1, 2, 3, Currahee

About a year ago my father died and over this past year, not a day has gone by that I didn't think of him. Sometimes those thoughts would bring pain, other times joy. Today I was checking out the blogs looking for something interesting to read/watch when I found a post on iOwntherworld. The title was Currahee, and I immediately smiled.

Before even watching the video in the post, I was already thinking of my father proudly. For those who don't know, not that you would, my father was in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. More specifically, he was an artilleryman on FSP Ripcord in 1970. It is an honor to have had a father that fought with "The Stand Alone Battalion", 2nd Battalion (Currahees), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).

I also think that my father would be happy and honored to know that the Curahees are still amazing soldiers who defy all the odds.

Get your tissues ready...



1, 2, 3 Currahee!!

A Smart Band with SmartphonesGiving Techno a New Meaning

h/t to Instupundit

Having had their instruments "stolen", Atomic Tom decided to put on an impromptu concert with their iPhones.



I have been to far worse concerts.

Consider this an open thread.

Aaron B. Gardner

Imagine a JumpSaturday Open Thread

This is a mashup of Imagine by John Lennon and Jump by Van Halen. As odd as that may sound, it's actually pretty dang brilliant.

Enjoy...




Aaron B. Gardner

New Background on the Site.

I know it is probably such a subtle change that my 3 readers didn't even notice, but I changed the background just now.

It used to be a stock woodsy photo all blurred up. I didn't like it but it was a close in stock match for a Vermont feel when I first revamped this blog.

I decided to change it, and start blogging here again, earlier this week when I took this picture just down the road from where I live.



Living here certainly has it's benefits. I get to see some of God's great handiwork every day.

I am truly blessed.

Aaron B. Gardner

Still, another new ad from @ChristineOD #DESen

In this ad Christine O'Donnell, Republican candidate for Delaware Senate, has a Wilmington City Councilman talk about Chris "The Bearded Marxist" Coons tax policy.







Go Christine!



Aaron B. Gardner

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/bQcxgL

Delaware's Problem Isn't Christine O'Donnell.If I lived in Delaware I would be looking for Tom Ross' replacement.

I know that it's become popular to get all down in the dumps about the Delaware Senate race. I know that it's all a "done deal" and no amount of campaigning or prodding can change the outcome. The die has been cast.

Alea iacta est.

These words were made famous when Julius Caesar spoke them as he led his army across the Rubicon. Caesar was now in direct defiance and civil war and past the point of no return.

O'Donnell won her primary despite the best efforts of the Delaware GOP and Castle. This race was a contentious one and it has been, more than any other, like a civil war between the moderate and conservative factions of the party.

Since her win she has largely been on her own, still fighting the smears on the left and the potshots from the right. She has had to do all the post primary work, like reuniting the party, without the assistance of the State party. Despite this she has launched what I think is a good ad campaign combined with mailings. She also beat Coons in back to back debates in a matter of 24 hours.

At this point, two weeks out from election day and 2 debates left, a new Rasmussen poll shows Coons at 51% and O'Donnell at 40%.

Now ask yourself this.

If the Delaware GOP had held just one event for O'Donnell since the primary, could this race be closer?

If the Delaware GOP had posted a full throated endorsement of O'Donnell, might that have caused this race to tighten?

Peter Shumlin (D) Drops in on Brian Dubie's Campaign HQ. #VTGov #RGA

I bet Shumlin thought it would be really clever to bring T.V. cameras down to Dubie campaign HQ 45 minutes prior to a debate. I also bet he didn't expect to be engaged in a losing debate with one of the campaign workers.







Oops. Thanks for the donuts though, in fact, that inspired the VT GOP to ask for 12 dollar donations to honor the dozen donut debate.



Well played Peter, well played.



Aaron B. Gardner



P.S. Dubie for Vermont.



P.P.S. Phil Scott too.



P.P.P.S Did I mention Len Britton for Senate?

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/92Mg8H

Democrats for Brian Dubie #VTGot

I certainly hope that Brian wins this, along with Phil Scott as Lt. Gov and a few good recruits running for the State legislature. It's possible we could see Vermont begin it's long climb out of its malaise.



Aaron B. Gardner

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/93RCdA

Republicans hitting their media stride. Two examples, Buck and Miller. #AKSen #COSen

Both of which are backed by Sen. DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund.



First up is Ken Buck, Republican challenger to incumbent Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet:







This ad had an almost Gahndi like message to it. "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.” Buck reminds me of the happy conservatives of old, Reagan and Kemp style. I think the people of Colorado will be very responsive to this ad. Well done Buck.



Next up is Joe Miller, Republican challenger to Democrat Scott Adams and incumbent Senator - and traitor to her party, - Lisa "Princess" Murkowski:







Joe is having a good time here. The Old Spice ads have become an instant classic in pop culture and capitalizing on that is a smart move by the Miller campaign. Smacking around Murkowski for her entitlement attitude was just icing on top of this already delicious cake. Well played Joe.



Seeing these ads come from these two candidates is no surprise. After all, like I noted above, they are backed by Sen. DeMint and his Senate Conservatives Fund.



Aaron B. Gardner

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/b8V9ik