Episodes

Columnist Eric Zorn reveals he and his family have COVID. Ben riffs---and immediately books Eric for the show. And political strategist Delmarie Cobb returns. Among the topics--Black anti-vaxxers v. white ones. What motivates each group? Also, the message Dems send by making Mayor Rahm ambassador to Japan. And Delmarie's crystal ball. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Achy Obejas is a poet, translator, novelist, journalist, and political junkie. She's also a friend of Ben from way back when. They start out talking about Boomerang , her latest collection of poetry. And wind up taking the deep dive on everything from the politics of abortion to what the Democrats have to do to save America and beat MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Obviously, the country as a whole has decided to take a page from the NBA and keep on rolling in the face of the latest COVID outbreak. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson describes a pending civil war. And jazz professor/trumpet player Charles Ellison returns to talk Trane. Specifically, John Coltrane's "striving for unobtainable excellence". Not to be missed! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Monkeys blindly avenge dogs. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer from In These Times, returns with much on his mind. The "learned helplessness" of Dems. COVID as wedge issue against Trump. Manchin the Republican. And what's with workers buying Christmas presents for their bosses? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain and Ben explain why they're not jumping for joy with the guilty verdict for Jussie Smollett. A word or two about reportorial rivalries, the mayor's texts and the rampant hate of the Republican Party. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Friday August 2, 2019: Ben riffs on the latest TIF deal. Lori Lightfoot and Lollapalooza. Pritzker signs another bill. The Rummana Rundown with Sun-Times Editor Rummana Hussain. Ace Attorney Jim Coogan unpacks Trump's legal woes. Special Education Teacher Anleeta Buchanan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

So much news, so little time. Ben & Dr. D take the deep dive on the news of the week, including Ken "Kenny G" Griffin showing his dissatisfaction with MAGA. Hey, AGA, if you take the man's money, you got to dance to his tune. And Mayor Lightfoot does an experiment in casino promotion that also determines just how gullible Chicago voters can be. And so much more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA loves Elon Musk, the world's richest man. Even though Elon Musk doesn't give a hoot about MAGA. Ben riffs. And Alejandra Cancino, investigative reporter for the BGA, talks about her excellent expose about the city's plans to "transform" Cabrini-Green. So many broken promises. And Raymond Richard, born and raised in Cabrini, explains why he thinks the Plan for Transformation was really a plan to move Black people out of Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California ...

Attorney Matt Topic has earned a reputation as the man who makes Chicago's mayors reveal the truth. How does he do that? By suing the city. Did you really think mayors would tell the truth unless someone made them? In particular, Matt talks about the great FOIA fight it took before Mayor Rahm finally released the video of the murder of Laquan McDonald. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The headline in the BGA newsletter says it all. "Cabrini-Green Residents Were Promised 2,500 Construction Jobs. They got 40." As promises broken by Chicago mayors, this one may be the champ. Ben riffs. And shoutout to Alejandra Cancino, the reporter who wrote the story. Also Monroe Anderson returns. Talking Mark Meadow emails, Rand Paul hypocrisy, Fox-TV and Donnie Jr. cowardice and capitalism. We cover it all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...

Some of the wealthiest men in Chicago come before the City Council looking for help making even more money than they already have. Ben riffs. Also, updates from special correspondents Eric Zorn and Linda "not married to Billy" Paul. And state Rep. Delia Ramirez returns to discuss her run for congress. 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 how the three Trumpsters on the Supreme Court are joining forces with justices Thomas and Alito to eradicate Roe and eventually, if they have their way, outlaw abortions in America. How did we get here and where to go? Also, a breakdown of the Clinton factors--as in Bill--and how he's been a disaster for Democrats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Wednesday, July 24, 2019: Mueller Testimony, Mueller Testimony and Mueller Testimony talk with Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson and Professor/Author David Faris. Wednesday's city council meeting spells more bad news for Alderman Ed Burke. Sun Times Obituary Writer Maureen O'Donnell and Ben remember Chicago Archivist Michael Flug. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben roots for Jussie's acquittal. And gets kicked out of the columnist club. He riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin from In These Times, returns. Topics...Is the adoration of wealth more powerful than looking out for each other? What Biden should do? And how Dems should respond to the hostility and threatened violence of Republican elected officials. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

There are some things to be thankful for, even when the political news is awful. Ben riffs. And Michael Gerardi, the man the critics call Chicago's Neil Young, makes his debut. Talking about surviving the madness of the times. It helps to sing a song every now and then. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

At last night's First Tuesdays show at the Hideout, people were asking Ben was he serious about apologizing to Jussie Smollett. Ben responds. Also, Monroe Anderson talks Jussie, John Thompson and segregation. And Peter Goldman, author and journalist, makes his debut to talk about his classic book--The Death and Life of Malcolm X. Topics explored--who killed Malcolm X? What role did the FBI, CIA and New York police play? Peter's verdict on the Netflix documentary. And sitting across a coffee-shop...

Jussie Smollett takes the stand. What if he was telling the truth all along? Ben riffs. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa--the dean of council Democratic Socialists--takes us to the "map room". In short, everything you need to know about the city council ward re-mapping process. It's not pretty, folks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Vincent E. Norment, owner of the Marijuana Hall of Fame, and Victoria Williams, CEO of ACC of Illinois, return to break it down. Sports, that is. Chicago sports, to be exact. Should the Bears fire Matt Nagy? Is Justin Fields the real deal? Are the Bulls just a mirage? Who's right and wrong in the Scottie v. Michael debate? And a few words about a few other things... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's news riffing time for Ben & Dr. D--aka, Demarvelous Dennis. And, a mystery guest with J.B. updates. Then it's down to business. Congressman Rodney Davis makes a decision. Mayor Lightfoot goes to Washington. The city council doesn't pass a map. Corporate/civic Chicago flips out about democracy. And Jussie on trial. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The headlines in today's papers could be the same headlines from two years ago. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova & Adolfo Mondragon, election law attorney, discuss the ward map battle in city council. Question of the day: Where are the precincts in Chicago that could be put together to support Ed Burke for alderman? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Senator Durbin throws a party for Illinois congressman. And Republican Rodney Davis shows up to talk some trash. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Supreme Court and Roe. Look who's suddenly criticizing Plessey. And Ken Mejia-Beal, chairman of the DuPage County Democrats, returns to talk mid-terms, Newman v. Casten, abortion politics, how to beat those dastardly Republicans and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s...

The Jussie Smollettage trial begins. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz, of Inside Chicago Government, returns to break down the latest City Council meetings. Topics include ward redistricting, policing and Alderman Walter Burnett's masterclass on how to butter up to the mayor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Publisher, activist, civil rights leader, Bennett Johnson has seen it all in his 90-something years of life. Best of friends with Mayor Harold Washington (going back to their days in college). Associate of Muhammad Ali. Good friends with the great writer Richard Durham. You name it, he's seen it. He tells all. Including what happened to Ali's gold medal. Hint--exactly what Ali said happened to it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/...

As Rummana and Ben start to review the day's issues, the story breaks from Kenosha--Kyle Rittenhouse acquitted. Apparently, murder is now legal in the state of Wisconsin. As hard as it is to discuss, we discuss. From there it's on to the exoneration of Muhammad Azis & Khalil Islam for the murder of Malcolm X. Only took 55 years. Finally, a word or two about Impeachment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ...