The Ben Joravsky Show

For the June 7, 2022 First Tuesdays Show, Ben & Maya talked politics. I mean, folks, this is a deep dive for serious students of the political game. Sorry, rookies--no hand-holding here. Lots of talk about the Republican primary for governor and the Democratic primary for secretary of state, followed by and excursions into congressional and statehouse races. Rachel is an investigative reporter...

Voting guide time! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson reviews the good and bad news from yesterday's Republican primaries in South Carolina & Nevada. More MAGA madness. And journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir returns with an update on Brittney Griner, the great basketball player. For the last four months, Griner's been held in a Russian prison on bogus drug charges. Looks like Putin wants to "swap" Gri...

By chance, Ben began the day seeing an on-this-day-picture from 2015 of Troy LaRaviere on stage at the Hideout with the great Karen Lewis. That gets Ben & Troy--president of the Chicago Principals Association--talking about then v. now. Have we regressed as a civilization? Troy analyzes the Republican proposal to put armed teachers in the classroom. Then Troy gives everyone a budget lesson in...

The Trib's editorial board endorses a Republican candidate for governor. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--the pride and joy of Inside Chicago Government--returns with city council clips. Yes, you Chicago City Council in action. Ward map, curfew, special meetings, casino and more. What a city. What a council. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...

June 3, 2022: The time has come for Ben & Dr. D to riff on a week's worth of news. Even if Ben has COVID. And so riff they do, starting with...Alderman Rod Sawyer announces he's running for mayor. Mayor Lightfoot scoffs. And then throws an elbow. And then to provide commentary on all three Republican governor debates, a mystery guest appears. Yes, this mystery guest watched all three debates....

Movie producers Steve Cohen and Paula Froehle return to talk about Doc10, their documentary festival that starts May 19 at the Davis Theater and the Gene Siskel Theater. This year's festival opens with The Janes, about the underground network that helped women get access to safe abortions in the days before Roe. Obviously, it's more relevant than ever. Also, there's Ron Howard's documentary and......

State Rep. Kelly Cassidy comes up with a very funny line about Mayor Lightfoot's critics. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk Trump, insurrectionists, congressional investigators, the backlash and more. Including, Pryor & Carlin. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mia Henry--eduator and activist for freedom--makes her debut to talk the state of the union. Including identity, violence, the lessons of the past and what she calls, "the undeclared war this country has on its people." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben finally gets around to watching the HBO documentary about the great George Carlin. Well, the first half anyway. And now he can't stop talking about it. And Peter Cunningham--political speechwriter and great thinker--returns to talk crime & backlash. As usual, he's a voice of logic in a world driven crazy by law `n order rhetoric. Under Peter's withering cross-examination, Ben has to sort o...

In the aftermath of mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas, Political scientist David Faris returns to talk about the Gun Cult that has taken over the Republican Party. And why how it's kept our country from enacting sane gun laws. Then a word or two about Thomas Friedman and his milkshake with President Biden. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...

Indivisible Illinois hosted a virtual meeting on running for congress. And Ben was the moderator. (Thank you, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for the invite!) The guests--congressional candidates Kina Collins and Litesa Wallace. Kina is running against incumbent Danny K. Davis in the 7th district and Litesa is running for the open seat in the 17th congressional district. Conversation covers abortion rights...

Ben & Dr. D riff on a week's worth of the latest local political news. Such as...Richard Irvin ditches the Republican debate. Darren Bailey tries to soften his MAGA rough edges with a commercial dedicated to his hands. Sean Casten makes a move for the suburban swing vote. And in Chicago, Bill Conway suggests he's running for mayor. As Congressman Quigley drops out of the race he never really e...

Sun-Times writer Rummana Hussain returns to ask the question--why has Kyle Rittenhouse fallen in love with Johnny Depp? What do Kim Kardashian and Chuck Taylor All Stars have in common? What's the latest goop from Gwyneth Paltrow? And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Rod Sawyer--son of Mayor Sawyer--announce he's running for his father's old job. Ben riffs. And the Renaissance Man, Sergio Mims, returns to talk politics, Chicago & movies. Not necessarily in that order. He explains the concept of the "safe Negro". Also, potholes, casino, Black Lives Matter scandal and word or two or three about Operation Mincemeat. Finally, remember his prediction--President...

The feds argue that corrupt ex Alderman Danny Solis is actually sort of a hero. Ben riffs. And Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns to tackle all the tough issues of the day. Curfew, crime, Ukraine, Buffalo, ward map, CTU, mayor's race and abortion rights. And why do we spend $54 billion on Ukraine and look the other way from Englewood? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Congressional Dems go to bat for congressional incumbents. Ben riffs. And Kina Collins--candidate for congress in the 7th congressional--talks about her upbattle campaign against incumbent Danny K. Davis. And former Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones returns to talk violence and culture and Top Gun. And are we really surprised people love their weapons. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...

Right before today's show, Ben makes a call to Tom Brune, a great journalist and friend from the distant past. And their conversation about the old days offers insight into what's going on in Chicago right now. Ben riffs. And then Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer for In These Times, returns to talk national politics. Specifically, MAGA's take over of the Republican Party and the nomination of a g...

Democrats seem to think reproductive rights will be here forever in Illinois. Ben riffs on their delusion. And then election lawyer Ed Mullen delivers a primer on the state supreme court. MAGA is poised to take over, if Dems keep sleeping. And that's bad news for reproductive rights in the state. So, wake up, Dems! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht...

May 6, 2022: Mayor Lori Lightfoot picks a site for Chicago's casino! That's the big news of the week. Ben and Dr. D riff away. Also, Chicago makes a pitch for the Democratic convention. Ben has a few things to say about that as well. And guess who's ahead in the Republican governor primary? The answer lets you know that MAGA can be bought. All that and more of a week's worth of news. See Privacy P...

Ben got COVID. Which explains the coughing. Ben riffs, while coughing. And Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez returns to talk about his city council exchanges with Mayor Lightfoot over the casino and a zoning dispute in the 25th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Great article in Sun-Times about upcoming teachers union election. Ben riffs. And attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk privacy rights. Or, what's at stake if Supreme Court really does say you have no right to private conversations with your doctor as to what it's in your best health interest. Or no right to do what you want with another consenting adult in your bedroom. Who controls MAGA? It's scar...

Nineteen children murdered in a school in Texas. And still Republicans block gun control. Monroe Anderson talks about the gun culture in America. And weighs in on Tim Anderson & Josh Donaldson. And Andrew Ellison--the election whiz kid, returns to analyze the results of yesterday's primaries in Georgia & Texas. Andrew is the the second coming of Steve Kornacki. See Privacy Policy at https:...

Political scientist David Faris takes a moment to reflect on the political madness of the last six years. Can the Republicans move further to the right without falling off the planet? Is there a rhyme or reason on Schumer's senate strategy? Also, an I told you so, or two, about the MAGA Supremes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...

In the aftermath of Smith slapping Rock and fan tackling David Chapelle, standup comics have to wonder--are they safe on stage. Stand up comics and podcast partners, Rachel Joravsky & Cody Wilkins talk standup comedy in the age of the assault. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Latino and Black caucuses in the city council cut a deal on the ward map. Ben riffs. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa--who was part of deal making--explains. Then Dave Glowacz--from Inside Chicago Government--returns for another city council review. In this case, he dissects the April 27 meeting, which includes passionate debate on Mayor Lightfoot's gas card proposal and more. See Privacy Poli...