Episodes

Time for Ben & the Doctor to talk a week's worth of news, starting with...The Forward Party? Wasn't expecting that. And then Lightfoot & Lolla. And Darren "DB" Bailey puts on his dancing shoes to duck and dodge questions on Trump. As JB and the Dems seemed determined to do what they can to lose an election that shouldn't even be close. Also, a roof on Soldier Field? That would be the month's dumbest idea out of City Hall, if not for the NASCAR one. And...are Chicagoans nasty by nature? See Priva...

Suddenly, MAGA's obsessed with truth in journalism--as they try to cover up cruel abortion laws in Ohio. And what's with Glenn Kessler at the Washington Post? Ben riffs. And Anthony Joel Quezada makes his debut. A Democratic Socialist, he was the winning candidate in the recent Democratic primary for Cook County Board Commissioner in the 8th district. His message to Democrats--don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran newsman Ken Davis talks about that moment, when he was still a young man, where he learned the hard way that our political system is not what it seems. To put it mildly. That it's not legit. The year was 1972, and Ken was a young man working in California for George McGovern and, well, you have to hear it to believe it. And then Ken pulls a fast one on Ben, giving him a Chicago political trivia contest.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain--Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer--talks guns and abortion. Specficially, MAGA's strange and contradictory obsession with each. Every fertilized egg is sacred. But living human beings? Expendable, if you shoot them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Time to riff on a week's worth of news. Including...another alderman quits mid-term. Royko's kid runs for alderman. JB v. D.B. And more. Plus, Dr. D leads us on a trip to the vault of columns by Ben going back to the 80s. Featuring one from 1989 about segregation in Chicago. Somethings haven't changed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Rob Martwick was up against the best MAGA had to offer in one of the city's more conservative northwest side districts. And yet he won the recent election with over 60 percent of the vote. Get our papers and pens, Dems, if you want to learn how to run races in districts that could go either way.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA Man Darren Bailey--the Republican candidate for governor--puts on his dancing shoes as he dances around questions about Donald Trump and Congressman Kinzinger. Is he a bigger fraud/chicken than Richard Irvin? Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk insurrection. He predicts Merrick "the Tortoise" Garland will get around to prosecuting Trump. Mark Wallace joins the conversation to talk Soldier Field and Mayor Lightfoot--or "Leadfoot", as the Sun-Times calls her--speeding through the city. It's more do as I say not as I do. Finally, the difference between Chicago Dems and MAGA. Hint--it has to do with not wanting the base to vote. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The first pictures come in from the James Webb Space Telescope. And it's official--Chicago is in the universe. Ben riffs. And Mick Dumke, ProPublica investigative reporter, returns to talk politics. Specifically, his excellent article about how much Kenneth Griffin saved by beating the Fair Tax. Also will Joe Biden run again? And if you can't beat somebody with a nobody are there any somebodies in the race against Mayor Lightfoot? And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot unveils her latest great idea. Spending money we can't afford to put a dome over Soldier Field. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova, reporter for Injustice Watch, returns to discuss abortion rights in Illinois. It will be the topic at our August Hideout show. And the strange case of the votes that were cast but not officially tabulated in the Cook County Sheriff's race. It's a strange system, folks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did Governor Pritzker use President Nixon's re-election strategy? Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--of Inside Chicago Government--returns with his Fabulous City Council Reviews. As he and Ben break down the mayor's parliamentary maneuvers to defeat her opposition. Hard to call this "reform" even if the mayor says she's a reformer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 of million of dollars. Is that enough? Does the mayor need Kenny G to bail her out? And a stinging text from Michael Gerardi makes Ben reconsider his world view. Also, the Aldermanic corruption quiz. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California P...

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. And, Mark contends, Black people will continue to pay. He explains. Also, a word or two or three about Donald Trump's phone call to state Rep. Robin Vos, the Michael Madigan of Wisconsin (Republican version). Apparently, Trump's arrogance and contempt for the law has no limits. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 in the Bulls first summer league game? The great debate over Kevin Durant. And more, much more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 coup. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 make you lose your mind. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 and carry a weapon, but a women has no constitutional right to an abortion. The MAGA 6 are political cultists who are making it up as they go along.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 2024? And a word or two about why lefties should take the January 6 insurrection seriously. Also, Miles's guide to fighting inflation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 strategy in regards to the Republican primary. Ben is skeptical. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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 post a sign that says Fuck Biden. But the local library does not have the right to feature books they don't like. Also, the intimidation factor. MAGA tries to scare Democrats from running. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Herschel Walker, Darren Bailey, MAGA allegiance and James Caan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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-my-info.

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://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.