Episodes
Ken Mejia-Beal--Still in Love with Al Green
Ten Democratic congressmen vote to censure Congressman Al Green for the high crime of telling the truth about Trump. Ben riffs. Ken Mejia-Beal adds his two cents.Pointing out that the DuPage area Dems--Casten and Underwood--somehow managed not to wimp out even though they represent Purplish distric…
Nicole Cantello--Federal Employees Fight Back
Just another day in MAGA, USA--Trump threatens to lock up agitators. Guilty or not. Ben riffs. Nicole Cantello offers an update on the Trump-Musk war against federal employees. The bizarre often contradictory orders. Like the return-to-the-office directives. Followed by proposals to sell the buildi…
Oh, What a Week!--Johnson Goes to Congress and Pritzker Does The View
Be happy, Chicago--your local politicians made the big time. Mayor Johnson testified before congress, Governor Pritzker was a guest on The View, and lest we forget--Mayor Rahm made an ass of himself on Bill Maher's show. Ben and Dr. D break it all down and tell you what it means. See Privacy Pol…
Monroe Anderson--Donnie Talks To Congress
Trump gives a speech to congress. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson--back from his world travels--asks and answers all the big questions. Such as...Is there anything more pathetic than MAGA continuing to bow to Trump even as he drives them broke with his inflationary policies? Why do voters care about the…
Mick Dumke--Free the Press
Trump punishes AP for not bowing to his commands. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke joins the conversation with memories of how Mayors Daley and Rahm treated reporters they didn't like. What kind of country will we have if the press is controlled by the president? Then some memories of people who recently died…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—MAGA Goes Left
Good news for lefties—CM Punk dons a CTU sweatshirt. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains how MAGA creates its own reality. And how they hate leftists but love leftist critiques. And how they hate unions but love unionized workers. Or so they say. And more. Miles is an editor and writer for In Th…
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez--Trump Trolls
After ordering federal employees not to even mention DEI, Trump throws a party in the White House to celebrate Black History Month--MAGA style. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez covers the news. Including...the free speech debate, Gaza protest puppets, Chicago City Council disinfor…
David Faris--Bannon's Salute
Steve Bannon, Trump's ideological brain, gives the Nazi salute to a bunch of MAGA lovers and Governor Pritzker warns we’re looking a little too like Germany in the `30s. Ben riffs. David Faris explores this theme--American voters saw what Trump did on January 6 and voted for him anyway. What does t…
Stacy Davis Gates--Resistance Is Not An Option
MAGA writes a script for teachers which makes no sense. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks resistance. What must be done and who must do it. Also, a few words about the midterms. And the mayor. And the people who want to be mayor. And a sorta shoutout to her libertarian critics. Who are not really …
Oh, What a Week!--Pritzker’s Poll
Ben and the doctor are in the house, talking a week’s worth of news. Including… Governor Pritzker's 2026 budget address. The latest Trump poll, paid for by JB Pritzker. Also known as...President Pritzker. And the first in a series—the Chicago Mayoral Candidate spotlight. Yes, 2027 is right around t…
Rummana Hussain--Even Daley Wasn't This Mighty
Trump says no judge tells him what to do! Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain ponders the day’s great questions. Can Trump remove the Associated Press from the White House cause they won't bow to his commands? Can he disobey the rulings of federal judges? Can he command Palestinians to leave Gaza? Is that e…
Meredith Shiner--Primary the Dems!
Trump decides it's okay to ignore the rulings of federal judges. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks about her revelation. It's time Democrats took back their party from the feckless consultant class that runs it. Hence, it's time to primary all incumbents. Including Senator Durbin right here in Illi…
Oh, What a Week: Brought to you by The Gift Room
Ben and Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news, including…President Pritzker. Yes, Ben’s sticking to his prediction. Former speaker Madigan. He was convicted. Mainly cause he didn’t pledge his allegiance to Trump. And New York City’s Mayor Adams. He did pledge allegiance to Trump and, voila, charges …
Adolfo Mondragon—Madigan vs Musk
On the same day the mainstreams rejoice over Michael Madigan’s conviction, Musk and his four-year-old show Trump who really runs the White House. Ben riffs. Adolfo and Ben debate the issue of whether corruption laws really exist if they’re only enforced against Trump’s enemies. And not his friends.…
Laurie Glenn—Political Theater
Trump’s Gaza plan is like a very dark comedy of the absurd. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn has a wake up call for Democrats. You drew the wrong conclusions from 1972. And you've been compounding those mistakes ever since. In other words, abortion, acid and amnesty would have been better than the wimpy man…
Marc Sims--They're Not Like Us
Racism is over, according to the NFL. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains why he's "giving up his Blackness". Which he's not. And why his hair is not on fire cause of Trump. Even though it sorta is. Trump adds Gaza to the list of places he's taken over. Right after he takes over Greenland and Canada. Mai…
Oh, What a Week—Dennis Returns!
Oh, What a Week is back. Yes, that's correct--Dr D has returned from his sojourn. And he has new wisdom which he will share. Such as...Everyone hates each other. President Pritzker? Byron v Bill the Bro. The mayoral poll. Libertarians are not Republicans. And more--much more.
Monroe Anderson--Tariffs and Taxes
What if Mayor Johnson called a tax a tariff? Ben riffs. Monroe says the taxpayers in Chicago are too smart to fall for that. Then he thinks about what he just said. On second thought...Also, Musk gets control of the federal treasury. Has the coup already happened. And Trump's bark is worse than his…
David Faris--The Fog of War
Looks like Paramount may join Meta and Disney in caving to Trump. Ben riffs. David Faris breaks down the first two weeks of MAGA rule. It's time for Democrats to--ugh, hello--re-think the strategy of timidity. Status quo bias emerges. As people look to midterms for salvation. But that may be too la…
Alvin Tillery--Trump Plays His Race Card
Chicago's mainstreams are aghast that Mayor Johnson got some gifts. Ben riffs. Pollster Alvin Tillery examines the early polls on how the country is reacting to one week of Trump. What they say about how Democrats should proceed. Also, a primer on Trump and DEI. What does Trump mean when he says th…
Gary Rivlin--Trump’s Tech Bros
Ben has a realization--Trump presidency is Council Wars on steroids. In other words, Trump's looking to sabotage the whole federal government. Gary Rivlin picks up on the analogy. Why does Gary know about Council Wars? Cause he wrote Fire on the Prairie, the seminal book on Mayor Harold Washington.…
Nicole Cantello--Trump's War on Federal Workers
Trump and Musk and their minions declare war on federal employees. Nicole Cantello explains it all. Including the directive calling on workers to snitch on other employees who might be promoting "DEI". Straight up out of Kafka or Orwell. Take your pick. Nicole is the President of AFGE Local 704, wh…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—The Stargate Hustle
Gavin Newsom pulls a Trump on Trump. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin urges America to follow the money. The Tech Bros are going to make big bucks for sucking up to Trump. Just when you thought wealth inequities couldn’t get worse. Also, some advice for labor. Miles is a staff writer and editor for In…
Rummana Hussain--ICE in Chicago
Alderman Ray Lopez and Mayor Johnson have different attitudes about Trump's plan to round up immigrants—that’s for sure. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks brainwashing. How Trump has successfully turned Americans, some recent immigrants included, against immigrants. Also, updates on the ADL and Musk…