It's always hard to put things in perspective, but after the events of Sept. 11, at least now we know how.

Just think where we stood as a nation just 10 short months ago. We, as a nation, stood divided as to whom we wanted to run our country. Bickering and partisan complaining became commonplace, as it took over a month to officially declare George W. Bush as the 43rd President of the United States. Every day, we would hear on the news about some effort to get ballots recounted or to prevent them from getting recounted.

Doesn't it all seem so petty now?

I firmly believe that where we stand as a nation today, Oct. 9, 2001, is significantly above and beyond where we stood in early November.

Of course, it helps to add a little perspective.

Obviously, when we all lined up at the voting booths, we didn't think of who we would want to lead our nation through a tragedy such as this. If you did, congratulations, you're a psychic (or a pessimist).

But because of what has happened, both on Sept. 11 and the retaliation on Oct. 7 (and beyond), a certifiable majority of the US population now stands behind our president, regardless of who they voted for on Nov. 7, 2000. We (the majority) stand behind his actions because we all stand unified behind an overwhelmingly popular cause — ending the threat of terrorism in order to protect the innocent civilians of the United States of America and nations across the globe.

But the U.S. stands at the center of this movement, for many reasons. And as the central nation in this movement, we, as voters, represent a powerful force, whether we know it or not. We (ideally) make educated decisions as to whom we would like to represent the focal point of the modern free world. Whether Democrat or Republican, we choose who we feel will best lead the country.

For the most part — but with some rare exceptions — we vote along party lines. Democrats vote for Democratic candidates, Republicans vote for Republican candidates, and so on.

However, because of the events of the past month, bickering has subsided, and partisanship has fallen by the wayside. Democrats are supporting a Republican president at an astounding rate. Congressmen and women of any political affiliation gathered to sing "God Bless America" on the steps of the United States capitol. Political parties have more or less united as one.

Of course, perspective accounts for most of that.

Coming to this school from my vastly Democratic home state of Massachusetts, it was extremely easy for me to be freaked out at the prospect of having a Republican president for four years. I know the election results were a lot easier to swallow for much of the Notre Dame community, but for me, I wasn't concerned with how anyone else felt about it.

When it was officially decided on Dec. 13, 2000, that Mr. Bush would be leading our country until 2004, I couldn't fathom even agreeing with a single thing that he would propose. It would seem preposterous to concede anything to a Republican.

Of course, then I added perspective.

Contact Bryan Kronk at bkronk@nd.edu.

• Bush earns respect