04-06-25 Tom Tresser discusses the impact of TIFs in Orland Park and Aurora

Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast S8 Ep 4 04-06-25

Sunday April 6, 2025 and I am talking with Tom Tresser anexpert on TIFs, Tax Increment Financing Districts … and the impact TIFs had in the outcomes of two major suburban elections, the defeat of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau by Jim Dodge and the defeat of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin by Alderman John Laesch …

Pekau and Irvin were abusers of TIFs and the issue surfacedduring both elections to impact the outcomes

Award winning Chicagoland political writer and formerChicago City Hall reporter and columnist addresses the facts that drive regional politics and elections in Chicagoland and the United States in this mainstream podcast, “Ray Hanania on Politics.”

For more information on Ray Hanania and his podcast, RayHanania on Politics, visit www.Hanania.com… watch the video at Youtube.com/@rayhananiaor go to the audio podcast at www.RayHananiaOnPolitics.com

03 30 25 Billy Marovitz Video Podcast Interview

S8 Ep 3

Ray Hanania on Politics Video Podcast March 30, 2025One of the elected officials I most admire is Billy Marovitz, who I first met when I was covering Chicago City Hall and have since maintained a friendship with him, seeing the vastness of all the things he has done.Marovitz is a guy who can’t sit still and has done many great things.He is a former Illinois legislator, who served in the Illinois House in 1974 and then went on to the Illinois Senate in 1980. He was only 25 when he entered politics, with no political allies, PACs or politicians behind his campaign. He rose to political influence serving as Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party for 25 years. As a legislator, Marovitz introduced and passed the Illinois Generic Prescription Drug Act which forced Big Pharma to sell Generic Drugs at a discount of 50 to 60 percent of their prescription costs, introduced the wrote and Hate Crimes Law, produced a musical celebrating the Cubs 2016 World Series victory, opened the Latin-Fusion restaurants Carnivale in Chicago and in Paradise Island, Bahamas, and hosts and interviews celebrity authors including New York Times Pulitzer Prize Columnist Maureen Dowd.Here is an interview I did with Marovitz, a true public servant with one of the most positive attitudes in American politics, that I think you will enjoy.For more information on my columns and the column I wrote on the interview, visit hanania.com.

03 09 25 Hanania in Cicero Orland Park Fire District elections

S8 E2

Veteran award winning political columnist and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania talks about the top election aces this season in Chicagoland.

Hanania discusses the achievements of Cicero Town President Larry Dominick, who he does media work for, and all of Dominick's achievements. Dominick is celebrating his 20th year in office and in the Feb. 25, 2025 election, Dominick won re-election in a landslide, achieving the same percentage win that he did in his last contested election in 2013. (Cicero has seen a drop in voter turnout of 1,900 voters, which accounts for a slight reduction in percentage win but still an amazing victory for a mayor who has done so much to strengthen and change the image of the Town of Cicero.

The Cicero race is decisive and final and does not have an election on April 1. President Dominick will be sworn in to a 6th term as Town President in May 2025.Hanania also talks about the big race taking place in the April 1, 2025 General election that is in Orland Park, the largest city between Chicago and Joliet in the Southwest Suburbs. Incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau is going to lose to former Trustee Jim Dodge mainly because people are tired of Pekau's outrageous bullying and name-calling. Pekau doesn't tolerate public questions, has the worst transparency in the state for a municipal leader, and truly hates the people who question his consolidation of power in Orland Park over the past 8 years he has been in office, 6 of which he controlled the rubber stamp board.

Pekau and other surrounding mayors and supervisors all want to grab, merge, and consolidate the Orland Fire Protection District, which is the jewel in the crown of national firefighters. The OFPD has a fully funded pension that Pekau is drooling to control. Neighboring villages want to control the fire district, too, to shore up their limited fire department performances.The OFPD has a 71 percent Cardiac Arrest Save Rate, one of the highest in the Midwest if not the highest in the nation. The national Save rate is only 10 to 15 percent. That means if you live in the OFPD (which includes Orland Park, Orland Hills and some unincorporated areas) you have a 5 Times better chance of surviving a heart attack.

