Finding Hope in Hard Times

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Code Pink, the new movement shaking things up across America described by Utne chair Nina Utne on page 66, is one example of how passionate, playful political engagement can stir the souls of Americans. We also take a look at unexpected developments on the right, as a number of professed conservatives embrace ecology and simple living, while others denounce corporate greed and Bush’s militarism (see page 70). And suburbia, long seen as the heart of American conservatism, also gets a close examination in our special section (see page 46). One surprising conclusion is that the majority of American suburbanites have more in common with inner-city residents than with the country club crowd—and therefore benefit from progressive public policies that promote economic equity. Who knows, perhaps someday we’ll see protest marches winding through cul-de-sacs and activist groups setting up shop in remodeled fast food joints?

This issue of Utne was conceived as an antidote to the gloom that can overtake many of us at the breakfast table. The ideas and people highlighted here offer hope that we’ll soon have something to cheer about in the morning headlines.

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