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Joan's avatar

Another great analogy Matt!! I, too, see the back leg moving slightly!! Here’s hoping we can all make a difference!!

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Matt Russell's avatar

Today is a day to help get democracy back on her feet.

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Chuck Offenburger's avatar

Columnist/farmer Matt Russell really “makes it plain,” as we say in rural America, about what’s happening to our government — and happening to us, too.

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Beth Hoffman's avatar

Love this Matt! I just posted too about the situation and how it is impacting Iowans. There is so much tomfoolery going on it seems overwhelming—but we all need to pick something to work on and get going. Cultivating new leadership is key.

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Matt Russell's avatar

Thanks Beth. Hopefully you and John don't have any experience with bloat. But I'm guessing you do. Sort of goes with having cattle. Thanks for all you are doing to invite people to your farm, sharing the challenges and opportunities of farming.

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Michael Knock's avatar

You told this story the first time I met you. You were in Dubuque to talk to our Dubuque Interfaith Green Coalition shortly after you became head of IIPL. It's a great story, and I think it's a good metaphor for where we find ourselves. American democracy is not dead, but it may be on life support. If we care, we can't bury our heads in the sand. We have to do something. I am looking forward to reading what you have to say next week.

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Matt Russell's avatar

It's sort of an evergreen story about doing what you can in the moment and trusting it will be enough. Can apply to lots of situations. I think I was talking about the need to jump in and do something for climate action.

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Dianne Prichard's avatar

Thank you, Matt. We need to keep reminding each other that one, democracy is hooves up right now, and that two, there's still life in the old girl, and three, that life can be saved, even when th odds suggest otherwise.

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Matt Russell's avatar

Thanks for your deep dedication to community. You make a difference.

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Suzan Erem's avatar

Our farms offer wonderful metaphors for the wider political world, don't they Matt? I've been using Draco Hill for that for the last year with my Substack. I never run out of material and I'm sure you won't either!

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Matt Russell's avatar

Thanks Suzan for all you've done to elevate farmer leadership in Iowa and beyond.

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Suzan Erem's avatar

That means a LOT coming from you, Matt! Very kind. Welcome to your next chapter!

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Sharon Lawrence's avatar

Check my Substack. I'm starting a series of what people can do in response. The calvary isn't coming. The Democratic party leadership is worthless, in my view, but there's an incredible amount of talent in the population that we can organize. Passion matters more than money. Remember it was the consultants who were taking all that money who told us it was essential to raise and spend. But it got raised and spent and didn't matter.

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Matt Russell's avatar

Thanks Sharon. I will check it out.

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demfarmer demfarmer's avatar

You hit the nail on the head with this one. Maybe like you as someone who has actually tipped a down cow I find the analogy perfect.

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Matt Russell's avatar

Thanks. Lots of farm jobs relate to the work we need to do.

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Susan Yonger's avatar

Good lesson there. Thank you for your leadership.

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Liz Moran Stelk's avatar

Perfectly woven storytelling

One leg is still moving!

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Denise OBrien's avatar

Just like any job one has, there are things that need immediate attention - right now it’s fighting for democracy. Thank you for your work and for your commitment.

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Matt Russell's avatar

Thanks Denise. You've been showing us how to do this for decades!

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