There are three slates of 3 candidates running to control the OFPD. One is backed by Pekau. Losers. Another is backed by a local supervisor and funded by donations from surrounding mayors who want to merge and consolidate -- they say they don't publicly but privately consolidation would be a financial windfall for them.I am supporting the Fiscal Voices for Orland Fire slate of candidates that include the only candidates with First Responder, police or fire experience:

OFPD Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar

OFPD Trustee Donald "DJ" Jeffers

Former Palos Heights CSO Bridget Tolan

Their website is

https://FiscalVoicesforOrlandFire.com

and their Facebook Page is

https://Facebook.com/people/Fiscal-Voices-For-Fire-Safety-Orland-Fire/61572978827101/

Check them out. If you live in the OFPD District support them to protect the Fire District from mergers and consolidation.

Get more information on all of this at my columns website at

https://Hanania.com

Thank you

RAY HANANIA

03-06-25 Ray Hanania on Politics: Trump & Ukraine; the biggest race in Chicago suburbs

Season 8, Episode 1

Podcast Topics:

I am reviving the podcast starting today. It will be recorded in audio here at Spotify and in video on YouTube, several times each week. And, I will write about it on my syndicated column page at www.HANANIA.com

You can easily subscribe to the syndicated columns and not miss an episode, column, or topics from Mainstream to Middle East.

What is President Donald Trump doing?

Trump stabbed Ukraine in the back claiming it was about money, but is it about the taxpayer money or his money? Trump is sucking up to Communist tyrant Vladimir Putin, his pal, because Trump wants to build those skyscrapers in Moscow and St. Petersburg like he has been trying to do for the past four decades.

Trump's policies in the Middle East are pushing our allies away from us and we'll have major consequences down the road as a result. Hamas is a Terrorist organization but so is the current Government of Israel. They both have killed innocent people. Hamas killed 1,400 Israel has killed 58,000 and the casualties continue to grow. Most are women and children. Babies are being murdered by American funding and American bombs given to Israel.

Imagine, Trump has ordered the firing of hundreds of thousands of Americans from Federal government jobs -- up to 40 percent of those Federal jobs among the targeted departments and bureaus are held by American Military Veterans.

Is that how a President rewards veterans, a president who dodged the draft to avoid military service to profit and hang around with Jeffrey Epstein???

Trump is giving $8 billion to Israel, a foreign country, and firing thousands of Americans from jobs because DOGE and Elon Musk assert it will save America $2 billion???

Trump's tariff wars are going to kill our economy and push away our allies, which is exactly what Putin wants.

LOCAL ELECTIONS

The biggest local election in the Chicagoland area is in Orland Park. Orland Park is the largest city between Chicago and Joliet, and actually the biggest city in the Southwest suburbs of Cook County. What happens there impacts the region financially and politically.

The big races to watch there:

1 - The Orland Fire Protection District, which many mayors like Pekau and others have said they want to control. They want to merge or consolidate, call it whatever you want, so they can raid the coffers. The OFPD has a fully funded pension that if the political pirates take control will siphon the funding out of that pension pool.

I support three independent candidates who have First Responder experience: Fire Commissioner Donald "DJ" Jeffers, Fire Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, and former Palos Heights Police Community Service Officer Bridget Tolan. The two slates of 3 candidates each running against them are slated by Pekau's slate and a slate run by the union and township superviso to takeover the district and eliminate the checks an dbalances between unions and governments, You don't put a government int he hands of a union. You respect the union and respect the government and that's how they negotiate responsibly.

2 - The race for Mayor of Orland Park. Mayor Keith Pekau, one of the worst-ever mayors in the Chicagoland suburbs, is being challenged by a former Trustee with financial experience Jim Dodge. I think Dodge will win but he's not doing a great job of conveying his talents through media.

3 - In Orland Township, a slate led by Dick Kelly is challenging Supervisor Paul O'Grady, whose allies have been behind many attacks against me personally and professionally. Kelly heads the ORLAND TOWNSHIP TOGETHER Slate which includes

Cindy Murray for Clerk

Antonio Rubino for Assessor

Tracy Sullivan for Highway Commissioner

Michael Schofield, retiring OFPD Fire Chief, for trustee

Lena Matariyeh for Trustee

Daniel Flores for Trustee

Kelly Metzger for Trustee.

(Matariyeh represents the growing Arab community in Orland Park.)

