We rarely lie to the American people! Milo, the great

Episodes

Jan. 10, 2024

"Budget Gambles" and Monroe Anderson

Turns out city didn’t take in as much money as it projected from the casino. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson ranks our mayors and entertains the question. Are Chicago Baby Boomers embarrassed to admit they voted for Mayors Daley and Rahm? Also, Trump’s lawyers argue he’s immune from any prosecution for …

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 10, 2024

Doctors Thaer Ahmad and Zaher Sahloul—Ceasefire Now

Doctors Thaer Ahmad and Zaher Sahloul are physicians in the Chicago area. But they’ve been to Gaza and they explain the health crisis that’s exacerbated by the Israeli invasion. It’s time to end this madness—ceasefire now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 9, 2024

Adolfo Mondragon—Goodfellas in Chicago

Alderman Ed Burke's corruption trial goes to the jury. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon returns for another episode dedicated to the Burke trial. An ongoing conversation between Ben and Adolfo that's been called the world's greatest Burke trial coverage. Okay, Ben called it that. But that doesn't make i…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 8, 2024

Dr Pamella Gronemeyer—Bernie Warned Us

Pamella Gronemeyer is a Pathologist in downstate Highland Illinois and she supports Bernie Sanders for president. Hear her story and download this Benny J bonus interview See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 5, 2024

“Oh, What A Week!” with Laurie Glenn

Race relations in France, MAGA’s hypocritical take down of former Harvard president Claudine Gay and the hateful things gentiles say about Jews…these are just a few of the topics Ben and Laurie Glenn eagerly discuss. Laurie is one of Chicago’s premier political strategists. See Privacy Policy at …

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 5, 2024

Terry Cosgrove—Closing Arguments

It’s closing time in the Ed Burke trial. Ben riffs. Terry Cosgrove talks abortion rights. Particularly, the Kate Cox case in Texas. It once again proves that Republicans want to outlaw abortion in all cases. So stop deceiving yourself, voters. Also, a few words about the mainstream press. And a few…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 4, 2024

Rummana Hussain—Flag Down

Rummana and Ben have flags on their minds—after a landlord in Logan Square moves to evict a tenant for flying a Palestinian flag. Which gets Rummana reminiscing how Lincolnwood treats flags. Lots of flag talk. Ben asks Rummana the “Maya” question. Which gets them talking journalism. And more. Rumma…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 3, 2024

Mueze Bawany—Fields and LaVine

Decision time approaches for Bulls and Bears. Mueze Bawany tells both teams exactly what they must do to win their respective championships. Take notes. Mueze is a high school football and basketball coach. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 2, 2024

Anderson and Joravsky—The Secret Tapes

Former Alderman Danny Solis takes the stand in the Burke trial. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson wonders what the tapes would reveal if he was secretly taping Ben. Then he takes the deep dive on the bluff call by Hunter Biden and Jack Smith. A few words about MAGA’s war against women in Texas. And a conf…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 1, 2024

Professor Leslie M. Harris—American History

Trump and his Republicans have denied climate change and the pandemic. Now they’re denying slavery--or at least, trying to re-write its history to fit their political narrative. Northwestern University historian, Leslie Harris, a specialist in the subject of slavery in this country, explains how it…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 31, 2023

David Faris—The Free Speech Fallacy

David Faris talks free speech in academia. A relevant topic in the aftermath of the fallout over the congressional testimony of three “smart school” university presidents. The fact that Ben feels compelled to assert that David speaks only for himself and no one else says it all. David Faris is a p…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 29, 2023

“Oh, What A Week!” with Mark Wallace

The final week of 2023. Sunrise, sunset…And so much for Ben and Mark Wallace to discuss Like…the Libertarian Party’s curious attitude toward slavery. Maine boots Trump from the ballot. That knocking sound you hear are the knees of Supreme Court justices as they try to summon the courage to do what …

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 29, 2023

Tosh Chandy—In Defense of Mayor Johnson

Crain’s breaks the news—the rich are getting richer. Ben riffs. And Tosh Chandy makes his show debut to defend Mayor Johnson, Alderman Ramirez-Rosa and immigrants. But not Ed Burke! Tosh is a lawyer, real estate salesman and political junkie from Beverly. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 28, 2023

David Faris—Lessons in Kissinger

In the last couple of days, Henry Kissinger died at age 100 and George Santos got expelled from Congress. David Faris considers their legacies. Also, a few words about Nikki Haley’s “resurgence”. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. …

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 27, 2023

"Rhode Island Ben" and Monroe Anderson

Rhode Island honors Michael Flynn. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson makes a rare confession. He may have been wrong to believe the Supremes would uphold Colorado and kick Trump off the ballot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 27, 2023

State Rep Kam Buckner--Glenn’s Life and Death

Glenn Foster, Jr. was a Chicago kid--raised on the south side and a Mount Carmel grad--who was one of Kam Buckner's best friends on the football team at the University of Illinois--he calls Foster his "little brother". So he flew to Birmingham, Alabama, to be there when Foster's family announced it…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 26, 2023

Mick Dumke—Toxic Tents

Governor Pritzker puts a hold on Tent City in Brighton Park. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke attempts to answer the following questions. Why would anyone think it’s a good idea to build housing on toxic land? Why doesn’t Chicago give a damn about the environment? Why won’t the CHA fix up its housing in the m…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 25, 2023

Dr. D—A Local News Christmas!

A long overdue update on Abraham's Lincoln's hat and the new Illinois laws of 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 22, 2023

“Oh, What A Week!” with Brendan Shiller

Perfect timing…Burke gets convicted and Trump bounced from the ballot in same week! Just in time to talk it over with Brendan Shiller. Who knows a thing or two about Chicago pols and politics and ballot access issues. Why do Chicago aldermen have so much love for Ed Burke? Will Trump pardon Burke s…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 22, 2023

Sara Haghdoosti—The Case For Peace

Juanita Irizarry steps down from Friends of the Parks and then the Bears float the idea of building a new stadium on the Lucas Museum site. Ben riffs. Sara Haghdoosti makes the case for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Sara is executive director of Win Without War. See Privacy Policy at https://ar…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 21, 2023

Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor—As She Sees It

The city announces new plans for migrants. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor tells it like it is about the city council, Mayor Johnson, the movement’s weak spots, migrants, how Chicago treats Black people, TIFs and more. Much more…including her love for Ghana and oceans. See Privacy Policy at …

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 20, 2023

"Colorado Showdown" and Monroe Anderson

The Colorado Supreme Court boots Trump from the ballot. Ben riffs. And then Monroe makes a bold prediction about how the U.S. Supremes will rule on this issue. Also, Trumps says he never read Mein Kampf. Monroe doesn't believe him. More bold predictions from Monroe. A word or two about Rudy Giulian…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 20, 2023

Flint Taylor—Pounds of Justice

Attorney Flint Taylor has been fighting racism and police brutality in Chicago since 1969. With his first major case on behalf of the family of Fred Hampton, the leadef of the black Panthers who was killed by police. He talks Hampton murder, Jon Burge police torture trials and more. Read his book—T…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 19, 2023

Jim Coogan—Shameless in Court

New example of chutzpah from the defense lawyers in disgraced former Alderman Burke’s corruption trial. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan explains what Burke’s lawyers are up to and how the system favors rich people. Speaking of which…Jim also explains how Donald Trump is using his wealth and power to manipul…

Listen to the Episode