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

Episodes

June 8, 2023

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez—Sexist City Council

Every political drama needs a “bad guy”. Ben riffs on who currently plays that role in Chicago. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez explains what must be done to settle asylum seekers. And what she plans to do as chair of health committee. And some of the sexist idiocy she’s encountered in the city counc…

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June 7, 2023

"CTA and Bears" and Monroe Anderson

Chicago has a funny way of favoring the Bears over public transportation. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson continues the Bears talk. Then it’s off to MAGA land who has a better chance of winning the Republican nomination—Pence or Christie. And Monroe makes a bold prediction about Trump’s pending indictme…

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June 7, 2023

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa—Council Moves

Mayor Johnson gets sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor. Ben riffs. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the new mayor’s council floor leader, reflects on the inauguration. Then it’s time to deal with…reopening mental health clinics, council reorganization, aldermanic privilege and asylum seekers. And more… …

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June 6, 2023

Kam Buckner—The Bad Neighbor Bears

CNN turns over its network to Trump. Ben riffs. State Rep Kam Buckner returns. Talks CTA, crime, MAGA, council reorganization and Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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June 5, 2023

Oh, What A [Past] Week with Mick Dumke

It’s time catch up on the week’s news—in this case with Mick Dumke, editor and writer for Block Club. Ben and Mick talk, Rahm and Ron, Brandon and Lori, Carlos and Scott, and Jayson and Jimmy. And more. If you don’t know these people by their first names alone, then you must listen so you will know…

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June 2, 2023

Denali Dasgupta—Think Again, Chicago

Mayor-elect Johnson plays musical chairs with the city council. Ben riffs. Political activist Denali Dasgupta asks to reconsider our notions about policing, social services, distraught people on subways, Rudy G. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…

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June 1, 2023

Hadden and Taylor—Live at the Promontory!

On May 2, Maya Dukmasova & Ben hosted a First Tuesday show at the Promontory night club in Hyde Park. Alders Maria Hadden and Jeanette Taylor were the guests, talking city council committee chairs under Mayor Johnson. Pretty ...

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May 31, 2023

"Memorial Day Tally" and Monroe Anderson

It’s the time of year for tallies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a deeper dive on tallies. Will Texan Republicans tally enough legislative votes to remove their sleazy MAGA attorney general? Will Kevin McCarthy tally enough MAGA congress people to approve his debt ceiling deal with President Bid…

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May 31, 2023

Mark Wallace—Meritorious Manumission

SDG & Pedro Martinez of CPS join forces to plead for Chicago. Ben riffs. And podcaster Mark Wallace talks politics. How MAGA used Vallas to seize Chicago. Meritorious Manumission. And the lawlessness of Clarence Thomas & Trum...

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May 30, 2023

Three Years Ago--Matt Harvey, TRiiBE journalist, on the Memorial Day …

Matt Harvey talks about what he witnessed, covering three days of protests over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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May 26, 2023

Kaplan & Pogorzelski—Democratic Rules

Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party and Water Rec Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski—aka, The political know-it-alls—make their long-awaited return! Talking local and national politics in the wake of Chicago’s mayoral election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…

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May 25, 2023

Micah Uetricht—The Dream Rotation

The city councils closed out its term with nostalgic tears. Ben riffs. And Micah Uetricht, Jacobin editor, puts Johnson’s win in historical perspective. Also, a few words about the mainstream media. And dream blunt rotation, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…

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May 24, 2023

"Foxy Chicago” and Monroe Anderson

Breaking news!!! Foxes in Millennium Park!!! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson discusses Jim Brown, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, Trump, DeSantis, Tim Scott and the concept of nice mayors. Plus, is there such a thing as nice MAGA? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…

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May 24, 2023

Adolfo Mondragon—Grudge Games

After avoiding post-election interviews for weeks, Mayor Lightfoot speaks her mind. Ben riffs. Election lawyer and southwest side politico Adolfo Mondragon joins the conversation. Why did Lightfoot lose? Is it ok to have a grudge? Why are immigrant asylum seekers sleeping in police stations? How is…

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May 23, 2023

David Faris—The Rematch

Roosevelt University political scientist David Faris has his concerns about President Biden’s plans to run for re-election. Will it result in, gulp, a Trump win? David breaks it down. Plus, a word or two about Nate Silver. Also, the return of the Manchin nightmare. See Privacy Policy at https://a…

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May 21, 2023

Rummana Hussain—Paranoid City

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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May 19, 2023

Oh, What A Week and Salem Collo-Julin

Joining Ben to break down some of the news of the week is Salem Collo-Julin, editor of Ben’s beloved Reader. Where’s he worked for almost 40 years! And so they talk…the first week of Mayor Johnson, the Reader’s Best of Chicago party, Reader reader favorite pols, and the MAGA meltdown over bathroom…

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May 18, 2023

Michael Gerardi—One In Three

Singer/songwriter Michael Gerardi—the Neil Young of Chicago—drops some truths. Like…why is it that a city in which 1 in 3 is in poverty has enough money to give billions to rich guys? Also, Brandon Johnson hasn’t even been sworn in—still mayor elect—and he’s already getting blamed for crime. He clo…

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May 17, 2023

"Party's Over" and Monroe Anderson

One day after Mayor Johnson is sworn in, the opposition lets loose. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Durham report, Anderson Cooper, Ron Desantis, Brandon haters, and Trump. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-…

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May 17, 2023

Stacy Davis Gates—Politics Like Jimmy Butler

Lots of things to talk about, including Paul Vallas’s suit against his former campaign aide. Ben riffs. And CTU president Stacy Davis Gates suggests that old lefties like Ben should be more like Jimmy Butler—don’t be afraid of losing. Stacy weighs in Mayor Lightfoot, States Attorney Foxx, President…

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May 16, 2023

Gregory Pratt—Covering Lightfoot

Tribune reporter Greg Pratt spent the last four years covering Mayor Lightfoot’s administration. As she’s heading out the door, he tries to make sense of it. Including her strange texts and unnecessary squabbles. Like the one with Kim Foxx. Also, a few words about the final council meeting of the t…

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May 15, 2023

Oh, What A [Past] Week—Blackistone & Joravsky

What a week it was! Washington Post sports columnist Kevin Blackistone joins Ben to run it all down, including…Mayor-elect Johnson’s new chief of staff. Reconsidering Jackie Robinson Day. Tale of two punishments: Daniel Snyder v Draymond Green. A tribute to Ahmad Jamal. And the movie Kevin helped m…

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May 14, 2023

Aaron Cohen—Gentleman of Jazz

Aaron Cohen talks all things Ramsey Lewis. To celebrate the recent publication of Gentleman of Jazz, the Ramsey Lewis autobiography, which Aaron co-wrote. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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May 12, 2023

Oh, What A Week: “Broken Promises”

Another week, more news. Joining Ben to discuss is Max “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, actor/writer/podcaster. On the agenda…Mayor elect sorts breaks a promise. Anderson Cooper defends CNN’s town hall with Trump. And the writer’s strike. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …

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