The Double V - From War to Activism

Chaz Hendo
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Welcome to the channel for sharp analysis on Chicago politics, national politics, progressive policy, and the stories shaping our communities and democracy. We break down the political fights, policies, and movements impacting Chicago and the nation — from City Hall and local elections to Congress, labor organizing, veterans advocacy, criminal justice reform, housing, healthcare, education, and economic justice. Coverage includes: National politics and political analysis Chicago politics and city government Progressive advocacy and grassroots organizing Veterans advocacy and VA policy Workers’ rights and economic justice Housing, healthcare, education, and public policy Progressive movements Breaking news, political commentary, and current events Subscribe for bi weekly political analysis, Chicago and national political news updates, election coverage, progressive commentary, and conversations about building a more equitable, accountable, and democratic future.

Episodes

  1. Sep 16

    Gary, Indiana to the Front Lines: Veterans, Police Militarization & Systemic Neglect

    Chaz opens with sharp local commentary on Gary, Indiana, then sits down with Chris Gentry, a veteran and organizer with Common Defense. The conversation centers on how militarized enforcement, deportation, and VA privatization connect to broader systems of neglect, racism, and political cowardice. They also break down Chicago politics, the limits of the Democratic Party, and why grassroots veteran organizing still matters. Key topicsIn this episode, Chaz reacts to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s re-election announcement, Chicago politics, and the long history of machine politics in the city.The discussion starts with Gary, Indiana, where weeks without power are framed as a case study in how poor, Black, and brown communities get deprioritized.Common Defense is described as a grassroots veterans organization focused on ending the forever war, stopping VA privatization, and opposing the war on our streets.Chris and Chaz discuss how media coverage often only spikes when violence reaches white or more visible communities, even though the same tactics have long targeted Black, brown, and immigrant neighborhoods.They close by discussing local and national politics, including frustration with corporate Democrats, support for progressive candidates, and fear that Susana Mendoza could win the Chicago mayoral race.Timestamps00:00 — Chaz opens with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s re-election announcement and Chicago politics 01:29 — Gary, Indiana’s power outage and neglect of Black and brown communities 03:28 — Chris Gentry joins the conversation and introduces his background 07:29 — Military service, campaign work, and getting pulled into activism again 08:44 — Operation Midway Blitz at his home and the danger of ICE violence 11:05 — Why veterans are being organized against ICE and militarized policing 14:02 — What Common Defense is and how its inside-outside strategy works 16:40 — The veteran mystique and using veteran credibility for justice work 18:36 — How ICE recruits and why veterans can become part of the enforcement machine 20:23 — CBP tactics, military-style policing, and why Chicago made the issue visible 22:44 — South Side anger, community resistance, and fear around armed federal agents 24:47 — Brownness used as a basis for detention and the risk to Latino agents too 26:03 — Veteran deportations and how the system turns on people it once used 28:58 — Operation Midway Blitz one year later and activist fatigue in Chicago 31:08 — ICE at domestic violence court and the challenge of sustaining daily resistance 33:53 — Why people need multiple ways to plug in, from one shift a month to sharing information 35:20 — The economic reasons people join the military or ICE 38:03 — Working-class paths, debt, and the absence of real economic mobility 40:25 — VA cuts, privatization, and how public dollars get shifted into private hands 43:43 — District-level VA data, Mike Bost, and the fight against T Kava 45:14 — Organizing town halls and pushing back on benefit cuts and privatization 47:30 — Cracks in the VA system, Palantir involvement, and the damage to care 48:51 — A nurse being forced into an unsafe role at Heinz 50:04 — Why the Democratic Party is still too tied to corporate and military interests 52:43 — Support for progressive candidates like Abdul Al-Sayed, Peggy Flanagan, and Angie Nixon 54:35 — Chicago mayoral race predictions and why Susana Mendoza worries Chris 58:01 — Closing call to action for anti-ICE, anti-cut, and anti-war organizing

    Gary, Indiana to the Front Lines: Veterans, Police Militarization & Systemic Neglect

