Harwood Reflects On The False Start of 9/11
Monday, September 19, 2005
(The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation)As the nation recognized the anniversary of the
attacks of 9/11, Richard C. Harwood shared his
thoughts with Jonathan Riskind in a feature
article in the Columbus Dispatch: "As debate
continues about the wisdom and efficacy of
Bushís decisions, leaders from both parties
failed to carry out their post-9/11 promise to
unite for a more civil, constructive and
engaged society," said Richard Harwood,
president of the Washington area Harwood
Institute of Public Innovation. "Elected
leaders and the media quickly returned to
polarizing politics, and regular citizens
lapsed into a consumer mentality of 'me for me'
after 9/11, leaving little time for helping
others," Harwood said. ëëWhat 9/11 did was
serve as a wakeup call, and people thought it
would shake Americans out of their doldrums and
improve politics and news-media coverage,"
Harwood said. ëëBut that was a false start.
There has been a damning effect on public life
because there is nothing worse than false
hope."
More of Harwood's reflection on
our ability to move our nation forward in the
face of tragedies such as 9/11 and Katrina can
be found on his Redeeming Hope Weblog. Click here for the latest
entry.