Fallons taking to the Iowa airwaves

DES MOINES – Political progressives Ed and Lynn Fallon believe Iowa radios tilt too far to the right these days.

The Fallons say they hope to balance the surplus of conservative-leaning radio programming with a broadcast forum that offers local talk rather than “shock” for their listeners.

Starting Monday at 7 p.m., the Fallons will host a talk show on the 98.3 WOW-FM radio station, which serves a 31-county area in central Iowa and is available via Internet. The hour-long “Fallon Forum” will be offered Monday through Thursday featuring a mix of guests, conversation and call-in time.

“If you look at talk radio, by far it's totally dominated by the extreme voices on the right,” said Fallon, a former seven-term Democratic state legislator who also ran unsuccessful Iowa bids for governor and Congress. He also boasts a background in community organizing, gardening and farming.

“The voices that are not radical right wing are quiet,” he added. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for those of us concerned about pressing economic, social and environmental issues to have our voices heard.”

The Fallons, who are underwriting the $350 cost per show through advertising and sponsorships, plan to launch the show by welcoming Dolores Huerta, a 79-year-old advocate for causes like marriage equality who helped establish the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez.

They also plan to discuss Iowa politics, the national health care debate and topics like the “merger of the artistic and corporate worlds” during their first week. The Fallons also are inviting all the 2010 gubernatorial candidates to appear on their show, and already Sioux City Republican Chris Rants has agreed to join the forum on Sept. 29.

Earlier this year, the Fallons brought an ethics complaint against a Republican state senator, alleging he violated his oath of office by encouraging county recorders to break the law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, a Senate committee rejected the complaint.

Last year Ed Fallon wrote a letter to then President-elect Barack Obama applying for the job of “White House farmer” – a post he hoped Obama would create that would involve tearing out five acres of White House lawn and using the space to plant an organic fruit and vegetable garden.