Mike begins this episode by noting election process differences among the states. And what about “stacking the deck” as a ballot strategy? Lou says laws are for the mundanes, not for those in power. Fortunately, Mike’s got good news to share from the recent Texas Primaries: overwhelming success for Tea Party candidates. In particular, Daniel Patrick defeated establishment candidate David Dewhurst for the Republican Lt. Governor nomination. This confuses Lou, though, since MSNBC’s been declaring the Tea Party movement dead. Mike says fear dynamics led to McConnell Primary win in Kentucky and that the real dynamic is the ruling class versus the rest of America. Lou says MSNBC claims PA is turning more liberal . . . is this a correct analysis? Pennsylvania’s actually turning more libertarian, Lou thinks. Mike came across a 2008 Obama supporter who’s now favoring libertarian perspective, believes the Republican establishment may last another decade. Lou wonders whether Libertarian candidates really siphon only Republican and conservative votes? And what of India where it seems every block has a party? What we really need are healthy arguments among the political factions. Kurt from Scranton calls in describing himself as a “Left Patriot,” saying, Dems and Repubs should pay for their own Primaries, not the taxpayers.
Segment II
Mr. X weighs in on the recent Edward Snowden interview, says he’s demonstrated more principles than any national politician. Snowden could not go through public channels, in addition, the term “terrorist” remains undefined and elastic. Mike says Congress claims American people cannot be trusted, but it’s Congress that cannot be trusted. Lou quotes Snowden: “There are some things worth dying for, and that is a free country. If we want to be free we cannot become a security state.” Mike’s considered Snowden a hero from day one. Frank asks, what freedoms are we willing to give up for that feeling of safety? X views his participation in Sanity Check as a patriotic duty and claims that Snowden only alive because he’s set material aside for release should he be murdered.
Segment III
Lou raises the issue of the espionage act: no public defense available. Mike believes the dilemma is one of do I do the right thing or do I protect my future? Lou listens to the David Madeira show via the Bold Gold mobile app, and encourages others to install it, too. Congressman Tom Marino on VA secretary Shinseki: If he didn’t know, he should have known. Lou’s researching Rule 1.6, concerning the atty/client privilege and describes the state of the court system today: mistakes, inconsistencies, gag orders, and more abuses. X describes prison as a measure of security, says those in positions of power gravitate towards abuse of that power. An example: gun rights (or lack thereof) of Mexican citizens. X cites the case largest female mass murderer in US history: Georgia Tann . . . ran a fake orphanage. Local people were complicit in the crimes — but it could never happen here, right? Lou wonders whether legislatures will finally stand up to judiciaries?
Segment IV
Lou reviews some common objections to jury nullification, says the judiciary is running rampant. Frank comments on a federal judge’s overturn of a Pennsylvania referendum result concerning marriage laws. Mike ponders whether we are a democracy or a republic? “Who’s deciding what the laws are?” Lou says many of the laws are simply spoken into existence by the judiciary . . . this is a problem. Jury nullification an good example of this abuse of power. Mike asks, whence marriage licenses? He himself has paid a price in the past for speaking against the party establishment. X says upcoming Snowden revelation of the targets of NSA surveillance will reveal that politically active Americans are the targets, as they’re really the ones the security state’s been created to counter.