Well, it looks like Sen. Kerry will be left with a lot of time on his hands between now and Tuesday. Is this the season for wind-surfing? Maybe he could use that favorite pastime to fill up all the spaces where he was supposed to be out stumping for all the Democratic candidates planning to sweep into office next week. Better yet, perhaps he could spend some time talking to cadets at the AF and Naval Academies, or emailing with some of the young men in Iraq and Afghanistan who are working on their graduate degrees over email, or meet with a group of military spouses who worked to put their husbands/wives through school to finish up degrees that will help insure future promotions and elevate their value to their country. Maybe we could put him in touch with some of my husband's ROTC students at Notre Dame who graduated in the late 80's and early 90's with degrees in engineering, pre-med, pre-law and went on to become doctors, lawyers, scientists, researchers, etc. while on active duty. These young men and women are now lieutenant colonels for the most part, serving the US all over the world, including Iraq. They are not "stuck" anywhere; they form the backbone of the force that protects us, defends us, and makes us proud.

Senator, if you need any help getting in touch with any of these folks, let me know. I know that your contacts with the military are "iffy" these days and you might need a go-between to smooth the way after the storm of the past 24 hours. If you really want to make amends, I'll see what I can do.