Author Archives: Ed Fallon

How Democrats might avoid a November shellacking

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The passion for freedom, liberty, and keeping g’ummint out of our private affairs is arguably stronger now than it was in the ’80s. (Note to the radicals pushing abortion bans and other personal-liberty-negating nonsense: your attacks on our freedoms will not prevail!)

The chicken-coop issue of the 2022 election is … CO2 pipelines. Big corporations think of themselves as not only too-big-to-fail but too-big-to-not-get-everything-they-want from their pals in government. In Iowa, pro-CO2 pipeline corporations are discovering opposition to their get-rich-quick scheme is huge.

How huge? Like Osterberg”s campaign in the 1980s, potentially huge enough to impact legislative races this fall. Take Jessica Wiskus of Linn County, whose farm is in the path of the Wolf Pipeline. Not only has the threat of eminent domain made an activist out of Jessica, she’s decided to run for the statehouse this fall. She’s a Democrat, and normally, that seat is one a Democrat couldn’t win — just like the seat Osterberg captured in the 1980s. Continue Reading →

“Dear President Biden”

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For me, the film brings back so many memories of Bold Iowa’s 2019/2020 “Climate Bird Dog” effort leading up to the Iowa Caucuses. Dang, we did  good work! Over 200 activists statewide, hammering home the urgency of the climate crisis day after day to candidates in every nook and cranny of the state.

How did the President respond to Bold’s bird dogs? CLICK HERE TO VIEW THOSE INTERACTIONS. What do you think? Is Mr. Biden following through on his commitment to treat climate like a crisis? Continue Reading →

A Philosophy Super Bowl?

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What’s not to like about trains, right? Well, apparently quite a bit if you live in a community where a big railroad company proposes a major expansion of train traffic. Joining me to discuss that concern is the mayor of Bettendorf, Iowa, Bob Gallagher. My first reaction was, “More trains equals less pollution and highway-safety concerns. Good thing, right?” After talking with Bob, well, let’s just say there are a bunch of other concerns to consider before jumping to a conclusion. …

Also, Kathy Byrnes joins me to discuss peas. Ok, that sounds even more boring than a Philosophy Super Bowl. But really, what do you know about peas? Are you afraid to know more, huh? Maybe Kathy’s a little off-base to call peas “the perfect produce,” but … well, you’ll just to have to listen and see if you agree or disagree. Continue Reading →

We discuss abortion … and rabbits

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Joining me are Dr. Charles Goldman, attorney Joseph Glazebrook, and professor Carol Spaulding-Kruse. It’s a rock-star line up, and I hope you’ll listen to the program and share your feedback.

There are so many questions surrounding this sea change in a woman’s right to make her own decision when it comes to abortion. What will individual states do? Will anti-choice activists push for even more draconian erosions of personal liberty? Could the US Congress potentially preempt pro-choice states? Is it possible in today’s hyper-charged partisan environment to find common ground on preventing unintended pregnancies?

My guests and I tackle these questions and more. Again, feedback welcome. Continue Reading →

Let’s get real on gun safety

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HERE’S THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM, with a hard, serious focus on gun violence. Joining me are State Rep. Ako Abdul Samad and Dr. Charles Goldman. It’s an enlightened and enlightening conversation, and I’ll simply encourage you to give it a listen and share your feedback.

But before you do: Based on the sad reality that not a single so-called “advanced” country anywhere in the world has a gun-violence problem like the US, I’ll pose one question for you:

How do we improve gun safety and keep the most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the hands of the most dangerous people?

Ok, that’s two questions. Feedback, responses, insights welcome. Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action! Continue Reading →

Heckling a Congresswoman? Hunting deer with AR15s?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 →