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You can also send supportive letters to us (which we will forward to station management) at ForwardForum@aol.com. For five years, your support of Forward Forum has made all of the difference. We've come back before, and with your help, we know we'll be back again! |
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with John Quinlan and Stephanie Woods Airing Sundays from 2-3 pm CDT Live Stream, Archived Shows and Podcasts Contact Us at: Contributing Correspondents: Harry is Now Blogging Online at MadProgress.blogspot.com ! John Quinlan's Personal Blog: Junction Q John Quinlan's Website: www.johnquinlan.net Studio Line: 608-321-1670 locally; |
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****NEW****
Please visit our new interactive blog at www.forwardforumexchange.blogspot.com
for links, photos, and background information, to our current shows
and audio archives of our 2009 shows
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On the Feb. 22nd, 2009 Forward Forum: This Tuesday, should the Madison Common Council override a transit authority compromise that limited a proposed bus fare increase to 25 cents (from $1.50 to $1.75 per ride), or should they approve an increase to $2.00? Our guest will be Jacque Pokorney, co-chair of Progressive Dane.
There will be a public hearing at Tuesday's Common Council meeting, but this is your chance to get a a broader audience fired up about this issue through our show. Please call us at 321-1670. This is also an opportunity for us to learn more about the larger agenda of Progressive Dane. On the Feb. 15th Forward Forum: Stephanie Graham, a volunteer of OutReach, Madison's LGBT community center, previews an upcoming smoking cessation program, part of a statewide initiative. For details, go to www.rm2breathe.org. And then University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Communications Graduate Student Joan Downs on some of glitches for many that remain ahead with this week's impending TV transition from analog to digitial. 
Coming on our February 8th, 2009 show: With guests: Reserve Judge Moria Krueger and Peace Activist Kathy Kelly
She will be speaking at the next membership meeting of the United Nations Association-Dane County this Tuesday, Feb. 10th at 7:15 pm in the auditorium of the Capitol Lakes Retirement Center, 333 W. Main Street (free parking in the ramp across the street). See www.una-usadanecounty.org .
Kathy will be speaking in Madison at a special reception on Sunday evening, Feb. 8th at the Dardanelles Restaurant: reception featuring tasty Mediterranean snacks and appetizers, is at 6:30pm (suggested donation $5), and the program will begin at 7:15pm. Co-sponsored by Madison Rafah Sister City Project, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Madison Pledge of Resistance, Madison Chapter of American Jews for a Just Peace, and United Nations Association-USA Dane County.
We'll also be joined via phone at the top of our show by local journalist, political blogger, and author Emily Mills, telling us about "The Fix Up," her first published novel. For more info, visit her fascinating blog at The Lost Albatross. Emily will join us for a longer interview on an upcoming Forward Forum. For details on her upcoming book reading later this week, go to the Room of One's Own Bookstore Events Page. For the full range of options on ordering her book, please go to a special ordering options page on her blog. 
On our February 1, 2009 show:
Also on this week's show: a special guest panelist appearance by Working with Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton and others, Scott created Film Wisconsin, which has the goal of promoting Wisconsin as a venue for movie and TV production. A Wisconsin native, Scott lived in New York for almost 25 years, before returning home several years ago. While in New York he produced and promoted numerous media endeavors, and a great variety of charity events involving stars of the stage and screen. He has just returned from a 10 day trip to the Sundance Film Festival. These pressing economic times require Wisconsin to build and maintain a creative and competitive edge relative to other states as we seek to create new jobs and draw new revenue-generating endeavors to our state. The further development of the already strong arts community here, as epitomized by Film Wisconsin's approach, is one of the shining examples of what innovative approaches can do, capitalizing on Wisconsin's creative culture and its natural beauty. The Film Wisconsin office is barely one year old, and has already been the catalyst for the filming of 9 films here--and by any measure, has done far more than break even at this early stage. If all of the ancillary benefits in promoting the state are measured, that effect has already been many millions of dollars. And yet some critics are rushing to judgment and, and are trying to reign in the program before it's been given a chance to prove itself, setting limitations that would become a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure by diluting the program in a way that makes it non-competitive with other states. Visit the Film Wisconsin website for more information on this exciting program. If you believe in Film Wisconsin and its positive impact upon our state, be sure to call or email the offices of Secretary of Commerce Richard Leinenkugel (email: Dick.Leinenkugel@wisconsin.gov; phone: 608-266-7088) or Gov. James Doyle (email: James.Doyle@Wisconsin.gov; phone: 608-266-1212). Follow this link for You Tube footage of the filming last year of the "Public Enemies," featuring Johnny Depp as John Dillinger in Darlington, Wisconsin, and associated links to footage of filming around the state. Below: The Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin--pictured as it was in the 1930s and how it looks today--was the site of a gunfight that led to Dillinger's death, and the location where Public Enemies recreated that history. Also below: Johnny Depp during a break in the filming and a photo of John Dillinger.
