Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Progressive Magazine's 100th Anniversary Celebration: April 30th Orpheum Benefit Concert and May 1-2 Conference at Monona Terrace








Click here for Conference Info

Click here for archived interview with Matt Rothschild








Our special guest on our April 19th show was Matt Rothschild, editor of the Progressive Magazine, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series with an exciting series of events this week, and the publication of a new book, "Democracy in Print, the best of The Progressive 1909-2009." Matt joined us for a thought-provoking discussion that encompassed highlights from 100 years of progressive thought, resonance with history and modern days events, and his vision of the future that lays ahead for magazines and newspapers.




On Thursday, April 30th, there will be a CONCERT AT THE ORPHEUM THEATER in Madison, featuring performances by ANI DIFRANCO, THE INDIGO GIRLS, DAR WILLIAMS, MELISSA FERRICK, HAMELL ON TRIAL, CATIE CURTIS, AND PETER MULVEY.

The main event begins Friday: a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of progressive leaders from all over the country and the world, held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison on May 1-2. Speakers will include Robert Redford, Amy Goodman, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Senator Russ Feingold, Representative Tammy Baldwin, Howard Zinn, Cindy Sheehan, Jim Hightower, Barbara Ehrenreich, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Chuck D, Senator George McGovern, John Nichols, Robert McChesney, Adolph Reed, Martín Espada, Michael Feldman, Susan Douglas, Dave Zirin, Will Durst, Ruth Conniff, Elizabeth DiNovella, Amitabh Pal, Matthew Rothschild, …and many more!

Please click on the links above at the beginning of this post to learn more about the concert and conference, and to listen to a fascinating interview with Matt Rothschild.




Above: Progressive Magazine founder and progressive movement leader "Fighting Bob" LaFollette.

At left: Historic 1979 magazine cover in which The Progressive chose to publish Howard Morland's story about the so-called "H Bomb Secret" as a means of protesting the use of top secret classification by the government as a means of stifling debate about the government's nuclear weapons policy. The publication came after the first ever court-ordered case of "prior restraint" by the judiciary, which made the case into a major test of First Amendment freedoms. The case became moot when the Madison Press Connection (a paper that arose out of a strike by the employees of Madison's two daily newspapers) published the substance of tha article.

Below: a contemporary cover of the magazine, a detailed look at just how progressive the Obama administration is likely to be.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Remembering Three Political Pioneers: Midge Miller, Lea Zeldin, and Rebecca Young



(Pictured: State Rep. Terese Berceau, second from left, with her predecessors, left to right, former state representatives Rebecca Young, Mary Lou Munts, and Midge Miller)

Listen to the show

On the April 26th edition of Forward Forum:

One woman arguably contributed to a president's decision not to seek office in the face of opposition to an unjust war, against the backdrop of a lifetime dedicated to world peace. Another woman's contributions as a lifelong advocate for social justice, and a love of good food, sometimes combined in the form of some extraordinary community dinners where people from all walks of life broke bread together and forged relationships. And yet another woman never compromised her principles nor lost an election in 12 successful runs for political office--including county board member, school board member, and state legislator.

Midge Miller, Lea Zeldin, and Rebecca Young transcended simple descriptions. They defied boxes, and each was an individual with her own unique range of interests and accomplishments. And yet each of these women stepped forward into political life at a time when women were still too often invisible. None was particularly intimidated by the then male-dominated political landscape, but the obstacles they overcame were nonetheless quite significant. Each was a pioneer who helped forge the way for the many younger women who later followed, overcoming double binds and double standards, and pervasive notions that women just weren't cut out to for the rough and tumble political world. They managed to survive and thrive, and did far more than simply adapt to the realities of their day. Through their refreshingly inclusive and facilitative leadership, they inspired the involvement of countless other people for the benefit of women and men alike, from all walks of life.

Midge Miller passed away last week at the age of 86. As John Nichols wrote in the Capital Times, "Midge Miller changed America and the world. She made presidents quake in their boots. She made political parties reflect the will of their members rather than the bosses. She made a place for women in the electoral process -- and in the governing of the land. Then she got busy. " See John Nichols' tribute to Midge, and a later article with tributes from political leaders statewide and beyond. Midge's life is being celebrated at a May 10th afternoon memorial service at First United Methodist Church.

