A Department of Peace

From Judy Woodruff's interview of Dennis Kucinich:

JUDY WOODRUFF: You're the only candidate, I think, who's talking about a Department of Peace. How would that work? And what would it mean for the Defense Department?

REP. DENNIS KUCINICH: Well, first of all, the idea of a Department of Peace has both domestic and international criteria.

On a domestic level, everyone watching this understands that American families are beset by a lot of problems that result in domestic violence, spousal abuse, and child abuse. I'm talking about creating programs that would help families get out of that really deep rut that creates a lot of emotional problems and strife inside families.

But also, when you look at the issues of gang violence, violence in the schools, racial violence, violence against gays, the Department of Peace would also supply help to deal with that.

On an international level, we'd look at those areas that help conflict percolate and get involved before they develop into something that requires troops. It's really a very wise approach that uses the principles of Gandhi, of Christ, of Dr. King, and others to try to lift us out of this idea that war is inevitable. War is not inevitable. Violence is learned, and non-violence can be learned, as well.

JUDY WOODRUFF: So you'd still have the Defense Department? This would be in addition?

REP. DENNIS KUCINICH: Of course you'd have the Defense Department.

JUDY WOODRUFF: You've also said that you admire the foreign policies of Jimmy Carter, President Jimmy Carter. Tell us about why. What is it that you admire about him?

REP. DENNIS KUCINICH: He's been the one president who has shown a real capacity to reach out, and deeply, into the Middle East to understand that America must take an even-handed approach.

Look, I've been to Israel, and I've met with the Israelis, and I've met with the Palestinian people, and I've met with people throughout the region. My wife and I have been to the region twice in the last year and two months. And there is a deep desire for peace on all sides.

But the United States must take an even-handed approach. We have to do everything we can to help Israel survive. And Israelis perceive this existential threat; we must be attuned to that. At the same time, the Palestinians are crying for justice that they can't receive with walls and fences and losing their property.

[read the interview]