BLUE HORIZONS

PRESIDENT BUSH began his second term this week. But liberalsshould stop looking so blue, no matter how bad they feel. In threeyears there will be another presidential election - not that muchtime to raise money, debate issues, and field candidates - and thecountry needs energetic, positive citizens now to start building forthe future.

That means extending a welcoming hand to fellow voters in what hasbeen labeled "Red America" - and not wearing a "Count Me Blue"bracelet while making the gesture.

The bracelets being sold on the Internet are part of what might beconsidered the grieving process for those who voted for John Kerry.The feeling is understandable, particularly when many people haven'tyet let go of the 2000 election - and some never will.

But a badge boasting divisiveness will not build bridges. "Thevote is not over," shouts the "Count Me Blue" website started by NewYorker Berns Rothchild, who invites people to buy a bracelet toexpress dissent and to "join with others in refusing to give in orgive up."

Laura Adams of Fairway, Kan., is selling blue bracelets that say"Hope," while Brenda McKnight and her family in Moscow, Idaho, areselling black bands that say "I Did Not Vote 4 Bush."

Americans love to tell each other exactly where they stand, andresponsible protest makes a democracy strong. But the bracelets -another iteration of the craze started by cyclist Lance Armstrong'syellow bands in support of cancer research - signal membership in aclub that is talking primarily to itself.

More important than making a statement about last November is theneed to talk about the future and how people of differing politicalviews might find common ground. That ground might include working tochange tax policies favoring wealthy Americans so the country canprovide essential services and not burden the next generation withdebt.

That ground might include better stewardship of precious naturalresources that can never be replaced and the promotion of globalpolicies that would make America more than a feared superpower andexpand its role as a leading world citizen.

Dialogues on the polarizing social issues, the separation ofchurch and state, privacy rights, and gun control might also helpopposing sides to at least hear each other as individuals rather thanas hated manifestos.

Sporting a bracelet, boycotting the American economy on "Not OneDamn Dime Day," escaping on a cruise for the inauguration, or joiningthe "Turn Your Back on Bush" movement during the inaugural parade mayhave allowed the disenchanted to vent but not to change minds.

America needs to move beyond red and blue and press for a nationunited under a bolder, more inclusive vision.