[editor's note, by Nuclear Tea Party] The quotes included in this diary were paraphrases and not exact quotes because there was no transcript at the time this was written. To see the interview transcript,
Click Here.
Today, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) went on CNN to talk about his bill that would create a new "Department of Peace", which would deal with problems such as spousal abuse and gangs on the domestic level to international issues such as conflict resolution and human rights. Congressman Kucinich also explained the purpose of the proposed department as distinct from the State Department; whereas the state department's purpose is to further US interests in the world, the Department of Peace would attempt to advance the cause of world peace by working with other nations to prevent an outbreak of armed conflict.
More below the fold...
dopcampaign.org (a pro-Department of Peace group) estimates that the department would cost
$8 billion, 2% of the $400 billion spent annually by the Department of Defense. The department would also establish a US Peace Academy that would teach effective methods of conflict resolution and would require graduates to complete 5 years of peace related public service afterwards. The purpose of the department would be to establish that "violence and war are not inevitable," and "peace is inevitable if we all work for peace."
Of course there are going to be some people who consider Kuchinich's idea to be hippie crap (and my favorite, the infamous "Woodstock Myths"), but i would like to hear more from everyone out their on what they think. Personally, I think its a good idea, but im not sold on how effective this department would be, and concerned about the bill's plan to move the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to the proposed Peace Department. The bill will be re-introduced September 13, 2005. To view the bill, Click Here. And check out Kucinich's page on it. Any comments?
Update [2005-4-14 20:47:51 by Nuclear Tea Party]: Here is the transcript from Rep. Kucinich's interview on CNN.