How many DUer's would apply for work at Department of Peace?

[bobthedrummer]

Poll question: How many DUer's would apply for work at Department of Peace?

What job skills would be needed? This poll is what people everywhere want to have. It is time for a real deal.

Post your comments on establishing a Department of Peace.

[bobthedrummer]

1. kick n/t

:dem:

[Syn_Dem]

2. kick

:kick:

[JohnKleeb]

3. yeah I would probably

I dont know what I would do but I envision it would be a nice job,

[jhfenton]

4. It's a laughable idea (eom)

[bobthedrummer]

5. PEACE

is a laughable idea?

Could you please elaborate?

[bobthedrummer]

6. Dennis Kucinich link for informational purposes

http://www.kucinich.us/

[JohnKleeb]

7. yes please

please explain why to dream to avoid wars and destruction is laughable. Some called Wilson crazy with the League of Nations, the UN, and now a department of peace let us dream for this peace is a beautiful thing.

[jhfenton]

19. I didn't say that "peace" is a laughable idea...

just that a federal Department of Peace is a laughable idea.

That's just what we need, another government bureaucracy, this one a touchy-feely agency seeking "the transformation of our society, to make non-violence an organizing principle, to make war archaic through creating a paradigm shift in our culture for human development for economic and political justice and for violence control."

That strikes me as either hopelessly naive or as a pointless salve for anti-American guilt.

[bobthedrummer]

22. Well HOMELAND SECURITY is the largest bureaucratic shakeup

since just after WWII. And the DoD is in the process of Force Transformation with plans for joint service battlegroups and questionable weapons systems and who knows what else.

The DoD "lost" $1,000,000,000,000 from it's budget, it's unaccountably gone, the War on Terror has already plunged our economy from the surplus of President Clinton to a staggering deficit.

So, as I understand your post, and if you are a Democratic 4th Ward Norwood, Ohio City Council member that you had in your DU profile your objection is based upon your perception of a junior ranking minority member of a US Congress Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs as, by extrapolation, being hopelessly naive for wanting to seek peaceful ways for conflict resolution? Insinuating some undercurrent of anti-Americanism in an elected Ohio Democratic Congressman that is a candidate for President?

Wow, that's way out of my league, if true.

on edit: you identified yourself, I hadn't seen the other post.

[jhfenton]

27. Where did I say...

I support little Bushie's so-called "Homeland Security initiatives. I am not and have never been a fan of Bushie Jr or his so-called "War on Terrorism."

So, as I understand your post, and if you are a Democratic 4th Ward Norwood, Ohio City Council member that you had in your DU profile your objection is based upon your perception of a junior ranking minority member of a US Congress Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs as, by extrapolation, being hopelessly naive for wanting to seek peaceful ways for conflict resolution? Insinuating some undercurrent of anti-Americanism in an elected Ohio Democratic Congressman that is a candidate for President?

I'm not defending Bushie's foreign policy. Seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts is great. Seeking to create a federal Department of Peace to push a naive, kindergarten-class philosophy is par for the course for Kucinich. In southern Ohio, Kucinich is widely seen as a fringe candidate.

[G_j]

42. What is naive IMO

is thinking a nation can create or even understand peace in a military context. We spend trillions of dollars on the military and train countless individuals in the art of war and it's naive to want to study and train people in the art of peace?

and for those who think it's an Orwellian idea, something can ONLY be Orwellian by design. Put a fascist like Rumsfeld in charge and of course that's what you'll get. It's a conscious choice, not some uncontrollable fate. The world is what we make it. The recent history making world wide peace demonstrations clearly show PEOPLE want peace, and for every single person who made it onto the streets there is no doubt in my mind a hundred or probably more who agreed with them. If that's true then multiply 11 or more million times a hundred and you have an (IMO modest)idea of how many people in this word would rather study peace.

