comes to life when connected to a TV.
Through this portable magical storyteller, kids also can touch the book pages with the attached stylus to hear a story read aloud or participate in activities associated with reading comprehension skills including phonics, sentence building and word recognition.
In addition to being a Toy Wishes "All Star," Create-A-Story has received the Creative Child Preferred Choice Award and iParenting Outstanding Products Award.
Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train(TM) -- Ages 12 months & up -- ERP: $49.99
With 26 double-sided letter blocks, a motion sensor, ride-on carriage, a drop-space for sending blocks from train to carriage and a moveable elephant character, babies are easily engaged with the Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train. Five colorful piano keys teach numbers and colors while the 12-page book with six flipping pages teaches letters. Featuring two learning modes, walker mode and discovery mode, the train can be used alone for floor play, pushed along as a walker or the child can ride on the train.
In addition to being named a Toy Wishes "All Star," the Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train also was named to The Toy Book/Redbook's Toy Insider "HOT 20 Toys for the Holidays."
ABOUT VTECH
VTech, the creator of the Electronic Learning Products (ELP) Category and the award-winning V.Smile TV Learning System, is a world leader of age-appropriate learning toys. Since 1976, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children's development, from birth to preteen, through fun and smart play.
VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Ill. VTech Electronics Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
For more information on the Whiz Kid PC Learning System, Kidizoom Camera and V.Smile TV Learning System and VTech's additional product lines, visit http://www.vtechkids.com. source>>>