Thanks for Setting Us Straight, Senator Kerry

With one week left until Americans go to the polls to determine the direction our country will head, many were all atwitter at the prospect of seeing a Democrat-controlled House and/or Senate. The prospect of a Democrat-controlled anything in Washington kind of does that on its own. But with so much at stake, with boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the prospect of making some tax cuts permanent, a horse change now seemed, well, monumental.

And then along comes that scholar of scholars, that master communicator, Senator John Kerry.

In case you didn't catch it, Senator Kerry was speaking to students this week at Pasadena City College while campaigning for California gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides. Speaking about the importance of an education, Kerry told students, "you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Wow. That really blessed me.

I didn't serve in the military; I went straight through to college and seminary for eight years. I studied hard. I did my homework. I made an effort to be smart. I don't know how well I'm doing, and I don't know how smart I really am; but Senator Kerry really made me feel good. I'm doing well. Yippee!

Since I am doing well by Senator Kerry's standards, and I am smart by virtue of the fact that I am educated, let me tell you who I really admire and respect.

That would be every man and woman that is serving in our military.

I have yet to meet a dumb Marine. Anywhere. Anytime. Period. Including those who have done a tour or two in Iraq.

I have known men in the Navy who work on nuclear submarines. The things they have to know, the stuff they have to memorize and understand, go right over my head. They're smart, too. Not only that, but anyone who has served on a United States Naval ship has to be more than a little familiar with a number of sciences. That counts me out.

I have known a number of guys who have served and are serving in the Air Force. Uh, I don't want to get into any academic competition with them.

I have known men who have served in the Army who have forgotten more than I'll know. I don't want to get into any battle, much less a battle of wits, with any of these guys.

But since Senator Kerry's definition of smart makes me that way, let me say with all of the intelligence I can muster: Our United States military personnel are among the brightest, the bravest, the most dedicated and faithful our country has to offer.

There. You can take that to the bank. Because it comes from someone who is smart, by John Kerry's standards.

Peace