Episodes

just when you think MAGA couldn’t get any more filled with hate, along comes Laura Loomer. Rummana Hussain riffs on all things Loomer. Including Loomer’s’ hatred for Indian Americans. Is this where America is at? Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist 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.

Several days after the debate, Joanna Klonsky has had time to figure out what each candidate was trying to accomplish. The fact that Trump thought peddling hate and lunacy could win him the election says a lot about where our country is right now. And Kamala’s answers reveal what she thinks she has to do to beat him. And it’s definitely not moving to the left. Also, a few words about the vice president’s finest moment. Joanna is a political strategist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just before we start recording, the story breaks that Mayor Johnson asked Alderman Burnett to serve as zoning committee chair. Ben was all set to talk national but he can’t help himself. He riffs. Then Kina riffs. Soon they’re in the middle of a conversation about Mayor Johnson and Chicago politics. Then it’s back to national politics. Including Kina’s prediction about the Florida vote. Kina Collins is an activist and former congressional candidate from the 7th district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After the high of watching Kamala mop the floor with Trump, reality sets in. Ben riffs. Marc Sims tried to comfort Ben. Their talk turns to Trump’s defense of Ashli Babbitt and his attacks on police. Why does MAGA applaud some people who attack police and despise others who criticize the police? A few words about Mark Zuckerberg, Acquired and the adulation of rich people and the desire to be rich. Marc hosts the podcast Just a Few Questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

just before last night’s debate began, Ben came down with an a cute case of Baby Boomeritis—having flashbacks to June Biden Trump debate. Ben riffs. Monroe and Ben then break down what went down last night, which boils down to this: Kamala mopped the floor with Trump. Especially on the abortion issue, and the eating pets in Ohio issue. And pretty much every issue. Also, will Trump cash in on his Trump stock even if his MAGAIEST MAGA cultists lose money as a result? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maya returns and tonight’s the debate. Ben can’t decide which is more exciting so he riffs about both. Then the Maya in question talks about her latest investigation on slum housing in Chicago. How the law seems to protect bad landlords and punish poor tenants. How city officials seem clueless and indifferent. And more. Shoutout to Alejandra Cancino who coauthored the series which ran in Injustice Watch. Maya Dukmasova is an investigative reporter for Injustice Watch and, of course, Ben’s First Tuesdays co-host. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erica Sagrans explains why the time has come to re-think our attitude toward immigrants and the border. Now that we have a bit of a break from last year’s madness. Erica is the founder of Chicago Says Welcome, an immigrants advocacy group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Palestinian-American Democrats want to speak at the convention. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry, a Heartland Mama, explains how Dems can win in her MAGA country legislative district. Thanks in part to 8,000 new voters. One more time—8,000 new voters! Most of whom are not MAGA. Are you listening, Democrats? Heidi lays out how she can flip a MAGA district. Also, a few words about Tim Walz’s speech. Heidi is running for state representative in Illinois’ 75th district. She’s also a horse trainer and co-host of the Heartland Mamas podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris explains his latest theory—“the Trump cycle”. It couldn’t happen without the complicity of the mainstream media. Like the New York Times. 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.

Speaking of MAGA Mark Robinson’s alleged penchant for porn, Ben goes back in time for a history lesson about stripper Fanne Foxx and Congressman Wilbur Mills. Charles Henderson offers his own thoughts. The discussion turns to Afghanistan, US wars, what Biden could have done better in leaving Afghanistan, the parade for Vietnam vets in Chicago and another reason why Harold Washington is Chicago’s greatest mayor. And more. Charles is a vet and activist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking news! Mark Robinson, the MAGA candidate for Governor in North Carolina, watched a lot of porn, according to media reports. Ben riffs. Then Monroe riffs. From there the discussions covers Clarence Thomas, Moms for Liberty, why so many white woman love Trump, abortion rights, left wing conspiracy theories, and more. Including a riff or two about Coach Prime, of all people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miles Kampf-Lassin covers the convention from top to bottom. Including the failure of the mainstreams to give Mayor Johnson credit for anything. Also, the many mixed messages of the Dems. And a word or two about Tesla, China and the contradictions of contemporary capitalism. 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.

