Episodes

Trump says no judge tells him what to do! Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain ponders the day’s great questions. Can Trump remove the Associated Press from the White House cause they won't bow to his commands? Can he disobey the rulings of federal judges? Can he command Palestinians to leave Gaza? Is that even a plan or just Trump trash talking? Is Trump more powerful than Mayor Daley was in Chicago? Also, a few words about the AP style book. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump decides it's okay to ignore the rulings of federal judges. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks about her revelation. It's time Democrats took back their party from the feckless consultant class that runs it. Hence, it's time to primary all incumbents. Including Senator Durbin right here in Illinois. As she suggested she might do in a recent essay. Was that for real or satire? Does it matter? She also explains why Democratic senators do the things they do. Like not filibustering. Meredith is a former capitol hill reporter and a columnist for The New Republic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news, including…President Pritzker. Yes, Ben’s sticking to his prediction. Former speaker Madigan. He was convicted. Mainly cause he didn’t pledge his allegiance to Trump. And New York City’s Mayor Adams. He did pledge allegiance to Trump and, voila, charges dropped. And Blago. Pardoned. And may be nominated ambassador to Serbia. A few words about Mayor Rahm and his new gig with CNN. And finally…a visit to Mayor Johnson’s gift room. Don’t touch those cuff links! Imagine how big Trump’s gift room would be. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the same day the mainstreams rejoice over Michael Madigan’s conviction, Musk and his four-year-old show Trump who really runs the White House. Ben riffs. Adolfo and Ben debate the issue of whether corruption laws really exist if they’re only enforced against Trump’s enemies. And not his friends. The debate rages. Sorta. Adolfo is a lawyer in Chicago and a radio host.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s Gaza plan is like a very dark comedy of the absurd. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn has a wake up call for Democrats. You drew the wrong conclusions from 1972. And you've been compounding those mistakes ever since. In other words, abortion, acid and amnesty would have been better than the wimpy mantras you followed. Laurie is a political strategist and the founder and CEO of Thinkinc.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Racism is over, according to the NFL. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains why he's "giving up his Blackness". Which he's not. And why his hair is not on fire cause of Trump. Even though it sorta is. Trump adds Gaza to the list of places he's taken over. Right after he takes over Greenland and Canada. Mainstream Chicago remains outraged over Mayor Johnson's stash house. And more. Marc hosts Just a Few Questions, a podcast based out of Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh, What a Week is back. Yes, that's correct--Dr D has returned from his sojourn. And he has new wisdom which he will share. Such as...Everyone hates each other. President Pritzker? Byron v Bill the Bro. The mayoral poll. Libertarians are not Republicans. And more--much more.

What if Mayor Johnson called a tax a tariff? Ben riffs. Monroe says the taxpayers in Chicago are too smart to fall for that. Then he thinks about what he just said. On second thought...Also, Musk gets control of the federal treasury. Has the coup already happened. And Trump's bark is worse than his bite on tariffs and deportation. Probably cause there's some rich guys in the backrooms saying--boss, don't do it. But his bite is as bad as his bite on Black people and the federal workforce. Meaning, there's no one in the backroom looking out for them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looks like Paramount may join Meta and Disney in caving to Trump. Ben riffs. David Faris breaks down the first two weeks of MAGA rule. It's time for Democrats to--ugh, hello--re-think the strategy of timidity. Status quo bias emerges. As people look to midterms for salvation. But that may be too late. Playing it safe won't work either. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago's mainstreams are aghast that Mayor Johnson got some gifts. Ben riffs. Pollster Alvin Tillery examines the early polls on how the country is reacting to one week of Trump. What they say about how Democrats should proceed. Also, a primer on Trump and DEI. What does Trump mean when he says the D word. AKA, diversity. A few lessons on white supremacy and critical race theory. And why LBJ is his favorite president. Alvin is the co-founder and CEO of the 2040 Strategy Group, a Democratic polling and strategic communications firm.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben has a realization--Trump presidency is Council Wars on steroids. In other words, Trump's looking to sabotage the whole federal government. Gary Rivlin picks up on the analogy. Why does Gary know about Council Wars? Cause he wrote Fire on the Prairie, the seminal book on Mayor Harold Washington. For the last 20 or so years, Gary's been covering the tech industry. And he gives the run down on Musk and Bezos and Andreesen and Thiel and all the other gazillionaire tech bros in Trump’s corner. AI Valley, Gary's latest book, hits book stores real soon. For more of his work, check out his website.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump and Musk and their minions declare war on federal employees. Nicole Cantello explains it all. Including the directive calling on workers to snitch on other employees who might be promoting "DEI". Straight up out of Kafka or Orwell. Take your pick. Nicole is the President of AFGE Local 704, which represents employees of the EPA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gavin Newsom pulls a Trump on Trump. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin urges America to follow the money. The Tech Bros are going to make big bucks for sucking up to Trump. Just when you thought wealth inequities couldn’t get worse. Also, some advice for labor. Miles is a staff writer and editor 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.

