An Irish-American’s brush with sainthood

Kevin’s my guest during the first segment of this week’s program. We touch on the shared experience of being doused with mosquito spray by a truck, in his case, and by a helicopter, in my case — both in small towns on opposite sides of Massachusetts.

Yes, back in the day, they indiscriminately sprayed DDT! During the day! When kids were out playing! I remember feeling the sticky stuff on my skin. Kevin and his friends would actually run after the spray truck, breathing in the fumes until they felt light-headed.

It’s kind of shocking that we’re still alive.

Most of my conversation with Kevin is about his brush with sainthood as a ten-year-old boy. It’s a delightful story. Continue Reading →

We’re now a call-in program!

This week, we discuss the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Agreements have been reached on coal, deforestation, and methane. But do they go far enough? What enforcement mechanisms will be put in place? How much of what’s being touted as accomplishments is merely green-washing?

My callers and I tackle these and related questions on this week’s program. Callers range from Jerry Schnoor, a UI professor who has attended all of the previous climate summits, to the notorious “Frank from Des Moines,” a conservative whose perspectives I enjoy but often disagree with. (Spoiler alert: We cue Frank’s entrance into the conversation with Darth Vader’s theme music.) Continue Reading →

Wanted: Bold Iowans

Dear Friends, I’m writing with an urgent appeal. Since March of 2016, Bold Iowa has been a key leader on climate change and eminent domain. In fact, our work is recognized Continue Reading →