"ain't gonna study war no more"

[Tinoire]

46. Jhfenton, Meet the Department of Peace...

You too easily dismiss it. I'd suggest you read up on it so that you can clearly explain to your constituents why you find the idea so laughable.



You may be tempted to label this as the pie-in-the-sky musings of one of at least two avowed peace candidates in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination and a project of just another proudly pacifist organization.

The legislation, however, was first introduced before there was a presidential race. And there is nothing pie-in-the-sky about either peace or the concept of merging compatible agencies under one cabinet-level departmental umbrella - the Department of Homeland Security, for instance.

On the heels of Memorial Day, when we honor our war dead, why not pursue this new department to make us safer still by tackling all those seeds of violence before they sprout? This is the concept of the Department of Peace. (You can read the bill in its entirety at www.dopcampaign.org/read_bill.htm).

The mission, according to the bill, is to create "peace as an organizing principle" at "every level of American society" and strengthening "nonmilitary means of peacemaking."

This Cabinet-level department, with a secretary of peace, would stress conflict resolution.

Domestically, the peace secretary would, after appropriate federal agencies are merged, tackle such issues as domestic violence, child abuse, gang violence, drug abuse and civil rights.

Internationally, the secretary's duties would include dealing with human rights, the proliferation of arms (including weapons sold by the United States) and generally stopping wars long before they start.

Among the agencies that would come under its umbrella would be the Peace Corps, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Office of the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the Department of Justice.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/opinions/columns/articles/0527pimentel27.html


http://www.dopcampaign.org/

[LWolf]

51. "Just what we need..."

a government bureacracy rampaging for world-wide conquest/empire building under the misnomer "dept of defense."

We should probably abolish that department. We don't really need it, do we? Or a military, or....it's just too bureacratic.

If there is a need for a dept. to oversee the defense of our nation and respond to threats, why is there not a need for a dept. to establish peaceful partnerships, so that we don't need to spend our blood without cause? Why not decrease the bloated bureaucracy that the department of defense is by decreasing the need to use it?

[bobthedrummer]

10. I visited your website

If you are a City Councilman of Norwood, Ohio, an elected official, your comments on your initial post are imperative, IMHO.

Whoever you are, welcome to DU:hi:

[bobthedrummer]

12. Are you John Fenton ,{ Democrat }4th Ward Norwood, Ohio City Councilman?

That is the homesite in your new DU profile
http://www.johnfenton.org/
and if this is you, your constituency would be interested.

There's a lot of DUer's from around there.

[jhfenton]

20. Yes, 4th Ward Councilman, Candidate for Law Director

I'm confident my constituency would agree with me. Kucinich's description of the Department of Peace sounds frighteningly Orwellian.

In our Democratic Party

1. "Socialism" is still a dirty word;
   
2. We turn out for support the troops rallies;
   
3. We believe in the Second Amendment; and
   
4. Dennis Kucinich is a fringe candidate.
   

My website is out of date. Due to the demands of a new baby (7 months old), work, and politics, I haven't had time to complete the new campaign website yet. It should be up by the unnofficial start of my campaign season in 2 weeks.

[seemslikeadream]

21. If the Department of Peace sounds friighteningly Orwellian

to you, I would really like to hear your description of Homeland Security.

[jhfenton]

23. "Department of Homeland Security"

The Department of Homeland Security and the PATRIOT Act are also frightenly Orwellian. More so because they are a reality.

[JohnKleeb]

24. well at least you agree with that

What kind of people are your constuitents exactly? workers, college students, you get the picture. I believe in second amendment too I dont need a gun I think different laws should be for different areas IMO and I dont go to support the troops rallies but I do support them in their return to safety and a peaceful life. =

[seemslikeadream]

33. And what's with all the fringe stuff jhfenton?

Kucinich is fringe, Peta is fringe, You are at the Democraticunderground for god's sake! What did you expect to find here. If the gun threads are of such interest to you stay there. I'm sure you will feel more at home.

