Episodes

Speaking for corporate Dems everywhere, Lawrence Summers says he's "profoundly alarmed" about the future of our country in light of Mamdani's victory--as if being alarmed isn't strong enough. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks about the "Iron Law of Oligarchy." That's Marc Andreesen's theory about democracy. Which is taken from a book Andreesen once read. Andreesen is a fabulously wealthy venture capitalist. His theory basically says that everything he believes is true because he believes it. About the ...

Zohran Mamdani, the young lefty, beats Andrew Cuomo, the old centrist, in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary. Ben riffs. Monroe talks about the irony of Mayor Eric Adams, a Black man, running an updated version of Bernie Epton's vote-for-me-before-it's-too-late campaign. Earthquake makes his Ben Joravsky Show debut--sorta. On how MAGA believes anything Trump tells them--even if it contradicts whatever he told them the day before. You gotta laugh, to keep from crying. See Privacy Policy at https:...

Ben riffs on what has changed and what remains the same since George Floyd’s murder. And Troy LaRaviere, president of the Chicago Principal’s Association, talks about getting arrested and thrown in jail by police defending Trump Tower from protestors. Also, what defund-the-police activists can learn from the Charter school crowd. Recorded in June of 2020 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mainstream Dems seem madder at Mamdani than they are at Trump. Ben riffs. David Faris explains his latest theory, the Trump cycle. And how it applies to the bombing of Iran. Also, the fallacy of bombing as an alternative to negotiation. The MAGA split. The post hoc MAGA rationalization Machine for whatever stupid thing Trump comes up with. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...

It was roughly ten years ago that Trump announced he was running for president. Everyone laughed. Turns out the joke was on us. Ben riffs. Ray Hanania explains the essence of Trump. Or at least what Trump wants. Then it's Ray on Israel, Iran, Gaza and why Arabs in the Middle East say they like Trump. A few words about Alderman RayLo. And another round of the ageless Ben/Ray debate--is a politician a racist if he "only" exploits fears and prejudices? Ray is a political consultant, comedian, publi...

Ben & Dr D talk all the big political news of the week. But first--a word about basketball. Bulls, my goodness, what are you doing with the draft? Are you trying to lose? Sorry about that sports interlude. Now back to politics. The Young Turk makes a compelling point about Trump and creditors. Everyone thinks Dan Biss will win in the 9th. But don't count out Bushra Amiwala. Why do Evanstonians think they're better than Skokieans? Hint--money has something to do with it. Speaking of money...Gover...

As soon as Trump drops bombs on Iran, the "no-war" wing of MAGA falls into line--just like we knew they would. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns! Talking about the Trump shit show--shoulda voted for Kamala, people. And America's fear and hatred of Black women. And why we never run out of money to bomb people, but call money spent on schools a waste. And how Mayor Johnson is doing a better job. And her opposition to snap curfews. Also--a shoutout to Jay Travis and a nice word about Al...

Trump bombs Iran. Ben riffs. Sara Haghdoosti describes the stakes with a personal touch. She has friends and or family in Iran and Israel. She explains the absurdity of the moment. Trump says he'll cut a new deal having ripped up the old deal. People still listen to Netanyahu as though he has any credibility. And armchair analysts act as though the innocent Iranians killed by bombs aren't real humans. Sara also cautions Democrats against cynicism. Sara is the executive director of Win Without Wa...

In his debate with Ted Cruz over Iran, Tucker Carlson discovers logic. Ben riffs. Skokie School Board Member Bushra Amiwala explains why she's running in the Democratic Primary in the 9th congressional district. At age 27, she's one of youngest elected officials in the country. She talks education, religious toleration, and the issues she learned in a very diverse--and proud of it--Niles North High School. Also, Bushra breaks down the district to illustrate why she thinks she can win. See Privac...

Ben and Dr D are back from their world travels, which means they're about to take you--oh, lucky listeners--on a political joy ride you'll never forget. Strap on your seat belts, people--it may get bumpy. Follow us as we head to the 9th congressional district. As Ben learns it's not just Evanston versus Wilmette. Then on to budgetville as Governor Pritzker signs a budget. Visit the land of "anticipated revenue". Make bets on who's getting taxed. Finally, over to Chicago, where a new poll shows g...

One of the Trump EPA's goals is to boost domestic auto sales. Cause you can't spell Environmental Protection without auto. Oh, wait, you can. Ben riffs. Ellie Hagen explains Trump's war on Environmental Justice. Apparently, he's okay with the word environmental and the word justice. But if you put them together, his MAGA mind explodes cause that's "woke"! Ellie used to be a scientist for the EPA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p...

Trump throws himself a charade--I mean, parade. Ben riffs. Antonio Correa talks hypocrisy in America. Such as...MAGA's selectivity in enforcing immigration law. Send the Marines to LA, look the other way in Red States. Joe Rogan wimps out out on the Trump-Epstein connection. And the joke of Trump's parade--designed to throw fear into the hearts of Americans. Particularly those of the non-MAGA persuasioin. Also, Antonio and Ben dissect recent news bits.Antonio is a former Marine and The Ben Jorav...