Enjoy the podcast

07-12-24 Ray Hanania on Radio in Michigan on the Biden-Trump presidential election Columnist Ray Hanania talks about the challenges facing President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the AbandonBiden movement, the challenges the nation faces from economy to crime, and what might happen in the presidential election as aguest host on WNZK AM 690 radio. Good morning everyone ... it is Friday July 12, 2024 ... I am Ray Hanania ... and this is the 4th Friday of the month here at Radio Baladi on WNZK AM 690 Radio I here on the 2nd Friday of every month ... during my off-season from Arab News Radio ... which should begin the six month season on August 1 ... overlapping the presidential elections We are broadcasting live on WNZK AM 690 radio and streaming live on the US Arab Radio Network at facebook.com/USArabRadio... check it out and share your comments there Make sure to check out my opinion and analysis columns at Hanania.com and my news stories and op-eds at ArabNews.com... And follow me on Tiktok ,Twitter -- @RayHanania -- to keep up with my political reports and my standup comedy bits ... Today I want to talk to listeners about President Joe Biden and his gaffs, the AbandonBiden campaign, Arabs and Chaldeans for Trump ... I was there at the debate last month when Biden looked like he was lost ... and then i listened to his speech at NATO ... he can't get away from the gaffs calling Zelensky Putin and Kamala Harris Vice President Trump What do you think about it all ... Visit https://www.Hanania.com to read all of Ray Hanania's syndicated columns

06-29-24 Can Robert F. Kennedy Jr win in wake of distasrous Biden-Trump debate?

Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania Biden's poor debate performance with Trump and if Biden should drop out for someone like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Biden-Trump debate was a complete disaster for the Democrats and a growing number of the public are feeling Biden cannot survive. Should Biden drop out of the presidential. race and should Democrats slate someone else? Or, can a third party candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., run against turmoil plagued Trump and a  very confused Biden and win?

Should Democrats support someone else like Michelle Obama and abandon vice president Kamala Harris, who has been roundly criticized during Biden's first term in office? 

Hanania was in Atlanta covering the Debate and discusses how the news media, CNN, tried hard to use the debate to strengthen Biden and undermine Trump, but in the end forced Trump to be "tempered" and controlled better leaving Biden to stumble, fumble and bumble in a terrible way undermining Democratic Party unity.

You can read Ray Hanania's column urging Biden to step down gracefully or be replaced and analyzing how CNN caused Biden's political demise by their intentional effort to help him overcome their nemesis Trump.⁠⁠https://hanania.substack.com/p/biden-should-step-down-and-finish⁠⁠

“Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest.

Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman / Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at ⁠⁠BillLipinski.com⁠⁠

Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group.

Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting ⁠⁠https://www.Hanania.com⁠⁠

Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper ⁠⁠https://www.ArabNews.com⁠⁠ Our web address is ⁠⁠www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com⁠⁠ Our Facebook page is: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics⁠⁠

06-06-24 S3E16 A look back at D-Day; Giving VA benefits to Americans serving in a foreign country, Trump's legal challenges and the Lewinsky scandal, and Illinois election restrictions

Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion and the sacrifice that American soldiers made to defeat the Nazis during World War II. Lipinski, a historian on World War II, discusses the challenges or soldiers faced that brutal morning on June 6, 1944 at Normandy, France.

The efforts of two members of congress to pass legislation that would grant full veteran benefits to Americans who serve in Israel's military. State Reps. Max Miller (R-OH) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), said they want Congress to provide protections and benefits to Americans who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), regardless of whether or not they first served in the U.S. Military.

Click here to read my column on the topic:

⁠https://hanania.substack.com/p/pro-israel-pac-recipients-urge-benefits⁠

A look at former President Donald Trump's legal challenges and a comparison to challenges former President Bill Clinton faced. Clearly, Democrats made a great effort to prevent Clinton from being charged or convicted of felony perjury or felony influencing a witnesses' testimony in the Monica Lewinsky affair. Clinton manipulated the system and lied, and yet his lies were treated with sympathy from the mainstream news media. Clinton's purpose was to lie to survive so that his wife, Hillary Clinton, could seek higher office including the presidency at a later date. His perjury denying he had sexual relations with Lewinsky was a crime that if Trump had made would have resulted in a felony conviction.

