Crisis of Confidence in Direction of U.S. an Opportunity for Progressive Change

Interview with Kevin Danaher, co-founder of the human rights group Global Exchange, conducted by Scott Harris

President Bush's lack of leadership after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast, appears to have been a tipping point for many Americans in their dissatisfaction with the direction of the nation. A Washington Post/ ABC News poll found that 54% disapprove of the way Mr. Bush is handling the recovery from the hurricane and 57% disapprove of his overall performance as commander and chief. The poll found that among African Americans 63% believe that the problems with hurricane relief are an indication of racial inequality in the country.

The president's mother Barbara Bush shocked the nation with comments made at facilities in Houston's Astrodome, set up for evacuees who lost homes and loved ones to the storm. The former First Lady told a reporter that, "many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this, this is working very well for them." Despite the resignation of Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown, there is a widely held perception that Mr. Bush will never admit to a mistake and holds no one in his administration accountable for their failures.

With the growing perception that Mr. Bush is disconnected from the realities confronting average people here in the U.S. and increasing opposition to the war in Iraq, many Americans are searching for answers, or at least new leadership. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Kevin Danaher, co-founder of the human rights group Global Exchange. He looks at America's crisis atmosphere, and what he sees as the role of the progressive peace and social justice movement in this moment in history.

Contact Global Exchange by calling 1-800 497-1994 or visit their website at: www.globalexchange.org

Related links:

GreenFestivals.org www.greenfestivals.org

RebuildGreen.org www.rebuildgreen.org

Globalcitizencenter.org www.globalcitizencenter.org

Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief "As Bodies Recovered, Reporters are Told 'No Photos, No Stories,'" by Cecilia M. Vega, The San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 13, 2005

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