[jhfenton]

38. Um. Maybe Democrats?

I'm only chiming in where I have a different perspective to offer.

It's not very interesting for me to chime in and say yes, I'm Pro-Choice, I used to volunteer for NARAL-NC in law school. Or yes, I'm in favor of recognizing equal rights, including marriage for gays. I don't need the affirmation. I'll skim those threads and move on.

[seemslikeadream]

40. So you don't need the affirmation

to speak on Pro-Choice, NARAL, equal rights, but you do for guns?

On edit I'm just trying to understand close to half of all your posts here at DU are about guns. Seems you're still searching for that validation.

[jhfenton]

48. You missed the point

I don't find it entertaining, amusing, or otherwise diverting to chime in and say "me too!" on every thread where I agree with the majority opinion.

I started posting in a few of the gun control threads because one poster in particular likes to rant and rave about "gun loons" and "greasy NRA thugs" and refuses to respond to serious questions or arguments.

I've now drifted over to a few other threads where I can engage in interesting debates. I assume I'm not required to post "me too!" in every thread where I might agree with the majority?

[U4ikLefty]

26. In other words, YOUR Democratic party

1. Calls government solutions "Socialism" to equate them with the communism...typical McCarthyite tactic.

2. Are chickenhawks who shield their bloodlust by waving flags & claming "I support our troops"...yeah right!!!

3. Want more guns to keep those brown-skinned folks from taking your Lexus.

4. Kucinich is a Commie!!!...(see #1)


Your website is not the only thing out of date.

[JohnKleeb]

28. he must be rural and I dunno

Kucinich's constiuents are the sterotypical liberal college student they are blue collar workers. Who knows maybe they opposed the war. Some people like to hunt although I dont know why.

[jhfenton]

36. Geographic stereotypes

Not to shatter stereotypes, but Norwood is in the middle of Cincinnati. Quite urban. Home of a former GM assembly plant closed in the late 80's. Transitioning from predominantly blue collar to urban white collar. Home to part of Xavier University (http://www.xu.edu) and a growing number of students. Norwood is quite middle-of-the-road. It has voted for every winning presidential candidate as far back as anyone can remember. After voting for Bushie in 2000, Norwood elected 8 Democrats (of 9) to city council in 2001.

I guess you think that's what the 2nd Amendment is about, but I've never been hunting. Hunting strikes me as rather boring. I shoot handguns mostly, both recreationally and in competitions.

[jhfenton]

30. I suppose if one can't argue rationally...

then one has to stoop to ranting and racist innuendo.

Your post is offensive.

[U4ikLefty]

39. You made the insinuations...I just de-coded them

Your words:

"Seeking to create a federal Department of Peace to push a naive, kindergarten-class philosophy is par for the course for Kucinich."

"That strikes me as either hopelessly naive or as a pointless salve for anti-American guilt."

"That's just what we need, another government bureaucracy, this one a touchy-feely agency "

This is arguing rationally?...sounds like ranting to me.

Your pseudo-outrage is offensive!!!

[dweller]

32. A New Baby?!!! Congrats

yet you doubt the need a need for a Department of Peace?
good luck explaining that later to your child, my friend, wouldn't you rather get on board now?
or just take your chances later?

dp

[G_j]

8. It was not at all uncommon for

American Indian tribes to have had a Peace chief as well as a War chief.

If we ever do form a dept. of Peace, it will be a sign that we may finally be growing up. Are we ready to show some wisdom and maturity? You can't have War chiefs creating Peace, pure stupidity!

Kucinich is right on with this.

[seemslikeadream]

15. Native Americans

They would be a very good source of wisdom for this Deptartment of Peace. I will dream about it.

Great idea bob

[ott]

9. I voted other

I think it should be taken farther into an enlistment program like the other branches of the military. Full military benefits with a GI bill when you get out.

