There has to be a conscious move towards nonviolence and justice for all. The DoP and all that fits under that umbrella is the way and the change we need.

From President Eisenhower's First Inaugural Address:
"For this truth must be clear before us: whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America."

And appoint Dennis Kucinich!

I vote to appoint a Secretary of Peace in a U.S. Dept of Peace and Nonviolence.  It is time to focus on the kind of world that works for all people.

We need positive change like a Department of Peacebuilding and Human Security to help recover from the culture of violence that has crept into our society.

We need a voice at your ear on conflict resolution both domestically and internationally.

 I see that we are entering an upward spiral of knowledge and abilities that will establish a Department of Peace and will promote, worldwide, the healthy growth and development of children; prosperity and safety for adults; as well as cooperative learning and problem-solving.  Such genius will flower that sometime in the future as we look back at the state of humanity that we are in now, it will seem as if we were like the dodo, and we will wonder why and how we were saved from extinction.

Please create a Cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence and appoint a Secretary of Peace to sit on your Cabinet staff. See House Resolution 808, legislation introduced by Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), for details.

We need to make peace and non-violence a priority in our society.  A Department of Peace is a practical way to bring conflict resolution, mediation, violence prevention, and diplomacy under one umbrella in order to collaborate, share resources and research findings, train more people in these fields, and give programs the funding they need to be successful.  Violence prevention programs in communities across the country are typically non-profit and they often struggle to find necessary funding.  The voice of peace also needs a voice at the table of power, in the President's cabinet.

I second the motion: we need a Department of Peace with Dennis Kucinich heading it up.

Focusing on programs that have been proven to prevent or reduce violence in our country and the world will put our resources to better use than war and prisons. It is time for an intelligent new direction - a Department of Peace and Nonviolence!

Knowing that what we focus on expands, may we see a world where we embrace each other as neighbors and actively promote peace for all humanity.  Thank you for opening the door...

Great idea, perhaps building on the work being done by the U.S. Institute of Peace (http://www.usip.org/).

We must increase peace and non-violence in order to lessen our spending on unnecessary wars and excessive military equipment.  We must stop global warming; increase good paying jobs in manufacturing equipment for renewable energy, nursing and medical services, and education; obtain an improvement in Medicare and expand it to all in the US, and invest more public funds in education at all levels and reduce costs of graduation in higher education. 

Bob Alexander, recent Dem challenger to Cong. Mike Rogers in Mid Michigan

This is an idea whose time has come!   The addition of a Sec. of Peace and Nonviolence would add tremendously to the scope and impact of our newly appointed National Security Team.  The new "Peacebuilding technologies" are a powerful, cost effective approach to resolving conflicts before they escalate to violence. Hundreds of experts throughout this country, many placed in our Universities, could serve in this capacity.

There are many proven programs that prevent violence and help with the healing where there has been violence.  It's time to move forward and start using these practices on a national level. Violence prevention like disease prevention is essential to a healthy society.  Let's  make a preemptive strike for peace!  Given a few dollars and some real focus a more peaceful world is possible!!  The Department of Peace would do just that.

The excitement that accompanied Barack Obama's election to President comes from a pent-up longing for America to do the right thing and be a leading force in the cause of peace for its citizens, its allies, and the world at large.  However, the cause of peace is too important to be contained just within a presidential administration, which lasts 4-8 years.  The cause of peace is a fundamental thread running throughout humanity.  The United States must honor this fundamental truth by giving the cause of peace a permanent place in our system of government.  This is just what a Department of Peacebuilding and Human Security will do.  It will show our nation and the world that the United States honors peace as much as it honors commerce, education, transportation, homeland security, defense, matters of state, etc.  It would be a fitting legacy of the Obama Administration, a change that benefits everyone.

Let us become the nation that inspires peace and nonviolence throughout the world.

I agree - it only makes sense to have a place at the table - for Peace.  Dennis Kucinich has championed peace for years - introducing the Department of Peace legislation in congress in session after session. 

Our nation needs to show the world and our citizens that peace is a priority for this administration.

Support HR 808 for a Department of Peace.  And appoint Dennis Kucinich to the cabinet post that heads this new, and needed department in our government.

We must hold peace as a vision if we are to achieve it. A Secretary of Peace would mean that someone is responsible for seeing that peaceful options and equitable solutions are always brought to the table. A Department of Peace helps us to be proactive around peace. 

