Dear Friends,

Really, when you think about it, what’s so magical about a piece of paper as currency? Why not create a universal unit of exchange using something with actual intrinsic value, something that can be made anywhere by anyone (not just the powerful dude with the key to the Federal Reserve)? Why not make . . . the egg our universal unit of currency?

With the help of a chicken, eggs can be raised in the poorest Latin American barrios to the Inuit villages of the Arctic Circle. Sure, there’s always the risk of counterfeit production – AJ & Peter DeCoster come to mind. But if we can figure out a way to tell a real $100 bill from a fake one, it’ll be a heck of a lot easier to tell a real egg from one of the counterfeits produced in a DeCoster confinement facility.

The truth is, as economic power in America shifts to fewer and fewer people, more and more of us are using barter as our currency of choice. Case in point: I recently arranged an intriguing three-way barter. I gave someone three dozen eggs, they gave me a six pack of home brew, which I in turn gave that to a guy who helped me with some computer and website problems. Happiness all around! Well, except perhaps the IRS, the DeCosters and Budweiser.

Monday, local musician Frank Strong treats us to “Highway Patrol” as we celebrate Governor Branstad’s ongoing SpeedGate scandal. Des Moines attorney Channing Dutton joins us to discuss James Hansen’s latest paper on the climate crisis, and we hear what Lee Camp has to say about NASA’s take on climate change. Max Wellman joins us to talk about some of his upcoming concerts. And we preview tomorrow’s casino vote in Greene County.

Tuesday, Osha Gray Davidson discusses the fire in Yarnell and his recent article on that tragedy. We also talk food: the latest development in the tainted salad scandal, congressional action toward further cutting the food stamp program, and how extracting some accountability from the DeCoster’s over their sickening of over 2000 people from salmonella a few years back is barely moving forward. And in this week’s A New Beat on Learning, we talk with Andrew Rasmussen of the Des Moines Education Association about “common core.”

Wednesday, we take a deeper look at the horrific use of isolation cells of the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo. And we look at Steve King’s latest strategy to embarrass Iowa, this time with his anti-states-rights amendment on farming.

Thursday, we talk politics, and look at how the 2016 presidential contest is shaping up, among other races of interest. We also talk about water quality and how Governor Branstad has quietly sided with the forces of corporate agriculture in that battle.

Friday, our show is still a work in progress, but undoubtedly plenty will happen between now and the end of the week. If you’d like to be added to our “Daily Notice” list for a morning reminder about the program and what’s going to air, just let me know.

Join us live, Monday-Friday, from 12:00-1:00 pm on the Fallon Forum website. Call-in at (855) 244-0077 and add your voice to the dialogue. Video and audio-only podcasts are available after the program. Also, a rebroadcast of Tuesday’s Fallon Forum can be heard on KHOI 89.1 (Ames) Wednesdays at 5:00 pm, and KPVL 89.1 (Postville) Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. Thanks!

Ed

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Fallon Forum by the numbers:
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– Facebook universe: 5,000 on personal page, 4,964 on professional page
– KHOI 89.1 Ames
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EVENTS

August 6 – COSC Connects: ReWallution (Des Moines)
This is a free after-work social networking series, 5:00-7:00 pm, to broaden perspectives of sustainability and discovering local resources. Tour, installation demos and a barbeque. More details at www.icosc.com.

August 6 – Hiroshima/Nagasaki Observance (Des Moines)
The theme is “Never Again – A World Without Nuclear Weapons.” At 7:30 pm at the Japanese Bell on the Iowa Supreme Court grounds (Court Avenue just south of the Judicial Building). Please bring lawn chairs and flowers to lay at the Bell. Rain site is Wesley United Methodist Church, 800 East 12th Street. Professor Mary McCarthy of Drake University will be a speaker, with music provided by Ed Fallon. Contact Jeffrey Weiss.

August 7-11 – The Democracy Convention (Madison, WI)
If you want to strengthen democracy where it matters most — in our communities, our schools, our workplaces and local economies, military, government, media, constitution — you will find something inspiring in Madison in August, 2013. Register now to attend. For more information visit here.

August 13 – Organizing for Action (OFA) (Nationwide)
A climate action day with the OFA nonprofit advocacy group to promote President Obama’s national climate plan. To volunteer for this effort, please visit here.

August 29 – Iowa Interfaith Power & Light Annual Conference (Granger)
This conference will be held at Jester Park Lodge, 11407 NW Jester Park Drive. There is a $35 registration fee. For more details and to register please visit here, go to news, then upcoming events.

August 29 – Green Drinks (Des Moines) Join excellent conversation about energy and the environment over food and drink at Gateway Market and Cafe, 2002 Woodland Ave from 5:30-7:30 pm. For more details, see www.greendrinks.org.

October 11 – Iowa Environmental Council Annual Conference (Des Moines)
This conference will be held at Drake University. There is a fee of $50 for members and other amounts for different categories. For more details and to register please visit here.

October 19 – Contra Dance at Odd Fellows Hall (Des Moines)
Contra-Indications is hosting a contra dance at Odd Fellows Hall, 2904 Kingman Blvd, 8:00-11:00 pm, with lesson at 7:30 pm. Live music by Marc & Brandi Janssen duo from Iowa City; Reid Miller from Madison, WI as caller. $10 adults; free under 12; $25 family maximum. Visit info@contra-indications.org.

October 19 – Radical Democracy & Agriculture (Des Moines)
The Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) will host the Jane Bibber Memorial Symposium and Strong Feisty Woman Award Luncheon, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue. For more information visit here.

November 9 – Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit (IES) – Des Moines
The IES mission is to bring businesses of diverse backgrounds together to share, learn, and celebrate the immigrant entrepreneurship experience and contribution to the overall community. The Summit will be held at the Olmstead Center, Drake University, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Click here to register and for more information.

March 1–November 1, 2014 – Great March for Climate Action (America)
One thousand climate patriots are organizing to march 3000 miles across the country next year, from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, DC to demand action on climate change. To get involved, call (855) 35-MARCH or info@climatemarch.org.

April, 2014 – Climate Convergence Rally – Raleigh, NC
The mission of the Climate Convergence on Raleigh project is to educate, inspire, and empower North Carolinians regarding the climate crisis. People will converge on Raleigh from across the state to attend an annual rally and participate in educational panels and workshops focused on climate change and ways to stop it. Click here for more information.