Iowa Progressive Radio:  This Week On The Fallon Forum

Dear Friends,

It was tough to get to sleep last night as the breaking news of Osama Bin Laden's death came Tweeting in. All the ramifications of Bin Laden's death warrants plenty of time and discussion, and I want to get YOUR thoughts on the subject tonight, (Monday) on the Fallon Forum, 7:00-8:00 pm on 98.3 WOW-FM (or live-streamed at www.fallonforum.com).

Here's what I posted on Facebook last night: “Regarding Osama Bin Laden's death . . . How would Gandhi respond? ML King? Dorothy Day? Jesus? It would be nothing like most of what I've read tonight in the news or on Facebook and Twitter. Perhaps they would simply ask for a prayer for peace on Earth.”

A human death — even a man who has so wronged our country and killed so many innocent people — is no cause to celebrate. Perhaps Bin Laden's death brings some sense of closure to the horrific national tragedy of 9/11. But we should not kid ourselves. Bin Laden may be dead, but those who support a campaign of terror live on, and may in fact be strengthened and further empowered by Bin Laden's demise.

I believe there is a better way. Perhaps history's prophets of peace can show us that path. Again, I hope you will join me for this conversation on the air tonight. If you can't tune-in, I'll have a podcast available later tonight. {Click here for podcasts.}

Tuesday, wind-energy wizard Gregg Heide talks about Iowa's potential in wind and we dig into the issues of storage, cost and reliability. Also Tuesday, former Des Moines School Board member Suzette Jensen talks about a proposal to change how Iowa's largest school district elects its members.

Unlike some of the nationally-syndicated shock jocks, I'm not afraid to provide folks with differing opinions to share their perspective on my show. With that in mind . . . Wednesday, Jeffrey Weiss co-hosts with me as we're joined by Dan Forrester, author of “Consider,” a book that digs into General Petraeus' role as leader of U.S. military operations in the Mideast. Also, Bob Vander Plaats will be my guest as we get his take on continued efforts to ban gays and lesbians from marrying.

Thursday, we talk with State Rep Dan Kelley. And Terry Nelson, a former U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security officer, joins us to talk about how drug cartels are now setting up shop on the U.S. side of the border. Is it time to revisit the whole notion that we can “win” a war on drugs?

So tune in Monday-Thursday, 7:00-8:00 pm, at 98.3 WOW-FM and online.  And for more quality local talk radio, check out the Bradshaw Show from 1:00-4:00 Monday-Friday. Thanks!

Ed