Kucinich to Talk About Peace, Environment on Sunday

Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio's 10th District, and a two-time U.S. presidential candidate and former mayor of Cleveland, will speak about the necessity of peace and protecting the environment during a Sunday May 22, appearance from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Richmond Masonic Center at 185th St. and Linden Ave.  in Shoreline.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to come to Shoreline and speak to people from Shoreline and Lake Forest Park," he said.

Kucinich told Patch he will speak about his concerns regarding a bill in Congress that would broaden the President's ability to go to war without Congressional approval and the reauthorization of the Patriot Act. He will address recent events in Libya and Pakistan, including the killing of Osama Bin Laden. 

"There's a model of justice that calls for retaliation and promotes assassination," he said. "Is that the kind of justice that will sustain our democracy? This isn't about one person it's about who we are as a nation."

Kucinich is also in the midst of trying to determine his political future. Redistricting following the 2010 Census will likely eliminate his Congressional seat with the Republican Party the majority in the Ohio Legislature.

A longshot possibility that has been mentioned in political circles is that Kucinich could move to Washington to run for U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee's 1st District seat, if Inslee seeks the Washington state governorship.

Kucinich said he'd like to stay in Congress but hasn't decided on what his plans would be at this point, whether it's running for another seat in Ohio or moving elsewhere.

"I haven't made any decisions of what to do or where to go," he said. 

The event, a fundraiser for the 32nd District Legislative Democrats, is a brunch with pancakes and coffee and costs $25 suggested donation per person.