Mon. Nov. 19

The election is less than a year away and we're numb. We bet you are, too. This isn't the place to get into our lack of enthusiasm about everybody - save maybe Dennis Kucinich, but really where will that take us? - but maybe Lou Dobbs can light a fire. The author of "Independents Day: Awakening the American Spirit" will be speaking on that topic Monday Nov. 19 at the Old South Meeting House, part of the Ford Hall Forum series. (We're guessing as the election draws closer, more and more speakers will be entering our world via the FHF. This should be a good thing. As dispirited as we may be about the political process and the choices on both sides, we do live here, currently under a climate of fear and repression, oddly coupled to what TV advertising preaches (Continue practicing rampant consumerism! There is no war!). Dobbs, the anchor of CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tongiht," looks at US public policy from national security to workers rights to the security of our borders to the costs of free trade and outsourcing. Dobbs, a Harvard grad, speaks at 6:30 p.m. for free. Yes, his book will be for sale. And he will sign it. But it's not just a yak-and-sign. There will be a discussion following his talk. Bring your thinking caps and don't be shy.

310 Washington St., 617-373-5800 www.fordhallforum.org