Oh, Malort!

In this episode Alyssa tells Pat about the 1919 Race Riots which are considered to be, simultaneously, amongst the least known and the bloodiest in US history. I am not going to lie it is unpleasant but important. Also, expletives employed. Alyssa is working on something fun for next week.  Show Notes: History Channel: The Red Summer of 1919 NPR: Red Summer In Chicago: 100 Years After The Race Rio...

Ultimately this episode is about Ed Burke's current, and long time coming, legal woes. We also talk about all the things he tried ban as well as his time as Trump's property tax appeals attorney. Down ballot votes and local media matters. Alyssa tries to make "Burke" a verb. You should too. It's the new "dibs." We also talk about dramaturgy. Socials: Alyssa's Twitter Oh Malort! Twitter Alyssa's IG...

In this Episode Alyssa tells John about the long and bitter custody battle for "Baby T." The only digression is potty training and writing the script made Alyssa "stabby ragey." SHOW NOTES: CST: Rebuilt life not enough for DCFS CST: DCFS unfit to judge Baby T case CST: Divine secrets and profane lies CST: Baby T's `condition' also known as being a toddler CST: DCFS again ends up on wrong side of i...

In Chicago Politics there are people who benefit from graft and those people who investigate it. These are their stories. This week Alyssa tells John about Alderman Ed Burke’s corruption. They decide in the Dick Wolf Chicago series needs to add “Fraud” to the lineup. John likens it to mobster movies—he isn’t wrong.  They share an inside joke where they laugh until they cry.  Alyssa updates John on...

Ever hear about the "Council Wars?" In this episode Alyssa tells John about the Eds' efforts to obstruct Chicago's First Black Mayor. TW: Racism Show Notes: Encyclopedia of Chicago Chicago Tribune: Flashback: Chicago’s Council Wars pitted defiant white aldermen against a reform-minded Harold Washington WTTW: Council Wars NYT: CHICAGO 'COUNCIL WARS' DRAG INTO INTERMISSION WBEZ: Council War Veterans...

This is the beginning of a five-part series where Alyssa tells John Zinn about someone who might be Chicago’s most notorious current politician. Known as Slow Ed to some and Burger King Burke to others we are gong to highlight the fifty-four-year career of former alderman Ed Burke a man described by the Federal Prosecutors as “thoroughly corrupt.”  In this episode we lay the groundwork for his ris...

You might of heard about the guy who claimed to have had sex with Obama and the resulting conspiracies, including one pushed by Elon, but the actually 2004 Campaign was crazier than anything people could come up with online. Also, learn about the genesis of Birtherism. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Obama gets early boost from voters Chicago Tribune: Ryan aide to give Obama more space Chicago Tribun...

As the White Chili simmers in the crockpot, Alyssa tells Risen Lady Heathen about some elephants who consumes alcohol and some of the most corrupt politicians in the history of Illinois Digressions include: Bear drinking WhiteClaw Owen Shroyer/Norn Pattis Lauren Boebert Book Bans Show Notes: These are going to be a little light because more are behind a paywall. NBC Chicago: Most Corrupt Politians...

After two downer episodes, Alyssa invites Molly McAleer on to discuss many things about Hostess Twinkie. They have been around for a long time, and we couldn’t cover everything. We got labor issues, we got SCOTUS decisions, and we got a poorly run company with a bad product. Enjoy! Digressions include: The Great Recession Judge Judy Barbie St. Patrick’s Day The Proud Boys.   Socials: Alyssa's Twit...

In this episode Alyssa tells David Baxter about a maritime tragedy worse than the Titanic. SHOW NOTES: Coast Guard Smithsonian: The Eastland Disaster Killed More Passengers Than the Titanic and the Lusitania. Why Has It Been Forgotten? Curbed: Demolition of the former Harpo Studios building closes a chapter of Chicago history History. Com: Hundreds Drown in Eastland Distaster Chicago Law Bulletin:...

Alyssa tortures David Baxter with details about a fire. No, not The Great Chicago Fire. Another important one. Show Notes: Failure Magazine History Channel: Fire Breaks out in Chicago Theatre Chicago Tribune: The Iroquois Theater fire Smithsonian: The Iroquois Theater Disaster Killed Hundreds and Changed Fire Safety Forever Chicago Tribune: The Iroquois Theater fire WTTW: The Tragedy of the Iroquo...

In this episode Alyssa tells Vanessa Murray host of Reel Relationships about The Great Chicago Flood, one- hour photo, parking spots and maritime law.   Show Notes: Mike Royko: PUTTING IN A PLUG FOR CITY THAT LEAKS Chicago Reader: Flood of Memories Justia: Jerome B. Grubart, Inc. v. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., 513 U.S. 527 (1995) Musk Tunnel CBS2 Chicago: 1992 Loop Flood Brings Chaos, Billions...

