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Hitting Left

Mike gets together each week, often with special guests in studio and from around the country, to discuss current topics involving politics, education and social justice "from the Left side of the plate." The topics covered may be local, national or international but always with a Chicago sensibility and perspective.
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 31, 2017

Teacher, union activists and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Kenzo Shibata joins the Klonsky brothers for a wide-ranging conversation about politics in the Trump/Rauner era. And socialism as an alternative.

Dec 15, 2017

This week the boys are back in town and chatting with Emma Tai, the Executive Director of Chicago United Working Families. They kibitz about the Democratic party, the elections in Chicago, Illinois and Alabama and Fred announces his switch to becoming a member of the hard-right Republican Freedom Coalition.*

This is the penultimate episode of 2017 as Lumpen Radio's on holiday break next week, so why not listen to this one twice? Jerry would do it. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas, etc!

*Jamie's joking about this last one.

Dec 8, 2017

The Klonsky Daughters come in and upend this entire show with their whip-smart takes on, well, just about everything. Jamie's thinking of sacking the other two guys and just having Joanna and Ann do this show from now on, and after you listen to this one, he's pretty sure you'll agree.

Dec 1, 2017

Delmarie Cobb is a long time political strategist, consultant and media person. She advised the Hillary Clinton campaign. She is now organizing the Ida B. Wells Legacy project to encourage Black women to seek political office.

We are also joined on record from the strike lines at Columbia College. P-fac president Diana Vallera, and adjuncts Andrea Dymond and Prexy Nexbitt.

Nov 17, 2017

This week, The Klonskys talk to Fritz Kaegi about his candidacy for Cook County Assessor. The boys talk about sports a little bit too, which is a shame since everyone knows Jamie's the sportswriter. Jerry's back in the chair, guess he didn't quit after all. And don't come here looking for a new show next week: Lumpen Radio is closed for Turkey Day.

Nov 10, 2017

This week: UIC profs Josh Radinsky and David Stovall from Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE), a network of education researchers from area universities, stop by to chat about school closings, teacher testing and much more. No sports questions this week as Fred is just so upset with the NFL. And who isn't, really? Jamie's back in the chair, but never fear, it only took him 2 minutes to quit today.
http://michaelklonsky.blogspot.com/ 
https://preaprez.wordpress.com

Nov 3, 2017

Juanita Irizarry stops by to talk about the failed George Lucas Museum lakefront project that her group, Friends of the Parks, successfully opposed. Some guy named Ed also drops by, I wonder how he got in the building. There is no joy in Mudville as the Doyers struck out.

Oct 27, 2017

World Series baseball, film and the sixties with radical film guys Peter Kuttner and Floyd Webb.

Oct 20, 2017

A lively discussion with veteran ABC African American reporter Charles Thomas. He just retired after 25 years.

Oct 13, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.

This week: TKTK Indivisible also an update on NTA TKTK
Gerry made it through week one, will he make it through week two? And Fred's gone but the question on everyone's mind is: where's Brandon? Susan Klonsky sits in with Mike. Fred's going to have a tough time getting his chair back. Also, Jamie schools these guys on honkbal.
http://michaelklonsky.blogspot.com/ 
https://preaprez.wordpress.com

https://www.indivisible.org

Oct 6, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.

This week: Prexy Nesbitt speaks on South Africa and Imperialism. ALSO: Jamie quits! Really! Some new guy named Gerry is in there! What will Fred do? Think those guys have noticed Jamie writes these blurbs every week?

Sep 29, 2017

Barry Romo joins us this week and tells his personal journey from growing up Catholic and wanting to go to Vietnam, to his battlefield experience, the loss of his nephew in battle, to his transformation as a founding member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Barry was featured in the recent Vietnam documentary by Burns and Novick on public television

Sep 22, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
This week David Orr, the retiring Cook County Clerk and Stevie Valles, head of Chicago Votes! drop by for a discussion. Fred tries to sing. Jamie has the flu. Happy New Year everyone!
David Orr
http://www.cookcountyclerk.com

Stevie Valles
http://chicagovotes.com

Sep 15, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.

