US Department of Peace

There was a call by the founders of the United States to create a US Department of Peace  alongside the US Department of War. When this didn't happen, there was a revival of interest in the 1940s - especially with the horrors of World War II still fresh in the minds of both soldiers and civilians.

However, as I understand it, with the 'Red Scare' and other foes lurking around every corner, funding was entirely diverted to war/defense, and any proactive efforts toward keeping peace fell on the Department of State's best efforts at diplomacy, and the often misguided covert actions of the CIA. Upon those who advocated for a Formal Department of Peace, insults were heaped, and accusations of affiliation with communism were claimed. Others were written off as naive idealists. (As if advocating war does not also possess a warped sense of idealism - 'if we crush them into submission, everything will work out fine...')

click image to read moreOnly the Department of War remained (re-named the Department of Army in 1947, then quickly changed again to the Department of Defense).

I've long been interested in the US establishing a Department of Peace, and really like the idea of reviving this effort toward a more balanced approach. One can only hope they can accomplish this without it becoming simply a lip-service entity. Instead, it should have as much authority as the Department of War.

And though the Obama Administration seems to have some interest in this effort, much credit must be given to Dennis Kucinich who created a Congressional bill in this regard in 2007, to Yoko Ono for long being and advocate (even recently on Twitter) and to other grass-roots citizens who've been working toward the movement of establishing a Department of Peace for quite some time.

Think it's a good idea too? Go vote over at Change.org.

No Means No: Pre-term Labor & Terbutaline

My autistic son riding Chicago's CTA. He loves trains.Ten years ago when I had my first son, Autism wasn't in the news as much as it is today. The only example I'd ever really seen was Dustin Hoffman's version in the movie Rain Man. Autism felt a million miles away from me then.

Today, it's part of my every day life. At age two, my son began being evaluated for Autism while we were living in Norway -- I'd been concerned since he was one year-old, and before he'd had the MMR vaccination.

Now in fourth grade, my son PJ is a happy and sweet little boy, but will forever struggle with the challenges that come with Autism. Most of his days are spent in his own little world, looking at the rest of us like we're from another planet. Even the simple thought of a typical birthday party can sometimes overwhelm him. He will

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