Category Archives: Weekly Updates

We have 90 days to save democracy!

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Most days I go through life acting like a normal person. (Ok, friends and family, cut me some slack. Consider the broadest application of what it means to be “normal.”)

But there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t feel like climbing the tallest building and shouting, “Wake up! They’re coming to steal the election!”

I pay close attention to what’s happening in the world. My daily news-review routine takes about two hours. I assure you in the strongest possible voice that President Trump and his cronies are absolutely preparing to steal the fall election.

Should you panic? Yes. For a minute or two. Then take action.

We can stop the steal if Democratic candidates (and in some districts, Republicans who haven’t chugged the Trump cool-aid) win by unassailable margins.

That means each of us needs to pick a congressional candidate and/or a US Senate candidate who we can devote a lot of time to helping. And we need to do that NOW, since Election Day is only 110 days away. In Iowa, early voting starts on October 14 — a mere 90 days! Continue Reading →

A candid talk with a Libertarian candidate for Congress

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Rick Stewart is an interesting, thoughtful guy. He’s a successful businessman, having founded Frontier Co-op (originally New Frontier Herbs). What started as a two-person operation in 1976 in a cabin along the Cedar River now boasts annual net sales of $235.9 million.

In addition to being a successful small businessman, Rick is a less-successful frequent candidate for public office. How frequent? His current campaign for Congress will be his sixth shot at pubic office.

Well, maybe calling Rick’s campaigns unsuccessful is unfair. If you define electoral success as winning, as I do, then yeah, I’m right. Continue Reading →

Strawberry fields forever, and everywhere

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Now let’s talk about strawberries!

Several years ago, Des Moines planted a whole lot of strawberries at three public locations. As word has gotten out, more and more Demoiniacs are picking literally tons of free fruit each spring.

The strawberry patches are so popular that, if Des Moines is serious about increasing local food security, more plantings are needed. Yet there’s been resistance from some City officials, often citing “budget constraints.”

Budget constraints? Really? It takes 10,000 strawberry plants to cover between 0.6 and 1 acre of land. The cost of those plants is $2,500-$3,000.

In a budget of nearly $900 million, don’t tell me Des Moines can’t find a few grand for strawberries.

I spoke at the Des Moines city council meeting this week, making the case to plant more strawberries. Check out my three-minute spiel here. Continue Reading →

Iowa Republicans nominate a Kansan for governor

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This week’s topics are:

1.Iowa Republicans nominate a Kansan for governor
2. Resistance to data centers is growing, and bipartisan
3. Big Oil is running the country and the planet
4. A brief history of eggplant, with Kathy Byrnes

Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. And if you’re an Iowa resident, remember to support the businesses and nonprofits who help underwrite this platform. Continue Reading →

Donald Trump’s obsession with men

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This week’s topics are:

1. Donald Trump’s obsession with men
2. Ivanka’s island draws the ire of Albanians
3. You might be unwittingly helping make Elon Musk a trillionaire
4. International Year of the Woman Farmer, with Kathy Byrnes

Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. And if you’re an Iowa resident, remember to support the businesses and nonprofits who help underwrite this platform. Continue Reading →

The coming civil war over water

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This week’s topics are:

— The coming civil war over water
— Surviving the Trump years
— Blowing up fishing boats
— International Year of the Woman Farmer, with Kathy Byrnes

Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. And if you’re an Iowa resident, remember to support the businesses and nonprofits who help underwrite this platform. Continue Reading →

A love letter

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LOVE LETTER
Once in a while, an email arrives reminding me that my work is not in vain. Here’s one:

Dear Ed,

I came across mention of your radio show recently and realized I owed you a thank-you that’s roughly twenty-five years overdue.

In the early 2000s, I was a high school student in Des Moines who’d gotten it into his head to get involved in state and local Democratic politics. The experience was mostly bruising. Leonard Boswell brushed off a question I’d asked about Iran’s nuclear program with “Well, boy, that’s a big question from a young mind.” Preston Daniels, asked how a kid could get more involved at the state and local level, answered: “Don’t.”

You were the exception. I have a clear memory of walking a District 70 neighborhood with you, handing out flyers, and being treated — for the first time by an elected representative — like someone whose attention was worth earning rather than enduring. It was the first time anyone in that world had given me a real conversation instead of a brush-off. Continue Reading →