Fighting Bob Fest

This coming saturday is Fighting Bob Fest IV!

Fighting Bob La Follette was a judge and Governor of Wisconsin as well as U.S. Congressman and Senator for our great state in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. He was a proponent of free speech during wartime and a strong opponent of big business. "La Follette used Chautauquas to bring people together to discuss the political issues that affected their lives. He recognized the power of informed citizens who were engaged in the political process. He utilized the momentum gained from his Chautauquas to help beat down the political corruption that resulted from concentrated wealth. He took on the railroad tycoons and other corporate tax dodgers and sought an end to their monopolies." (A "Chautauqua" is "the name given to travelling tent shows which originated in the USA.") And so Fighting Bob Fest is a modern-day Chautauqua.

There will be a host of speakers and various discussion sessions in addition to beer. Last year, Jim Hightower bought a beer for Kias so I'm gonna try to get Amy Goodman to buy him one this year. On the docket this year are Jim Hightower, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, my Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, my Senator Russ Feingold, John Conyers, et al. Come on out and I'll buy ya a beer and talk smack!