Episodes

MAGA loves Lutnick even if he visited Epstein Island. Ben riffs. Kevin Lamm tells you all you need to know about building Democratic Party support bases in small town Illinois. Like Stark and Marshall and Stephenson counties. You want to win, Democrats? Pay attention. Kevin is running for Democratic state central committeeman in the 16th congressional district.

“In his best imagination, Jesse Jackson saw himself as someone who could bring the country together…when that dream had to confront reality, it’s a hard bridge to cross.” Ben riffs. Speaking of hard bridges to cross…Drake Warren talks about his uphill battle to beat a longtime incumbent in the Democratic primary for Cook County Board of Commissioners.

The day begins with sad news—the Rev Jesse Jackson died. Ben riffs. Fritz Kaegi talks property taxes and why, in his opinion, he deserves to be re-elected as Cook County Assessor. A debate ensues—should the county switch to acquisition-based assessments? Ben says yes. Fritz says not so fast. Stick around for the Trump Tower/Alderman Ed Burke history lesson. Fritz is running in the March 17 Democratic primary.

Epstein’s ties—everyone from Modi to Chomsky to Trump, don’t forget Trump. Ben riffs. State Senator Robert Peters talks about his campaign for Congress in the second congressional district. And much more. Including why AIPAC and AI PACs are against him. And how being Black and Jewish and a graduate of Mount Carmel HS have shaped his world view. A state senator from the 13th district—Obama’s old seat—Robert is running for Congress in the Democratic primary on March 17.

Ben and Dr D converge for the deep dive into all the news. Starting with…Chomsky! Oh, no, Noam, what were you doing hanging out with Epstein? From there, they talk property taxes, Kaegi v Hynes, states attorney Burke’s explanation for not prosecuting ICE, and tanking in the NBA and politics.

The NFL tries to make money off of Bad Bunny without upsetting Trump. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan covers Trump justice. Starting with Julie Le, the former prosecutor in Minneapolis who had a milder version of an Al Pacino meltdown. “The system is out of order!” Or in her case—you can’t fix a broken system. Also, Jim annotates Judge Biery’s decision in the deportation case of Liam Conejo Ramos. Elegant in its simplicity. Jim is managing partner of Coogan Gallagher.

The New York Times keeps track of each and every new explanation invented by Trump and his puppets for what Tulsi Gabbard was doing at that election center in Georgia. Ben riffs. Juanita Irizarry says why she’s running for the Cook County Board of Review. Everything you need to know about the insanely unfair property tax system in Cook County. Juanita is running in the Democratic Primary from District 1.

Michael Parenti’s obit tells it all—“if you stray too far to the left, you’re ignored by the mainstream.” Ben riffs. David Faris explicates and annotates the latest NYT headlines. Including…”Trump deletes post with racist video of Obamas after outcry.” How low can Trump go? And “Schumer pressured to support renaming Dulles and Penn Station for Trump.” Also, the Republican spin on Epstein. And BDS and Dan Biss. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for New...

The latest bewildering trades by his beloved Bulls remind Ben of everything wrong with Chicago. Ben riffs. His old friend, Mick Dumke, tries to calm him down—then he gets fired up. Also, Mick on the latest details related to Trump’s raid at 7500 South Shore Drive. “It’s Chicago meets MAGA.” And Bruce Springsteen’s protest song. Finally, don’t blame Mick for Kid Rock, even though they’re both from Michigan. Mick is an editor and writer for Block Club. His views are his own.

Trump officials say they’ll buy body cameras for their street thugs when the money comes in—apparently, the billions they got in the last budget aren’t enough. Ben riffs. Monroe talks Ben off the ledge. Then engages him in a debate over Bill Clinton—in preparation for Bill and Hillary’s congressional testimony on Epstein. Finally, was a white lefty in Florida wrong to use the N word to make a point about the racist roots of MAGA?

Trump said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue, and MAGA would let him get away with it—but will they stomach the new Melania movie? Ben riffs. Antonio Correa returns. Talking Hispanic ICE agents. “They think they’re in the elite club.” And fools with badges, guns and face coverings. And much love for Marimar Martinez and Mayor Johnson. Antonio is a former Marine and a senior digital strategist for Heartland Signal. His views are his own.

Not long before we started recording, news broke that Don Lemon has bee arrested by agents of Trump for the high crime of practicing journalism. Ben riffs. Media critic Jennifer Schulze talks journalism in the Trump era. The Lemon arrest. The Ellisons and Bari Weiss trash CBS News. And a shoutout to local journalists. Jennifer is a former television journalist who writes [Indistinct Chatter], a column on Substack.

