Blue meanings

Mark Helprin wants the red/blue state nomenclature reversed, because red was the color of Communism. A waste of op-ed space, that, but while he's seeing red, I'll note that blue has been the color representing all sorts of things, including the U.N., IBM, royalty, depression, manual labor and, in Iran, mourning. Be careful what associations you demand, Mr. Helprin. And if red symbolizes fervor: if the shoe fits, wear it.