On January 25, 2009:  Special guests: Chuck and Jean Pfeifer For more information on the "Historic Jesus Seminars, which begin on Feb. 14th, On January 18, 2009: Our First Show in Our New 2pm Sunday Time
A Pre-Inaugural Special  Also featuring John's exclusive interview with Harry Knox, A special report on the Rick Warren controversy, On January 11, 2009:     
On January 4, 2009:  
Direct link to an audio archive version of this show, and associated links Please make plans now to attend Sol's play "the birds that are my hands" at Madison's Broom Street Theater, Show description: From stony hills laden with olive trees to the blurry haze of a line in the sand among saguaros; from the bullet riddled corridors of an ancient holy city to the metallic prison of a modern metropolis, a tangled collage of stories unfurl drawing attention to the hands of those enclosed by borders, those making the crossing, and those who capitalize on the construction: wielders of stones, bakers of bread, upholders of state. Shepherds emerge alongside Goliaths’ patrol, lovers find themselves to be terrorists, and Ingrid thinks we should all just lay down our arms and play violins. Please visit our podcast page at www.wtdy.com to review archived shows from 2007 and 2008. ****NEW**** |
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with guests Peter Karoff and Bruce Moffatt. In our 7pm hour, we reprise one of our favorite recent interviews, with Peter Karoff, author (with Jane Maddox) of "The World We Want, New Dimensions in Philanthropy and Social Change." Peter, who spoke to us on the phone from his home in Boston on January 13, 2008, is nationally recognized in the field of philanthropy, and founded The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) in 1989. He is the winner of the 2006 Purpose Prize and has been awarded fellowships from the Tufts University College of Citizenship and Publis Service, and the MacDowell Colony. He's someone with a long history of achievement in the private sector who has recently devoted his life to the cause of "progressive philanthropy," charitable work with the goal of positive social change. Peter's daughter (who works for the UW System) and her family live in Madison, so Peter is a frequent visitor. He is also a published poet, and he will share some of his powerful poetry during the course of the interview. Then in our 8pm hour, we'll be back live with Bruce Moffatt, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Community Fund, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Since its founding in 1982, Wisconsin Community Fund has provided over $1,600,000 in grants, software, and equipment to nearly 900 community-based groups around the state, true to its mission of raising money and giving it to progressive groups that are too new, too small, or too controversial for consideration by mainstream funders. These groups all have one thing in common: a deep-seated desire to go beyond symptoms to confront the root causes of the social inequalities affecting their communities. From its inception, Wisconsin Community Fund took its place as part of a national network of similar funds.... Together they do their modest part to help build a broader social change movement nationally. This is your chance to learn first hand about one of our local community's outstanding resources, including its general grant application process, and also including specific programs such as WCF's Media Justice Fund, and its monthly Special Opportunity Grants. Social justice grantmaking - while still a small share of overall charitable giving in the U.S. - could not be more compelling given the current situation.... As with community organizing, there is power in numbers: the power of marginalized citizens to coming together to form a committee, project or group to push back against unequal societal odds; the power of activists coming together to make the difficult funding choices when there is inevitably at least three times more demand for funding than there are dollars available; the power of donors coming together, pooling their resources to make a difference for agents of social change in all corners of Wisconsin. Bruce Moffatt brings nearly three decades of experience in nonprofit program and management to his work at WCF, including experience in international development, conservation, and social justice fields. He is the former Director of Development at University of Wisconsin Foundation, the former Institutional Development Director for Central America at The Nature Conservancy, and the former Coordinator, Organizational Development Program at World Wildlife Fund. In a recent editorial on the Progressive Magazine website, Bruce writes, "I know the current economic crisis is taking a toll. This season, many of us may have less to give. We all have to choose how much we can afford to give and to which groups. I urge you to consider devoting a portion of your charitable gifts this year to making a lasting difference in your community.... This year, consider giving the gift of change. |
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* Youth Reflect on the Meanings of "Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals" Exhibit