The impact of a new law that changes the election dates and procedures in Illinois's elections. Now, if a party fails to run a candidate in a primary election contest for state or local office in Illinois, then the party would be prohibited from slating someone from their party to run in the general election. The real purpose is to strengthen the Democratic Party's control of Illinois politics. Illinois is one of the most "Blue States" in America with the strongest control by Democrats. It is almost a one-party state undermining the election process. That might explain why the last election had one of the worst and lowest voter turnouts in the country, less than 20 percent.

“Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest.

Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at ⁠BillLipinski.com⁠

Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group.

Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting ⁠https://www.Hanania.com⁠;

Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper ⁠https://www.ArabNews.com⁠

Our web address is ⁠www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com⁠ Our Facebook page is: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics⁠

05-30-24 Trump Trial, Kennedy censored by media and Sam Alito's upside down flag

Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss former President Donald Trump's trial on 34 charges of allegedly falsifying business records, the bias of the news media engaging in the trial and the Democrats doing everything they possibly can to prevent Trump from returning to the White House.Lipinski and Hanania questioned the validity of the charges noting how a conviction will only increase and strengthen Trump's popularity in the upcoming election, and throw American into further disarray.

As they discussed the issue, the jury found Trump guilty on all 34 charges.

Click this link read story.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/may/30/trump-hush-money-trial-verdict

Lipinski and Hanania also talk about how the Democrats and the News Media are doing everything to prevent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from becoming president. Kennedy, a conservative, could take votes away not only from Trump but also from President Joe Biden. But even if he does not win, he can prevent both Biden and Trump from winning enough of the Electoral College Votes to become president.The media is more desperate and has compromised their ethics and professionalism to twist and distort facts. The New York Times refused to run a full page paid Advertisement from Kennedy demanding that he be included in the Presidential Debates which so far are being restricted to Kennedy and Trump.

And, Lipinski and Hanania discuss the fake accusations against Republican Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito whose wife raised an upside down flag in front of their home in protest of her fight with a neighbor. The neighbor called the media and the media has been demanding that Alito resign.

Their deception is clear however. They don't care about the American Flag. They care about removing a conservative from the Supreme Court in order to make it more difficult an option for the Supreme Court to intervene in any appeals Trump might make.Ironically, it has always been the liberals and Democrats who have defended the right of citizens to abuse the American flag, burning it, tearing it, wearing it as clothing or turning it upside down as a form of protest in a Free Country. Now the liberal media asserts that Alito's upside down flag is a crime.

Lipinski and Hanania also discuss the growing problems America continues to have, problems that have protrayed this country as weak and vulnerable to tyrants like Russia, North Korea, Iran and China.As a side note, both Hanania and Lipinski had hospital procedures last week (which is why we missed one show) and Lipinski was not able to be on camera.

Ray Hanania on Politics and “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest.

Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com

Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group.

Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com; Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com

Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics

5-03-24 Should Robert F. Kennedy Jr. be part of the Trump-Biden debates? And, comparing student protests today with 1968 S3E14 Two Guys on Politics: Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Lipinski and Hanania explore the upcoming presidential debates. Should RFK Jr be included. And Lipinski and Hanania discuss the student protests at Universities and colleges over the Israel-Hamas in Gaza. They compare the student protests today over the Israel-Gaza war and the protests that divided America during the Vietnam war and how the protestors disrupted the 1968 Democratic Convention and had a negative impact on the candidacy of Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey. Assertions of outside influence today reflect the same assertions of outside influence in 1968, and the brutality used against student protestors then and now are compared. Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group. Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com; Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics

04-24-24 S3E13 Israel, Ukraine & Taiwan Aid; Tiktok influence; Hollywood's anti-Trump movie "Civil War," & Robert F. Kennedy Jr's challenge to become president

