As you might imagine, I was quite pleased with the outcome of last week's election.

President Bush finally won the popular vote (you can't call him illegitimate anymore!), the Republicans expanded their majorities in the House and Senate, and, probably symbolic of our Democratic friends' demise, Tom Daschle, the Minority Leader from South Dakota, had his 18 year career in the Senate come to an abrupt end courtesy of his Republican challenger, John Thune.

What joy!

But I can only imagine the disappointment and angst and despair and on and on of those who didn't vote for W.

I recall sitting in my 10:10 class last Wednesday morning with the election all but over, looking at the faces of those I know who voted for the Kerry-Edwards ticket and I noticed, as I jotted in my notes, "a quiet depression" and "glumness" among those students. I thought, as Jerry Seinfeld might snidely put it to those whom some sort of misfortune fell upon, "that's a shame."

When I got back to my apartment after class, I turned on the news to hear that Senator Kerry had called President Bush to concede the election. Not really surprised, but happy that the Democratic candidate chose not to drag the country through another Florida-2000-fiasco in Ohio, I wanted to get the pulse of those who voted for the senator.

What better way to find out than to check instant messenger away messages. As my editor likes to say, AOL profiles are ideal for political speak. And, boy-oh-boy, were they angry. I recall many saying they were "ashamed" to be an American. One message declared that "America is a f***ing joke." Others noted the real estate prospects in Canada.

And since last Wednesday, I've read various letters to the editor in this newspaper lamenting, among many other things, that America is one step away from fascism and that George W. Bush is solely responsible for the demise of our democracy.

New York Times columnists Maureen Dowd and Paul Krugman warned us of impending theocratic rule à la Iran and author Jane Smiley wrote on Slate.com that the 59 or so million Americans who voted for the president are basically ignorant, Bible-thumping boobs.

Going a step further, a youthful protester in San Francisco the day after the election proudly held a sign that had a pleasant message to the Red States: "F*** MIDDLE AMERICA." How kind. And tell me why I've already quoted the F-bomb twice in this column so far?

Now there is a certain point to which you can just laugh this crap (because that's what it is) off. But after awhile, this relentless vitriol becomes downright offensive. That being said, I'd like to take this opportunity to use my soap box as a Collegian columnist to offer some advice to our fellow Democratic partisans here on campus.

First, if your heart desires, go ahead and contact the nearest Canadian consulate to inquire about the immigration process. Second, if you do want to stay in the U.S. and chose to continue venting, then by all means, rage on. But you'll find out that this vapid anger and uncontrollable hatred of the opposition party and its leader won't help you guys win an election anytime soon.

Thirdly, and this is the advice I hope you most seriously consider: begin, or at least try to recognize that the majority of Americans don't see the world as you see it. Do not make the lame excuse of blaming Red State voters of ignorance and intolerance.

Rather, educate yourselves to understand the nature of the Red State voter. Why do they attend church more often than Blue Staters and why is it such an integral part of their lives? Why do they see the American military as a force for good in the world rather than a tool for capitalist imperialism? Why do they trust themselves more than the government to accumulate personal wealth and economic advancement? Why do straight-talk and character matter much more than nuance and elitism?

Indeed, as Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center reported on PBS's NewsHour, "Every single element in this campaign that related to leadership and character, President Bush won by an 8-1 margin." That certainly says it all.

I know many politically opposite of me love to talk about "understanding." "We have to 'understand' why they [the Islamic terrorists] hate us," is the usual line.

How about instead of trying to figure out why those people want to kill us, try making the effort to get to know your fellow citizens a little better. Maybe then, we can take some steps toward some semblance of "unity."

But for the time being get used to Red and Blue America.