Kucinich stresses message of peace
Originally published by Foster's Daily Democrat
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Kucinich stresses message of peace
By REBECCA HAMM
Staff Writer
DURHAM -- Peace was a main topic of Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich's speech at the University of New Hampshire Saturday afternoon.
The message behind the Ohio congressman's slogan, "strength through peace," was featured in his talk at Holloway Commons.
"We can create a world of peace," he said to the crowd of about 75, mostly college students and faculty.
Campaigning in New Hampshire this week, Kucinich also spoke at the North Grafton County Democratic Party's John F. Kennedy Dinner on Friday night.
"We have to pull back from our ambitions of empire" and withdraw from Iraq, he said.
Responding to a question from the audience, he said after Sept. 11 the United States missed an opportunity to build relationships with the many countries that were willing to help us.
"The blow to America was a blow to the whole world," Kucinich said.
He said he understood the country's need to enter Afghanistan, because "We had a right to defend ourselves."
"Instead of targeting Iraq, it should have been, 'let's work together to challenge these terrorists'," Kucinich said.
In response to a question about the strength of his campaign, Kucinich said all he needed was a moment of an audience's time to convey his message.
He touched on the necessity of adopting universal, single-payer and nonprofit health care, and the importance of sustainable energy both globally and at home.
Kucinich believes the United States must work closely with Arab countries as well as Israel and the Palestinians to promote peace.
In a recent peace-building and humanitarian trip to southern Lebanon in the wake of its conflict with Israel, Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth saw bombed villages. He said he was astounded by the Lebanese people, in spite of all the destruction.
"They said 'We don't hate Israel, we want peace. We Love America,'" he said.
Both he and his wife were moved.
"I've never seen so much compassion," he said. "There were people who were standing on the rubble of their own homes. There is suffering all over. We have to have a president who understands the Lebanese, the Iranians, the Iraqis are suffering."
He told the audience he was committed to peace.
"We have to start to elevate our condition more than campaign. We have to make an effort to summon the best we can all be with joy and compassion."
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