Two Guys on Politics Episode

Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Lipinski and Hanania explore the impact of movies and Hollywood on American politics, including a look at the film "Civil War" which some call an anti-Trump propaganda film; and also GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson juggling his leadership and party politics; and updates on the RFK Jr candidacy. Lipinski and Hanania also discuss the role of GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson and his role in passing the 95 billion aid package for Israel Ukraine and Taiwan. Lipinski and Hanania talk about how American politics is being manipulated by the pro-Israel community to push through without challenge funding for Israel, one of the world's most powerful and wealthy nations, without much debate, but had to struggle to get support for funding for Ukraine which is on the verge of being destroyed by Russia, an opponent of Democracy and America. In recent months we have seen more and more American protesting against Israel's government actions in Gaza, and part of the discussion involves the influence of Tiktok which is today's version of "Television" for many young people. Ironically, it was the rise of television videos in the late 1960s that turned the American people against the American-backed war in Vietnam. Tiktok is doing the same in the Israel-Gaza conflict, which is one reason why members of the US Senate and Congress have approved legislation assaulting Tiktok threatening to shut it down. Lipinski and Hanania then discuss the Hollywood movie "Civil War" which is playing into fueling a. wider divide, growing the polarization of American society between pro-Trump and anti-Trump Americans. The film portrays an unnamed president who is clearly based on Trump who is authoritarian and who has issued a shoot-to-kill order against any journalist, who takes over government and is serving his third term in office in violation of the U.S. Constitutions 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two full terms. Eventually, the Trump-like President is captured by "Western Forces" led aby an African American female Unit commander dragged out from under the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office and after being questioned by a journalist is executed at point blank range by the soldiers. Finally, Lipinski and Hanania discuss the continued candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and his need to become more focused on the issues and topics of most interest to the mainstream American people. Is Kennedy the candidate who can bring the country together? Certainly neither Trump not Biden ar ecapable of bringing the American people together and bridging the growing polarization and political divide. Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group. Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com; Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is:   / twoguysonpolitics   END

04-18-24 S3E12 The Iran attac on Israel and Reagan's strategic defense initiative; Kennedy Family abandon's RFK Jr, and Donald Trump on trial

A Two Guys on Politics podcast

Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Lipinski and Hanania explore the continued deterioration of the role of the United States as a leader of the Free World as conflict expands and escalates in many different arenas.

1 - Strategic Defense Initiative that was set up by former President Ronald Reagan and our co-host, and Iran Drone attack. (Israel attacked Iran on April 1, 2024 killing 12 Iranians, and Iran responded with its drone strike that was taken out mainly by the United States which continues to prop up Israel's rightwing government.

2 - Kennedy family turns back on RFK Jr and endorses Joe Biden. But the Kennedy Family today is nothing like what it was 60 years ago when it was led by President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedty. For the Kennedy's to abandon Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of their family, to support Joe Biden suggests how deeply Biden is in political trouble

3 - Former President Donald Trump's court case is unique as it is founded on what oftentimes is considered a minor transgression of using campaign money for non-campaign purposes.Lipinski and Hanania also talk about the continued expansion of conflict under Biden's leadership, the continued threat of Russia not just against Ukraine but NATO and Europe, and growing polarization in America and the rise of emotion rather than reasoned thought.

Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005.

He currently writes the “Right from the Middle” opinion column at BillLipinski.com

Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group.

Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com;

Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com

Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com

Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPoliticsEND

04-11-24 S3E11 Two Guys on Politics: the OJ SImpson judicial flaw; non-citizens voting, and seniors turning to gambling when government doesn't do enough for them “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss: 1 - OJ Simpson finally gets justice, and the "OJ Simpson flaw" in our American justice system 2 - Voting by non-citizens on local elections in some states; courts strike it down 3 - cracking down on illegal immigrations 4 - how not enough is being done to help Seniors who flock to the false promise of gambling wins at casinos Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group. Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com; Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics

04-04-24 S3E10 Two Guys on Politics: WSJ poll shows Trump leading Biden; Israel losing American public support, RFK & No Label Updates. Is RFK addressing the right issues?

