There are more than a few Republicans and conservative talk show hosts that are criticizing Senator John McCain for running a "respectful campaign".  By now you probably have already heard about an ad produced by the North Carolina Republican Party that hammers Obama.  If you are not familiar with the ad, you can watch it below...

“We called and asked them not to run that message. It’s not the message of the Republican Party. It’s not the message of my campaign. I’ve pledged to conduct a respectful campaign,” McCain said during a press conference Wednesday. “I can’t dictate to them but I want to be the candidate of everybody. I want to be the candidate of Republicans and Democrats and Independents and people across the political spectrum and I think that by traveling America and listening and learning as well as portraying my vision for the future, I’m going to attract a large number of independents and democrats into our cause because right now the cause is America and right now the cause is that Americans want us to work together to solve these enormous challenges that we face today.” 

Looks like John McCain upset some Republicans and talk radio hosts (big surprise).  They view his tactic as weak and think McCain join in with the "bashing".  I can see how they may feel that way, however, look at all the criticism the Democrats are getting about their ultra-negative campaigning.  No, I think McCain knows exactly what he is doing.  As a good military man, he is waiting for the right time to strike.  He hasn't seen the "whites of their eyes" yet.  I believe he is playing a strategic move.  I think he is waiting for the Democratic candidate to draw first blood before he unleashes the McCain fury.  That way it will look like the Dems are the agressors.  However, the Surrendar Party better stand by because when McCain decides to strike back, it could be ugly!

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Boomer
Right Wing Squadron 

Well, it's not Squadron Commander Boomer.  In fact, it isn't even one of his wing men, but it is an interesting concept that may make inserting troops by parachute obsolete.

The vehicle is called the Gryphon and weighs only 30 lbs.  If has a 6 ft wingspan and can carry 100 lbs of combat gear.  Using the Gryphon, soldiers can make jumps at 30,000 ft. and travel at speeds of around 130 knots.

Typical high altitude, high-opening, or HAHO, jumps from around 27,000 feet allow soldiers to travel only about 30 miles after exiting the aircraft.  However, The Gryphon could increase that range fourfold, creating an attack corridor of nearly 125 miles. Unaffected by headwinds or crosswinds because of its favorable lift-to-drag ratio, the glider would allow elite units to reach targets with increased speed, precision and stealth.

The Gryphon’s built-in oxygen supply system allows soldiers to jump from up to 30,000 feet. And with temperatures at that altitude sometimes reaching minus 64 degrees Fahrenheit, every second counts. Even in upwind conditions, the Gryphon could reduce HAHO jump duration to a third, from an average of 45 minutes to just 15, vastly reducing the risk of exposure to extreme cold.

When I first saw the Gryphon and read it's capabilities I thought, "they must be kidding".  However, they are serious and the more I considered it, the more I saw the value of vehicle.  I think, though, that there are other considerations like cost, how to ditch the glider so as not to be "re-used' by the enemy, how the size of the unit will effect the amount of troops that can be loaded into the aircraft, etc.  Ok, so maybe the Gryphon is not ready for prime time just yet.  We'll have to keep an eye out for further developments.

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Boomer
Right Wing Squadron