Episodes

David Faris was planning to talk about how the electoral college may be even more detrimental to Democrats, when…Ben asked about Rupert Murdoch, who’s stepping down as Boss of Fox. And with that David took off on a gloriously spontaneous riff. Then he gets back to electoral college. And has a thing or two to say about Hunter Biden and MAGA. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Block Club investigative reporter Mick Dumke gets into the nitty gritty of how Chicago’s pols and wheeler dealers cut their deals. Speaking of wheeler dealers, an update on former Mayor Rahm’s machinations to get what he wants. Whatever that may be. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez takes the deep deep dive on last week’s city council vote on a resolution that endorses Israel right to essentially avenge slaughter with more slaughter. Rossana tried to amend the resolution so it’s more balanced and more compassionate to Palestinians who once again are under siege. In the end, she lost on a voice vote. The world has lost its mind. Why should the city council endorse this madness? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Old college friends from Northwestern University, Vinnie Iyer and Sridhar Pappu have been in the newspaper business since the 90s, largely covering sports. And they have a lot to say about their (no longer) beloved Northwestern Wildcats football team, the White Sox and the Bears. Sridhar is the author of the best-selling book, The Year of the Pitcher. And Vinnie covers pro football and hosts a fantasy-football podcast for the Sporting News. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain talks about bias in the coverage of the war in the Middle East. And why she’s having flashbacks to 9/11. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist Chris Scott helps Ben make sense out of this week’s news and newsmakers from Washington. Including…Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, MAGA house speaker ineptitude, Senator Menendez scandal, gerrymandering strategy and more. Chris is the co-founder of the Advance the Electorate PAC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tommy Tuberville, MAGA senator from Alabama, blocks Biden military nominees to force the administration to weaken its support for abortion rights. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Ben debate whether election lawyer Adolfo Mondragon, should file a ballot access case against Trump on the grounds that he clearly violated the 14th amendment. Then Adolfo weighs in. Hope your listening, Chris Christie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chicago City Council delves into the Middle East. Ben riffs. Leor Galil defends Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez. And pleads with Israel not to retaliate to Hamas’s slaughter of Israelis by invading Gaza and slaughtering Palestinians. Leor is a Jewish-American who has family in Israel. He also happens to be a music writer for the Reader. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2020, filmmaker Alex Holder got the word he couldn’t quite believe. President Trump okayed Holder to have access to his re-election run. Apparently, Trump thought it would depict his triumph. It didn’t work out that way. As you can see by watching Unprecedented, Alex’s documentary. After hearing this conversation, check out the one Ben had with Michael Crommett, Holder’s cameraman who filmed the January 6th insurrection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson shows he’s learned a thing or two about the budget games that mayors play. Ben riffs. In These Times editor Miles Kampf-Lassin takes the deep dive on labor. Particularly…United Auto Workers threatens strike as negotiations with the Big Three automakers hits an impasse. And he and Ben have a thing or two to say about the oddball political evolution of Peter Daou, who’s gone from being a Hillary Clinton fan to campaign manager for Cornell West. Prediction…he’s on his way to MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On September 5, 2023, Mayor Johnson joined Ben and Maya on stage at the Promontory club in Hyde Park for First Tuesdays. For more than an hour, the mayor took questions. He looked like was having so much fun that he might still be there talking, just like old times, if not for a certain press side who said, okay, that’s enough. Just kidding, Ronnie. Maya is, of course, Maya Dukmasova, reporter for Injustice Watch. Enjoy… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dick Butkus dies at age 80. Ben riffs. Journalist Angela Caputo talks about the investigative Project on Race and Equity. And its first major investigation: Black drivers are being stopped in record numbers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A column from 1991 on mental health clinic shows that so much remains the same. Ben riffs. Activist Denali Dasgupta takes the deep dive on the influx of asylum seekers. Is this a crisis or an opportunity? And a word or two about a new Harvard professor named Lightfoot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Lopez announces he’s running against Congressman Jesus Garcia. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talk all things coup they ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Lakesia Collins reveals the behind the scenes efforts to make it to the senate. Lessons for lefties—learn how to count your votes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So much to discuss on so many fronts! Good thing attorney Adolfo Mondragon, the renaissance man, is in the house. On the docket…White Sox want more money. Or they’ll leave. Hispanic white nationalists. MAGA debate. How Trump and Ed Burke and Michael Madigan pay their lawyers with money they raise from suckers. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roosevelt University political scientist David Faris talks amendment 14. Specifically, why it should be invoked to keep Trump off the ballot. Also, a word or two about Republican efforts to rebrand their “pro-life” message into a “pro-baby” one. Doesn’t get much absurd than this, people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle take the deep dive on a week’s worth of immigration news. Or more like 40 years worth of immigration news. Cause if you really want to understand what’s going on at any moment in time you have to take some time to understand how that moment came to be. And so we talk foreign policy, national politics, Chicago cluelessness, MAGA hate and Democratic cowardice. And then just when things look hopeless, a little football. Matt is political activist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedians Eytan Boclin and Liam Klinkenberg co-directed arguably the funniest movie of the year—a ten-minute mockumentary that has absolutely nothing to do with Hoop Dreams, Steve James epic movie. Despite the name. Which is sorta the first joke. They explain everything you need to know about the movie. And then urge you to watch it on Vimeo. Also, Liam is the main actor in the film. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago aldermen who are descendants of immigrants find their inner MAGA as they say to Venezuelans—get out! Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin takes the deep dive on the UAW strike. President Biden joins strikers on front lines, while Trump visits a non-union shop. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judge in New York City rules against Trump—basically calls his enterprise a fraud. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks consequences. And asks—why have so many Chicago Dems sucked up to Trump? Also, the deep dive on Fox gaslighting scaredy cat Dems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson’s administration sues Kia to crack down on car thefts. Folks make fun of the mayor. Ben riffs. Brendan Shiller—activist, lawyer, poker player—returns and offers…A tribute to George Atkins. A new take on Sox shooting. And a few words about MAGA’s attempt to re-make Trump into Tupac. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Filmaker Steve James talks about his latest documentary—A Compassionate Spy. It tells the story of Ted Hall, a brilliant scientist at Los Almos who actually did what the fantasies accused Robert Oppenheimer of doing—turning nuclear secrets over to the Soviets. It’s also a love story, featuring Joan Hall, Ted Hall’s wife, who was a poet and linguist and street smart woman from Chicago. One of Steve’s best films. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist Delmarie Cobb and Ben break it all down, including…Jerry Reinsdorf speaks. Do we agree with what he says? Why Bronzeville didn’t develop like Wrigleyville. Heated Hyde Park debate over asylum speakers. The Republican primary—is there any voter Delmarie can even remotely see herself voting for? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.