  2. Aug 19

    The Hidden Problem in Democracy: Systems Designed to Confuse You

    Veterans could be one of the most powerful forces in democracy reform - if they stop playing by the old rules. Holly Burd makes the case for a radical new path in Chicago: civic assemblies, ranked choice voting, open primaries, and a nonpartisan city charter that could finally make local government feel accountable again. On this episode of Double V: From War to Activism, Chaz talks with Holly Burd, a Marine Corps veteran, data scientist, and civic activist who is building momentum around election reform from the ground up. Holly explains why she shifted from watching politics to actively reshaping it, how veterans can bridge divides that keep communities stuck, and why the current system feels intentionally confusing. You'll discover: What a civic assembly is, and why Holly believes it can rebuild trust faster than traditional politicsHow sortition and representative citizen panels work in real lifeWhy ranked choice voting and open primaries matter for independent votersWhat Holly learned from veteran-led reform efforts in Chicago, Akron, and MichiganHow nonpartisan activism can give veterans a way to defend democracy beyond party loyaltyChaz and Holly also get into the reality of Chicago politics, the limits of two-party thinking, and why so many people feel shut out of civic life in the first place. Holly brings a sharp, reform-minded perspective rooted in both military service and data-driven analysis, while Chaz pushes the conversation into the deeper questions of race, representation, community trust, and who actually gets heard. Holly Burd is a Marine Corps veteran, civic activist, and data science student focused on nonpartisan election reform. She works with veteran-led democracy groups and has been building support for civic assemblies and city charter reform in Chicago. Sound Bites "I focus on nonpartisan reform and civic activism." "We need to diversify all of our experiences." "Veterans can build bridges over systemic gaps." Holly Burd Chapters 00:00Introduction to Holly Burd and episode overview 02:51Holly Burd's background and military service 04:11Transition from military to civic activism 07:13Inspiration behind civic reform efforts 09:09The significance of a Chicago city charter 10:11Veterans for All Voters and election reform 12:24Understanding civic assemblies and deliberative democracy 16:47The documentary 'Goodbye Politicians, Hello Democracy' 19:21Experiences from civic assemblies in Michigan and Akron 23:10The importance of inclusive civic spaces 26:45Connecting civic organizations and community efforts 29:39The potential of civic assemblies to rebuild trust 33:52Veterans' role in election reform and democracy 35:50The need for diversity and inclusion in civic spaces 38:51The importance of community-based activism 41:11The influence of historical and systemic issues in politics 45:37The significance of local engagement and neighborhood involvement 48:39Addressing racial and economic disparities in civic participation 52:26Building networks and organizing for systemic change 55:38Closing thoughts and future outlooks for civic reform

    The Hidden Problem in Democracy: Systems Designed to Confuse You

  3. Jul 24

    Empire at Home: Sportswashing, War, ICE & the Fight for Justice

    Most conversations about activism, politics, and society tend to stay surface-level—and that’s a problem. This episode dives deep with veteran-turned-activist Zachary Cam, whose fearless insights cut through the nonsense — from the corruption of global sports to the brutal realities of ICE, the military industrial complex, and the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice. You’ll discover how systemic violence and repression are deeply intertwined, from how sports washing in the World Cup mirrors regimes that use nationalism to hide their atrocities, to how the police and ICE are trained with tactics borrowed from brutal military occupations abroad. Zach unpacks the history behind movements like the Civil Rights era, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr., illustrating how their struggles and sacrifices still resonate today — if we choose to remember and act. We also break down the realities of militarized education systems targeting youth of color, the hypocrisy of supporting wars abroad while ignoring violence at home, and why understanding the true power behind politicians and corporations is crucial. You’ll hear brutally honest perspectives on the failures of liberal and progressive allies, the importance of building community over division, and how everyday resistance can challenge the status quo—whether you’re an activist, a veteran, or just fed up with the world as it is. Takeaways Corruption in sportsRole of veterans in activism Community support is crucial for those affected by war and conflict.The influence of politics and media shapes public perception and action.Chapters 00:00 Corruption in Sports and Politics04:02 Activism and the Role of Veterans17:08 Impact of ICE on Communities27:28 Tragedy of War and the Role of Veterans34:25 The Impact of War and Loss35:32 The Genocide in Gaza38:39 The Role of Activism and Community Support41:33 Influence of Politics and Media

    Empire at Home: Sportswashing, War, ICE & the Fight for Justice

  4. May 26

    Echoes of War, Calls for Justice

    The conversation covers Alejandro Villatoro's personal journey from military service to activism, struggles with mental health, and the impact of the current political climate on veterans and VA services. The conversation covers a range of topics, including civil rights, representation, voting behavior, local politics, and the role of media. It delves into the impact of historical movements, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges faced by minority communities. The discussion also touches on the role of the Latino community in politics and the impact of political decisions on various ethnic groups. Takeaways -Military service and activism -Struggles with mental health and PTSD -Impact of the current political climate on veterans and VA services Civil rights movements have had a profound impact on representation and voting behavior. -Local politics and community engagement play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges. -The media's influence and the impact of historical movements on minority communities are significant topics of discussion. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Personal Background 11:22 Activism and Advocacy 23:18 Reflections on the Current Political Climate 37:53 Civil Rights and Representation 43:24 Latino Voting Behavior and Political Impact 59:03 Community Engagement and Political Accountability 01:12:03 Starting a Podcast and Building Community

    Echoes of War, Calls for Justice
  • 4 Episodes

About

Welcome to the channel for sharp analysis on Chicago politics, national politics, progressive policy, and the stories shaping our communities and democracy. We break down the political fights, policies, and movements impacting Chicago and the nation — from City Hall and local elections to Congress, labor organizing, veterans advocacy, criminal justice reform, housing, healthcare, education, and economic justice. Coverage includes: National politics and political analysis Chicago politics and city government Progressive advocacy and grassroots organizing Veterans advocacy and VA policy Workers’ rights and economic justice Housing, healthcare, education, and public policy Progressive movements Breaking news, political commentary, and current events Subscribe for bi weekly political analysis, Chicago and national political news updates, election coverage, progressive commentary, and conversations about building a more equitable, accountable, and democratic future.

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