A "TWO GUYS ON POLITICS" podcast for the "Ray Hanania on Politics" podcast series Hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discuss a recent poll by the Wall Street Journal showing Trump leading Biden in the presidential race. Does that mean that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can sweep away the anti-Biden and anti-Trump supporters? Or is Kennedy failing to see the issues that Biden and Trump are fumbling? Is Kennedy focused on issues that are not the primary focus of the American people? And they discuss polling by the PEW Research Center and another by the Associated Press showing support for Israel diminishing the longer the Gaza war continues ... including the Israeli killing of 7 aid workers with the World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian group that provides food in crisis situations to refugees and victims of war. One of those killed by Israel is an American. The Washington-headquartered charity provides meals to disaster-struck regions and communities around the world. It is one of the few aid organizations delivering desperately needed food in Gaza where 2.2 million people do not have enough to eat. Also, the No Labels Party decided not to run a candidate ... and maybe it was a mistake not to reach out to the Robert F. Kennedy Jr., campaign to keep their momentum going. No Labels is on 24 states and they could have come together to help strengthen a third party option to the horrendous stumbling of President Biden and the continued rancor and uncertainty of the Trump campaign. Kennedy's problem is he is not addressing the major issues that Americans are most concerned with and spends too much time on extraneous issues that are being brushed aside as "conspiratorial." “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group. Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com; Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics END

03-29-24 S3E9 Joe Lieberman, the neverending elections counts, Kennedy's vice president, and Council Wars II

This is a TWO GUYS ON POLITICS podcast (merged with RAY HANANIA ON POLITICS podcast. Two Guys on Politics: Lipinski and Hanania discuss thew passing of Senator Joseph Lieberman; the fact that nearly two weeks since the March 19 Democratic Primary, the critical race for Cook County States Attorney is still undecided; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces his VP Choice Nicole Shanahan; and the growing fight in the Chicago City Council. Senator Joe Lieberman, a former candidate for VP with Al Gore in 2020 passed this week. Lipinski knew Lieberman well and talks about him. The critical race for Cook County State's Attorney is still up in the air nearly two weeks after the election with no clear decision, partly driven by the expanded voting system that seems uncontrolled and scattered with many ballots depending on the poorly performing U.S. Postal System to deliver them. The leader is retired Appellate Judge Eileen O’Neill Burke has widened her lead over university lecturer and former government official Clayton Harris III. Burke maintains a 1,600 vote lead over Harris and it looks like she will hold out to win as the vote count drags on slowly towards its final end. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., surprised everyone when he announced his choice for his vice presidential running mate. RFK had floated the names of wrestler Jesse Ventura and former Greenbay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As soon as RFK announced them, the biased news media jumped all over both Ventura and Rodgers showcasing controversies. But RFK instead chose Nicole Shanahan, a California attorney and billionaire. She is half Irish and half Chinese. While her wealth will certainly help in the election, will she? And, Lipinski and Hanania discuss Chicago City Council Wars II: Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez is being attacked because he spoke at a rally where before he spoke an American flag was burned -- something that is protected speech under the U.S. Constitution. Sigcho-Lopez the chair of the Housing Committee and a member of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s leadership team.His colleagues condemning Sigcho-Lopez on Wednesday were Alds. Marty Quinn (13th Ward), Raymond Lopez (15th Ward), Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward), Bill Conway (34th Ward), Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward), Anthony Napolitano (41st Ward), Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward), Felix Cardona (31st Ward) and Nick Sposato (38th Ward). It looks as if the critics are grasping for straws in an attempt to build a voice against Chicago Mayor Johnson's administration, but they lack enough votes to make a difference. “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group. Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com; Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics

03-07-24 S3E8 Super Tuesday results with Trump Nikki Haley and anti-Biden protest, 3rd Party Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr and the effort to keep Trump off the ballot

"Ray Hanania on Politics podcast"

"Two Guys on Politics": Lipinski and Hanania discuss the Super Tuesday election results, the negative role the mainstream news media is playing int he election strengthening Trump, assertions that many of the voters supporting Nikki Haley were Democrat who crossover votes, and discuss the efforts by 3 states who sought to remove Trump from their ballots and the US Supreme Court's unanimous decision to block that illegal move.

They discuss how the media's biased manipulation of news attacking Trump is actually strengthening Trump among voters. If Trump wins, it's the mainstream news media that should be blamed, not what failed candidate Hillary Clinton asserted were the immoral conduct of the "deplorables," wnyone, she said, who supported Trump.

Both Lipinski and Hanania say that if a candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., can make it to the November ballot, he would be abetter choice than either Trump or Biden.

“Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest.Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman & Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at https://BillLipinski.com

Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group.

