Month: November 2023

Kathy’s favorite farm and food lady

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We wrap up this week’s podcast and radio show with Kathy paying tribute to her Aunt Marian, who died this month at the glorious age of 99.

Marian was Kathy’s mom’s older sister and the mother of twelve children. In addition to an old-school farming operation with hogs, corn, beans, alfalfa, and sorghum, Marian ruled over a huge garden and two full kitchens!

Between preserving food for the winter and serving three meals a day to 14 people, the kitchens pretty much ran full-time. Marian’s apple pies in particular were known far and wide.

It’s my contention that 21st century America has much to learn from Marian Smith and the farming practices of a bygone era. As supply chains are further disrupted from climate change and other calamities, large gardens and small-scale meat production will become necessities, not novelties.  Continue Reading →

Veterans Day reflections

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Dear Friends, LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM Before I share my Veterans Day reflection, here’s an outline of this week’s program: First, I interview author Lawrence MacDonald about his book, Continue Reading →

Tuesday’s election, Biden’s polls, and my presidential prediction

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We’re a year out from the 2024 presidential election, yet I’m ready to pick a winner. My prediction might surprise you. But first, some thoughts on Tuesday’s election:

DES MOINES. Some say voters rejected the message of progressive candidates for Mayor and City Council. I don’t see it that way. Candidates’ messages were fine, for the most part. But it’s hard to beat an incumbent. Between name recognition and the big money it often attracts (it did), incumbents and defacto incumbents won all five races.

Speaking of being outspent, I hadn’t intended to be the only public voice opposed to spending $350 million to expand the airport. It turns out I was. I spent $0. Airport proponents spent at least $30,000. My side lost 80%-20%. Ouch.

The biggest news locally was the suburban school board elections. The candidates supported by a far-right “Christian” organization lost. All of them. Yup. The radical religious right got its clock cleaned and its Bible thumped. Good to know that Iowans aren’t inclined to live in a theocracy. Continue Reading →

Climate is on the ballot

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No matter where you live, the ballot you fill out on November 7 will impact the climate crisis. Maybe there’s a candidate committed to serious climate action running for city council. Maybe there’s a ballot initiative or referendum with a climate impact.

That’s the case in Polk County, Iowa. Public Measure A wants voters to approve a $350 million bond to expand the airport, which would have a resoundingly negative climate impact. 

I’ve never been good at sugar-coating my message, so to be blunt:

If you support building a bigger airport to increase air travel, you aren’t serious about the climate crisis.

From an online search: “Air travel accounts for about 4 percent of human-induced global warming, and the United Nations warns that airplane emissions are set to triple by 2050.”
Continue Reading →