The Ben Joravsky Show

Monroe Anderson returns to talk Biden and Trump. And one thing leads to another and we talk about Justice Thomas and his curious attitudes about race. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Governor Andrew Cuomo gets accused of sexual harassment. Ben asks: How long will Dems still defend this guy? Also, Republicans try to ignite a "Pritzker Sucks" movement. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Reader writer Maya Dukmasova returns to talk about the $281 million in federal COVID aid Mayor Lightfoot spent on police. Also, the mayor’s newfound opposition to civilian oversight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Should Neera Tanden be punished for her Twitter addiction? Ben takes a stand. Also, Dr. D asks the question:How many times can Michael Joseph Madigan resign before he runs out of jobs to resign from? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Political activist Michael Harrington went to high school and worked for Karen Lewis. He reflects on her life and her mayoral showdown with Mayor Rahm that wasn't. Ben & Michael agree--she'd have mopped the floor with him. Also, a word or two about the curious antics of North Side Dems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d...

Richard Steele returns to talk Limbaugh, Rachel Maddow, Sam Cooke & Larry King--among other things. He's the real deal. 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 returns for another rundown. Among the things on her mind are lying politicians, out-of-town journalists acting like they know Chicago, and the Black Panthers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Senator Ted Cruz ditches Texas for Cancun as his constituents freeze without heat. And when the shit hits the fan, who does he blame? His daughters. Ben asks--do you believe him? Also, lotsa of local news--including Madigangate updates. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What is it about Dems that makes them bullies? Ben asks that question about New York Governor Cuomo. Should he be made to give up that Emmy? Also, budget & Madigan news. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Legendary journalist Monroe Anderson talks about the brilliant lawsuit brought by the NAACP and Congressman Bennie Thompson against the Crime Brothers--Trump & Giuliani. If it takes an anti-KKK law from 1879 to bring justice in the 21st century, well, so be it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

President Biden holds a townhall in Wisconsin. Ben hopes this means Democrats are already looking forward to 2022 midterms. And listener Frank drops in to help Dr. D with the latest political news. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa, the dean of council Democratic Socialists, annotates Mayor Lightfoot's recent interview in the New York Times. Also, he says the real Machine in Chicago is not what you think. And a few words on gerrymandering and Republicans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Republican senators let Trump walk. What a bunch of wimps. Also, the New York Times falls in love with Lori, like they fell in love with Rahm & Richie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Terry Cosgrove, Julie Hamos and Paula Purdue were young Democratic activists in the `70s when they joined forces to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. Now they're wise and seasoned--looking back on why it didn't pass. Hint--money exchanged hands. Also, a few words about Phyllis Schlafly and her connection to the movement that produced Trump. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates returns to talk about the life and legacy of Karen Lewis, who died this weekend. Also, a word or two about returning to school in a pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Attorney Jim Coogan analyzes the Senate impeachment trial, breaking down the case for President Trump's conviction. It would be a slam dunk in almost any court in the country, but...The "jurors"--Republican senators--are letting everyone know, through their disdain and indifference to the evidence, that they will never vote for conviction. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

State Rep Kelly Cassidy talks about what's ahead in Springfield now that Chris Welch has replaced Michael Madigan as house speaker. Also, a word or two about her purple hair and her unsuccessful bid for state senate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jacobin editor & writer Michah Uetricht wrote the book on Karen Lewis and CTU. He talks about her legacy. From there the conversation moves to Twitter and Neera Tanden. Not sure how--but it does. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben talks about Neera Tanden efforts to erase all memory of her days as a Twitter fanatic. Also, teachers go back to school. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Monroe Anderson analyzes the first two days of the Impeachment trial. Also, his own Mt. Rushmore of Chicago political giants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The impeachment trial begins and guess what? President Donnie's lawyer is awful. Also, Mayor Lightfoot sends teachers & kids back to schools. God help us all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben remembers the late great Karen Lewis. Oh, if only the powers that be who are lauding her now that she's passed, were this supportive when she was alive. Also, Mayor Lightfoot and high school basketball. Clearly, she's not been listening to the show. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Executive director of the The Friends of the Parks, Juanita Irizarry returns to talk about the Obama Center coming to Jackson Park, General Iron coming to the Southeast Side, and environmental racism in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In a perfect world, Ben & Maya would convene their monthly First Tuesdays show at the Hideout bar. But, alas, we're in the middle of a pandemic. Which begs the question--if it's too dangerous to meet in a bar, is it not too dangerous to open Chicago's public schools? And what are the politics of the standoff between Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago Teachers Union. These are some of the question...

Pro Publica reporter Mick Dumke has been writing about or living among Republicans for years. So he knows a thing or two or three about the widening divisions in the GOP as Marjorie Taylor Greene tries to seize control. Also, a riff or two on Mayor Lightfoot and the aldermen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i...