After a few weeks of dark content, Alyssa thought we could use some fun so she tells John Zinn about the history of Chicago's most famous foods and beverage. That's right we talk Hot Dogs, Pizza, Italian Beef, and Malort. Have Fun! Also, subscribe, leave a five-star review and tell your friends. Show Notes: Eater: Anthony Bourdain’s Most Memorable Chicago Quotes The Wiener Circle Twitter Video: Ed...

This episode was released last summer but next week Chicago will host the DNC and given how crazy the last month has been it might be good to explore what happen then. This is a two part episode to belly up to bar and get ready. The Whole Word in Watching. Original Summary: Chicago will host the 2024 DNC convention but is is worth exploring the most tear-gassed convention in 1968. The parallels ar...

Chicago will host the 2024 DNC convention but is is worth exploring the most tear-gassed convention in 1968. The parallels are amazing. History rhymes. SHOW NOTES: Bill Kurtis remembers the 1968 Democratic National Convention Part 1: 'The Whole World's Watching: 20 Years Later,' A 1988 CBS 2 Documentar Part 2: 'The Whole World's Watching: 20 Years Later,' A 1988 CBS 2 Documentary Part 3: 'The Whol...

Spoiler Alert. Streeter dies. You shouldn't be shocked this started in over a hundred years ago. In this episode things take a sad turn for Streeter but his final fraud is his funeral. SHOW NOTES: In my research, I found many conflicting reports. In some articles people said Streeter had two wives other's said four. Some claimed he was a Civil War veteran, others a deserter. As addressed in this e...

In this episode, Maria goes to jail. Streeter goes to Prison. SHOW NOTES: In my research, I found many conflicting reports. In some articles people said Streeter had two wives other's said four. Some claimed he was a Civil War veteran, other a deserter. As addressed in this episode everything considered to be true about Streeter is incorrect.   Then I found what I consider to be the best researche...

In this episode, we discuss two very important aspects of Streeter Lore the letter from Grover Cleveland and the District if Lake Michigan.  Listen to find out the truth about the letter as well as what it said, moreover, I read the District’s Declaration of Independence which is…extra. Digressions include: Silver Versus Gold Whitewashing History SHOW NOTES: In my research, I found many conflictin...

Mona Aburmishan and I discuss Chicago's most colorful character. Was he OG militia, a conman or both? Enjoy this series. Digressions include: Proud Boys Flat Earth Trump's legal woes SHOW NOTES: In my research, I found many conflicting reports. In some articles people said Streeter had two wives other's said four. Some claimed he was a Civil War veteran other a deserter. As addressed in this episo...

Mona Aburmishan and I discuss Chicago's most colorful character. Was he OG militia, a conman or both? Enjoy this series. Digressions include: Seasteading The Bundy family standoffs. SHOW NOTES: In my research, I found many conflicting reports. In some articles people said Streeter had two wives other's said four. Some claimed he was a Civil War veteran other a deserter. As addressed in this episod...

I have a few pre-recorded episodes and asked my co-workers what they wanted to here and all two of them voted for this topic. The time a mayor shut down an airspace. This might sound boring however it anything but. I am joined by comedian Lance Burson to discuss an event that could be Richard M. Daley's legacy. I don't think it is. SHOWNOTES: Daley rips up Meigs runways in surprise raid The Day Sh...

Alyssa and John finish their dive into the The Tylenol Murders discussing J&J's response and analyzing the Tylenol Truther movement. Digressions Include: Disney Tucker Ani DiFranco Alyssa is a Dome Earther Food Buckets Roger Stone Show Notes: J&J: BuzzFeed Video A Retrospective Chicago Tribune: Tragedy, then triumph: How Johnson & Johnson made sure Tylenol survived the Tylenol murders Video with J...

Alyssa and John continue talking about the Tylenol Murders. They reopen the case in 2006 and things get stranger. During her research Alyssa did a spit take. She almost does one in this episode. Digressions Include: Alyssa got calls a "yuppie broad" on Twitter Naperville in not Chicago The Pillowman at Steppenwolf Other suburbs are not Chicago Bozo, Cookie, and Svengoolie Blago, other corrupt poli...

In this episode, Alyssa and John Zinn laugh out loud while talking about what was, at the time, the largest manhunt in US history. Digressions: Bozo The idea of Tylenol! The Musical The State Street Preacher NARA John grew up near a sex cult. SHOW NOTES: Chicago Tribune: ‘That’s Jim Lewis!’ The task force turns its attention to a man with a disturbing past. State Street Preacher Learn more about y...

John Zinn and Alyssa start to look at the 1982 Tylenol Murders. We talk about the actual crime, the investigation and one of the early suspects. The aftermath is so bizarre we laugh until we cry. Digressions Alyssa had to teach Stem during Covid Spying. How often do we use our "enemies" to solves crimes? Show Notes: I used many sources which I will include as we get deeper into this multi-episode...