Oh, What a Week: Blame it on Byron

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Want Boss Donnie to do whatever you want him to do? It’s easy. Just call him—Your excellency. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn does not hold back—extended riffs on this age of hate and madness and the need to stand strong. Hear that, Dems? On a personal note—her 30-year fight against cancer. There is no courage without fear. And all power to Jewish girls with long, curly hair. Laurie is a political activist and strategist and CEO of Thinkinc.

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The “reformers” tag team with the Bright One to keep TIF money out of our schools. Ben riffs. Mueze Bawany delivers his takes on Mayors Mamdani and Johnson. Why Trump likes one but not the other. Hint…it’s cause one is a “model minority” and the other is not. Trump’s anti-Blackness. A close-out riff on the Bears, including a bold prediction for Sunday’s Packers game. Mueze is an activist, high school teacher, football coach and proud union man. As in the CTU.

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It’s one battle after another in the fight against fascism. Ben riffs. Paul Nolley talks about running for Congress against MAGA man Darrin LaHood. The issues are jobs, health care and SNAP. Just like in Chicago. It’s time Dems stop conceding rural voters to MAGA. Paul is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 16th district.

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Bubba and Donnie share Epstein’s love. Ben riffs. Joshua Smyser-De Leon talks everything Bad Bunny. Who he is. Why he’s great. His role in Puerto Rican politics. Where he fits on the Mt Rushmore of Puerto Rican musicians. And why his selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer blows MAGA’s collective little brain. Joshua hosts The Paseo Podcast.

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The Trump administration tries to figure out its stance on whether swastikas are bad. Ben riffs. Pat Whalen explains how everything in contemporary politics is like a scene from One Battle After Another. Oh, yes—Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! And thank you Paul Thomas Anderson for directing and writing such a great movie. Ben and Pat geek out over their favorite scenes. Finally, what to do if your Uncle MAGA shows up at your turkey day table, spouting nonsense like Stephen A Smith. Pat is a comedian and podcaster in Chicago.

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A Thanksgiving day thanks Chicago for standing strong. Ben riffs Michael Horton returns to talk about growing up around Cabrini and playing and coaching basketball and confronting and overcoming demons. No pun intended. Skeet’s is a CPS high school guidance counselor and basketball coach and author of Hoop ‘til It Hurts, his newly published book.

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The country that elected Trump also elected Obama—how is that possible? Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta adds her thoughts to that conundrum. “We don’t live there anymore.” The there in that sentence being America in the age of Obama. Denali tells you what you need to know about Trump’s $2,000 health care scam. Ben tells the story of how Studs Terkel got kicked out of a Chicago public library. And a Thanksgiving shoutout to everyone on the Group W Bench—love you, Arlo!

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