I think this is a wonderful idea, and I agree that Dennis Kucinich would be an excellent choice to lead it!

The recent stampede at the WarMart store in Long Island that killed one person and hospitalized several others is a prime example of how violence in the United States is more than just a result of violent and greedy politicians running the show. What the sad incident shows is that violence and greed are deeply rooted in the human nature of the people in this country and if we are to survive as a nation and as individuals, we must eradicate the violent tendencies in the people which manifest in the violent acts these people commit.

"We cannot solve a problem from the level of thinking that created it". Quote, Albert Einstein

Please support a Cabinet Level Department of Peace and a Secretary of Peace into being a reality. The State Department (nor any other) can achieve this task at this point. Go forward with this idea like you want to put a man on the moon! We need to put our hearts and minds into the study of maintaining and creating Peace at all costs (and it will be such a bargain! 2 percent of what it costs to keep perpetuating our current military practices). Peace is Patriotic ....

Peace is a state of mind, it is a stand that no matter what the conflict might be, a solution lies in communication, listening, understanding, and never in imposing a forceful response.
Creating a cabinet position for peace would make a clear message that this what this country stands for.

This is such an important idea and a great start for creating a forum for national and international strategizing for a non-violent world.

 No Peace, No Future! Since Barack has nominated all these pols from Clinton to Richardson, he should have no trouble nominating the one who is most committed to peace, Dennis Kucinich to head the DoP. Truly, w/o peace the rest of his ventures will fail: we need peace both at home & abroad. Peace to all!

I favor the idea of a Cabinet level Department of Peace

One of the most obvious voids in the US Federal Government is a focused effort on "peace". Study of the human condition has revealed at least one thing- people achieve what they focus their attention upon. There is an unhealthy and unimaginable budget for the DOD, CIA, FBI, DHS, countless divisions of these spy agencies, yet there no Dept. of Peace. One step to towards pursuing Peace, (non-fear motivated diplomacy) would be to formally establish such an agency. At least an office. And the smart, obvious and elevated appointment would be Dennis Kucinich as that key statesman. Surprise the world with a civil and conscious effort to elevate US policy.

I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A US DEPARTMENT OF PEACE.  THE PURPOSE AND PRIMARY FUNCTION OF A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF PEACE WILL BE TO RESEARCH , FACILITATE, AND ARTICULATE NON-VIOLENT SOLUTIONS TO DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT, GIVING THOSE WITH PEACE BUILDING EXPERTISE, AN INSTITUTIONAL PLATFORM, AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS THE DOP WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS WITH A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO VIOLENCE REDUCTION, FOCUSING ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATING THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE, RATHER THAN SUPPRESSING THE SYMPTOMS OF VIOLENCE SUCH AS IMPRISONMENT OF OFFENDERS OR THE ENGAGEMENT IN ARMED CONFLICT.. . CURRENTLY THERE IS A BILL BEFORE THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R.808 TO ESTABLISH A DEPARTMENT OF PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE. 

 Peace is a national security issue.  Let's take this seriously. We can't wait for UFO's with aliens to bring it to us. We can't go to the mountaintop and wait for it to rain gently down.
Peace can only come through our own efforts. Peace takes courage and leadership.  It's time to work for peace, and social justice, for the good of everyone.

My vote is for Dennis Kucinich as well...

Let us be the change we wish to see in the world.

Let us be the change we wish to see in the world.

This is a synchronistic and tremendous opportunity for President-elect Barack Obama to support HR 808 for a Department of Peace.  Appoint Dennis Kucinich to the cabinet post that heads this new, and needed department in our government.  Cpngressman John Conyers and Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick have endorsed this bill since it was first introduced by Congressman Kucinich.  Marianne Williamson, the founder of the Peace Alliance, and author of 'Healing the Soul of America', has endorsed and led an awesome grassroots coalition building effort across this country for the DOP campaign in support of Congressman Kucinich.  The nation is primed to lead the world to PEACE.  Hurray for President-elect Barack Obama and his 'peacekeeping' administration!

Thank you,
Betty Appleby
New Dawn Leadership

Barack, please suport H.R. 808 and create a Department of Peace so the murder of One Million more people BY THE UNITED STATES does NOT happen EVER AGAIN! I'm sure you will agree. Otherwise you are just as fascist as Bush!

