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Dear Friends,

As the Iowa component of “Occupy Wall Street” grows, people ask me, “What’s the point of physically occupying a public park, and how long will Occupy Iowa protesters actually camp out?”

As I see it (and this is my view, not an official position), millions of Americans nationwide have chosen to occupy our public spaces because a handful of big corporations now occupy our government. How long will we stay? One sign I’ve seen nails it: “We’ll Occupy Wall Street Until Wall Street No Longer Occupies Congress.”

Our physical, round-the-clock presence is essential to the strength and identify of this movement. Camping is more than symbolic. It builds resolve. Detractors need to know we’re serious. Others need to be inspired to join us. The tents, the signs, the constant flow of people from all walks of life, even the porta-potties remind people that we are present, determined and not going away anytime soon.

Sleeping in a cold tent beside two noisy roads under bright street lights isn’t camping for fun. It’s camping that requires commitment, endurance and sacrifice. It’s camping to change the heart, mind and behavior of America’s power elite. It’s camping to further mobilize the 99% of Americans who are being sold-out, even as the wealthiest 1% pocket billions from bailouts.

Come join the occupation. Activities are happening across Iowa. In Des Moines, attend the daily General Assembly at 6:00 pm in Stewart Square, E. 14th and Grand. This Wednesday, come to the Polk County Courthouse at 11:00 am to support those of us arrested on October 9th. A large crowd of supporters would mean a lot to me, personally, and to the others appearing in court that day at 1:00.

This week on the Fallon Forum, Monday we’ll talk with Anuradha Mittal of the Oakland Institue about efforts to stop corporate ag interests from building mega farms in Africa. We’ll also talk with Andrew Rasmussen about Governor Branstad’s recently released education proposal.

Tuesday, Admiral Dennis McGinn talks about the confluence of clean energy and the US military.

Wednesday, Bob Mionske, an Oregon attorney, discusses Idaho’s bike law allowing cyclists to regard stop signs as yield signs. Also, Ying Sa with Community CPA talks about the upcoming Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit.

Thursday, we get the pro side of the nuclear power issue from Chuck Conlen, director of strategy, mergers and acquisitions for DTE Energy.

So, tune in at 98.3 WOW-FM and online. You can download the Fallon Forum as a podcast, too.  And don’t forget to visit The Fallon Forum website at fallonforum.com.  Thanks!

Ed