The Fallon Forum

Ed talks about the plethora of films depicting disasters involving aliens, plagues, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. Why do so few films address the very real issue of climate change? Ed also talks about efforts to pass a bill on eminent domain that would protect farmland from lake development. Dan Kelley and Ed discuss, education, medicaid, and the need for bipartisan cooperation at the state house. Also, Nakisha Phillips discusses the last stages of her pregnancy.

Bill Dewey of Taylor Shellfish Farms in Puget Sound, Washington joins Ed to discuss ocean acidity and it's affect on shellfish and, in particular, oysters. Also, J. Michael Mckoy joins Ed to discuss the Warren County Casino.

Daniel Kessler with 350.org talks about the April 18 public hearing in grand Island Nebraska on the proposed keystone pipeline. Also, Farmer Chris Peterson and Ed discuss the Monsanta protection bill passed in the US Congress recently. They also look at to big corporations, high V and McDonald's, and how these two giants pretend to be friendly to local farms and sustainable like a culture but are really. Finally, Steve shivers and in Christianson joint had to talk more about the local response to the Keystone Pipeline.

We discuss the rally at the State Capitol on Sunday to oppose Governor Branstad's plan to provide health care to the poor, which many see as inadequate given the less costly option of buying in to the federal expansion of Medicaid. Also, we share Christine Lockheart's story of her incarceration as a juvenile offender. We talk with Mike Owen of the Iowa Policy Project about the research activities tax credit, and we discuss the April 18th public hearing in Grand Island, Nebraska on the Keystone Pipeline.

Ed shares information from Physicians for Social Responsibility about the growing frequency of famine relevant to climate change. Ed shares letters to the editor from people who raise good points about the appointment of Craig Lang and Robert Cramer to the Iowa Board of Regents. State Sen. Jack Hatch discusses Gov. Branstad's quietly-released health care plan for the poor. And Heather Ryan joins us to talk about her battle with the Des Moines Public School District over open enrollment for her daughter.

Ed and State Representative Dan Kelley attended the presentation by James Balog last night. Balog's work combines art and science to explain the huge consequences to life on Earth as the loss of ice accelerates. Also, Matt Sinovic with Iowa Progress discusses the American Legislative Exchange Council's highly partisan agenda, and yesterday's anti-bullying conference. And Nakisha Phillips discusses her pregnancy and work with a doula and midwife.

Gabriel de la Cerda is the lone democratic candidate for the Third U.S. Congressional District. We talk about poverty, marriage equality, climate change, and the military budget. Also, Ying Sa with Community CPA calls in to talk taxes and accounting.

Adam Mason with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement discusses the status of legislation to provide greater citizen accountability over large-scale corporate hog confinements. Also, Mark Potok of the Southern Law Poverty Center discusses his opinion piece: Anti-government 'Patriot' groups ramp up. Finally, Ed discusses the recent oil spill in Arkansas, and what that might mean for the future of the Keystone Pipeline with Jerry Karnas of the Center for Biological Diversity.

Ron Yarnell and Ed discuss the new Pope's first two weeks on the job. Then Ed welcomes Paduk Chekov to the program. He's a young wizard computer programmer who grew up in the mountains of Yugoslavia herding goats. Ed also discusses another climate change problem - the acidification of the oceans and how it's affecting oysters in the Pacific Northwest. Then it's a hearty congratulations to America's CEOs on their cushy 8% increasing compensation, and we welcome the Roosevelt Drama Club to the program to discuss their latest play: Dancing at Lughnasa.

Dr. Neal Bernard, author of Power Foods for the Brain, joins Ed to discuss the connection between diet and Alzheimer's disease. Also, Ed discusses next week's antibullying conference, and tries to sort out why some conservative Christians remain opposed. And Heather Ryan joins Ed to talk about gays, guns, the deliberations of the US Supreme Court, and the Great March for Climate Action.