Four years, one studying the language of where you're going, and basic skills, (well digging, water purification, basic horticulture, basic first aid, native plants and herbs, how to teach children how to read and write, how to make and use solar ovens, construction with native materials, installing lighting and solar panels, etc...) The next three would be serving out your tour at wherever you trained to go.

I would like to do grunt work like that. Helping towns and villages become sustainable.

[Kellanved]

11. Department of Peace?

1984 anyone?
So the answer would be military.

[bobthedrummer]

14. Office of Special Plans, PNAC, PATRIOT ACT, TIA, HOMELAND SECURITY

is NOW. The role of US military is to protect and defend US Constitution, which is US {we the people}, not be lied to and sent out for an unknown agenda of some kind of a RW military private-enterprise coup attempt IMO.

Not to be dying in Iraq because of a liar speaking for a small group of war profiteering traitors IMO.

In any event military servicepeople, like all the rest of US would have a clearly defined purpose working in Department of Peace, and a much better quality of life by working towards peace, not Rumsfeld's permanent war future.

[bobthedrummer]

57. kick

n/t

[bobthedrummer]

13. kick

:dem:

[Gingersnap]

16. Anthropology

I think if there is a dept. of peace (and I were to work there) I would want to work in the section on "cultural affairs and diplomacy" which would use anthropologists to help make sense of foreign policy and peace-making.

[ShaneGR]

17. I voted for transportation!!!!!

Because I'd need to get a ride out of there when it went bankrupt. Seriously, wouldn't Dennis be in charge of it??

[govegan]

18. An intelligent idea, from a man with true leadership qualities

Perhaps one major endeavor of the Dept. of Peace would be getting involved in undoing the destruction, devastation and desolation of the Dept. of Defense (formerly known as the Dept. of War).

I think of Laos and the awful maiming and death that still goes on as a legacy of the all-mighty military machine.

“'I know many families have lost children in bombie accidents. Still… it’s so difficult to accept when it happens to your own children,' says Mrs. Tu Va Chao sadly.

On November 22, 1993, the four Tu Va Chao children were walking along a street on the edge of Phonsavanh, Xieng Khouang Province’s capital, taking the water buffalo to pasture. Kou Ya, 4, and Sia Ya, 6, noticed a round object in the ditch.

It looked like the ball boys and girls toss to each other during Hmong New Year festivities. Sia Ya threw it to her brother. He couldn’t catch it and it landed behind him, exploding and killing him instantly. Sia Ya died after two agonizing days and nights in the provincial hospital. A passing cyclist was also wounded."

This story is from a website of the Mennonite Central Committee.

More can be learned at: http://www.mcc.org/clusterbomb/laos_legacy/introduction.html

[FreedomReload]

25. I fully support peace

Therefore, a department of peace seems an intelligent way to further this goal. I put other since I don't know what I could do. I will have to think about it.

[opihimoimoi]

29. Shucks, I been advocating Office of Peace for years

with a budget equal to the Offense Dept.

After all, which is more important? Peace or War? Invest in war, you get war. Invest in Peace, you get peace.

That is all

[JohnKleeb]

31. simple and good way of looking at it Opi

[FreedomReload]

34. Peace Starts At Home!!!!

We need to plant the seed right here, right now. This isn't some hippie fantasy. Such a department is an important step toward something better.

[JohnKleeb]

35. This is a great idea

I am not a hippie either. Who here would like to prevent a war that was not needed? *raises hand* without that war people live and people will live in peace.

[solinvictus]

37. I would LOVE to work there.

because when a department is staffed by people who are naive about human nature, it would be no great effort to utilize Machiavellian tactics to take the thing over.

[Isome]

41. I'd work there...

in any capacity needed... in a heartbeat.

To some it may seem like "kindergarten philosophy", and I'd say they're absolutely right. There's a reason why the book Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten was a bestseller.

"Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw some and paint and sing and dance and play and work everyday. -- Robert Fuhlghum

None of us is too old to learn.

