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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/

Building Bridges: Both Sides of the Abortion Debate

Thu, Oct 24, 2002

Laura Chasin, director of the Public Conversations Project, moderates a panel discussion motivated by the 1994 shootings at two Brookline clinics. After these tragic events, six leaders on both sides of the abortion debate began meeting, not for the purpose of reaching compromise, but to build relationships of mutual respect and understanding that might de-escalate the rhetoric of the abortion controversy and reduce the risk of future attacks on clinics. "In this world of polarizing conflicts", they explain, "we have glimpsed a new possibility: a way in which people can disagree frankly and passionately, become clearer in heart and mind about their activities, and, at the same time, contribute to a more civil and compassionate society."

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Afghanistan and Freedom of the Press

Thu, Nov 7, 2002

Christopher Lydon, former host of The Connection, leads a discussion on the importance of American citizens having a sense of the full picture in order for them to participate in democracy. He is joined by Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould, the first American journalists to enter Afghanistan behind Soviet lines in 1981, and Bob Zelnick, former ABC News Pentagon correspondent and chairman of the Department of Journalism at Boston University. Since September 11, 2001, the press has been criticized for not challenging our government's conduct rigorously enough. In light of security concerns and the Bush administration's alleged attempts at censorship, doubts have been raised about the ability and commitment of reporters to tell all the news.

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At the Heart of Marriage: Same-Sex Couples

Tue, Oct 8, 2002

Attorney and civil rights activist Mary Bonauto, moderates this first public discussion with three of the plaintiff couples in the pending same-sex marriage case in Massachusetts. In 1999, she and two Vermont co-counsel won a ruling that same-sex couples are entitled to all of the benefits and protections of civil marriage in the case of Baker v. State of Vermont. This ruling prompted the Vermont legislature to enact the nation's first "civil union" law for same-sex couples.

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Medical Malpractice in Massachusetts

Wed, Jun 4, 2003

Madge Kaplan, senior editor of American Public Media's Marketplace Health Desk moderates a discussion about malpractice law reform with several Massachusetts physicians. Threats of malpractice lawsuits hang over doctor's heads from the day they earn their degrees. Some higher risk specialists, like OB-GYNs, can expect to be sued nearly three times over their careers. Jury awards in all cases have soared, averaging nearly $3.5 million in 1999. In turn, professional liability insurance for physicians is astronomical. As a result, physicians curtail or stop services, move out of state, or retire early. Access is restricted, longer waits occur, and doctors practice costly 'defensive medicine'.

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Daddy & Papa: Gay Couples Raising Children

Tue, May 13, 2003

Johnny Symons discusses his film Daddy & Papa, a one-hour documentary that takes us inside the lives of four families led by gay men. America is in the midst of a "gayby boom," with thousands of gay men across the country making the decision to raise children. An exploration of the personal, cultural, and political impact of gay fatherhood, this new film traces day-to-day challenges as it examines the value of alternative households, the effects of gender and sexual orientation on children, and the changing face of the American family.

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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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Politics of Sex, Drugs and HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts

Wed, Jan 28, 2004

A panel of health experts discuss the politics of sex, drugs and HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts. 41% of the estimated 20,000 people living with HIV in Massachusetts were infected either through their own needle-sharing or through sex with a needle-sharing partner. Panelists debate whether Massachusetts needs a syringe access policy as well as Department of Public Health reports that nearly 10% of new infections in the state are occurring among young people, aged 13 to 24. As sex education programs have fallen victim to budget-cutting and conservative mores, panelists explore what should our political leaders can do to safeguard the health of the state's youth.

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Remembering Trauma

Tue, Feb 10, 2004

Clinician and laboratory researcher Richard McNally challenges the ready acceptance of a notion he says goes beyond common sense, and contends that traumatic experiences are indeed unforgettable and the evidence for repressed memories is surprisingly weak. Are horrific experiences indelibly fixed in a victim's memory? Or does the mind protect itself by banishing traumatic memories from consciousness? How victims remember trauma is the most controversial issue in psychology today, spilling out of consulting rooms and laboratories to capture headlines, rupture families, provoke legislative change, and influence criminal trials and civil suits. This lecture is presented in collaboration with Boston Theatre Works to coincide with the world premiere of *Conspiracy of Memory*, a timely new drama by local playwright Steven Bogart that explores issues of aging, forgiveness, acceptance, and redemption.

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Medical Errors and Patient Safety

Tue, May 11, 2004

A panel of professionals weigh in on the shocking 1999 The Institute of Medicine report on medical safety. Panelists include Lucian Leape, Connie Crowley Ganser, and Linda Kelly. The event is moderated by John A. Fromson. The Institute of Medicine reported in 1999 that health care in the United States is not as safe as it should be, and that as many as 98,000 patients may die each year from preventable medical errors. How far have we progressed in five years? How do doctors, nurses, and other health care workers approach patient safety? What is the responsibility of the patient for patient safety? How can we make medical care better? .

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