Willie Nelson

The top National Peace Initiative pits the will of our nation against the defiance of one man. United States citizens overwhelmingly believe in bringing our service men and women safely home. President Bush rejects any and all exit strategies supported by Congress, military experts, and The People of the United States.

Discontinue President Bush’s policy of unending war.

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq organized 358 rallies and more than 20 news conferences across the country after the president’s veto. This coalition of peace groups focuses on passing a bill with measures to end the war. They believe the next emergency-spending bill must be one to end the war.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced H.R. 1234, the plan to bring the troops home, make Halliburton and all contractors come home, and stabilize Iraq with an international peacekeeping and security force. Rep. Dennis Kucinich also plays a key role in the second National Peace Initiative by introducing H.Res. 333.

Prevent President Bush from bombing Iran.

The movement to Impeach Vice President Cheney and President Bush serves two agendas. Of course, one agenda seeks accountability for allegedly committed “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The other agenda seeks to prevent aggressive violent engagement with Iran.

President Bush claimed the Iranian government supplies deadly weapons used to kill US troops in Iraq. Using this justification the President could bypass Congress and still wage a military conflict. The President ordered a second battle group led by the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis to the Gulf. Add it up.

These first two National Peace Initiatives deserve our immediate attention. Actually, the immediate threat posed by these situations demand our attention. The next three National Peace Initiatives attempt to avoid such situations. I will start with the obvious one.

Create a U.S. Department of Peace.

The Peace Alliance promotes practical, nonviolent solutions to the problems of domestic and international conflict by creating The Department of Peace. Its two pronged approach covers long neglected issues. Only by addressing the obvious causes of conflict will an enduring peace be possible. H.R. 808 makes this possible.

Domestically, we need policies and the allocation of resources to effectively reduce the levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse, and various other forms of societal discord. Internationally, the President and Congress require the most sophisticated ideas and techniques regarding peace-creation among nations.

The last two National Peace Initiatives are not quite so obvious. They address root issues essential for future peace. By root issues I mean issues festering within the soul of the United States. We must resolve these issues if we are to be anything other than a rampaging bully abusing both other nations and ourselves.

Reject dungeons and choose due process.

The Military Commissions Act undermines the Constitution and the Rule of Law, makes the president both judge and jury, and rejects core United States values. Two bills introduced in Congress would restore our rights and reaffirm that no president can make up his or her own rules regarding torture and abuse.

The Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (H.R. 1415, S. 576) and The Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (H.R. 1416, S. 185) fixes the problems with the Military Commissions Act. We can have little hope of future peace without the corrections these acts provide. With this accomplished we can at long last go forward.

Watch the 2007 Farm Bill.

Ever wonder why a package of Twinkies, with 29 ingredients and many of them processed, cost less than a handful of locally grown carrots? Every wonder why family farms vanish while agricultural conglomerates reap millions in government subsidies? Every wonder what legislation most effectively addresses local environmental concerns?

The 2007 Farm Bill provides the answers to these questions and more. What do your kids eat at school? Can we help our local family farms and farmers in developing countries? This bill not only shapes the environment, rural communities and the fate of farmers at home and abroad. This bill also dramatically influences consumers and taxpayers.

It only comes around every five years.

Every five years we have the opportunity to adjust the very fabric of the United States. This bill affects everything from what we put in our vehicles to what we put in ourselves, including its cost. This bill profoundly affects the diet of the poor. This bill affects the future peace and well being of The People of the United States to an incredible extent.

These 5 National Peace Initiatives all require your attention and consideration. They are all on the table right now. Will you contact your Senators and Representatives in Congress? Will you tell them these things are important to you? Will you say their actions determine your next vote? If you desire peace you will.

Tags: Appropriate Technology, Environment, Family Farms, Peace

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