Subscribe to his syndicated columns by visiting https://www.Hanania.com;

Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com

Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com

Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics

02-29-24 S3E7 Biden, Trump #AbandonBiden Arabs in Michigan election, the No Labels Party & Robert F. Kennedy Jr's candidacy Two Guys on Politics: Lipinski and Hanania discuss the Michigan elections and the results involving President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, GOP challenger Nikki Halley, and the impact of the #AbandonBiden campaign of anti-Biden protests in the Arab and Muslim community. Will the anti-Biden Arab/Muslim protest vote prevent Biden from winning the November 5, 2024 Presidential/General election? Will Trump be convicted before the Republican Convention or before the election? WHy is Nikki Haley still in the election against Trump and what does or can she expect in the upcoming months? Hanania and Lipinski also discuss updates on the "No Label" independent political party, and the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Can a third Party candidate win? WOuld No Labels embrace Kennedy? What happens if no one gets enough Electoral College Votes in the election, if neither Biden nor Trump win enough Electoral College Votes (the winner needs 270 ECV)? “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast presents a Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side and the Midwest. Bill Lipinski served as Democratic Committeeman/Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Lipinski was elected to Congress in 1983 and served through 2005. He currently writes the “Right from the Center” opinion column at BillLipinski.com Ray Hanania covered Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 and writes mainstream opinion columns for The Southwest News Newspaper Group Go to https://www.Hanania.com to sign up for his syndicated columns Hanania also writes Middle East columns and news for the Arab News Newspaper https://www.ArabNews.com Our web address is www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGuysOnPolitics Subscribe to Ray Hanania's columns at https://www.Hanania.com or https://RayHanania.com

02 28 24 Osama SIblani Publisher of Arab American News on Gaza and the anti Biden campaign Arab American News Newspaper publisher explains the depths of concerns of Arab Americans towards President Joe Biden and his inaction and failure to prevent Israel from continuing its genocide against Palestinians int he Gaza Strip. On Tuesday Feb. 27, 2024, Arab, Muslims and allies in the African American and Asian communities voted "uncommitted" in the Michigan Democratic Primary as a protest against Biden's primary nomination. Michigan is one of a handful of states in which Biden only narrowly defeated former President Donald Trump in 2020. More than 100,000 voters voted "uncommitted" rather than voting for Biden. Siblani discusses some of the insights that expose Biden's weakness, including that the Republican Primary attracted more than 1.1 million voters, while the Democratic primary barely received 750,000 total votes casts howing that the Democrtaic base in Michigan is in jeopardy. Siblani also discusses whether the protest can sustain itself through the Nov. 5, 2024 Presidential Elections where Biden is expected to once again face-off with Trump. Siblani's website is www.ArabAmericanNews.com For more information on Ray Hanania visit his Syndicated column page at www.RayHanania.com or www.Hanania.com

#Podcast #Video @OsamaSiblani Publisher of #ArabAmericanNews discusses protest against Pres @JoeBiden in Michigan's Primary 2-27-24 over his failure to stop Israeli slaughter in #GazaStrip & impact on the Nov 5 presidential election vs @realDonaldTrump @rayhanania https://youtu.be/iCsubRWu8fU?si=IWedSGuAIZmjEwpr

02-15-24 Interview with Radio Host Mohammed Faheem S6E3

Ray Hanania on Politics for Feb. 15, 2024 interviews Mohammed Faheem, the cohost of The Lightning Strike Radio SHow on WCPT 820 AM Progressive Talk Radio.

Faheem co-hosts the show with former 45th Ward Ald. John Arena and the two discuss a wide range of issues including politics.

Hanania and Faheem discuss the challenges that Arab Christians and Muslims, Muslims and people of color including Indians and Pakistanis and others face in an America that doesn't always have the knowledge about issues they face each day.

Faheem is Indian and offers a perspective that isnot often heard in America.Visit https://www.TLSChicago.com for more information on the program each week and the scheduled guests.

For more information Ray Hanania, visit https://RayHanania.com

01 30 24 Mahnoor Ahmad candidate for the 6th District on bias in 6th District

S6E2

By Ray Hanania

Mahnoor Ahmad, who is running for the 6th Congressional District candidate seat in the March 19, 2024 Democratic Primary Election, has been the targeted of bias and attacks from members of the Illinois Democratic Party.Democrats, fearing that incumbent Congressman Sean Casten will loose to her int he primary election, have been banning her from participating in Democratic candidate forums.