Guests include: Author Lev Raphael and South Asian Studies Professor Joseph Elder At 7pm, we'll be visiting with a panel of high school students, and GSA for Safe Schools staffers Brian Juchems and Tim Michaels, with reflections on the "Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals" Exhibit, as part of our ongoing coverage. (See our November 23rd listing below for relevant links, and exhibit details.) Then at 8pm, a discussion on the week's events in Mumbai, with UW Prof. Joe Elder, concluding with an open phones discussion with co-host Harry Waisbren about ongoing post-election activism. Immediately below: Supplemental maps and photos below for our discussion about the Mumbai Terrorist attacks  
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From Hatred to Hope
On this week's show: a focus on how a remarkable exhibit entitled "Nazi Persecutions of Homosexuals 1933-1945" has enriched the greater Madison community in surprising ways--transforming depictions of a dark time in human history into a community-building experience filled with new understandings and new hope. Sponsored by the Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, this traveling exhibit from the US Holocaust Museum (in the lobby of the UW-Madison's Memorial Library until December 10th) has been the catalyst for a whole series of events, culminating in a special closing ceremony on Dec. 6th at 7pm at Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Drive (just off of Monroe Street). That ceremony will include the reprise of an original composition, written specifically for the occasion, by renowned pianist Adrienne Torf, and a keynote speech by the award-winning scholar and writer Lev Rafael, the son of Holocaust survivors, and the author of almost two dozen books, including "Journeys & Arrivals: On Being Gay and Jewish." We're privileged to be hosting a number of special guests, who will provide a historical context and other insights regarding the resonance of the exhibit with current events. They'll also explain the story of how the exhibit's trip to Madison and associated events came to be, and why it's had some especially powerful effects on all who've seen it, especially young people. We are also attempting to offer a brief update on developments nationwide in response to California's anti-gay Proposition 8, and related events in other states. (See jointheimpact.com for more information on how you can become part of these efforts.)
Then in our 8pm hour, we'll be joined by UW history department program specialist John Tortorice, Department of German Professor James Steakley, and Miami University of Ohio Associate Professor Erik Jensen (who received his doctorate from the UW-Madison in 2003). John Tortorice has been instrumental in securing the UW as a venue for the exhibit, and has long been supportive of efforts to capture LGBT history locally and internationally. He and our other panelists will reflect on the legacy of the late UW History Professor George Mosse, John's life partner, a Holocaust survivor himself, who was among the world's top scholars on issues surrounding the Holocaust, and its intersection with issues of both Jewish and gay identity. James Steakley is also a world-renowned expert on the experience of gays in Germany in the first half of the 20th century, and has mentored dozens of young scholars who have gone on to do groundbreaking work in this area, including Erik Jensen. Countless individuals and organizations have supported bringing this exhibit, and its associated events, to Madison, and we apologize that we aren't able to involve everyone in studio. However, whether you helped organize this event, or you've been moved by its appearance here, we encourage your participation by calling us at 321-1670 or toll free 1-877-867-1670. The exhibit and other events are ongoing; while the exhibit is open for people to tour on their own, docents are available to lead tours of the exhibit on weekday evenings (except Fridays) and Saturday afternoons. For more information about a series of powerful films, other events, and the closing ceremony, go to www.gsaforsafeschools.org or call 608-661-4141. Forward Forum is working with GSAFE and other exhibit sponsors to help produce an audio-visual record of a cross-section of the programming. As part of these efforts, an audio and photo record--including a high quality recording of Adrienne Torf's composition--is available at Opening Ceremony Highlights. Portions of this program were played in the second hour of last week's show; see wtdy.com for a Forward Forum podcast (follow the links). More information about our guests: Adrienne Torf began studying piano at the age of 3 1/2, "not because my parents were hoping for a musical prodigy," she says, "but because there was a wonderful piano teacher living on our street and all the kids took lessons from her. Beatrice Sigel taught me elementary music theory as well as how to play the piano. I learned to read and write music before I learned to read and write English, so you could say it's my first language, as fundamental and natural as breathing for me." In high school she studied with Allen Barker and accompanied theater and choral performances at The Winsor School in Boston. Her musical pursuits extended to joining a disco band while at Smith College, where she continued to study piano with Monica Jakuc. "Allen Barker introduced me to the work of composers who were masters at telling stories and conveying visuals through music - Debussy, Ravel, Satie. He also brought me to the music of Bela Bartok, where I learned about the piano's possibilities as a percussion instrument. And Monica Jakuc exposed me to the work of living composers, including John Cage, from whom I learned that even the random sounds of the city can be heard as music."