                                  love Dave

President Obama personally received this bill at least 16 times while on the Campaign trail, in different States. He is not against it. When the American public stands together and says this is what we need, it will happen.
Will you forward this email or link to your address book of friends, in a newsletter you write, post it on Facebook, MySpace, blog about, post it on your website or any other online site you frequent?Voting makes a difference. VOTE NOW and PEACE WINS. Together we can make a difference.
Will you help?

Yes, Yes... Peace must have a place at the table, how can we proceed toward a peaceful future without strong, dedicated voices for Peace. Many, many jobs can be created teaching our young people how to resolve conflicts through non violent methods. Domestic violence can be reduced, Peace is teachable, Peace means empowering individuals. A Department of Peace is a must and a Peace Academy will attract our young bright minds to expand their inherent Peaceful ways.

By the way, check out a nonprofit called www.ThePeaceAlliance.org and support their efforts !

Dept. of Peace and Non-violence and Kucinich NOW. Free Leonard too.

Yes, yes, yes. Then we'll be one big step closer to being the change we wish to see in the world!

If we are to truly establish new norms for America, we must consider carefully the nomenclature of our government. The language of our institutions is inseparable from the consciousness of our people. When that language normalizes violence, people who seek peace will be met with a diminished sincerity and a marginalized voice. When we place our attention on diplomacy and cooperative efforts for the betterment of our planet, we empower justice and morality, entice capitalists to explore new avenues of commerce, and reflect upon ourselves the light of freedom that we hold so dear. 
Jeremiah FranzenTeacherPortland, Oregon 

Please visit www.Kucinich.us and www.ThePeaceAlliance.org to further support the creation of a Department of Peace. 

There is no doubt in my mind that a Secretary of Peace in a Department of Peace and Non-Violence would help America and the world.  This idea was first presented by Ben Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Current legislation for a Department of Peace calls for a system to work to implement and more fully fund programs that are proven to be effective in reducing violence both within the US and abroad.  This would not duplicate functions of the State Department or any other department.

Peace, sanity, humanity - so overdue.

It is past time to have a cabinet level department within the government structure whose organizing principle is for peace.The USIP within the State Department does wonderful work but has been undermined and underfunded. It would be a blessing if our children received NVC in their school curiculum and our police officers had more education in peaceful resolution of conflicts by learning the dialogue of NVC and understanding the values and beliefs  of other cultures. The Institution of Restorative Justice would be an admirable way to improve our justice  system.
I wholeheartedly support Representative Dennis Kucinich for all that he does as a Congressman in Ohio and Washington DC where his work is invaluable so I suggest that our Secretary of Peace be Dot Maver. Dot has worked tirelessly to help create a culture of peace, a national peace academy and already has a close working relationship with activists, delegates, parliamentarians, and elected polititians in countries around the world (35 countries and counting) who are working for Ministries and Departments of Peace.

Great idea. Big Idea- reminds me of the Peace Corps. This is the kind of thing that defines a presidency in the long term.

Even some of our Founding Fathers called for a Department of Peace to offset the Department of War.  They had to compromise then.  We can't afford to compromise now.  Create the Department of Peace and Nonviolence, Mr. Obama, and appoint Rep. Kucinich as the first Secretary of Peace.  Together we can avoid "dumb wars" with intelligent and engaging ideas and policies.

I second the appointment of Dennis Kucinich.

if you want it ,you can have it.
the issue is in within you,simple and friendly proposals
to finish with the macarthysm(the wall is broken for those whom forgot it).
to finish with the crusades and the promises lands
to think that the issues are in the respect of how other nations are ,not how you want them to be and to believe that we couldn't change people but they have to change themselves from their inside .
to believe that the hope is the same for everyone,a smile ,happiness, funny childrens,safe water ,safe food
the kingdom of god is what he want to do with,all what we are called to do is to do it good without violence ,patience and no hurt.
what you show is mostly what you have as answer.

There are few issues more important than the establishment and full empowerment of the Department of Peace and Nonviolence. It is not productive to protest a war after it has begun. Some of the productive means of preventing conflict are equal access to resources, education on cycles of violence and how to break free of them, celebration of diversity, and recognition of the transcending healing quality of love. Dr Martin Luther King Jr said, "someone must have some sense in this world. Someone must have sense to meet hate with love. Someone must have sense to meet physical force with soul force."