Ahmad participated in the forums hosted by the League of Woman Voters in Elmhurst and in a forum in Naperville, but has been criticized by Democrats because protestors angry with Casten's unresponsive policies over the past two years have demanded that he be accountable. They are blaming Ahmad for the protests -- because she happens to be Muslim, a woman of color, and a minority.

Ahmad also supports a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war to prevent the killing of more civilians. More than 30,000 people have been massacred in Gaza in the past four months.The Democratsare so desperate, they have even blocked her from participating in public forums in Milton Township, which includes the city of Wheaton, and she is being attacked by other Democrats.

Ahmad is the only candidate who is speaking to the voters int he district as an American who believes in free speech and equality for all. Her issues fighting for the rights of seniors, who have been abandoned by Casten, resnotes with senior voters.No wonder Casten and his unresponsive Democratic minions have been angry and are working to exclude her from the election campaign.THIS IS AMERICA, not Russia. Sean. Ahmad is more American than you!

Subscribe to Ray Hanania's columns and podcasts at https://RayHanania.com

And podcasts by visiting www.RayHananiaOnPolitics.com

and Video podcast on youtube by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlgdCNmAZ9uNVUHOWI0T8Q

01-30-24 Washington Post attack on Women in Saudi Arabia is political hypocrisy S6E1

By Ray Hanania

S6E1 Jan. 30, 2024

Tennis stars Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova co-wrote an Op-Ed for the Washington Post, one of America'smost influential and hypocritical newspapers in the country.

The Washington Post is not the same fiercely independent newspaper of the 1970s Watergate years, but rather is today a biased partisan political platform that slams the Arab World, denigrates Arabs and Muslims, closes its eyes to anti-Palestinian brutality and hypocrisy -- publishing only enough, but not enough -- and pandering to the far Left against mainstream and conservative Americans.

The Evert/Navratilova column urges that Saudi Arabia not be permitted to host the Women's Tennis Association finals because of "discrimination against women."

The problem of course is that Evert/Navratilova are silent on the continued discrimination against women that exists right here int he United States. Are women equal in the United States? American men claim they are but they are not. They don't get equal pay. They are the victims of domestic violence far more often than men. They are not treated equally with men in business and coprorate life.

But American spins a tale of equality that is just not true.

When was the last time a woman was elected President?

The fact is nations in this qworld evolve at different paces.

In 2019, Saudi Arabia began a program to expand the freedoms of women, making them equal.

Every religious society, including Christians, Muslims and Jews, discriminate in some form against women. Saudi Arabia, an Islamic nation, is working to expand women's rights.

Instead of attacking them, they should encourage them.

But the issue really isn't women's rights.

The issue is politics. The issue is Saudi Arabia's politics. The issue is their criticism of Israel, their criticism of some American policies. And, their criticism of the hypocrisies that American politicians impose on others, including the Arab and Muslim world.

Women in Saudi Arabia are leading the freedom movement and they should be encouraged. Nothing happens over night. And it doesn't happen on the hypocritical and politically motivated schedule of the United States, which continues to discriminate against women, Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, Arabs and many other minorities across the board.

Here are some of the changes in Saudi Arabia on the rights of Women:

Below are the legal advancements for women as of August 2019:  On equal footing with men, women over the age of 21 may obtain a passport and travel abroad without the permission of a male relative.  Women can now travel outside of the country without a male guardian.  Women may register as a “head of household,” and identified as such on family ID Cards and papers, which gives them the right to legally act on their children’s behalf.  Women may register the births of their children.  Women received increased protection from employment discrimination.  Women’s retirement age is the same as men’s retirement age (60 years of age).  The closest female relatives, who are at least 18 years of age, can report cases of death. o Previously, the responsibility lied on the closest male relative, among others.  Women may claim their own place of residency. o Previously, the place of residency for a woman is where her husband/legal guardian resides.  Women may not be fired for pregnancy. o Previously, women could be fired for exceptions to the law. Those exceptions have been removed.  Women have equal authority to register cases of marriage and divorce. o Previously, the responsibility lied primarily on men.

Here are some links:

Click here for the statement by Saudi Ambassador to the US

Click here for the AP story on Evert/Navratilova

Click here for an overview of women's rights advances in Saudi Arabia

Click here for an overview of the slow struggle for women's rights in America