Opinion - Letters to the Editor

POSTED: Saturday, May. 30, 2009

Wants 'department of peace' created

The U.S. Navy once tried to define peace as a perpetual state of pre-hostility, merely stating that absence of brutality yields peace. U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) wrote legislation creating a Department of Peace, in the first step towards positive peace.

On a domestic level, the department would enact policies and assist programs to effectively eliminate domestic and gang violence, and various other forms of societal discord. Internationally, the department would preside as non-violent advocators and of peaceful diplomatic conflict resolution among nations to the government.

President Obama has called twice now to increase troops in Afghanistan. Each troop costs American tax payers $750,000 per year of service, whereas a student could subsist on about $20,000 per year. Our priorities in America must be revaluated.

From every corner of earth, from the spiritual and ethical beliefs of many people, and from the thunderous booms of leaders who have preached peace, non-violence has been recognized as the only way. It is necessary that each person participate in nonviolent action in order to sustain the globe. Otherwise, it is likely that a modern war could destroy the world as we know it.

Please write to your local representatives urging them to support the Department of Peace.

Iris Maute-Gibson

Bellingham