No divine intervention: Starting the faith initiative again. (General Ramblings).

The White House's version of the faith-based initiative, while noble in concept and ideal, is the government's answer to the Edsel. The public just didn't buy it. And like the Edsel -- which was actually a division of Ford with seven models - moving the various pieces to several agencies, won't make the engine run better.

There is simply too much weight for an undersized engine to pull.

In the year since President Bush signed the executive order opening the Office of Community and Faith Based Initiatives, the White House has been overwhelmed with requests. The good folks charged with running the operation weren't even in place before the deluge. And, after just six months the very public director couldn't take it any longer and moved home to Pennsylvania.

The responsibilities are being scrambled among governmental offices and quasi-governmental agencies. But, no matter how many models - this is still a charitable Edsel.

Plain and simply, a good-hearted president didn't realize the furor the plan would create.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a fine place for the volunteer aspect of President Bush's plan to land. But, the guidelines for awarding government contracts are going to set off a jihad. In an election year, members of the House of Representative are not going to want to deal with enabling legislation.

One of the more interesting spectator sports in all of this has been watching some of the religious leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Roberton, the mission of whom would benefit from easier access to Uncle Sam's check book. God forbid, pardon the expression, an organization not viewed as righteous as thee should be able to drink from the chalice. If the folks who are to deliver the services can't stop wrestling for the money, an up for re-election Congress probably won't help them, even though Sen Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) is working with the White House on compromise legislation.

This isn't that hard. Make getting government money for social service a level playing field. Just as secular organizations have to open their books - all of them - so must the religious organizations that accept government assistance. And, obviously, the proselytizing can't occur. Look at it this way, a guy driving his Edsel gets lost and goes into a bar to make a telephone call for directions. He gets directions and moves on. He knew the bar sold beer, he just decided not to partake. The next driver just may wet his whistle.

The very public black eyes that the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have received in the wake of the September 11 attacks show the new level of accountability the public expects from charities. In the case of the Salvation Army, it was doing what it said it would; it just wasn't fast enough to some people's liking.

It's really all about bad communication. Here are a couple of concepts to consider.

The running tote board of how much was raised really hurt the sector. Charitable officials love to announce how much has been pledged. But, it's a dark secret kept from the general public that the full amount is received in 1 in 100 cases.

The fact is that people pledge money and then don't send the check.

Depending on whom you believe, between 10 percent and 25 percent of the money pledged for September 11 charities was never sent. Yet, the public expects the entire amount announced to be spent.

Charities should announce two figures, the pledges and the amount received. That not only tells people where the fund stands, it may spur those who have pledged and not sent the check to do so. And seeing the shortfall may encourage others to give.

And, when an announcement is made about services, make sure you can actually deliver in a timely fashion.

Good intentions are no longer enough.