Reply #62: My knee-jerk reaction when I first heard of Dennis' Department of Peace....

[puebloknot]

...was, "That's pretty naive." However, I've learned that inherent in the plans for such a department is trying to intervene in domestic violence, attempting to cut into poverty and what it leads to, as well as trying to use diplomacy over war as a first-blush response to problems.

I'm a WWII vet's daughter, and have many military members in my family. I support a strong military for DEFENSE purposes, but not for wars of aggression.

And...as far out as it seems...I do feel that we humans have to try to find a better way of living on this planet than immediately taking up arms, instead of talking to each other. Some of the greatest philosophical literature of all time embraces the "Love thy neighbor" ethic. None of it has ever been lived up to, but I support Kucinich for his idealism, along with his very practical real-world experience. He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and seems to want to address the issues of real people. Anyone who attains any high office is going to end up rubbing shoulders with the high and the mighty, the "Beautiful People," those with influence seeking to steer political affairs. Dennis seems more grounded than other candidates in the practical matters that must be addressed if we are to survive.

Just because Dennis always tries to turn the conversation away from war and toward peace does not indicate, to me, that he would refuse to protect the country if we *really* were attacked. The right wing has made full use of that theme -- George Bush is the man to *protect* the country against terrorists. He was, from the outset, a warmonger par excellence! We need to turn in another direction.

And, with respect, I'd have to challenge your stated intention of voting for "any Democrat" as not necessarily "all that smart." It's a conundrum and good Democrat (like myself) has to wrestle at this perilous time in our history.