[bobthedrummer]

43. Education, is the leading skill at this point in the poll

Thanx for your post:hi:

I tend to agree that a pedagogical type of educational approach seems needed for many Americans-the heartbreaking thing is that it is about not only reducing armed conflict {which we excel at} but so many other types of violence as noted here in issue 8
http://www.kucinich.us/issues/issue_10key.htm

We need to grow up in so many ways...yet we have the capacity to track every moving object on the face of the earth, produce 10 and a half ton guided Fuel Air Explosive missles, determine identities via bio-metrics, could obliterate the planet umpteen times, use once eradicated diseases as WMD because of primal fears concerning the intentions of others, we've become a culture of death IMO that needs to take baby steps in learning how to live peacefully

Moreover, when a candidate that states the obvious to US in this one issue, he gets slammed as "fringe", especially from elements of his own Party????

We definitely need education of a fundamental type to begin a real effort to have a future of progress beyond the ability to use violence progressively to the point of extinction.

[seemslikeadream]

45. I so sorry bob

about your peace thread breaking out into a fight up there. I'll stop now.

[jhfenton]

55. Me too

I promise to play nice. I didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings with my initial comments.

[bobthedrummer]

56. My intention is to help promote the idea

and draw people into supporting Dennis Kucinich, also find out why this vital idea is considered undoable by some. We all overreact at times.

Since DK brought this idea into his campaign here is a bit of info about him, for informational purposes.
http://www.kucinich.net/aboutdennis.htm

[Tinoire]

44. I'd work there in a HEARTBEAT!

I'm sure they'll need interpreters and Liberal Foreign Area Officers.

Sheesh, I'd be embarrassed to cash my pay-check so happy would I be with a job there!

Dennis you ROCK!

[Desertrose]

47. Count me in!

I'd be glad to work in whatever area I'd best fit in....


Department of PEACE
Its such a great concept!!!!!

Someday people will look back at this idea...this point in time as a pivotal choice point for the human race....I only hope we make the right choice, ya know???

Peace
...oh yeah baby!
DR

[bobthedrummer]

49. Kick

:dem:

[Buns_of_Fire]

50. I'm all for it. I signed up for the Diplomatic section.

I figure that on my WORST day I can't piss off as many people as * on his BEST day. Besides, with all the fence-mending that's going to need to be done after * is relegated back to Crawdad, there should be plenty to do.

Besides, I am loved and respected by all. (We pause here to give you time to wipe the spit-up coffee from your monitor screen and keyboard... ;-) )

[LWolf]

52. I'd work there.

I'm an educator. I'd be honored to serve.

[seventhson]

53. Environment

we cannot be at peace if we are killing ourselves with pollution and depleting the earth's resources.

With democrats like the above fellow who thinks suggesting a peace department is infantile, guns are cool, socialism is a dirty word (Jesus K. Rist - WTF does he think an income tax going to pay the military to kill people overseas is? = OHHHH - if it goes to HELP people THEN its SOCIALISM. Well Kiss my ass!!!) -- THOSE types of democrats are the REASON Kucinich is NOT fringe candidate.

Dennis has vision, heart and creativity along with courage. Something Dems like the above Ohioan seem to seriously lack.

[jhfenton]

54. I promise no more fighting in the Peace thread....

I will go along with seemslikeadream and refrain from fighting in the Peace thread. I, too, am quite fond of peace.

I just want to point out that I never advocated overseas military intervention. That's just your assumption because I'm opposed to a Peace "Department."

THOSE types of democrats are the REASON Kucinich is NOT fringe candidate

Hmm. I'm not sure I follow the logic there, but I promise not to call him a fringe candidate any more. That wasn't very nice. We'll just wait for the votes.

Dennis has vision, heart and creativity along with courage. Something Dems like the above Ohioan seem to seriously lack.

<sniff> That's not very nice. Something like that might hurt my feelings. ;( Anyway, you don't anything about me except that I disagree with you on a few issues.

guns are cool

Well, they are fun. :) Some are pretty too.