Dave Roberts is joined this week by Eric, who is filling in for Ken, to break down the latest news covering legal, political, and international controversies.
Episode Highlights:- Judicial Nonfesance in South Georgia: The hosts discuss a lawsuit (writ of mandamus) against magistrate judges in Bulloch County who allegedly refuse to hold preliminary bond hearings, violating the Eighth Amendment rights of the accused.
- Diddy Sentencing Controversy: Analysis of Shawn “Diddy” Combs’ four years and two months prison sentence. The discussion focuses on the specific federal offense of flying individuals (prostitutes) across state lines, contrasting the verdict with the original sex trafficking charges and debating the proportionality of the sentence.
- Kavanaugh Plotter’s Prison Tactic: Coverage of the sentencing for the individual who plotted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The plotter, who claimed to be transgender before sentencing, received 97 months (approximately eight years), a much lighter sentence than the 30 years sought by prosecutors.
- Attacks on ICE Agents: Discussion surrounding the attempted ramming of a Chicago ICE facility and reports of local police (CPD) being instructed not to respond to calls for assistance from federal agents surrounded by a crowd.
- Dead Stowaway Discovery: A report on the body found in the wheel well of an American Airlines flight. The discussion explores the dangerous reality of wheel-well travel, noting the low oxygen and freezing temperatures, and considers possible origins from South America or Europe.
- Government Shutdown Effects: First-hand accounts of the partial government shutdown, noting negative experiences with “honory” TSA agents at the airport who were reportedly upset about delayed paychecks.
- International Incidents:
- A Ryanair passenger is facing five years in a French prison after getting intoxicated from duty-free alcohol and attempting to open an emergency exit mid-flight.
- France’s proposed wealth tax and the subsequent exodus of billionaires from the EU.
- Sports and Media: A look at Florida Football’s recent win over Texas, coaching issues, and commentary on perceived bias in international news reporting (BBC).
- Elon Musk’s Latest Venture: The hosts wrap up by discussing a video showing Tesla’s robot being taught kung fu, pondering the implications for science fiction fans.
LISTEN
HOSTS
DAVID ROBERTS
A native of South Florida, David Roberts moved to Georgia in his teens. He joined the Army at 18 as a Psychological Operations Specialist and served six years in that role. After he left active duty, Dave served in both Reserve and Guard components. Dave also worked for Wachovia and SouthTrust banks as a business banker and Assistant Vice President. A few mergers led Dave to join his brother, Rob, in the HVAC trade. Eventually, after several years of learning under his older brother, Dave left to go out on his own. In 2016, he started DR COOL Heating and Air in Dallas, GA.
Being a prominent business owner in Paulding County affords Dave the privilege of serving his community while involving himself in politics. Calling himself a “Republitarian,” Dave was invited to host The Let Me Tell You Why You’re Wrong Podcast in 2018.
Ken Pullin
Ken Pullin lives in Pike County with his wife, Shelby, of 20 years. They have two children, Luke and Libby, and a dog, Marley. He works in Business Development for Fintech Payments company and served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2019-2020. He joined the show in March 2023.
*Opinions expressed on the show reflect the views of the commentators and any guests, not those of The Georgia Virtue.
Thank you for the insightful article about the recent shutdown and its implications. I found the discussion on the immediate effects on public services particularly enlightening, especially how it affects the communities that rely on these essential services daily. In addition to what you mentioned, it’s worth noting that shutdowns can also lead to a backlog in legal and administrative processes. For example, without adequate staffing, essential court proceedings may be delayed, which can impact individuals seeking justice or requiring legal resolutions. Moreover, we’ve seen movements related to “writ of mandamus” during previous shutdowns, where individuals or entities petition the court to compel a government agency to perform its duty. This legal tool underscores the tensions between citizen rights and governmental actions—or inactions—particularly during such crises. Given the complexities of these situations, how do you think the potential rise in mandamus petitions could reshape the relationship between the public and governmental agencies during future shutdowns?