Alderman Ray Lopez and Mayor Johnson have different attitudes about Trump's plan to round up immigrants—that’s for sure. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks brainwashing. How Trump has successfully turned Americans, some recent immigrants included, against immigrants. Also, updates on the ADL and Musk and the Cultural Center anti-war puppets. Talk about cancel culture. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump doesn’t lay his hand on the Bible while swearing to uphold the constitution. Ben riffs. Charles Henderson reports on going door to door in Milwaukee—it’s not pretty. Also, Trump pardons the insurrectionists. And Charles turns the tables on Ben. Asking about Fire on the Prairie, Gary Rivlin’s classic book on Mayor Washington. Charles is an activist and veteran.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A day or two have passed since Trump took over, and the big question remains—can he do the stuff he says he’s gonna do? Snatch back the Panama Canal? Erase birthright citizenship from the constitution? Free the insurrectionists? Well, he already did that. Monroe says they’re his Brown Shirts. Speaking of which…did Musk do a Nazi salute? Or do you go along with the ADL’s very generous interpretation? Man, it’s gonna be a long four years. Monroe and Ben cover it all.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this the day of Trump’s inauguration, David Faris takes a look at the last days of, what? Biden’s presidency? Democracy in America? Both? How did we get here and how do we get out. 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/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fox has an interesting interpretation of objective news presentation. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks TikTok. Which brings him to the all-important Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The world would look a lot different if 230 did not exist, that's for sure. Also, Trump's unconditional discharge. Ok, stop snickering, people. It’s not what you think. And the ethics of the Alito-Trump phone call. Jim is an attorney with Coogan Gallagher. His views are his own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alexi Giannoulias lets it be known he may run for mayor. Ben riffs. Denali joins in. They wind up talking about Robert Moses, Robert Caro, The Power Broker, Common Ground, Bill Burr, Jimmy Kimmel, Dolly Parton, 9-to-5, Cher, Miranda July, LA fires, Biden’s farewell warning, Eisenhower’s warning, John Lindsey and a whole bunch of other stuff. Denali Dasgupta is political strategist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben stumbles on an old Tribune story about rich people and property taxes. Then he riffs. Monroe joins in. Also, Michelle Obama ends her strategy of when they go low, we go high. To which Monroe says—all right! A few words about the Hegseth confirmation hearings. And more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Bannon takes on Elon Musk. Ben riffs. Kina Collins ponders the question--is she with Musk or Bannon? How about neither, actually. Also, how should Democrats respond to Trump and MAGA attacks regarding LA fires. A few words about why voters went from Obama to Trump. Ta Nehisi Coates has the answer. And some words of advice for Mayor Johnson. Kina is a political activist and former 7th district congressional candidate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Delmarie Cobb joins Ben to help understand what alders are really saying when they say the things they say. In this case, when they explain their budget votes. Listen to alders Beale, Vasquez, Hadden and Sposato. Hear why Alderman Sposato gets a profile in courage award. Delmarie is a political strategist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain asks and answers the difficult question. Why is it that so many people find it difficult to feel or express empathy for others in dire need? At least in relation to the fires in LA. Also, a few words about the oligarchs who have signed up with MAGA. And a defense of Suze Rotolo--who has been reduced to a weepy-eyed wimp in the Bob Dylan movie. Uh-oh, look out QT. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mueze Bawany praises—yes, praises—Mayor Johnson. Look for MAGA and the mainstreams to lose their minds. The question must be asked—why does Chicago love temperamental white guys so much? Like Mayors Daley and Rahm and Coach Ditka. The conversation moves to the Bears. Mueze pleads with the Bears to hire Ben Johnson as their next coach. Ben does a dramatic reading of Mueze’s football texts. Mueze is a public school teacher, a football coach and a proud member of CTU. Speaking of things that will cause the mainstreams and MAGA to lose their minds.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.