On this episode of *The Left Hook with Mark Bland*, airing Saturdays at 9:00 AM CST on WIBHradio.com and CBS affiliates, host Mark Bland and guest Jason Kull dive into political controversies and pop culture. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 55% of Americans, including 29% of Republicans, believe Trump is using federal law enforcement to target enemies like James Comey and Letitia James, fueling concerns about political division, with 67% worried about conflict and 61% viewing redistricting as harmful to democracy. Bland and Kull criticize Trump's "retribution tour," noting his inflammatory rhetoric and GOP's tolerance of Nazi symbols and white nationalist support, despite their anti-Democrat stance. They question Trump's incoherent "Gulf of America" remarks and his fixation on a lavish White House ballroom over healthcare. The episode shifts gears with a fun Tournament of Pop Culture, pitting classic sports video games like *Tecmo Super Bowl*, *NBA Jam*, and *Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!* against each other. After heated debates, *Tecmo Super Bowl* emerges as the greatest sports video game. Find Bland on markbland.net and Kull at @FeatherBangs on Twitter. Share with a friend or Family!

On this episode of The Left Hook with Mark Bland, airing Saturdays at 9:00 AM CST on CBS affiliates and WIBHradio.com, host Mark Bland tackles pressing issues from St. Louis. He dives into a Mother Jones exposé revealing racist texts from young Republican leaders, aged 24-35, including slurs and violent rhetoric like gas chamber threats. Vice President J.D. Vance dismissed these as "edgy jokes" on Charlie Kirk's show, drawing criticism for GOP hypocrisy. Bland calls this "Hitlergate," highlighting the party's failure to condemn such rhetoric, tying it to broader Republican embrace of divisive ideologies, including Nazi references and Civil War statue defenses. He questions their logic, noting the contradiction in celebrating historical Democrats while decrying socialism. Bland also critiques Trump's incoherent "reverse bathtub" remarks and a Middle East peace deal with Israel and Hamas, suspecting ulterior motives with Netanyahu. He addresses Joe Rogan's disappointment with Trump's deportation policies, accusing Rogan of enabling hate. The show closes with a lighter note, listing top Halloween candies like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (67% chance) and Sour Patch Kids (55%), per Action Network's data. Follow Bland at markbland.net for more.

On "The Left Hook with Mark Bland," aired every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST on WIBHradio.com and CBS affiliates, host Mark Bland discusses Donald Trump's controversial actions, focusing on the deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago. Bland criticizes Trump's claims of cities being "war zones," arguing they lack evidence and reflect an East Coast-West Coast divide. He highlights Stephen Miller's CNN claim that Trump has "plenary authority" to deploy troops, a term Bland links to authoritarian tactics, drawing parallels to Hitler's 1933 Enabling Act. Bland suggests Trump's moves, including a government shutdown, aim to protect himself from potential Epstein file revelations, alleging he's targeting citizens rather than illegal immigrants. He condemns groups like Rose City Antifa for fueling Trump's narrative by engaging in confrontational protests, urging non-violent resistance. Bland warns of Trump's authoritarian push, enabled by Republican support, and calls for accountability, especially if Epstein allegations prove true. The episode concludes with a lighter segment on Halloween activities, noting popular choices like watching scary movies (48%) and consuming pumpkin-flavored items (46%)

On this episode host Mark Bland and political pundit Glenn Kage (cah-gee) explore America's turbulent political landscape. They condemn the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk while criticizing the politicization of his death, particularly the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show over controversial remarks, raising alarms about free speech under Trump's administration. Glenn, drawing on his extensive union background, critiques Missouri's legislators for overturning voter-approved measures like paid sick leave. The episode highlights concerns over political loyalty trumping qualifications, the internet's indelible record of actions, and the need for centrism amid polarized politics, urging reflection before the 2026 midterms. Listen to every single Saturday 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST on WIBH 102.5/ KRLL 104.1 or online at wibhradio.com

In this gripping episode of *The Left Hook*, host Mark Bland and guest Matt Krueger dive into the shocking September 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder, gunned down during a Utah Valley University debate. Exploring Kirk's complex legacy as a fierce free speech and Second Amendment advocate, they unpack the biting irony of his death by firearm—living, as the summary quips, "what he preached." The episode tackles the nation's polarized reactions, from conservative vigils and vengeful backlash (think firings and visa threats) to liberal schadenfreude, spotlighting the Republican "blood thirst" lashing out at critics. With suspect Tyler Robinson's arrest fueling debates on political violence, Bland and Krueger frame this tragedy as a lens on America's gun culture and free speech fault lines, urging listeners to tune in for a raw, nuanced take on a figure most knew only from headlines.

On *The Left Hook* with host Mark Bland, guest Drew Pinson dives into a dynamic mix of politics, pop culture, and personal insights. Aired on CBS Radio, the episode kicks off with Bland's enthusiasm for fall and Halloween, proposing a spooky-themed special featuring mystics and haunted locations. The conversation shifts to pop culture, with Pinson defending Almond Joy in a nostalgic candy bracket debate, highlighting the show's recurring "Tournament of Pop Culture" segment. The discussion takes a serious turn as Bland and Pinson tackle political controversies. They criticize President Donald Trump's leadership, likening it to a chaotic, transactional approach that destabilizes institutions. A focal point is the controversy surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, whose anti-vaccine stance and misinformation have prompted over a thousand HHS employees to demand his resignation. The hosts lament the politicization of health policy, with Pinson comparing RFK Jr.'s actions to "bombing for peace." The episode also addresses the Epstein files, with survivors compiling their own client list due to the Justice Department's inaction. Bland and Pinson question Trump's dismissal of the files as a hoax, speculating on the lack of accountability even if incriminating evidence emerges. They express frustration over Trump's influence, with Pinson noting the exhaustion of living under his prolonged political presence. Lightening the mood, the hosts debate wrestling, with Bland questioning AEW's HBO Max deal and advocating for a direct-to-consumer model, while Pinson defends AEW's appeal to adult fans. They wrap up with a lively discussion on the 2025 song of the summer, championing Chappell Roan's *Pink Pony Club* over Billboard's pick. *The Left Hook* blends humor, nostalgia, and sharp political commentary, engaging listeners with its eclectic mix.

The Premier episode of the new moderate/liberal show called Mark Bland's The Left Hook! On this first episode of the show, funny man and actor Jonathan May stops through to talk some politics and life. First up Trump is having tons of meetings with world leaders and none seem to come off well. Putin tells Trump they can meet in Alaska where the world finds out that Trump is a super Putin fan and Putin couldn't care any less about the USA and Trump. After the failed meeting Trump walked away with no concessions and no hope. Then he trounced to Washington DC to meet with world leaders and Zalensky regarding the Ukraine war. Trump had nothing to offer and made a laughing stock of his own meetings. All in all the USA walked away from this with less than they started with. And now Putin knows that Trump is his puppet. All this and more on the first episode of The Left hook.