Author Archives: Ed Fallon

Heckling a Congresswoman? Hunting deer with AR15s?

Posted on by

When it comes to political activism, we need a broad change of strategies in the toolbox. But heckling? No. That’s never cool. It’s especially troubling when a Democratic candidate for the Iowa House heckles Congresswoman Axne, Iowa’s only Democratic member of Congress, to the point that she has to shut down the event before others in attendance are able to ask their questions.

Whatever craziness exists on the Left is often dwarfed by what the Right has to offer. Enter the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature. On the very last day of session — the same day as the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas — Republicans passed legislation allowing deer to be gunned down with AR15s. That’s a special, and dangerous, kind of crazy that makes heckling look tame. Continue Reading →

Meet Shannon Henson

Posted on by

Come to our party for Shannon Henson, Friday, May 27 from 5:00-6:30. Kathy and I will provide beverages and serve hors d’oeuvres made with Birds & Bees Urban Farm products. Most important, you’ll get to meet the woman we hope will be the next state representative from House District 36. 

Kathy and I support Shannon for a bunch of reasons, including her strong stand on the climate crisis. Shannon says, “Iowa can play a pivotal role in combating climate change. It means continuing to support regenerative agriculture, seeking real solutions to energy sources, and leading the way in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.” Continue Reading →

Responding to the repeal of Roe v. Wade

Posted on by

Sure, there are some monsters out there who have shot and killed doctors, terrorized pregnant women, and burned down medical facilities. Yet from my own work building bridges, most are good people who simply have strong beliefs. In my conversations, I listen, of course, and try to identify common ground. Yet I don’t hesitate to politely challenge “pro-life” voters to consider how a nation committed to personal liberty and religious tolerance can defend denying a woman the right to make this choice.

During 14 years as a state lawmaker, I had a 100% pro-choice voting record. Yet that didn’t stop me from working with “pro-life” Republicans to come up with strategies to reduce the incidence of abortion. That effort culminated in 1998, when five Republicans and two Democrats joined me in sponsoring HR104. That legislation passed without dissent on April 22. It established the Unintended Pregnancy Committee, and provided one of the few occasions when NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Family Policy Center, and Iowa Right to Life Committee sat down at the same table and talked.

While those of us who support a woman’s right to choose must be vocal, engaged, and firm, we must also be civil. Preaching to the choir while we lob derogatory remarks at “the other side” accomplishes nothing.
Continue Reading →

Ukraine

Posted on by

My guests are Jeffrey Weiss and Kathleen McQuillen — two of the most articulate and well-studied people I know when it comes to war, peace, and US foreign policy. Jeffrey’s a prof at Des Moines Area Community College. Kathleen’s the director of Catholic Peace Ministry. Both have been engaged in peace and justice work since the last millennium.

It’s a good conversation. I hope you’ll listen to the podcast or radio program and share your feedback. Covering several aspects of the war in Ukraine, Jeffrey, Kathleen, and I discuss NATO, the lack of media interest in other conflicts (Yemen, in particular), the risk of the war escalating, and what can and should be done by the US and its allies. Continue Reading →

Stories of heroes, musical giants, and resilience

Posted on by

I spent summer of 1979 in Belgium. There was a girl involved, and I talk about that a bit on this week’s program. Mostly, I share the story of my conversation with Derroll Adams, a singer/songwriter from Oregon who was immensely popular in Europe.

I ran into Derroll backstage before one of his big-tent concerts. We gabbed for 15 minutes or so. As he prepared to walk out onstage, Derroll told me he was sick and tired of performing. I gave him some impromptu advice, which in retrospect, I’m glad he didn’t take. (See what you think of my advice, offered at around the 9-minute mark.) Continue Reading →

An Immodest Proposal

Posted on by

Consider the benefit of turning Iowa into one giant field! Nothing between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers — and nothing between the states of Missouri and Minnesota — but corn and beans!

The practical steps to accomplishing this might seem large. But since we’re already well on our way, a little bold thinking reveals a pathway.

First (as our pioneer forefathers and foremothers had to do), we must “clear the land.” Thankfully, this doesn’t require killing or displacing any Indigenous populations. Some native Iowans will have to move, but more on that later. Continue Reading →

Earth Day, 2014: A Mediterranean meal in a Quonset hut

Posted on by

On April 22, Earth Day, we arrive at the home of Mark Boyko and Karen Abbott near Concho. They graciously offer us a two-day break from wilderness camping. Like many people in eastern Arizona they live off the grid, their home powered entirely by solar and wind energy. We find ample space to pitch our tents, yet due to the howling wind and cold temperatures, Mark and Karen let marchers sleep in their spacious Quonset hut. They also invite us to use their shower.

Lala prepares the best meal of the March: a multi-course, Mediterranean-style dinner featuring ratatouille, baba ganoush, tabouleh, falafel, and hummus. Continue Reading →

Stop spraying mosquitoes

Posted on by

SKEETERS (2-minute mark). Check with your city and/or county officials to find out if they provide an opt-out to spraying. Better yet, encourage them to pursue other options. To be clear, we SHOULD take action to control mosquito populations when they pose a genuine threat in residential areas. We can do that by removing standing water, putting up bat or purple martin houses, covering exposed skin, and applying eco-friendly bug spray.

URANIUM (25-minute mark). There’s one active uranium mill in the US, and it’s located next to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe where it poses a major threat to the community’s health, water, land, and heritage sites. I recently learned of the problem from a friend who gave me the November, 2021 issue of High Country News. As is typical with incidents of environmental injustice, public officials have been mostly unresponsive to concerns raised by the Ute people.

MY WINTER IN NOVA SCOTIA (36-minute mark). In my early twenties, I spent a winter in the wilds of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, living alone in a house on the edge of the highlands with no bathroom, running water, or electricity. My lone heat source was a wood stove. A giant sled dog and psychotic horse were my primary companions. Everything about the experience was fantastic — until someone burned down the outhouse. Continue Reading →

Don’t Get Fooled Again

Posted on by

Y’all know the song, “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” by The Who? Any time Big Oil reps flap their yappers, that song should be playing in our heads.

Big Oil. The industry Rachel Maddow calls “the richest, most destructive industry on Earth.” The industry that, thanks to Exxon Mobile, made Russia the deadly oil-and-gas powerhouse it is today. The industry that lied to us repeatedly about the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Make no mistake: The primary force behind this mad rush to build 60,000 miles of CO2 pipeline is Big Oil (specifically Continental Resources, Valero, Black Rock, Wolf). Consistent with its past track record, Big Oil is lying about CO2 pipelines. Continue Reading →

Walking across the Mojave Desert

Posted on by

I talk with Tim Takaro, a professor and researcher who spent months sitting in a tree to block construction of an oil pipeline across British Columbia, Canada.

Then at the 20-minute mark, Iowa Senator Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) joins me to discuss CO2 pipelines, eminent domain, climate change, education, the US Supreme Court nomination circus, and (for the heck of it) Chris Rock vs. Will Smith.

Finally, at the 46-minute mark, Kathy and I address the frightening specter of a grain shortage and increased global hunger, given the continued war in Ukraine. Continue Reading →