Just before we start recording, the story breaks that Mayor Johnson asked Alderman Burnett to serve as zoning committee chair. Ben was all set to talk national but he can’t help himself. He riffs. Then Kina riffs. Soon they’re in the middle of a conversation about Mayor Johnson and Chicago politics. Then it’s back to national politics. Including Kina’s prediction about the Florida vote. Kina Collins is an activist and former congressional candidate from the 7th district.

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After the high of watching Kamala mop the floor with Trump, reality sets in. Ben riffs. Marc Sims tried to comfort Ben. Their talk turns to Trump’s defense of Ashli Babbitt and his attacks on police. Why does MAGA applaud some people who attack police and despise others who criticize the police? A few words about Mark Zuckerberg, Acquired and the adulation of rich people and the desire to be rich. Marc hosts the podcast Just a Few Questions.

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just before last night’s debate began, Ben came down with an a cute case of Baby Boomeritis—having flashbacks to June Biden Trump debate. Ben riffs. Monroe and Ben then break down what went down last night, which boils down to this: Kamala mopped the floor with Trump. Especially on the abortion issue, and the eating pets in Ohio issue. And pretty much every issue. Also, will Trump cash in on his Trump stock even if his MAGAIEST MAGA cultists lose money as a result?

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Maya returns and tonight’s the debate. Ben can’t decide which is more exciting so he riffs about both. Then the Maya in question talks about her latest investigation on slum housing in Chicago. How the law seems to protect bad landlords and punish poor tenants. How city officials seem clueless and indifferent. And more. Shoutout to Alejandra Cancino who coauthored the series which ran in Injustice Watch. Maya Dukmasova is an investigative reporter for Injustice Watch and, of course, Ben’s First Tuesdays co-host.

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Erica Sagrans explains why the time has come to re-think our attitude toward immigrants and the border. Now that we have a bit of a break from last year’s madness. Erica is the founder of Chicago Says Welcome, an immigrants advocacy group.

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Palestinian-American Democrats want to speak at the convention. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry, a Heartland Mama, explains how Dems can win in her MAGA country legislative district. Thanks in part to 8,000 new voters. One more time—8,000 new voters! Most of whom are not MAGA. Are you listening, Democrats? Heidi lays out how she can flip a MAGA district. Also, a few words about Tim Walz’s speech. Heidi is running for state representative in Illinois’ 75th district. She’s also a horse trainer and co-host of the Heartland Mamas podcast.

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David Faris explains his latest theory—“the Trump cycle”. It couldn’t happen without the complicity of the mainstream media. Like the New York Times. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own.

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Speaking of MAGA Mark Robinson’s alleged penchant for porn, Ben goes back in time for a history lesson about stripper Fanne Foxx and Congressman Wilbur Mills. Charles Henderson offers his own thoughts. The discussion turns to Afghanistan, US wars, what Biden could have done better in leaving Afghanistan, the parade for Vietnam vets in Chicago and another reason why Harold Washington is Chicago’s greatest mayor. And more. Charles is a vet and activist in Chicago.

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Breaking news! Mark Robinson, the MAGA candidate for Governor in North Carolina, watched a lot of porn, according to media reports. Ben riffs. Then Monroe riffs. From there the discussions covers Clarence Thomas, Moms for Liberty, why so many white woman love Trump, abortion rights, left wing conspiracy theories, and more. Including a riff or two about Coach Prime, of all people.

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Miles Kampf-Lassin covers the convention from top to bottom. Including the failure of the mainstreams to give Mayor Johnson credit for anything. Also, the many mixed messages of the Dems. And a word or two about Tesla, China and the contradictions of contemporary capitalism. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times.

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