Episodes

Political scientist David Faris surveys the madness that is America today and it's not as bad as it looks. Though it might get worse. And by the way, it's time the Dems turned things over to the next generation. Or at least an old timer with a little pep. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…

July 8, 2022: Ben & Dr. D have another week's worth of news to disrespect--I mean, discuss. Starting with...NASCAR in Chicago? Is that a joke? And a roof on Soldier Field? Is that another joke? And the mayor raises a couple o...

MAGA has successfully moved the center of discourse so far to the right, that people who call themselves Democrats claim both parties are run by "extremists". Ben riffs. Activist Mark Wallace returns to talk speed cameras. Specifically, yesterday's City Council vote in which the mayor got her way. …

It's summertime and that means...NBA Summer League! Just in time to offer a little diversion from the madness of MAGA. Benji "The Bookie" Hall (not really a bookie) returns to assess the early results. Who are the best rookies? How are the Bulls faring? Is Marko Simonovic really as good as he was i…

After months on insisting we needed tougher laws to keep Chicagoans from speeding, Mayor Lightfoot announces--hey, good news! I'm bringing NASCAR to Chicago. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk Trump. Particularly, why he's a law-and-order, lock-`em-up man when it comes to Trump's failed…

Activist Gaylon Alcaraz has been in the trenches for abortion rights since the `90s. She's seen and heard it all. Including this line from a woman who was about to get an abortion: "I'm against abortion. But I can't have a baby now." At times, the inanity of America's confusion on this issue can ma…

The Highland Park shootings were one of many deadly gun attacks on the Fourth of July. Ben riffs. Attorney Jim Coogan returns to analyze the recent rulings of the MAGA 6 on the Supreme Court on abortion, guns and the EPA. Apparently, you have a constitutionally protected right to destroy the world …

Mick Dumke and Paul Kiel of Propublica write an expose about how Kenneth Griffin, formerly Illinois's richest resident, spent money to save money. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer for In These Times, considers these questions: Are Dems too timid? Should lefties challenge Biden in 20…

August 24, 2019: Meredith Shiner is a former correspondent for Politico, Roll Call and Yahoo News. She is currently a communications professional based in Chicago. Joanna Klonsky is a political strategist and worked for the Lori Lightfoot mayoral campaign. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co…

June 17, 2022--Time for Ben & Dr. D to run through a week of news. There's a blast from the past--an update on Rahm and his love for trains. Was Ken Davis correct? Also, an analysis of Governor Pritzker's curious election str...

Mayor Lightfoot drops the F-bomb. Chicago reels. Ben riffs. And progressive political activist Sarah Bingaman talks politics in Trump Country. What's the fall out to the end of Roe? The brainwashing of young minds by MAGA. The curious attitude MAGA has toward free expression. They have the right to…

Trump & his advisors have their unhinged meeting in the White House. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump and the January 6 hearing. Can it get anymore unhinged? Black Harvest co-founder Sergio Mims joins Monroe to talk...

JB Pritzker got his wish. Darren Bailey is his opponent. Ben riffs. BGA political reporter Rachel Hinton breaks down election results from governor to Board of Review. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m…

Emma Tai of the United Working Families reports some good news on the local front--at least for lefties. She offers advice to Dems for November. And word or two or three of warning about the MAGA agenda. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1…

Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer, Rummana Hussain talks R Kelly, Harvey Weinstein, the MAGA Supremes, Trump and other women haters. Also, a few words about why Cassidy Hutchinson's congressional testimony threw MAGA for a loop. And then something nice--Ted Lasso. See Privacy Policy at https:/…

Dr. D returns from his Alcation, which is what people call a vacation in Alton. He and Ben run through the election results from Tuesday's primary. Which means lots of talk about (not a) hog farmer Darren Bailey. And Kenny G, (no longer) the state's richest man. And Richard Irvin (not Irwin) and J…

Saxophonist extraordinaire, Chico Freeman talks about the legacy of his family of great jazz musicians. And they came from Chicago. There's his father, Von, and his uncles, George and Bruz. Mike Allemana, a great jazz guitarist, who's played with Chico and George, joins the conversation about jazz …

Tucker Carlson blames some unnamed and probably fictitious high school counselor for the Fourth of July shootings in Highland Park. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson & Mark Wallace, broadcaster/activist, ask the question: Has Trump ...

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez describe the lunacy that is the Chicago City Council. They discuss speed cameras, Mayor Lightfoot, defer and publish, and the backlash against any elected official who dares to say we might consider different methods of fighting …

Political scientist David Faris analyzes the Texas Republican Party Platform. It's frightening, people. And it's also a blueprint for Illinois, if Republicans take over. Then a few words about President Biden going to Saudi Arabia. Finally, to relieve the madness, David talks baseball. Specifically…

Activist/political strategist Heather Booth returns to talk about her role as a Jane. She was one of the founders of the underground network of Chicago women who called themselves Jane and ran illegal abortion clinics in the pre-Roe days of the late `60s and early `70s. With the Supremes ready to e…

A former Marine, Toni talks about patriotism, policing & the Fourth of July. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA wants Miranda rights for themselves, even as the MAGA supremes are prepared to eliminate it for everyone else. Ben riffs. And criminal defense lawyer April Preyar returns to discuss the state of justice in America. Not so good. Also, April offers her analysis of three major trials--Smollett, R…

Yesterday's primary vote has been counted and it's official--Republican voters in Illinois have lost their little MAGA minds. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Cassidy Hutchinson testimony. Looks like the January 6 congressional committee found a John Dean witness. And attorney Adolfo Mondragon expl…