it is time to make a real commitment to the peace that we want to see in the world. That is exactly what H.R. 808, introduced by Congressman Kucinich, with 52 cosponsors, would do by creating the Department of Peace. We are now spending $8 billion each month on the occupation of Iraq. Imagine if a small portion of that money was invested, instead, in conflict resolution, diplomacy, weapons reduction, and human rights. As the drum beats of war against Iran are now heard, imagine if the debate included not only the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, but a Secretary of Peace. Guaranteed the military option would be taken off the table and our world would not be led again into another useless, senseless war. Imagine if we were to direct a small portion of the $583 billion Pentagon budget to promoting nonviolence here at home by investing in efforts to stop domestic violence, gun violence, child abuse, gang violence, violence in schools, hate crimes, racial violence, religious intolerance and the mistreatment of the elderly. Dr. King said that peace is not just the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice. This isn't something we should just hope for, but we must work for it.
Editor's note · Context
Advocating for the creation of a Department of Peace and investment in nonviolence initiatives.
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