Episodes

August 4, 2019--Sergio Mims is the Director of The Black Harvest Film Festival. Chris Buddy and Christopher Adams are both film Directors. And they can't stop talking about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's that time to talk about the week. And Ben & Dr. D have a lot to talk about, Including--campaign commercials from Darren Bailey, Lori Lightfoot and JB Pritzker. Ben explains why he is so upset by Bailey's Holocaust comments. Dennis points out that Bailey's comments are another reason it was so dangerous for Dems to effectively promote Bailey's campaign in the primary. Also, Lolla talk. Is it a good deal for Chicago? And much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ...

Darren Bailey reveals his inner anti-Jewish bias, comparing abortion to the Holocaust. Then he apologizes (sorta). Then he backs off from his (sorta) apology. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about yesterday's stunning win for abortion rights in Kansas. And Tom Brune--Washington bureau chief for Newsday--joins the conversation on national politics. Tom concludes with a deep dive on how Mayor Richard J. Daley and Cardinal Cody sorta made it possible for John McDemott to create the Chicago Reporter. It's a parable about the sometimes positive benefits coming from powerful people doing the wrong thing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Google announces it's buying the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Is there actually such a thing as good news? Ben riffs. And Heidi Henry returns! She's running for state Rep against a MAGA man in a district north of Chicago and she has a lot to say about what it's going to take to win. First rule--don't run away from who you are! Also a few words from a real Horse Whisperer about Nope, Jordan Peele's latest. Yes, Heidi is a horse trainer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

.Alderwoman Sophia King announces she's running for mayor. Ben riffs. And then Monroe Anderson returns to talk about the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago. What are they looking for? With the Donald Trump and his many crimes it could be one of a number. And then LeAlan Jones returns to talk about the crimes of Trump from his Green Party perspective. As you might imagine, he's more critical of Dems than Ben or Monroe. The debate gets passionate. Also, a tease--LeAlan will be returning next month to debate Bears v. Packers with a diehard Packers fan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Activist, lawyer, philanthropist and proud graduate of Englewood High School, Aurie Pennick has been pushing for social justice almost from the days Dr. King came to Chicago in 1966. She's staying strong in the face of the MAGA challenges--occasionally chastising Ben to be just a little less judgmental. Get ready for their debate on Attorney General Merrick Garland. 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 talks about Senator Joe Manchin's recent conversion back to being a Democrat. As the senators suddenly, and without much explanation, signed on to Biden's Build Back Better--oops, I mean, his anti-inflation bill. The conversation turns to Andrew Yang's announcement that he's tag teaming with Republicans to form a new party. Get ready for a classic Faris riff. Finally, the early returns on the dangerous Democratic strategy of promoting MAGA extremists. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Priv...

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 ...

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.