Dear Friends,

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PROGRAM. HERE ARE THE SEGMENTS:

(01:16) Reefer Madness, with Colin Hogan and Charles Goldman — LISTEN
(18:37) The disturbing legacy of DOGE, with Charles — LISTEN
(38:51) Cruelty is the point of Trump’s deportation policy, with Charles — LISTEN
(51:57) Beer is food, with Kathy Byrnes — LISTEN

Charles, Colin and Ed

Sure, it’s a rhetorical question: “Can a serious talk show start with weed and wrap up with beer?”

WEED. The answer is “yes.” This week Colin Hogan with Iowa Stage Theater Company discusses the Company’s production of Reefer Madness.

We also discuss how public opinion and marijuana laws have evolved over the years.

Charles shares concern about the dramatically increased strength of marijuana and how that’s leading to addictive behaviors and a wide range of health problems.

ELECTION. I’m feeling increasingly confident that the November 3 election will remain fair and secure. It’s still a crap shoot, what with the many tactics being employed by the Trump administration to corrupt the results. But my phone call last week with Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald convinced me that election officials across the country are well prepared to address all types of corruptive influences.

On top of that, former MAGA stalwarts like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson are increasingly vocal in their opposition to many of Trump’s key priorities. And here in the heartland, you’d be hard-pressed to find a farmer who’s not ticked off at one or more ill-conceived Trump policies negatively impacting rural communities.

DOGE. If you thought Elon Musk’s assault on federal employees earlier this year saved us money, think again. Charles shares compelling data that DOGE actually cost taxpayers money. The real motive behind Musk’s effort? Get even richer by stealing the personal, formerly confidential, data of every American.

DEPORTATION. Why has the mainstream media seemingly abandoned coverage of ICE’s heartless immigration policy, even as detention and deportation levels have soared? And what’s actually driving Trump’s immigration policy? Charles contends that “sadism and cruelty are a feature, not a bug, of the actions of all members of the Trump administration,” especially deportation.

BEER. On a happier note, Kathy I wrap up this week’s program by attempting to answer a question that has bedeviled generations of revelers: Is beer food, or merely a drink?

On that note, I’ll leave it to you, my beloved audience, to answer the question that serves as the title of this message.
Speaking of beer, Birds & Bees Urban Farm’s annual harvest party on Saturday will feature beer from Lua Brewing, wine from Gateway Market & Cafe, farm-fresh finger foods, the classical guitar music of Dave Reynolds, farm tours, and three clever (he hopes!) demos by me involving potatoes, walnuts, and a big hole in the ground.
Rain date? Nah. We got this. Join us Saturday, rain or shine.

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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In addition to our PODCAST, listen to the Fallon Forum on these affiliates:

– KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, Iowa)
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