The next generation of American Veterans is on its way home. Over 1.3 million American troops have already served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and tens of thousands more will return from combat over the years to come. After these young men and women put away their uniforms, they will still be coping with the consequences of years spent at war.

When these conflicts have faded from the headlines, will we, as Americans, continue to honor our yellow-ribbon commitment to "Support the Troops"? Already there are many disturbing signs that we are not prepared to meet that obligation.

A classic choreography -- the underdog proposes frequent debates; the frontrunner ignores.  Why legitimize the opponent?  Why put yourself in a position to screw up?  Suozzi's so far behind in money and the polls that Spitzer's strategy is smart.

But Suozzi's for real -- a real reformer with a real record, articulate, ambitious, relentless.  He's presenting a real policy and program agenda, forcing Spitzer to grapple with meaningful State issues -- Medicaid, property taxes, school funding.

Spitzer should thank Suozzi; like a prizefighter, a candidate needs a tuneup and a good sparring partner to make you tougher, sharper.  Better to take some lumps now rather than find out you can't take body punches or have a glass chin in the main event.  For Suozzi, he can't win with the current dynamic; he needs to change it.

If the last year hasn’t persuaded you that we need to start using ferries more in New York, you haven’t been paying attention.

Each transit emergency – the Roosevelt Island tram, the crippling transit worker strike, the terrorist attack against London’s underground, the track fire that knocked out major parts of the A and C train service - reminds us that we need to begin to do what practically every other water borne major city has done – get on the boats.  A fleet of ferries and a collection of landings would provide redundancy and security on bad days and ease traffic and smog everyday.