H.R. 808: Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act

Mr. Kucinich, et.al., have proposed the above. Hey - it was a part of his platform when he ran for President, give him marks for consistency.

Here are his co-sponsors, just for the record. I see many of the usual suspects
:

Mr. KUCINICH (for himself, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. ANDREWS, Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. CARSON, Mr. CLAY, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. FARR, Mr. FILNER, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HOLT, Mr. HONDA, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Ms. LEE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. NADLER, Ms. NORTON, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. SHERMAN, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. WATERS, Ms. WATSON, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. WU, and Mr. WYNN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Thankfully, I don't see my representative, Ms. Boyda, on the list. Yet, anyway.

One thing the excess of academics has produced is an excess of ideas and shades of ideas, all pimped as New! Exciting! Revolutionary! By that I mean that doing research that ends up confirming old truths and knowledge is *not* the path to power and glory as an academic. So they are driven to New! Exciting! Revolutionary! In the hard sciences this is harder to do, given the nature of the business - but the tiffs over Global Warming, or the falsified cloning in Korea, Cold Fusion, etc, are examples. In the social sciences (!) we have the proliferation of studies that have profoundly damaged our schools, while studies that refute any of the New Exciting! Revolutionary! stuff is pooh-poohed, denigrated, savaged, and, well, doesn't contribute much to tenure or invitations to Oprah. Hence, we have many smart, ambitious people competing to make a mark, but there is a certain way they must do it - New! Exciting! Revolutionary! Or teach at second-rank schools. Or community colleges.

In politics it is the same, with even less control. Let's face it, Senator Byrd of West Virginia is only one bridge, public building and highway away from having the state effectively change it's name to the Senator Robert C. Byrd Memorial Political Unit. If you get a Bridge To Nowhere built, chances are good you can get your name on it. Get the money to repair all those named (for other people, shudder) bridges (a problem we have in Missouri, for example) and you are not going to be noticed by anybody, even though you will have done a much greater overall good.

So it is with the Department of Peace. Virtually everything proposed in this bill is *already* the responsibility of some other Federal agency. In some aspects, it's admitted in the bill:

(1) work proactively and interactively with each branch of the Federal Government on all policy matters relating to conditions of peace;

Heh. Department of Homeland Security anyone? Same general mission statement after a fashion. We all see how well that's gone. And this essentially proposes *another* layer to the process, as opposed to taking functions away from other agencies and consolidating them (something we see working so well with HLD).

There are some good ideas in there, which, gee, could be handled by existing agencies and interagency groups, would they just do so. But of course, establishing a whole new Cabinet-level agency will fix everything! Homeland Defense, anyone?

Update: Maggie's comment is too good to leave buried down there.

Grim, over at Blackfive has a funny take on it.

I hope we can avoid enacting this foolishness, but as TH notes, the bill enjoys broad support in the Democratic House. As a consolation prize, then, I hope we can see it enacted quickly, so that George W. Bush can exercise his recess appointment powers once more.

I can hear him now.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming America's first Secretary of Nonviolence and Peace: Mr. Donald Rumsfeld."

LOL! Yes!

Now let's look at the bill itself. To spare those who don't care, we'll do that in the Flash Traffic/ Extended Entry.

TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE.

(a) Establishment- There is hereby established a Department of Peace and Nonviolence (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the `Department'), which shall--

(1) be a cabinet-level department in the executive branch of the Federal Government; and

(2) be dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions that are conducive to both domestic and international peace.

(b) Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence- There shall be at the head of the Department a Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the `Secretary'), who shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

[Heh. Unfortunate echoes of 1984 aside, strikes me that we have one of these, mostly. The Secretary of State.]

(c) Mission- The Department shall--

(1) hold peace as an organizing principle, coordinating service to every level of American society;

[Oddly enough, I think most of us actually subscribe to this already in one fashion or another. If your local churches, schools, law enforcement, government and society in general aren't already really after this sort of thing - a new Federal agency is going to make all the difference. Yep.]

(2) endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; [see above]

(3) strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking;

[State and Defense should be doing this already. The fact that they aren't doing it all that well suggests that a little leadership on the issue will help a lot more than... a third agency. Creating another cabinet level agency will allow the other two to abdicate their responsibilities no matter how "proactively and interactively" you work with them. Homeland Defense, anyone?]

(4) promote the development of human potential;

[There's a phrase capable of creating much mischief.]

(5) work to create peace, prevent violence, divert from armed conflict, use field-tested programs, and develop new structures in nonviolent dispute resolution;

[Department of State, anyone?]

(6) take a proactive, strategic approach in the development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict;

[Departments of State and Defense. Just because you think they aren't doing it the way you want is an argument for leadership and direction, not establishing a competing agency.]

(7) address matters both domestic and international in scope; and

[State, Justice, Interior, HUD, Education, Commerce, Labor, HHS, oh, all of them, for pete's sake. Adding one more is going to make a difference?]

(8) encourage the development of initiatives from local communities, religious groups, and nongovernmental organizations.

[See above.]

