Ethical Fall Preview

Here are a few of the major events this fall that I'm looking forward to covering here at a2ethics.org. We have a lot of stuff happening in connection with the election, the environment, and more. Lots of heated conversations ahead!

What's on the ethics horizon:

1. Heather Raffo's 9 Parts of Desire. Performance Network Theatre begins its 2008-9 season with an electrifying portrait of women in Iraq. A one-woman tour-de-force with actress Sarab Kamoo. Voices of women in a war zone. A point of view that is severely missing in our cultural dialogue. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor MI. September 18-October 26. www.performancenetwork.org.

2. The Road. A film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Cormac McCarthy. A father and son travel across a post-apocalyptic America. A barren landscape where nothing grows, scattered with ash and never to blossom again. The story brings the environment, the war, and family values into sharp focus. With Viggo Mortensen and Guy Pearce. November 14 in theaters.

3. Hurricane Ike Relief in an Election Year. Millions without power, without relief from our government. FEMA's reaction was much faster than in New Orleans in 2005. How long before Texas recovers? How long before New Orleans returns? How are the candidates handling the issues?

4. The Biden/Palin debate. Thursday October 2. Civil? Classy? A non-event? Maybe, maybe, and maybe. But this is the showdown of showdowns, and a chance to ask ourselves some hard questions. Many have been called "sexist" for interrupting and disagreeing with Palin. Will Biden stick to his pledge not to "take Sarah Palin's bait?"

5. Election Night Party. I don't know about you, but I'm heading straight to Arbor Brewing Company after I vote. With their big screen tuned to election coverage and a huge crowd, this should be a night to remember. Politics and cocktails! Make mine a double!

6. Frost/Nixon. Ron Howard's film adaptation of the Broadway play. A retelling of British TV journalist David Frost's interview with Richard Nixon. A look at how the press handles political personalities. December 5 in theatres.

7. America at $4+ Per Gallon. Gas prices are on the rise, and even more significant changes are afoot. I'm looking forward to how the 4-day workweek will work for Michigan businesses. I'm looking forward to Americans finding cheap travel alternatives. I'm looking for ways to get creative as our relationship with fossil fuels is changing.