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U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has a terrorism agenda that doesn’t mention things like homeland security, detention or combat — terms typically heard at the Capitol.

Instead, healthcare, the environment, education, economic opportunity and other decidedly nonmilitary measures are what is needed to bring peace and security to the world, said Lee, D-Oakland,

"All of these ideas are central to forging peace," she told a standing-room-only crowd Saturday at the Del Mar Theatre.

The event was hosted by the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

Lee has become the peace movement’s leading figure against terrorism since she stood alone Sept. 15, against giving President Bush broad war powers.

Her vote did not play well in Peoria — the national backlash included death threats. But Lee doesn’t represent Peoria. Her East Bay district includes liberal-minded Berkeley, with a left-leaning constituency that greatly resembles the one that came to hear her speak in Santa Cruz.

Mayor Christopher Krohn presented Lee with the key to the city, which garnered vigorous applause.

She encouraged the enthusiastic crowd, who gave her a string of standing ovations, not to forget pressing pre-Sept. 11 social issues like injustice, racism, economic exploitation and poverty.

"We can’t let the terrible events of September derail our efforts to complete the unfinished business of America," Lee said.

She encouraged a multi-dimensional nation-building campaign as a way to thwart terrorism. She called for an increase in U.S. foreign aid to help accomplish that.

"The seeds of terrorism are planted in despair," Lee said.

She also spoke about her now well-known dissenting vote of Sept. 15, in which she opposed giving sweeping war powers to President Bush. Like many, she said she was angry after the 9/11 attacks.

Did she possess the desire to strike back? Yes, she said. The terrorists should be brought to justice, she said.

But she said the fight should not come at the expense of civil liberties.

"It was giving the president unlimited authority to wage war against any country as long as it could be excused with Sept. 11," Lee said.

Often lost in the controversy are the things she did vote for in the days after attacks. That included "yes" votes on resolutions condemning the attacks and a resolution expressing Congress’ sense that Americans should fly the flag.

Lee went on to criticize the Bush administration for continuing to stifle debate on terrorism and casting those who question the administration as less than patriotic.

Democracy requires the right to question, she said.

"It must not be unpatriotic to question a course of action," Lee said. "It must not be unpatriotic to raise doubts. I suggest to you it is just the opposite."

Contact Brian Seals at bseals@santa-cruz.com.

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