Dear Friends,
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PROGRAM, WHERE I DISCUSS:
(02:19) My love affair with Frédéric Chopin LISTEN
(19:43) Three big things that could impact the election LISTEN
(36:59) Without regulation, the future of AI is beyond scary LISTEN
(50:11) The Iran War is hurting farmers LISTEN
THE THREE STOOGES AND MY FIRST PIANO
Well, not the real stooges. But three piano movers who reminded me and my early-teen-age brothers of our three favorite TV role models. As the eldest sibling, I lucked out and got to be Moe.
I learned my first nocturne at 16. Here’s a more recent performance of me playing Opus 9 #2, along with Opus 9 #1, some improv, and B-roll of the love of my life, Kathy, flaunting her dance skills in cute and clever ways — with a werewolf, a pork chop, and as a 1920s flapper.
One of Kathy’s more interesting dance partners. See more of the performance here, as I accompany Kathy with Chopin nocturnes.
THE INCREASING UNPOPULARITY OF ISRAEL’S WAR CRIMES
The Israeli government’s US political action committees have been effective at ousting Democratic members of Congress (including Jews) who criticize Israel. But with the Israeli military committing so many horrific war crimes, blind support for the Israeli government is becoming a political liability that may impact the November election.
DEMOCRATIC UPSTARTS THROW OFF THE YOKE OF THE PARTY ELITE
I’ve been arguing for 33 years that the Democratic Party has lost its soul. Bernie Sanders said as much during his nearly successful campaign for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016.
With Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner assured of being the Democratic nominee for US Senate, the Party’s corporate elite have been forced to reckon with what is, for them, a scary truth: voters have had enough of DemocratIc business-as-usual. Step aside, old guard. The new wave of progressive populism has arrived — and it’s about to make its mark on the fall election.
TRUMP’S PRESIDENCY MIGHT NOT LAST THROUGH NOVEMBER
Robert Reich recently wrote a provocative column about a “group of political operatives” postulating that Trump insiders are preparing to oust him from the presidency. The operatives give the scenario a 30% chance of happening.
If I were a betting man, I’d place the odds closer to 70%.
Is Trump’s potential ouster good or bad for democracy, America, and the planet? Fair question. If it happens before the midterm election, congressional Republicans might minimize the carnage coming their way.
But …
President J.D. Vance will simply pick up where Trump left off. He’ll be smarter than Trump (low bar) and less unhinged (also a low bar), but equally eager to unravel the remaining constitutional obstacles to full-blown authoritarian rule.
So what should we do? Continue to speak truth to power. Don’t be afraid to have tough conversations with your friends, family, and neighbors. Get involved with the fall election — NOW! Pick a candidate you know and help them in some way every week, or more often.
Above all, don’t demonize people who voted for Trump. We all make mistakes. And we’re all Americans, all human beings, all in this together.
REGULATE THE ROBOTS
What happens with AI over the next two years is as important as what happens with the election this fall. The most important step to preventing the robots from taking over is for Congress to pass strong regulations for the industry.
Make that an issue when you decide which candidate(s) to campaign for this summer and fall.
SUMMIT CO2 PIPELINE ON LIFE SUPPORT
Good news for Iowa farmers and landowners: Summit Carbon Solutions has removed twelve Iowa counties from its target list.
Good news for the Dakotas: Summit no longer plans to sequester CO2 in North Dakota.
Bad news for Wyoming: Summit wants to pump the stuff to your state instead. Furthermore, the company said it’s interested in using the CO2 for enhanced oil recovery — finally admitting its true intentions from the start.
Bad news for Summit: To get to Wyoming, you’ve got to go through Nebraska — the state where farmers, landowners, Native peoples, and others killed the Keystone XL Pipeline. Good luck with that, Summit.
IRAN WAR HURTING FARMERS
Double-digit increases in the cost of fertilizer, thanks to Trump’s war on Iran, coupled with rising oil and gas prices, is exacerbating an already strained economy in farm country.
In an Iowa Capital Dispatch article, Steve Kuiper, vice president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, said, “The fertilizer impact on the state is going to be significant. We’ve already got a farm economy that’s financially tremendously pressured.”
A possible silver lining is that the high cost of fertilizer and fuel will convince more conventional farmers to switch to raising food for local markets. That’s a trend that’s already seen tremendous growth. According to the USDA, in 2022, direct-market sales of food and agricultural products increased by 51% compared to 2017.
Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. And if you’re a central Iowa resident, remember to support the local businesses and nonprofits that help underwrite this platform.
Ed Fallon
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