Minor nitpick on John Kerry's speech this morning to the International Association of Fire Fighters. But then again, that's what blogs are for. Kerry said:

"September 11th, the day that so many of America’s finest rushed into burning towers so that others could rush out. They didn’t ask questions. They didn’t look back. And three hundred and forty-three of them made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage lifted our nation."

America's finest refers to the NY Police Department. The NY Fire Department is commonly referred to as America's bravest. The two departments often hold athletic competitions and other events which are labeled as "The Finest vs The Bravest". 343 is indeed the number of firefighters only who died on that day.

Kerry's slip would be like calling the Mets the Bronx Bombers. Or something like that. In front of a Boston crowd which knows the difference.