SEC. 102. RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall--

(1) work proactively and interactively with each branch of the Federal Government on all policy matters relating to conditions of peace;

[D-uh, one would hope. Of course, one would hope State and Defense and Homeland Defense would, too. And they do, when it suits their purposes. Creating one more player is going to help exactly how?]

(2) serve as a delegate to the National Security Council;

[If they're going to exist, yeah, they should. Okay.]

(3) call on the intellectual and spiritual wealth of the people of the United States and seek participation in its administration and in its development of policy from private, public, and nongovernmental organizations; and

[All the agencies can and do just that. I often do exactly this for the government already. From that perspective, I welcome a new Federal agency that has money to spend. Heh. It's not like people aren't falling all over themselves (see discussion on Academics) to provide this already.]

(4) monitor and analyze causative principles of conflict and make policy recommendations for developing and maintaining peaceful conduct.

[And this will be an improvement over the various and sundry academic institutions already doing this exactly how? Just because someone works for the government doesn't suddenly make them smarter or infallible. It just makes them *think* they are. I can say that. I worked for the government.]

(b) Domestic Responsibilities- The Secretary shall--

(1) develop policies that address domestic violence, including spousal abuse, child abuse, and mistreatment of the elderly;

[Heh. I was completely unaware that Justice, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, etc were completely overlooking this issue.]

(2) create new policies and incorporate existing programs that reduce drug and alcohol abuse;

[See above.]

(3) develop new policies and incorporate existing policies regarding crime, punishment, and rehabilitation;

[Ibid.]

(4) develop policies to address violence against animals;

[Local communities handle that already, eh? Is it *really* a federal interest outside of regulating interstate commerce in food products - something they already do.]

(5) analyze existing policies, employ successful, field-tested programs, and develop new approaches for dealing with the implements of violence, including gun-related violence and the overwhelming presence of handguns;

[See, Justice, Homeland Security. Leave aside the 2nd Amendment issues inherent. Aside - in the "Congress Finds" that precedes the bill, there is this note:

(5) The Founders of this country gave America a vision of freedom for the ages and provided people with a document which gave this Nation the ability to adapt to an undreamed of future.

(6) It is the sacred duty of the people of the United States to receive the living truths of our founding documents and to think anew to develop institutions that permit the unfolding of the highest moral principles in this Nation and around the world.

...what's missing is: "Except, of course, where we disagree with them, in which case they were misogynistic slave-owning weasels."]

(6) develop new programs that relate to the societal challenges of school violence, gangs, racial or ethnic violence, violence against gays and lesbians, and police-community relations disputes;

[See Education, Justice, Health and Human Services, et.al. One more isn't going to make a difference.]

(7) make policy recommendations to the Attorney General regarding civil rights and labor law;

[See above. This capability exists in the government and society at large already.]

(8) assist in the establishment and funding of community-based violence prevention programs, including violence prevention counseling and peer mediation in schools;

[See above the above, again.]

(9) counsel and advocate on behalf of women victimized by violence;

[Oh, gosh, HHS, Justice, state and local governments. In fact, creating a new agency is going to do mostly what - drain even more money into overhead that would instead be better focused on providing services. We don't need more people doing high-level bloviation - if there's a need, it's at the point-of-service.]

(10) provide for public education programs and counseling strategies concerning hate crimes;

[Education, Justice, HHS, Salvation Army, United Way, Churches, Colleges and Universities, etc. See "draining funds" comment above.]

(11) promote racial, religious, and ethnic tolerance;

[What, we need more of this? We got all the promotion you can use. One more voice isn't going to make a difference in this arena. This is societal change, it happens by osmosis, and everybody already has a piece of this, from top to bottom.]

(12) finance local community initiatives that can draw on neighborhood resources to create peace projects that facilitate the development of conflict resolution at a national level and thereby inform and inspire national policy; and

[Read: Brand New Taxes to support our organization! Or starve other agencies. See "draining of funds" comment previously made.]

(13) provide ethical-based and value-based analyses to the Department of Defense.

[Heh. JAG and the Chaplaincy aren't enough, apparently. Perhaps if State would provide embedded diplomats (and Defense accept them) much of this would be covered. I do so love the insinuation inherent in the statement, though.]

(c) International Responsibilities- The Secretary shall--

(1) advise the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State on all matters relating to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of, amelioration of, and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict;

[And here I thought State was supposed to do that already. And if you think Defense is porking the pooch on this - what's going to make them listen to a new agency if they're igoring you already? See comments on Leadership]

(2) provide for the training of all United States personnel who administer postconflict reconstruction and demobilization in war-torn societies;

[*This* is a good idea. It doesn't take a cabinet level agency, however.]

(3) sponsor country and regional conflict prevention and dispute resolution initiatives, create special task forces, and draw on local, regional, and national expertise to develop plans and programs for addressing the root sources of conflict in troubled areas;

[This is a fine idea, already under the purview of State. And Defense, for that matter.]

(4) provide for exchanges between the United States and other nations of individuals who endeavor to develop domestic and international peace-based initiatives;

[See above. Not too mention all those academics already shuttling back and forth doing this stuff.]