In 1983, she began a 20 year collaboration with the renowned African-American poet and writer, June Jordan. Jordan was born in Harlem in 1936. Poet, activist, teacher, and essayist, she was a prolific, passionate and influential voice for liberation. June Jordan wrote on the frontlines of American poetry, political vision, and moral witness. Torf and Jordan's collaborations included the musicals "Freedom Now," and "Bang, Bang, Uber Alles." Their album, "Collaboration: Selected Works, 1983-2000," was released just after Jordan's untimely death from breast cancer in 2003.
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Be sure to check out our two post-election shows (Nov. 9 and 16th) on the archives pages at wtdy.com. On November 9th, our theme was "Our Work Begins Now," with guest activists Renee Crawford, Jason Rae, and Hedi Rudd. On November 16th, we presented two special recorded broadcasts of important community events from earlier in October: 1) The 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Northisde Planning Council, which includes a 22 minute documentary, "The Northside Story," produced by Forward Forum host John Quinlan; and 2) Recorded Highlights of the Opening Ceremony in Madison of the traveling exhibit, Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933-1945. |
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YOUR VOTE MATTERS on NOV 4TH: MAKE IT COUNT!!! Voter Information Center -- US Election Assistance Center State of Wisconsin Voter Public Access Site (A one stop website to find out where you can vote, and to verify that your voter registration records are in order. Please note that if this is not the case, that Wisconsin has Voting Day Registration--bring two forms or ID with your current address, or a registered voter friend to vouch for you.) PLEASE BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE -- THE TIME THAT YOU COMMIT TO VOTE ALLOWS YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD, |
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On the November 2nd Forward Forum: Part Two of Two of Our Election 2008 Special Editions:  
Just returned from a GOTV tour of swing state Ohio (photo credit: Sam Patterson) Please join us for a fascinating and fun-filled pre-election version of Forward Forum, featuring the cutting-edge wit and the marvelously moving and meaningful musical stylings of the nationally-renowned, but Madison-based, political folk music duo, The Prince Myshkins (www.princemyshkins.com). We'll also be featuring a potpourri of local and national political and civil rights leaders who will share compelling reminders of why this election not only matters, but is a rare opportunity to make history. As of press time, this included interviews with those working on behalf of both disability rights and civil rights--and other voices that too often go unheard in the political discourse. We'll be returning to the subject of last week's show, and offering practical advice on how to protect precious voting rights in the face of evidence of insidious examples of voter suppression and other illegal and unethical attempts to disenfranchise you. And, lastly, we'll remind you that Nov. 4th is just the beginning--and the real grassroots work to ensure accountability and action on the path to social justice begins November 5th. ABOUT THE PRINCE MYSHKINS (www.princemyshkins.com)
  The Prince Myshkins, accordianist/vocalist Rick Burkhardt and guitarist/vocalist Andy Gricevich , make their home in Madison, but spend much of their time on the road touring nationally to play and sing their original songs "at antiwar demonstrations, union rallies, schools, coffeehouses, living rooms, community centers and major urban intersections." They've just come back from one such tour through the swing state territory of Ohio and Pennsylvania, performing alongside such progressive folk icons as John McCutcheon and Holly Near. Here are some of their recent reviews: Brilliant musicians and astonishing political songwriters... The songs are meticulous masterpieces, lyrically and musically. Musically gripping, lyrically acerbic.... It's hard to think of a more fitting way to end this never-ending campaign season than to hear live in studio from our friends Rick and Andy--both in song and in word--as they share their encounters with people in every corner of the country who are behind the new movement for social justice that underlies this presidential campaign. As we enter these final several days, it's a night when we hope to inspire and motivate you to persevere in the face of long lines at the polls--and to continue to push for positive change in the months and years to come. Please join in our conversation by calling 321-1670 locally, *123 for US Cellular phone users toll-free, and 1-877-867-1670 if calling from further afield. Other guests and segments pending at press time. With new events breaking constantly, we're trying to stay on top of things, so this show is still a work-in-progress.... "STOP VOTER SUPPRESSION!" ORGANIZING UPDATE But first, an important reminder from Forward Forum's co-host (and proud community organizer) Harry Waisbren about how you can play your part in countering efforts to suppress the vote. New tools have allowed activists to work on election day to aid in efforts to directly prevent voter suppression on election day. With time of the essence though, we need to work quickly to spread word of these resources as quickly as possible.There are a myriad of others ways to participate however, and here is a link to the Voter Suppression wiki's press release which has aggregated many of the different ways this can be done: A particularly powerful tool to do this is Credo Action's Immediate Response Network, which will direct activists via text message alerts as to urgent issues requiring help in their area. You can also download a flier that is being spread as far as possible that provides all of the information a citizen needs to prevent the suppression of their vote as well as what they can do to help others. Go to this link. For further information, go to www.madprogress.com-- Harry's blog--where you can offer feedback about your local experiences on election day itself. |
