The Ben Joravsky Show

James Risen explains everything you need to know about Senator Frank Church and his 1975 senate investigation into the dirty tricks of the CIA. Including… assassinations of foreign leaders, spying on American citizens and connivances with mobsters. Also, did the CIA kill Sam Giancana? James Risen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for the Intercept. And author of The Last Honest Man, a biography of Church. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apparently, deal cutting is out the window. Ben riffs. And strategist Chris Scott offers political reports from Ohio and Texas. The 2024 showdown is here. Chris is Co-Founder and President of Advance the Electorate PAC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris takes a closer look at polls that have Trump winning in 2024. Specifically, a NYT poll by Nate Cohn that’s left liberal boomers in a fetal position. Is it as bad as Cohn suggests? Also, Trump’s dystopian vision for his second term. Speaker Mike Johnson bends. And why do so many national pundits have crushes on Mayor Rahm. David Faris is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week. And what guest to talk about it. Adolfo Mondragon returns to talk about the lame “the architect did it” defense advanced by Ed Burke’s lawyer. What to expect when Danny Solis takes the stand. The pathetic response by America’s college presidents. The point they should have made. And America’s hypocrisy on free expression. Adolfo is a Chicago lawyer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A chance encounter in the line to pay property taxes offers Ben a moment of revelation. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims explains why Chicagoans have no objection to rich people getting handouts but will cry like babies if a Venezuelan immigrant gets a tent. Hint: it’s explained in the Bible. And is Chicago Hate City, USA? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Delmarie Cobb joins Ben to discuss the news of Chicago. Including…immigration; the brainwashing of Chicagoans; Blacks and Hispanics; Alders Ramirez-Rosa and Mitts; the power of the gavel; and who should Mayor Johnson select as his floor leader. Delmarie Cobb is a political strategist and proud south sider. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A First Tuesday defense of Mayor Johnson and the Brighton Park site. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains the difference between eight feet and six inches when it comes to gravel protecting children from mercury poisoning. A few words about the Burke trial. And Trumps threat to be a dictator for one day. And then a. Few words about OJ Simpson, Alex Haley, Malcolm X, Redd Foxx and Norman Lear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Lakesia Collins comes from the same political movement as Mayor Johnson. And she has no sympathy for the mayor’s city council adversaries. But she thinks the mayor’s allies have done a disservice to Alderwoman Emma Mitts. And she asks—when are people going to stop disrespecting Black women? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As I write this sentence, it was 54 years ago to the day that the Chicago police. acting in concert with the State’s Attorney and the FBI, killed Fred Hampton and Mark Clark as they were sleeping in their beds. That was December 4, 1969. Flint Taylor was a young lawyer when he went to court on behalf of Fred Hampton's survivors. He tells the story from A to Z, including the post-murder collusion by feds and local prosecutors to cover up the crime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Evanston says ok to NU in its own Evanston way. Ben riffs. Dave Glowacz brings in recordings from a particularly contentiousness city council meeting. To show you how Chicago handles its democracy. Hear Alders Beale, Harris, Waguespack, Lopez, Mitts, Ramirez-Rosa, Ervin and Hadden on council decorum and Sanctuary City status. Then decide for yourself. Dave Glowacz is editor reporter for Inside Chicago Government. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week! The Ed Burke trial. George Santos expelled. NBA players behaving badly. A high basketball coach discovers a unique way to dodge a reporter’s question. Political strategist Joanna Klonsky tries to help Ben make sense of it all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Maya went to Maria’s in Bridgeport to host First Tuesdays with Alderwomen Nicole Lee and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth. Topics for discussion included the rising political power of Asian-American voters in Chicago. And immigration—as in why so many Chicagoans are hostile to the Venezuelan immigrants being bused here by Governor Abbott from Texas. Maya is, of course, Maya Dukmasova, reporter for Injustice Watch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben gets love from the Tribune editorial board in regards to his Alderman Carlos coverage. Well, sorta. Actually, not at all. Ben riffs. And Pushkar Sharma takes the deep dive on the war between Israel and Palestine. The roles of Netanyahu and Hamas. And the political fallout in the US. Pushkar was in Gaza in 2014 when that war erupted. So he offers much-needed perspective. Pushkar is the founder and executive director of the Parallax Policy International Human Rights Policy Firm. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The corruption trial of Alderman Burke kicks into gear. Ben riffs. Then Monroe riffs. Then the tie start riffing about Burke, corruption, Chicago, racism, Trump versus Haley, Hunter Biden and Jimmy Carter. Here’s today’s question—why does Chicago have so much love for grifters like Burke? Also, a rare moment when Monroe admits Ben is right. Monroe Anderson is a legendary Chicago journalist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson takes a page from the Mayor Rahm playbook to undercut his opposition. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk immigration, UAW successful strikes, the Tesla challenge for labor and the Democratic Party’s response to Gaza. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.