Dear Friends,

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S FALLON FORUM. My guest is Joel Brown — former Democratic lawmaker and current Trump voter (what?!). We discuss whether it’s too early to perform an autopsy on the Democratic Party and take calls from listeners. On a lighter note, during the farm and food segment of our program, Kathy Byrnes and I talk about chestnuts. (They’re not just for roasting on the open fire.)

Joel Brown with his dog, Noa.

And … NEW PIPELINE WARNING! Two carbon dioxide pipelines are now formally proposed to tear through approximately 1,600 miles of Iowa farmland. That’s over four times the length of the Dakota Access Pipeline’s footprint across Iowa!

With Iowa landowners and other concerned residents still trying to process information from thirty Summit Pipeline public hearings that just wrapped up, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) wasted no time announcing a new set of hearings for the Navigator Pipeline.

We can’t sit back. We’ve gotta respond. These big corporations and their bought-and-paid for allies in state government hope to wear us down.

Don’t let them. I’ve got three asks for you this week:

ACTION 1: Familiarize yourself with the details of these proposals. We’re learning more all the time. For now, visit Bold Iowa and click on “Current Actions” to arm yourself with information.

ACTION 2: Plan to attend at least one of the Navigator Pipeline hearings between November 29 and January 19. Find the complete schedule here, and let me know which one(s) you’ll attend. Maybe I’ll see you there.

ACTION 3: Tell the IUB you oppose eminent domain to build these privately-owned pipelines. Also, tell them CO2 pipelines aren’t real climate solutions, they pose risks to communities, and they’re not economically viable without taxpayer subsidies. Reference HLP-2021-0001 (Summit Pipeline) and HLP-2021-0003 (Navigator Pipeline) in your communication. Submit comments online using the IUB’s Open Docket Comment Form, send an email, or mail a letter to the IUB at 1375 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319.

In other news, I’d welcome your feedback on this week’s conversation with Joel Brown (and several callers — yes, we’re taking calls again!) on whether the Democratic Party is fixable or beyond hope and simply needs to be replaced. Check out the livestream and/or podcast, and listen to the entire program on these local affiliates:

– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
– KICI.LP 105.3 FM (Iowa City, Iowa)
– WHIV 102.3 FM (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– KPIP-LP, 94.7 FM (Fayette, Missouri)
– KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, New Mexico)
– KRFP 90.3 FM (Moscow, Idaho)

Please support the local businesses and non-profits who make this program possible. Click on their logos on the Fallon Forum website and in our weekly email, and visit Dr. Drake Family Psychiatry, Story County Veterinary Clinic, Bold Iowa, and Birds & Bees Urban Farm.

Thanks for supporting the progressive alternative to the right-wing shock jocks!

Ed Fallon