This is a fascinating story, not only because of the resignations, but also because the resignations tell us a great deal about how the Bush gang operates.
Nearly all the religious leaders serving on a committee created by the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to disburse money to churches destroyed by Hurricane Katrina have quit their posts, claiming their advice was ignored.
Four of nine board members confirmed their resignations on Thursday. Last week, two others — Bishop T.D. Jakes, the prominent Dallas megachurch pastor, and the Rev. William H. Gray III, former president of the United Negro College Fund — resigned as co-chairs.
And Gray and Jakes say they have received the resignation letter of a seventh board member, the Rev. William Shaw, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA. He did not immediately return a phone call Thursday night.
In the religious community, these are some of the biggest heavy-hitters the White House could find. Bush brought them in, apparently, for public relations purposes. These pastors thought they could help make a difference, they offered sensible recommendations, and the president's aides proceeded to blow them off. To their credit, the religious leaders decided to resign rather than give Bush cover.
As Gray told the AP, "I've learned in life that if people say they want your advice and then they change it, ignore it, or undermine it, then they really don't want it."
The conflict between the ministers and the Bush gang started over a simple question of accountability. (
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