Letter to the editor by Marguerite (Peg) Bozarth, Augusta

Published in Kalamazoo Gazette Thursday, June 7, 2007

Group regularly discusses peace

Recently I learned about the legislation for a Department of Peace initiated by U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. The department would report to the president regarding peaceful solutions to problems like domestic violence, school violence, prison reform and international issues.

There have been 145 military interventions by the United States since 1890, internally and throughout the world. The number of lives lost during the past century, according to the Historical Atlas of the 20th Century: deaths by war and oppression, genocide and tyranny—83 million; military deaths in war—42 million; civilian deaths in war—19 million; manmade famine—44 million; total—188 million. The current death toll in Iraq is 3,495 Americans and between 62,000 and 68,000 Iraqi citizens.

Is all of this killing necessary? How are we benefiting our fellow man, our own souls? Have we at this stage in the development of mankind used all of the resources we have, or any of them, in order to resolve conflict – rather than brute force? Are we our brothers' keeper?

You can learn more about the initiative at www.ThePeaceAlliance.org, or come to the 6th Congressional District Department of Peace meeting at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the Skyridge Church of the Brethren, 394 S. Drake Road, Kalamazoo.

Marguerite Bozarth

Augusta