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On the October 26th Forward Forum: Part One of Two of Our Election 2008 Special Editions
Sue Katz is an author, teacher, and journalist, and creator of the popular blog, Sue Katz: Consenting Adult. Her passport shows more wear than Palin's--she has lived and worked on three continents and continues her lifelong committment to social justice from her home outside Boston. Her second book, an edgy and unabashed look at the private behavior of boomers, is due in 2009.
Some of the social science approaches embodied in his work include asset-based thinking, narratology, cognitive diversity, intersectionality, standpoint theories and situated knowledges, oppression theory, action research, and hot pink beanbag chairs. He applies similar approaches in his civil liberties activism work, for example with Get FISA Right and the Voter Suppression Wiki; his professional and activist sides merge in his involvement with the Computers, Freedom, and Privacy conference, where he is currently vice-chair of online visibility for the 2009 conference. One of Jon Pincus's greatest accomplishments is the collaborations he's used to advance his work through social networking--a theme that's resonant with Forward Forum's goals, as well. On Saturday, Jon hosted a major organizing conference call that became a strategy session for countering voter suppression nationwide. And, so, in a bit of marvelously self-reflexive irony, with Jon's help, we'll be using that same approach to make this hour of our show into a kind of national town meeting of the air, by modeling some of the local connections we're making, while also connecting with others in Jon's networks doing other important work in localities nationwide. Somewhat confused by all of this? Tune in on Sunday to see how it works in practice.... but, regardless, be sure to join in our conversation by calling us at 321-1670 (local) or 1-877-867-1670 (nationally). You can also email your comments and questions to forwardforum@aol.com. And be sure to join in the ongoing post-show discussions at madprogress.com. Below: Link to a special August 2006 "Forward Forum" broadcast from Selma, AL, including an Interview with Spencer Overton, author of "Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression," and Joanne Bland, co-founder of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, and a veteran of the March 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, which led to the passage of the National Voting Rights Act, later that year. (If the graphic below doesn't get you there, try this link.) |
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A Special Report, courtesy of the Fighting Bob webpage
In a crowded court room in Madison yesterday, union officials, lawyers, professors, Madison teachers, members of NAACP, firefighters, activists, voters, and reporters waited anxiously to hear the decision of Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi in the Van Hollen case. It was a thrill just to be in the courtroom. This was an important day in Wisconsin's progressive history. Leading up to this day, Florida in 2000, taught the nation that it is not only important to vote, it is vitally important to know who counts the votes. And in the Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore, we all learned that the courts play an incredibly important role. Ohio four years ago disgraced the state and the nation when a partisan Secretary of State, the chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign, made voting for minorities a nightmare. Many believe that he delivered Ohio to Bush-Cheney. Thousands of uncounted votes remain in Ohio. Would Wisconsin become the Florida or Ohio in 2008? Would a partisan effort to limit voting in certain areas deliver the state's electoral votes to John McCain or would all votes be counted? Would the co-chair of the McCain-Palin campaign, Wisconsin's Attorney General, be the Ken Blackwell this election? Got to give them A for effort. The Wisconsin GOP pushed for photo-ID and the pushed to force all voters have an error-free record of address, spelling of their names, etc. They called it the HAVA check. Had they prevailed yesterday tens of thousands of voters would have been challenged by the Republican operatives, and forced to cast a "provisional" ballot that would most likely not be counted. All challenged voters would be "flagged on election day." (We have posted the transcript of Judge Sumi's decision and her order on our Documents page. Take some time and read it. See if you, like one of the lawyers in court, feel a tear or two.) As you know, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that the Ohio Republican Party could not challenge voters under HAVA. (Read that as well in Documents. The Wisconsin GOP, coordinating with Van Hollen's team, took the Supreme Court decision in stride--In its brief, the GOP of Wisconsin, suggested that at least Judge Sumi permit challenges "where there is knowledge that criminal activity has taken place." Guess where they were going with that bogus nonsense. Yes indeed--right to the minority community in Milwaukee. ("Have you no sense of shame, sir" comes to mind.)