The picture of an unarmed Minneapolis woman, standing in her doorway as ICE goons approach, brandishing their weapons tells you all you need to know. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin covers the state of the country. Including…wimpy Senate Dems. Also, who’s in charge of the White House—Trump Or Miller? And the power of ideology—“it’s a helluva drug.” Finally, a bball break from the all the world’s horror. Who’s Chicago’s greatest—MJ or D Rose? Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times.

The feds sorta tell the truth iabout the execution of Alex Pretti. Ben riffs. Nick Uniejewski returns to talk about his campaign in the Democratic primary against longtime incumbent state Senator Sara Feigenholtz. It’s the first time that district’s incumbent has had a primary challenge since—hold on—1972. Among other things, Nick talks about what the state can do to protect its residents from ICE.

Worried about upsetting Boss Donnie, the NRA waters down its response to the public execution of Alex Pretti by agents of ICE. Ben riffs. And as Mayor Rahm tries to bamboozle Democratic voters into nominating him as their presidential candidate, Nora Flanagan and Jarrett Dapier revisit Persepolisgate—when Mayor Rahm’s flunkies ordered teachers to remove Persepolis from the classroom. A blast from his past that Mayor Rahm will not be talking about on the campaign trail. Nora is a former CPS Engli...

Seven House Dems vote with Trump to fund ICE. Ben riffs. Joey Ruzevich explains why he’s challenging 6th district Congressman Sean Casten in the Democratic primary. He talks Gaza, health care, the limits of government approved protest and the choice voters face between “fighters versus folders.” Aside from being a candidate, Joey is a software engineer and former college basketball player. Yes, there’s basketball talk.

Posters for the Melania “documentary” show up in Hispanic neighborhoods hit hard by ICE. Ben riffs. Monroe talks Amazon deal with Melania, Trump’s senility in Davos and Indiana’s peculiar proposal to the Bears. And more…

Trying to stay sane in an age of madness, Ben turns to sports as an escape—it almost works. Ben riffs. Charles Henderson tackles the tough topics. Including…the devil’s deal military recruiters offer Hispanics. Sign up and we won’t deport your parents—maybe. Also Charles turns the table on Ben, asking him the “regret” question. Charles is an Army vet and peace activist.

MAGA ranchers in Colorado forgive Trump even after he kills their much-needed water project out of spite. Ben riffs. Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez explains why Chicago is a model for the Democrats to emulate—at least in her part of town on the northwest side. Also, the difference between the city council and the board of commissioners. And why she doesn’t support funding for a new Bears stadium, as much as she loves the team. Jessica represents the 8th district and is running for re-e...

In news of the weird, clueless ICE agents round up Native Americans on the grounds that they’re illegal aliens who have to be deported to the country they came from. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry gives an update on politics in the Heartland. Data center passes for development. A toxic radium site still not cleaned up. An out-of-touch Democratic Party. And on the positive side—Kevin Ryan got it right. Heidi is one of the founders of Illinois Valley Indivisible, a horse trainer and a proud leftie.

So much news to discuss, and so little time to discuss it. So Ben and Dr Dive get right down to it. Bears beat Packers. Indiana makes its move for the Bears. Packers fan Mike Quigley dips his toe into the mayoral waters. For mayor of Fond du Lac? No, Chicago. Yes, he loves Matt LaFleur but he wants to be mayor of Ben Johnson City. Will he take the plunge? As long as Mayors Daley or Rahm aren’t running, he just might. JB meets the media. And more…

MAGA Senator Lindsey Graham momentarily told the truth about Trump’s election lie—and he was under oath. Ben riffs. Kevin Ryan returns! Talks campaign spending reform, reining in Trump’s military powers, why some voters “hate” Democrats, why ICE should be abolished. Also, his thoughts on religion and politics. A Marine Corps veteran and school teacher, Kevin is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

On the eve of the NFL playoffs, Congressman Mike Quigley announces he plans to run for mayor of Chicago and he’s rooting for Green Bay to beat the Bears. Ben riffs. George and Alejandro Verdin—uncle and nephew—welcome Ben to Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles. Where they sit at a back table in the El Tepeyac Cafe and talk all things politics. Including the rise of L.A.’s Chicano movement, the ICE invasion, and who is the godfather of Hispanic politics in Los Angeles. Hint, it’s not George, despit...

The new year was supposed to be better, so let’s hope it’s just a case of things always being darkest before the dawn. Ben riffs. David Faris on the murder by ICE of Renee Nicole Good, Venezuela lunacy, and the upcoming midterms. The sad statement of Trump’s regime—“people are eager to be told what to do by a strong man.” David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation. His views are his own.