(5) encourage the development of international sister city programs, pairing United States cities with cities around the globe for artistic, cultural, economic, educational, and faith-based exchanges;

[Um, gee, Leavenworth already has *two* sister cities, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, and Omi Hachiman, Japan. Looky, my little burg managed this *all* on it's own! However did we do it?]

(6) administer the training of civilian peacekeepers who participate in multinational nonviolent police forces and support civilian police who participate in peacekeeping;

[Okay fine by me - but doesn't require a new agency. Nope.]

(7) jointly with the Secretary of the Treasury, strengthen peace enforcement through hiring and training monitors and investigators to help with the enforcement of international arms embargoes;

[Um, how 'bout just resource Treasury?]

(8) facilitate the development of peace summits at which parties to a conflict may gather under carefully prepared conditions to promote nonviolent communication and mutually beneficial solutions;

[Huh? There's been a dearth of those? Not enough? I missed *that* memo. See, State.]

(9) submit to the President recommendations for reductions in weapons of mass destruction, and make annual reports to the President on the sale of arms from the United States to other nations, with analysis of the impact of such sales on the defense of the United States and how such sales affect peace;

[Um, golly gee, like none of this already exists! Hint: It does. See, State, Defense, Treasury, CIA, DIA, etc. Want to affect analytical structure - tell 'em to include an annex that covers how such sales affect peace.]

(10) in consultation with the Secretary of State, develop strategies for sustainability and management of the distribution of international funds; and

[Um, sounds like State has that covered. They need help exactly how, that isn't just... draining funds?]

(11) advise the United States Ambassador to the United Nations on matters pertaining to the United Nations Security Council.

[Like he doesn't have enough people tugging at his sleeve already. Please.]

(d) Human Security Responsibilities- The Secretary shall address and offer nonviolent conflict resolution strategies to all relevant parties on issues of human security if such security is threatened by conflict, whether such conflict is geographic, religious, ethnic, racial, or class-based in its origin, derives from economic concerns (including trade or maldistribution of wealth), or is initiated through disputes concerning scarcity of natural resources (such as water and energy resources), food, trade, or environmental concerns.

[Already covered, in lots of places.]

(e) Media-Related Responsibilities- Respecting the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States and the requirement for free and independent media, the Secretary shall--

(1) seek assistance in the design and implementation of nonviolent policies from media professionals;

[*All* government agencies could benefit from this.]

(2) study the role of the media in the escalation and de-escalation of conflict at domestic and international levels and make findings public; and

[Oh, nobody does this already, then. Somebody check Lexis/Nexis.]

(3) make recommendations to professional media organizations in order to provide opportunities to increase media awareness of peace-building initiatives.

[Okay, you're going to have a Public Affairs weenie. Fine.]

(f) Educational Responsibilities- The Secretary shall--

(1) develop a peace education curriculum, which shall include studies of--

(A) the civil rights movement in the United States and throughout the world, with special emphasis on how individual endeavor and involvement have contributed to advancements in peace and justice; and

[See, Education, Department Of. See, Academia, Halls of.]

(B) peace agreements and circumstances in which peaceful intervention has worked to stop conflict;

[Ibid]

(2) in cooperation with the Secretary of Education--

(A) commission the development of such curricula and make such curricula available to local school districts to enable the utilization of peace education objectives at all elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and

[Ibid]

(B) offer incentives in the form of grants and training to encourage the development of State peace curricula and assist schools in applying for such curricula;

[See funds, draining of.]

(3) work with educators to equip students to become skilled in achieving peace through reflection, and facilitate instruction in the ways of peaceful conflict resolution;

[Ibid.]

(4) maintain a site on the Internet for the purposes of soliciting and receiving ideas for the development of peace from the wealth of political, social and cultural diversity;

[Doesn't need a Cabinet-level agency. Check Google, I think you'll find there's lots of 'em out there.]

(5) proactively engage the critical thinking capabilities of grade school, high school, and college students and teachers through the Internet and other media and issue periodic reports concerning submissions;

[See, Educators, Job of. That position is already taken, if badly in many places. I'm thinking adding another Federal Cabinet Agency will have *Zero* positive impact. See also, Funds, draining of.]

(6) create and establish a Peace Academy, which shall--

(A) be modeled after the military service academies;

[Really? Mandatory PT! Uniforms! Marching! Mandatory Study Time! Sports teams! The Ghandhis? The Kings? Okay, I'm betting we're going to model a little more loosely than that. Um, lessee, isn't that pretty much covered by the entire Ivy League? Seriously - if you want to do this to provide trained people to the existing Federal government agencies charged with this work - do it via targeted scholarships to existing programs and by encouraging establishment of more programs or a restructure of existing programs. But you don't need to go establish a whole new school. See Funds, draining of.]

(B) provide a 4-year course of instruction in peace education, after which graduates will be required to serve 5 years in public service in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution; and

[Ibid]

(7) provide grants for peace studies departments in colleges and universities throughout the United States.

[Ibid]

As you might guess, I'm completely unconvinced. This bill, if implemented, would mostly represent Funds, draining of. And what the good ideas in here are only so because of bad implementation elsewhere. Rather than create a whole new bureaucracy, lets just have a little leadership in the ones we have.

Just sayin'.

I see Tigerhawk is also unimpressed.