Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio! In this lively episode, Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock ring in the new year on a fresh set, diving headfirst into a mix of history, law, and local affairs. They kick things off with a look back at the Treaty of Paris and the complexities that shaped America’s early days, drawing fascinating parallels between historical events and today’s debates.

From there, the conversation takes on the hot-button issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports, unpacking recent Supreme Court cases and the challenge of defining gender in law and society. Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock don’t shy away from examining the implications for equal protection, the perils of redefining words, and the importance of common sense when it comes to making and enforcing laws.

Shifting gears, they tackle the controversial ICE shooting in Minneapolis, connecting the dots between local politics, federal authority, and the practical impact on law enforcement and civilians. The hosts offer unfiltered thoughts on the responsibility of leaders, the risks of political messaging, and the lessons to be learned from recent tragedies.

Rounding things out, Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock dig into Ohio news—including fraud investigations, immigration policy, and a high-profile double murder case in Columbus. As always, they wrap up with their “good and bad” picks of the week, highlighting national defense, political maneuvering, and the unpredictability of current events.

It’s an episode packed with sharp insights, historical context, and the straight talk you expect from Common Sense Ohio. Let’s jump in!

00:00 "Commodore Perry's Lake Erie Legacy"

10:15 Traditional Values Under Siege

13:37 Defining Terms in Rational Debate

21:40 "Personal Choice, No Public Funding"

Lawyer Talk panel discussion

27:00 "Legal Insights on Police Cases"

32:35 "Police Stand-Down and Consequences"

35:48 Neglected Duty in Minneapolis Riots

41:53 State Police Power and Minnesota's Failure

44:39 ICE Enforcement and Local Responsibility

59:48 "Possibility of Death Penalty"

01:05:02 "Military Reform and Accountability"

01:11:12 "Trump Heckled at Ford Factory"

01:12:21 "Common Sense Ohio 2026"

Harper CPA Plus

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.

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

Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio