Whether it’s Kid Rock vs. Bad Bunny, legal victories, or the ongoing mess in New York City, this episode is packed with sharp insight, humor, and the grounded perspective you’ve come to expect from Common Sense Ohio.

Welcome back to another episode of Common Sense Ohio! This week, hosts Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock are joined by guest Troy Henriksen for a lively and thought-provoking conversation about the headlines and hot topics defining the Buckeye State—and the nation.

In this episode, the crew dives into history with a quick lesson on the Punic Wars and how "Carthago Delenda est" echoes through modern politics, before pivoting to the current state of lunar exploration and the Artemis missions. They break down the heated congressional hearing that saw Rep. Maxine Waters telling Treasury Secretary Scott Besant to "shut up," and unpack the broader problems with identity politics, including the conflation of policies and personal traits in elections.

The episode also tackles tariffs, blue-collar realignment, and the shifting political affiliations of labor unions, with Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock debating their effectiveness and political fallout. They take a closer look at the legal side of hot-button issues, discussing the recent lawsuits around gender-affirming surgeries and the critical role of trial lawyers in shaping medical and corporate behavior.

The conversation doesn’t shy away from tough subjects—from the practical challenges of immigration and birthright citizenship to the mounting controversy over the release of Jeffrey Epstein files and the danger of rumor-driven reporting. And in true Common Sense Ohio fashion, no pop culture stone is left unturned: the Super Bowl halftime show gets the spotlight, with a debate on whether politics belongs in football and who really wins the battle for America’s remote control.

Moments

00:00 "Carthago Delenda Est"

03:59 Corrections on Greenland and Deportations

09:51 "Tariffs and Global Diplomacy"

10:45 "Tariffs: Economic vs. Political Impact"

16:10 "Advocating Informed Vaccine Choices"

17:19 Freedom of Access Debate

22:47 Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone Debate

24:21 "Litigation Reflects Deeper Discontent"

28:54 Haitian TPS, Birthright Citizenship Debate

30:20 "Origins of Birthright Citizenship"

33:16 "Rudy, Koch, and Common Sense"

39:03 "Epstein Case Allegations and Fallout"

40:43 "Reflections on Evolving Debates"

45:58 "Grammys, Virtue Signaling, Stolen Land"

49:50 "Keep the Super Bowl Apolitical"

50:51 "Evolution of National Anthem Performances"

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

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Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

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