Lea Zeldin (photo above by John Quinlan) was not an elected official, but her grassroots political effectiveness was the stuff of legend. She also cut her political teeth on the anti-war and civil rights movements of the 1960s, and her activism in later years continued into the realms of health care reform, and media reform. She was an early supporter and longtime host on both listener-sponsored WORT-FM, and Madison's new grassroots low power station, WIDE. Famous for beginning a tradition of community-based dinners during Martin Luther King weekends, it was fitting that hundreds gathered together to honor her on April 11th at "the mother of all potlucks," a four hour celebration of food, filled with memories of Lea's extraordinary activism and a lifetime of devoted friendships. The CapTimes' Nichols also wrote a moving tribute to Lea.

Upon her passing in November 2008, Rebecca Young was described by State Journal columnist George Hesselberg as "an approachable icon of achievement and congenial modesty for 30 years in Madison's political landscape, a steady and informed advocate with a welcoming ear for issues involving women, children, transit and the environment." As noted above, she led a diverse political life in many realms as a county board supervisor, school board member, and seven-term state legislator. As State Rep. Terese Berceau said at the time: "I really did feel like I was preceded by a giant. She didn't care if she got the glory or the attention; she just worked her tail off." Hundreds gathered to honor her at her memorial service.

Though each woman lived a long life, they left us too soon, each leaving in a way that reflected their ability to beat the odds, and to keep working on behalf of social justice right up until their final days with us. Midge and Becky left us after each had waged a decade-long fight with cancer. Lea suffered a stroke just moments before she was to begin her radio show, surrounded by friends and colleagues who had known her for years, and dozens later answered a family invitation to join her at her hospital bed to say their goodbyes by sharing memories, or reading poetry. Each woman's passing has been met with beautiful remembrances, wonderful streams of tributes pouring forth with resonant synergy upon the the Internet.


Forward Forum has extended an invitation via the Internet to many of their friends and colleagues to join us for the show, and some of those commitments are still pending. Joining us by phone is longtime peace and justice activist Nan Cheney, and joining us in studio is former Middleton mayor and longtime political activist Judy Karofsky.

John Quinlan here, with a personal note.... Each woman in her own way touched my own life as they did so many others, each guided and inspired me in my work as an activist at important times in my life. Did these remarkable women touch your life? Do you have another woman in your life, pioneering in her own time, from whom you take similar inspiration? Please join in our conversation at 321-1670 for a very special edition of Forward Forum.

Friday, April 3, 2009

April 7th Election Preview: The Race for County Executive and Issues of Civil Rights and Social Justice




On this Week's April 5th, 2009 Forward Forum, our guest for the full hour will be incumbent Dane County Executive Kathleeen Falk, who will be facing opponent Nancy Mistele in the April 7th election. A similar opportunity was also offered to candidate Mistele, but she did not respond to our request.

Listen to archived show

This broadcast--presented in collaboration with the civil rights coalition Communities United--will have a focus on civil rights and social justice, resonant with a mayoral forum our show sponsored in 2006, and a school board forum we sponsored in 2005. Both candidates were sent questionnaires by CU. Kathleen Falk responded, while Nancy Mistele did not. In all local races on the April ballot, the response rate was about 50 percent.

This is an important opportunity for you to learn more about Kathleen Falk's stands on civil rights and social justice issues. Please join in our conversation by calling 321-1670.

Communities United also received responses from all 3 candidates for Madison School Board: incumbent Arlene Silveira and her opponent Donald Gors; and incumbent Lucy Mathiak, who is running unopposed. CU also received responses in the Madison Common Council District 2 race, from incumbent Brenda Konkel and her opponent Bridget Maniaci; and in the District 5 race, where Hamilton Arendsen and Shiva Bidar-Sielaff are on the ballot.

Follow this link to read candidate responses: Questionnaire.