Chicago's own Jasmine Wright asks a pertinent question and Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, goes full MAGA--turns out Jasmine was correct. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks national guard and Marines in LA, Trump's non-existent border "crisis", the Tribune's chronic wimpiness, and how Terry Moran updated the great Lu Palmer's adage. Fascism is enough to turn a mainstreamer into a tell-it-like-it-is journalist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No...

Trump's goons tackle and cuff U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for the high crime of trying to ask Kristi Noem a question. Ben riffs. Alejandro Verdin explains what Trumps is up to with his wars against Los Angeles, California, Democrats, Mexican-Americans and immigrants in general. How should Democrats respond? Also, a shout out to Governor Gavin Newsom who is at the forefront of the resistance in Cali. Alejandro is a political strategist and founder of the Nineteen Sixty Campaigns. See Privacy Policy...

President Trump locks up immigrants, but has a soft spot for gangsters. Ben riffs. Alvin Tillery explains the politics of pardons, the Kanye-Trump connection, and how Trump embraces anti-Semites while pretending to fight anti-Semitism. And more. Al is the co-founder and CEO of 2040 StrategyGroup. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Trump takes a stand for property owners—provided they are white and from South Africa. Ben riffs. Emeline Posner explains the bizarre inequities in Illinois property tax law that allow “investors” to buy control of someone else’s property. It’s an old and sordid flaw in a system that allows the strong to pray on the weak. It’s also unconstitutional in light of a recent ruling by the supremes. Emeline is an investigative reporter for the Investigative Project on Race and Equity. For more informat...

Michael Madigan approaches his sentencing date for”corruption”. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner joins the conversation, talking Madigan sentencing, Bears stadium (lots on that), RTA funding, and advice for Gov Pritzker. Also, who he supports in the senate race and a Juliana Stratton trivia contest. Kam is a state rep from Chicago and former offensive lineman for the University of Illinois. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...

Musk exits stage MAGA. Ben riffs. David Faris sums up the legacy of Musk. Which smells like it sounds. Also, The Big And Beautiful Bill Act. Don’t need bill if you have act. But don’t tell Trump. And a dissertation on the low-information voter as opposed to the bad-information voter. And the problem with Dems falling in line. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

Another day, another Trump pardon. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a Trump pardon trivia quiz. Sample question...which pardoned felon was the sheriff who took $75,000 from business men for badges? As opposed to the married couple who defrauded banks into giving them $36 million in personal loans. And so on. The Sun-times says Mayor Johnson "fans flames of political war vs. Trump." Has the Bright One gone MAGA? Monroe deconstructs the headline. And makes a prediction about the next big Trump par...

Former Mayor Lightfoot takes to the Hideout stage and finds her inner Bernie Sanders. Hey, every ex-mayor has one. Okay, not Rahm. Or Daley. But still. Ben riffs. Gregory Pratt annotates Lightfoot's comments on such subjects as Gavin Newsom, Mayor Rahm, Lincoln Yards, the 2020 summer of disorder and the best way to deal with Trump. Also what did the mayor say to Greg when they ran into each other on the street. Greg is a reporter for the Tribune and the author of the City Is Up For Grabs , a boo...

The Trump bunch at Homeland Security and ICE withhold arrest records from the "Dr. Phil" raids in Chicago. Ben riffs. And Mick Dumke explains what he's doing about it. In this case--tag teaming with Matt Topic, FOIA lawyer extraordinaire, to file a federal suit in an attempt to force the feds to turn over public records. Everything you need to know about ICE, Homeland Security, FOIA law and Dr. Phil. Okay, not him. But all the other stuff. Also, a few words about Bruce Springsteen's stand agains...

Ben and Dr D dissect all the news that's worth dissecting. Including...Round II of Trump v Mayor Johnson. In which the Sun-Times sides with Trump. Man, liberals aren't what they used to be. Also, Mayor Rahm throws Joe Biden under a bus, even though Joe saved what's left of Rahm's career. Just call him Rahm the Ungrateful. Bears learn about TIFs. Hoping Arlington Heights funds their stadium. In election-related news, Raja plays humble. Casten endorses Biss. Kat gets threats. JB sorta gets an endo...

A New York Times poll shows that the less voters know about Trump, the more they like him. Ben riffs. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette talks waste and fraud. He’s spent his working life in pursuit of bi-partisan solutions to waste and fraud and what has he received for his efforts as of late? His recommendations get ignored by the Trump administration and he’s been vilified and maligned by Musk’s cultists, of the human and robot variety. Dylan is vice president of Policy and Government Affairs for the Pro...

MAGA Chicago manages to make hate even worse. Ben riffs. Jeff Jenkins talks about federal budget cuts that have threatened the Midnight Circus, which he stages in parks throughout Chicago. Why would Trump cut funding for a circus that brings laughter, joy and kindness to people? It's part of his mindless cuts to The National Endowment for the Arts. Also, Jeff talks about Canines for Kindness, his dog-rescue program. He uses rescued and rehabilitated dogs to show children there are alternatives t...