When my Representative's Chief Administrative Assistant asked me in an email for the topic of my reqested meeting, I listed three pieces of legislation by name and number: H.B.3760 to create the Department of Peace (DoP Bill), H.R.2631 to establish a Peace Tax, and H.Con.Res.97 to state a Sensible Transition to Enduring Peace (STEP Resolution) in Iraq.

"None of this is legislation that we are supporting," answered Sue Udry, the Lobbying Coordinator for United for Peace and Justice.

Our opposition is correct: We are divisive. In what sense do these three pieces of legislation NOT address Peace and Justice? We are not United! Further evidence of this divisiveness can be found in the debate over whether or not the DoP Campaign should be represented in the march. Solidarity?

Through further research, I've unearthed two more pieces of legislation in the House that are worth supporting: H.Con.Res.158 to articulate a Sensible Multilateral American Response to Terrorism (SMART) that resembles the kind of proactive peacebuilding proposed in the DoP legislation, and H.Con.Res.35 for the immediate withdrawal from Iraq. The former has 53 sponsors. Regarding the latter, I was surprised to find it because I've seen many like it that have been summarily dismissed by overwhelmingly hawkish votes, but this one is alive and well with 36 sponsors. Furthermore, it is my impression that these Con.Res. bits already have Senate approval.

At the demonstration yesterday, as I have said previously on this website, it was apparent that the "I" word need not be whispered any more. Several of the Impeachment groups were well represented. There were buttons and bumper stickers on the issue. Many signs recognized the findings of the World Tribunal on Iraq: that our commander-in-chief and his administration are guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The "I" word was even used assertively from the stage.

Our opposition is correct: We are spineless. Who will write the Articles of Impeachment? "Nobody Died When Clinton Lied." We lack the courage of our convictions.

"But Cheney would be even worse!" Wrong! Empower international authority as suggested by the SMART Resolution, and the whole chain of command can be ousted. Then what? Perhaps an emergency election in '06? Meanwhile, the Mayors and Governors seem to be doing a good job of leading their respective constituencies. We have seen how they have taken environmental and educational matters into their own hands rather than waiting for the balky federal government. The Legislative and Judiciary branches can keep the nation glued together...

... or not! Perhaps the National Caucus I called for in Let's Reframe Our Nation can happen sooner rather than later, and we can face some real issues about our future as a nation. In my travels over the last couple of weeks, I have seen that there might be as much difference between SC and MA as between Italy and Denmark - especially in the economic arena. I paid 89 cents for the same container of yogurt in MA that cost me 50 cents in SC. My host in DC is paying more than four times the rent for his apartment as the rent on my apartment, and mine is bigger, nicer, and better located with respect to proximity to essential goods, services and entertainment. In what sense are we living in one nation? Perhaps we have something to learn from the recent history of the EU and the USSR.