Posted 1/14/2005 05:25:00 PM by Douglas

Before the yellow "LiveStrong" wristband became totally ubiquitous, I thought it was a good idea, but I was under the impression that it was for cancer research. At first, most people I saw wearing them were athletes, cyclists specifically. But since most Americans have the attention span of a hungry Chihuahua with ADHD, it didn't take long to turn the yellow wrist band into a meaningless fad (and a DNR order, in some places). But that wasn't enough. Of course, a collective light bulb simultaneously went on over the heads of countless symbol-minded Americans. Not content to simply rely on trendy wrist apparel to show support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, they thought quietly to themselves, "how else can I display my one-dimensional personality to the rest of the world that doesn't involve a cap or a T-shirt?" Well that's just the kind of forward thinking that made America great!

After spending 10 days in London with friends who were outspoken about their disdain for President Bush's policies, Berns Rothchild came home wishing she had a way to show the world she didn't vote for him.

"I sort of felt ashamed, and didn't really want to be associated with being an American," said Rothchild, who lives in New York City and voted for John Kerry.

Her mother had a suggestion: bracelets, inspired by the Lance Armstrong Foundation's popular "LIVESTRONG" bands, that would signal opposition to Bush.

Finally, an idea who's time has come: When your bumper sticker just isn't adequate for displaying your political beliefs, and your "Bush Sucks" T-shirt is just a bit too gauche. Now you can have your very own blue bracelet. Or, if you think the "Count me Blue" moniker is too vague, how 'bout the more subtle hope approach? Or, if you're a New Yorker and you'd like something to go with that black turtleneck you got for Christmas, you can't go wrong with this one: It shows your disdain for the Bush Administration, and it goes with everything!

But what if you actually voted for Bush? Is there anyway you can show your support for the President when you're away from your "I support our troops" magnet on your SUV? You betcha.

And of course, you can also show your support for breast cancer research (I think) with a pink wristband.

Where's this all going? I don't know, but I can imagine a day in the not too distant future, when everyone's wrists are covered with silicone bands in every color, each one more earth-shatteringly important than the other. So get started with the new idea/color. You can order 'em here (or here) and there's a price break when you buy 50,000.