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Jonathan Wornick, Councilman Wozniak’s appointee to the Peace and Justice Commission, has already written at least two op-eds in the Daily Planet attacking a U.S. Department of Peace (DOP). His most recent, entitled “Is Free Speech Dead in Berkeley?”, not only continued that attack, but personally tried to brand me and others in the peace movement as radical leftists. In fact, he used that term no less than eight times. 

Any attempt to place simplistic labels on citizens should be considered both reprehensible and offensive. It is nothing less than a politically motivated ploy to marginalize people into convenient groups in order to divide the citizens of Berkeley and confuse the issues. 

Does he actually believe Berkeley’s citizens are proud that the radical-right sent our National Guard to secure Iraq’s oil fields and left our country defenseless in time of natural disaster? Shouldn’t he be appalled by what we have recently witnessed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by the slow response of the Guard and FEMA? Recent polls even before Katrina show Bush’s approval rating has never been lower?  

Wornick states that I am a man with limitless amounts of free time and a self-described long-time advocate of progressive causes. I consider that a compliment. 

The last 12 years I spent working with children, advocating for school butterfly gardens, promoting nonviolence and founding Musicians and Fine Artists for World Peace that now has over 1,260 members, including Patti LaBelle, Pete Seeger, the Dalai Lama, Dr. Patch Adams, Holly Near and Country Joe. My work was acknowledged by the City of Berkeley and by the conservative Republican-dominated legislature of Pennsylvania, which gave me a citation for what they said was my “inspiring work in raising global consciousness, promoting environmental stewardship, education, conservation and world peace through the symbolic beauty of butterflies.” In 1999 we organized 10,000 children in the East Bay to raise butterflies for Earth Day. Planet readers can check that out at www.butterflyspirit.org.  

Wornick justifies his opposition to national peace initiatives by saying, “Nowhere in our job descriptions does it say that the mayor or the City Council is supposed to have a position on issues like Middle East politics or war.” Now he claims, “I strongly believe our local officials have been elected solely to run the City of Berkeley.”  

He accused me of attacking his negative vote on the DOP and that I believe he doesn’t belong on the commission. I never brought up the issue until he wrote an editorial opposing the DOP after the council passed it. Why does this self-proclaimed advocate for free speech complain when others use it only in refuting his outrageous accusations?  

Wornick states that I obfuscated his actions and words and that he is truly an advocate for peace, but with a different view on how to achieve it. If anyone is trying to obfuscate the issue, it is Wozniak’s appointee. How can this man proclaim to be an advocate for peace when he attacks the very mission the Peace and Justice Commission was created to fulfill time and time again, a commission that he took an oath of office to support? 

Once again I ask, has this commissioner forgotten the commission’s mandate passed by City Council? That ordinance established the Peace and Justice Commission to advise the City Council and the School Board on all matters relating to the City of Berkeley’s role in issues of peace including the issues of ending the arms race and abolishing nuclear weapons.  

He claimed that he “dared” to vote against a resolution supporting a DOP because in his analysis the legislation would fail and was seriously flawed, yet he didn’t bother to elucidate. I suppose since he claims to be a student of political science we should all accept his opinion. 

Peace and Justice Commissioner Elliot Cohen wrote an op-ed claiming that Wornick harbors a secret agenda. He claims that in being opposed to DOP, Commissioner Wornick deceitfully omitted his father’s role as founder of the Wornick Company, the largest supplier of military food rations and to vote against a DOP while his family profits from war raises ethical conflicts requiring investigation.” Wornick claims his family no longer owns the company, but perhaps his family’s previous connections to the military has tainted his ability to see the benefits a DOP might bring. Has his past influenced his views on Peace and Justice issues?  

He asks, “Is free speech dead in Berkeley? Is the radical left so fragile that it can’t tolerate an opposing view?” 

If he is interested in free speech, why is he portraying himself as a victim while going about placing labels on anyone that questions his hypocrisy? He has a right to free speech, but when he speaks dishonestly and evasively as a public official, he deserves to be challenged and held accountable. 

If he has a different view on how to achieve peace, perhaps the citizens of Berkeley would better be served by his explaining what they are? Why not come forth with some meaningful answers, rather than with vague and misleading attacks. 

It is my opinion that Wozniak’s appointee is not fit, honest or deserving enough to be called a Peace and Justice commissioner, not only because he has shown disrespect for his oath, but because of his continuing efforts to undermine the very mission of the commission. If obstructionists like Wozniak’s appointee don’t believe in the commission’s mission and impede the good work of those that do, they deserve to be exposed. 

Wornick’s tactics are more reminiscent of a radical right-winger than the moderate Democrat he professes to be. I wouldn’t be surprised that his real motives are designed to grab publicity for the expressed purpose of duping Berkeley’s conservative voters into supporting him in some future run for office.  

Will we be fooled again when the big bad wolf comes into our midst disguised as a peace-loving sheep? I certainly hope not. We have too much to lose. Perhaps the best way to prevent that is for people to attend the commission meetings and act as watch dogs.  

Alan Moore is a member of East Bay DoPeace Committee, Musicians and Fine Artists for World Peace and the International Association of Educators for World Peace.  

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