This week G. Flint Taylor, the lawyer who represented Black Panther Fred Hampton and the victims of the Burge torture case drops by. Mike and Jamie disagree on “Medicare for All.” Fred wants to be called “Truck” from now on. And much much more!

Sep 5, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
A genuinely hot show this week...as the air-conditioning went out in Studio B. Jamie smartly chose to run the event, poor Neil roasted behind the board. On this show:
Troy LaRaviere https://troylaraviere.net/ Danny Rodgriquez (SEIU), Cory Stevenson (educator), Craig Stevenson (educator), Anne Emerson (political consultant), Jennifer Klonsky (teacher and musician, member of Jackass Magnets), Joanna Klonsky (political consultant), Ellen Gradman and Lisa Kosowski, (activists in Jewish Voice for Peace).

Sep 1, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
This week, The Klonskys talk to State Rep Will Guzzardi about schools, Houston, the Democratic party and much more. Guzzardi also announces his candidacy for re-election. Mike and Jamie express surprise that some guy named "Fred" showed up. Where's Brandon?

Aug 25, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers

Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)

Talking education, politics and social justice!

An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.

This week, The Klonskys talk to more people than can fit in Jamie's studio. In house, in no particular order, were:

Cassie Creswell and Wendy Katten, co-executive directors of the parent group Raise Your Hand Action

Olivia Albrecht, Brighton Park Neighborhood Assoc.

Julie Anaya, Kelly High School

McKenzie Reagor, Hancock College Prep

Leslie Vences, Kelly High School

 

Also, this week Fred quit so Brandon Johnson took over. Jamie's changing the locks to keep Brandon on the show.

 

("Not true." - Fred)

Aug 19, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
This week, The Klonskys talk to Brandon Johnson, political organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union about schools, unions, the current budget battle, Rahm, the Governor’s race and Chicago politics. Neil's still nowhere in sight. But hey, Steve Bannon quit!
http://michaelklonsky.blogspot.com/
https://preaprez.wordpress.com/

Aug 11, 2017

Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
This week, The Klonskys talk John Dillon and Jay C. Rehak about nuclear war and pensions. (Question: if we all go up in flames, does anyone get their pensions?) Also that Neil guy left Jamie high and dry this week with having to "go back to school." Jamie really should quit.

 
Aug 4, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
This week, The Klonskys talk to Senator Daniel Biss about his gubernatorial bid, his position on state pensions and charter schools and much, much more in a candid and forthright discussion. Listen for the musical joke at the break. And Jamie quit! Neil does a better job than that guy anyway.

Jul 29, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.
This week, The Klonskys talk to John Daley about Bridgeport and donuts; Niketa Brar and Elizabeth Greer about school closings and New Teachers' Academy, and Jamie about why he hasn't quit yet. Mike brought music this week!

Jul 17, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate.

This week, The Klonskys talk to Jose "Cha-Cha" Jimenez (Founder and chairman of the Young Lords Organization) and Stan McKinney (former Black Panther Party member). Also, Mike forgot to give Jamie and Neil music. Just hum something around the :30 mark.

Jul 7, 2017

Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers
Airs Fridays 11AM (CST)
Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate. This week, The Klonskys talk to candidate for Illinois Governor Ameya Pawar. Also, Jamie quits, for real: Neil is sitting in behind the board this week.

http://michaelklonsky.blogspot.com/
https://preaprez.wordpress.com/

Jun 30, 2017

Talking education, politics and social justice!
An hour-long, weekly radio show featuring long-time political and education activists, the Klonsky Bros. They, along with their weekly special guests, review the latest happenings in the world of politics, media and culture, challenging the political establishment and hitting from the left side of the plate. This week, The Klonskys talk to Clem Balanoff and Ken Franklin of the ATU Local 308. Jamie posits that Trump "has issues." Also, a remembrance of Joan Kramer., who passed away this week.

http://michaelklonsky.blogspot.com/
https://preaprez.wordpress.com/

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