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Ford Hall Forum

The Ford Hall Forum is the nation's oldest continuously operating free public lecture series. Its mission is to foster an informed and effective citizenry and to promote freedom of speech through the public presentation of lectures, debates, and discussions. Forum events illuminate the key issues facing our society by bringing to its podium knowledgeable and thought-provoking speakers. These speakers are presented in person, for free, and in settings, which facilitate frank and open debate.

http://www.fordhallforum.org/

Disease Du Jour: What Might Be Next?

Tue, Nov 16, 2004

A panel of public health experts examines the topic of infectious disease and offers some insights into this ever-changing aspect of medicine and our environment. Hepatitis A. West Nile Virus. Bird Flu. SARS. Monkeypox. Infectious diseases are all around us, and a new one seems to emerge every year. In some cases, transmission may be just a plane ride away. What is causing these new diseases and strains to originate? Is an epidemic on hand? What can we do to protect ourselves and our families? This lecture is presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Medical Society.

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Founding Mothers: Women Who Raised Our Nation

Mon, Nov 29, 2004

Cokie Roberts delivers an intimate and illuminating look at the fervently patriotic and passionate women whose tireless pursuits on behalf of their families (and their country) proved just as crucial to the forging of a new nation as the rebellion that established it. While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters they left behind have been little noticed by history. Presented in collaboration with the WAND Education Fund and the Old South Meeting House as part of the Partners in Public Dialogue Series.

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Chain of Command: From 9/11 to Abu Ghraib

Fri, Oct 29, 2004

Seymour Hersh discusses his recent book *Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib* as well as the Bush Administration's "war on terror," its intelligence failures, and what he describes as the lies and obsession that led America into Iraq.

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Embedded in Iraq: The Objectivity Question

Thu, Oct 9, 2003

Brian MacQuarrie of *The Boston Globe* takes a look back at his time in Iraq, and forward to the future of war journalism. MacQuarrie traveled to Iraq in March of 2003 to cover the war as an embedded reporter with the Army's 3rd Infantry Field Artillery Battalion. Part of a Pentagon experiment to give journalists greater access to soldiers and commanders in the heat of battle, embedments like this one provided unparalleled inside views of combat that generated fascinating news stories here at home. Even so, questions linger about the success of this new-styled journalism and how it will affect the coverage of future conflicts. Is it possible for reporters to so literally enter a story and still maintain their objectivity?

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Is There an Elephant in the State House?

Wed, Dec 3, 2003

Join this discussion with Republican leaders to find out why they believe the citizens of Massachusetts share their party's values. Is our Commonwealth's reputation as a bastion for liberalism undeserved? Republicans have had a stronghold on the governor's office in Massachusetts for 13 consecutive years. As a result, it is hard to deny the wide appeal of "common-sense republican priorities" that include lower taxes, economic growth, individual liberty, and improved standards of education. In a state where more than half the voters are unenrolled or independents (and not Democrats), the Republican Party is confident about its potential for growth.

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Harvard Rules: Behind the Ivy Tower

Wed, Mar 9, 2005

Richard Bradley discusses *Harvard Rules: The Struggle for the Soul of the World's Most Powerful University*, in which he climbs high into the ivory tower and goes behind the revered walls, offering the first unauthorized look at the world's most powerful university and its controversial president. Harvard University is synonymous with power, wealth, influence, and excellence. The second wealthiest non-profit in the world, Harvard has long and fiercely maintained a wall of secrecy around its inner workings. Until now. Presented in collaboration with the Old South Meeting House as part of the Partners in Public Dialogue Series.

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Breaking Ranks

Mon, Apr 4, 2005

Two Iraq war veterans, Mike Hoffman and Paul Rieckhoff, discuss rising dissent to the war in Iraq within the American military, the backdoor draft, and what it really means to "support our troops." *Mother Jones* reported in a recent cover story that more and more US soldiers are speaking out on the war in Iraq, and some are refusing to fight. Presented in collaboration with the WAND Education Fund, *Mother Jones* Magazine, and Boston's Talk Station, AM 680 WRKO.

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Cult of Power: Sex Discrimination in America

Tue, Apr 12, 2005

Martha Burk talks about the international firestorm of debate she sparked by suggesting that the nation's premier golf club open its doors to women. The Augusta National Golf Club's membership roster reads like the New York Stock Exchange. It includes top executives, CEOs and board members from American Express, AT&T, Bank of America, Bechtel, CBS/Viacom, Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Coors, ExxonMobil, Ford, GE, Harvard University, Hormel, IBM, Morgan Stanley, Motorola, United Technologies, and US Steel, among others. What Augusta National's membership roster emphatically does not include is women. Presented in collaboration with the Old South Meeting House as part of the Partners in Public Dialogue Series

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Reclaiming Democracy

Sun, Oct 2, 2005

Eli Pariser, the campaigns director of MoveOn, a grassroots Internet advocacy group, talks about his work, the state of democracy today, and what lies ahead. Moderated by Susan Shaer, executive director of Women's Action for New Directions (WAND), and president of the Ford Hall Forum. Cosponsored by the WAND Education Fund.

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After Saigon: Vietnamese Immigrants in America

Tue, Dec 6, 2005

Thirty years ago, the Fall of Saigon ended the Viet Nam War and led to the first wave of Vietnamese immigration to Boston and other cities in the United States. 130,000 refugees fled Vietnam in 1975, fearing reprisal from the Communist Party. The exodus continued and as of the 2000 census, there were nearly 1,220,000 Vietnamese Americans living in the US, the fifth largest Asian immigrant group in the country. Ten years after diplomatic relations between the US and Viet Nam were re-established, as many as 20,000 Vietnamese live and work in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Panelists talk about generational issues, homeland politics, cultural barriers and challenges, and the contributions Vietnamese Americans have made to the City of Boston and the country as a whole. Presented in partnership with Carney Hospital, Viet AID, City of Boston Office of Neighborhood Services, Office of New Bostonians, Dorchester Reporter.

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