Hollywood Division of Screen Actors Guild endorses DK's Dep of Peace

[Padme Amidala]

On July, 16, 2006, the Hollywood Division of the Screen Actors Guild voted by about a 3 to 1 margin to support and endorse HR 3760 and S 1756 (the House and Senate bills for the Department of Peace) and to establish a celebrity speakers bureau to assist in support of the bill.

Kucinich supporters were in full force at yesterday's Hollywood Division Screen Actors Guild meeting. Even former SAG Presidentand DK supporter Ed Asner came for part of the meeting. PHDC members (firm supporters of DK and of the Department of Peace legislation) were there too. Big name stars who already support the Department of Peace include Sean Penn, Michael Douglas, Jeff Bridges, Mimi Kennedy, Juaquin Phoenix, Frances Fisher, Laura Dern, Josh Hartnett, Peggy Libton, Dermot Mulroney, Robert Patrick, Meg Ryan, Cheryl Tiegs, Liv Tyler, Lesley Ann Warren, James Cromwell, Hector Alizondo, Mimi Kennedy and Danny Glover.

The opening message on the PHDC website expresses strong support for the actions of the Screen Actors Guild. It reads:

"The Patrick Henry Democratic Club acknowledges the courage of the members of the Hollywood Division of the Screen Actors Guild in voting by approximately a 3-1 margin to support and endorse Dennis Kucinich's Department of Peace and Non-Violence and to create a celebrity speakers bureau in support of the Department of Peace on July 16, 2006. Back in April, the membership of the Screen Actors Guild voted to support lowering the voting age in national elections. The Screen Actors Guild is leading America into the future and leaving other lagging groups in the dark ages. We encourage all organizations to get on board and support peace and human rights."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. I hope Dennis runs in 2008.

It would be nice to have someone to support wholeheartedly for a change.

[helderheid]

2. I supported him in 2004 - would like to see him head the Dept. of Peace

[mikelgb]

12. ditto

[God Almighty]

3. I'm backing Dennis in 2008

He's the only one who can clear up the mess Bush has created. He's also the only one with the courage.

[Constitution]

8. True

DK's the best for the job.

[BushOut06]

4. What exactly would a Department of Peace do?

Not trying to sound cynical, but more pragmatic - what exactly would a Peace Department be charged with? Doesn't this pretty much fall under the State Department? I also have to say that "Department of Peace" sounds a little too Orwellian - you know, the whole doublespeak thing. I'm sure it would start off innocently enough, but how long would it take to become perverted?

To be honest, I wouldn't mind a complete reshuffling of our governmental infrastructure. God knows they've done a "heckuva job" so far.

[helderheid]

5. From their brochure:

A Department of Peace
will work to:
• Research, articulate and facilitate nonviolent
solutions to domestic and international conflict
• Provide much-needed assistance for the efforts of
city, county, and state governments in coordinating
existing programs in their own communities, as well
as programs newly developed and provided
by the Department of Peace
• Teach violence prevention and mediation to
America’s school children
• Effectively treat and dismantle gang psychology
• Rehabilitate the prison population
• Build peace-making efforts among conflicting
cultures both here and abroad
• Support our military with complementary
approaches to ending violence
• Create and administer a U.S. Peace Academy,
acting as a sister organization to the
U.S. Military Academy
• And much more…

[God Almighty]

6. It will save lives and create a safe world and country. Here are links

http://www.thepeacealliance.org/


http://kucinich.us/floor_speeches/dop_5years_ago11jul.php
Department of Peace and Nonviolence
Dennis Kucinich speaking from the Floor of the House


Jul 11, 2006

"Mr. Speaker, five years ago today, on July 11, I introduced legislation to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence, which would employ the principles taught by Christ, Gandhi, Dr. King, Mother Teresa and others to create a new hope for violence-free homes, schools and communities through peace and character education, a new hope that through peace education we can even challenge the notion of the inevitability of war.

"Today, thanks to hundreds of community groups, led by The Peace Alliance, momentum is building. Fifteen cities have passed resolutions endorsing a Department of Peace, and 74 Members of the House have signed on to the bill. More and more, Americans want a compassionate, focused, organized approach to dealing with the violence in our communities, to dealing with domestic violence, spousal abuse, child abuse and other types of violence. The Department of Peace represents the end of fear and the beginning of hope for a new Nation and a new world."

[LWolf]

9. One of the things I like about the DOP

is that it is so broad in focus. It doesn't just deal with international conflict. It recognizes the interrelationship of the micro to the macro. It addresses violence from the ground up, starting locally with domestic violence and gang violence.

It doesn't just treat symptoms, but addresses sources; something rare among the plethora of "programs" created to address human ills of all sorts.

The authors and supporters recognize that peace as an organizing principle and approach to problem solving creates a shift, and evolves us as a whole into a more enlightened society.

[eridani]

11. Exactly--it isn't just another version of the State Department

In WA state, we've gotten Norm Stamper on board, who wrote about the culture of violence in our police forces in his book Breaking Ranks.

[Celica Toyota]

7. kick

[helderheid]

10. welcome to DU!