I will do another blog on the attorneys and defendants who made us proud yesterday. Meanwhile, go to Documents and do your homework.
--Ed Garvey, Madison, Wisconsin
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Bigger picture issues have also been a part of this debate, including concerns that the mayor and some council members have tried to circumvent good public process. Or are they just doing the responsible thing in a time of necessary fiscal austerity? Others are concerned that a fare increase would be counterproductive--that any theoretical additional income would be offset by a decrease in ridership as a result of the higher fares. Still others wonder if a special approach is needed to recognize the enormous burdens facing people with limited incomes in a time when the economic downturn is hitting them especially hard.
Reserve Judge Moria Kruegerjoins us by phone in our first segment with her firsthand reports from a recent trip to The Hague on the World Court. Retired Judge Moria Krueger was a Circuit Court Judge in Dane County, Wisconsin for 30 years. In the fall of 2008 she was part of a seminar for judges at The Hague in the Netherlands focusing on the International Courts located there. Judge Krueger said of the seminar, "We had unbelievable access and the ability to ask questions and have them answered by many of the major participants in these impressive institutions. One of the purposes of having judges attend this annual session is to help spread the word about the critical work these courts do."
Then we're joined live in studio by Kathy Kelly, three time Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Kathy recently traveled to Gaza, and she will update us on the situation there. Kathy Kelly's activism and acts of conscience and civil disobedience include not having paid taxes for 25 years in protest of US foreign policy, and the act of planting corn on a nuclear missile silo, for which she received a nine month maximum security prison sentence in 1989. Since then, she has been an active opponent of both Iraqi wars, and has set up humanitarian aid stations in places like the Saudi-Iraqi border and in Lebanon. The Chicago based teacher is one of the founding members of Voices in the Wilderness, and the current co-coordinator of 
Author and Blogger Emily Mills
With guest Scott Robbe, Exec. Director of "Film Wisconsin"
In our 7pm hour, we'll be joined by GSAFE Executive Director Cindy Crane, GSAFE board member and exhibit organizer Jenny Pressman, organizing committee member and docent trainer Helen Aarli, and, on the phone from San Francisco, composer/pianist Adrienne Torf. We'll hear more from Cindy Crane about the genesis of the exhibit's visit to Madison, including the response that young people have had to its messages. (We're hoping to hear directly from some of these young people on next week's show.) Jenny Pressman will also share how her own family history has been intricately connected to the legacy of Holocaust survivors. Then Adrienne Torf (accomplished pianist, and longtime collaborator with other women artists, including women's music pioneer Holly Near and poet June Jordan), will discuss why she has been inspired to travel twice to Madison this fall, and how her original composition evokes both the darker truths of the exhibit, and the transformative power of coming out, story-telling, and other inspiring aspects of the LGBT experience. (For more on the impressive body of Adrienne Torf's life work as a musician and cultural activist, go to 
At 7pm CT, we'll be revealing new insights about vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, with our guest Sue Katz, author of 
We'll also be joined live from Anchorage by Ruth Quinlan, a 16-year resident of Alaska, who offers her viewpoints of Gov. Palin and Alaskan political life from a progressive perspective. (In the interest of full disclosure--Ruth is Forward Forum host John Quinlan's first cousin.)
Then at 8pm CT, we'll tackle the disturbing topic of voter suppression with a pioneering social scientist/activist who is using his considerable knowledge of the Internet and New Media to counter this newly-resurgent trend--one which threatens to seriously erode our democratic freedoms. Jon Pincus's biography is emblematic of the growing fusion between New Media and social justice activism. His current primary research interests include the interactions between social networks and diversity theory, trolls, and recasting the field of computer science as a social science. His current professional projects include 
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