As the baseball season heads into its final month, Miles and Saul have all the news you need to know about the Sox and Cubs. First the bad—really bad—news about the Sox, who are poised to set a record for most losses in the season. Then the sorta good news about the Cubs. Mediocre as they’ve been, they’re heating up and have a chance of making the playoffs. Also, a few words about the rise and fall of Javy Baez. Miles and Saul co-host the At Bat podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anti-abortion zealot says she may not vote for Trump. An exceedingly skeptical Ben riffs. Terry Cosgrove gives his state of the election. Will swing voters but Trump’s repositioning of himself as an abortion rights supporter? The pros and cons of ballot initiatives. And more. Terry is the former executive director of Personal PAC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The founder of Telegram gets busted in Paris, Elon Musk calls for free speech. Ben riffs. Anan Abu-Taleb and Richard Goldwasser plead for a ceasefire in Gaza. Anan is Palestinian-American and Richard is Jewish-American. They organized the lakefront runs for ceasefire during the DNC. The time to take the first step toward ending the madness is now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scaredy-cat Dems are coming up with innovative explanations for why they will lose in November. Ben riffs. Monroe boldly predicts victory. Then sorta defends clueless Dems in Maryland who don’t realize a vote for Larry Hogan is a vote for Trump. Also, a few words about Baby Bobby voters and conspiracy theories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fun is over, the Sun-Times proclaims. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks all things politics. Including her New Republic essay about the mainstreams. Their reality is not our reality. Meredith and Ben cover everything from Trump on reproductive rights to Nancy Pelosi to Keith Olbermann’s dramatic reading of the aforementioned New Republic essay to Rahm’s inflated sense of self to whether Kamala should be interviewed by the NYT. Meredith is a former Washington-based journalist, media consultant and 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.

WBEZ editor and demographer Alden Loury talks about the Sun-Times/BEZ expose on Mayor Rahm’s school closings. Bottom line—a lot of broken promises. He also analyses the connection between closing schools and losing people. And he gets personal about his glory days at Foster Park school on the south side back in the ‘80s. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mueze Bawany talks all things Bears. But first Ben gets something off his chest about the ingratitude and indifference the Bulls show for their great players from the past. Then it’s onto Caleb Williams, Ian Wheeler, Coach Matt, cutting players, office furniture, where to get a good fade in Chicago and other things on our mind. Mueze is a teacher and football coach. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the DNC behind us, David Faris breaks down the race. What worked for the Dems at their convention, what didn’t. What did Kamala Harris achieve in her speech. Why do Dems keep calling Bill Clinton to the stage. Trump’s return to North Carolina. And the impact of the uncommitted movement. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and columnist for Newsweek and Slate. 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.

Obviously, Kamala Harris does not listen to Ben’s show. Or she would have invited a Palestinian-American to speak at the DNC. Ben riffs. And then Kina Collins takes the deep dive on the convention. Covering everything from the roll call to the Walz family to the unforced error of alienating the uncommitted movement to the great debate between policy v pizzazz. And more. Kina is an activist and former congressional candidate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barack and Michelle take the DNC stage. Ben riffs. Then Monroe returns to talk all things convention. Including..do something (but don't mention Gaza) and roll call (Ben weeps) and Black cowboys in South Dakota, and going high as opposed to going low and whether Barack still has the magic, and Michelle's Black Jobs jab and Barack's little dickie jab (is that too low?) and Monroe's latest prediction. Hint--Trump won't like it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben’s back from Michigan. But he still has Michigan on his mind. Especially something he saw amidst the Trump signs along the highway. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace riffs right back. Then they talk about day one of the Democratic Convention. Particularly…should Dems go high or low in their speeches. Mark hosts a local podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A lot of things happened this weekend—to put it mildly. Ben riffs on everything from the Trump shooting to Vance as VP to Amber Rose as MAGA spokeswoman to opening night of MAGA’s convention. Denali Dasgupta tells you what you need to know about the 2025 Project blueprint—a document she read so you won’t have to. Also, the Denali Book Club examines Small Mercies, a novel set in Boston in 1976 when white people revolted against forced school busing. It was the seeds of MAGA. Denali is an activist and former aldermanic candidate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.