The Ryan protesters say they care about the poor and middle class. I don't doubt that. But fixing the systemic problems that exacerbate poverty in America require, literally, fixing the system. You do that by building public support for change and ultimately, by pressuring policymakers to do the right thing (or even better, by electing policymakers who don't need pressuring).
Heckling. Shouting down a speaker. Storming a stage. That's the easy way out. The hard work is the daily grind of building public consensus to move policy forward. Sure, when you drown out a presidential or vice president candidate you feel powerful - for a few minutes. Then what? If you're honest, you're left with the reality that you just alienated most of those who agreed with you on the issue. You've actually set-back the movement to fix the system, to make it work better for the very poor and middle-class people you want to help.
I repeat the question that none of my activist friends involved in the Ryan action have answered: How can you cite Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. as inspirational figures for your actions and yet fail to provide even one example of either Gandhi or King heckling or shouting down an opponent? The answer is simple. Neither Gandhi nor King ever - not once - treated an opponent this way. Sure, they embraced protest and civil disobedience (the operative word is "civil"), but these were used judiciously, in conjunction with other types of political action, to build the broadest possible public consensus and to motivate others to take action.
There's a lot more to talk about on this subject. Perhaps there's a compromise in here somewhere. Maybe next time an action such as this is planned any shouting of questions could be done before or after the candidate's speech? Just throwing that out there.
Monday, we talk with Heather Ryan of Ryan Talent and Model about a troubling child custody case involving a mom who could lose her daughter because she let her participate in beauty pageants. We also talk with Drake professor David Courard-Hauri about climate change and the myth that addressing the problem would be economically ruinous.
Tuesday, Bradshaw is my guest. We talk - surprise, surprise - politics! One item on the docket: the question posed above regarding last week's Paul Ryan protest.
Wednesday, there's plenty to cover: an update on the ethics complaint filed against Bruce Rastetter, more on the Ryan/Romney budget, and a bunch of other stuff.
Thursday, State Rep Dan Kelley joins me.
Friday, Dr. Charles Goldman is my guest as we discuss the Keystone pipeline, and how an alternative plan to route the same pipeline through western Canada is on its way to being rejected by the Canadian people and the provincial governments due to environmental concerns.
So, join the conversation live, Monday-Friday, online from 12:00-1:00 pm on the Fallon Forum website. Call in at 244-0077 or toll free (855) 244-0077. And tune-in to Bradshaw, Monday-Friday from 1:30-2:30, also on the Fallon Forum website. Video and audio podcasts are available, too.
Thanks! - Ed
EVENTS
August 21 - Irish Jam at Open Sesame (Des Moines)
Discover the fusion of Lebanese and Celtic culture every third Tuesday of the month with Irish jigs and reels and Lebanese cuisine washed-down with a pint of Guinness. All musicians and patrons are welcome at 313 E. Locust St from 8:30-10:30 pm.
August 22 - Maternal Health and Warfare Survivors (Des Moines)
Dr. Lisa Menzies, a local pediatrician, discusses the safe birth projects she has assisted with in Tanzania, and Rachel Reynolds, a nursing instructor from Mercy College of Health Sciences discusses her recent work with survivors of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. At 7:00 pm at Friends Meeting House, 42nd and Grand. Light snacks and drinks provided. Contact Mike at (515) 238-1782 or mikecollet4@aol.com.
August 23 - Drinking Liberally (Des Moines)
You don't have to be a card-carrying liberal to enjoy political conversation and excellent libations at AJ's, 419 E Court starting at 8:00 pm every Thursday. If the revolution is going to start anyplace, it's over a frosty libation. Contact desmoines@drinkingliberally.
August 24-26 - White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow (Waukee)
At Hawkeye Antique Acres, 3322 Ute Ave. Twelfth annual event, fostering better understanding of all cultures through drumming, music, dance and story-telling from Native American and other cultures. Contact dcmoonwolf@hotmail.com or (515) 266-3187.
August 30 - Green Drinks (Des Moines)
Join casual conversation with people interested in environmental issues and sustainable energy over something to eat and/or drink. It's from 5:30-7:30 pm at Gateway Market and Cafe, 2002 Woodland Ave. Contact Shari Hrdina at DesMoinesGreenDrinks@gmail.com
October 7 - Images of Peace Interfaith Prayer Service (Des Moines)
A 7:00 pm at DMACC Auditorium, Urban Campus, 9th and University for an interfaith prayer service featuring a video by Rodger Routh, presenting images of peace from various faith traditions and a variety of perspectives. At the end of the service people will walk to the Path of Peace Sculpture nearby to scatter the soil gathered from representatives of many different faiths at last year's Interfaith Service. Sponsored by the Des Moines Area Ecumenical Committee For Peace. Contact Eloise Cranke at (515) 262-5974 or Susie Paloma at (515) 480-1872.
October 20 - 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 Barn Owl Band; Jill Allen as caller. $10 adults; free under 12; $25 family maximum. Visit info@contra-indications.org.
