Following Orders: The Thin Line Between Duty, Ethics, and Political Theater

Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio! In this episode, “Seditious or Just Suspicious,” Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock are joined by special guest Troy Henriksen—a law student, Army veteran, and entrepreneur—for a wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation about history, military ethics, and current events.

The episode also explores the tricky line between political theater and genuine sedition, as recent messages from U.S. Senators urging military members to resist "illegal orders" spark debate. We go on to examine the shifting role of officers versus enlisted soldiers, and the real-world consequences of chain-of-command decisions.

From there, the conversation broadens to encompass global strategy, with thoughts on U.S. maneuvers in Venezuela, the shadow of Chinese influence, and the Monroe Doctrine in modern times. The crew also unpacks local stories—like the City of Columbus’s water policies and property taxes—tying together themes of government overreach and personal responsibility.

Harper CPA Plus

Moments

00:00 "Stress-Free Tax Planning"

05:33 "Senators Urge Resistance to Orders"

14:27 Questioning Orders Without Naming Trump

17:57 Political Theater and Mixed Messaging

22:10 "Life as a Medic with Brass"

27:38 Military Trauma and Law School

34:26 "Trump's Message to China"

41:37 Gun Use: Show of Force

47:13 Justice, Authority, and Accountability

48:47 Racial Perceptions and Justice System

56:30 Rainfall Tax Debate in Columbus

58:26 "Ohio State's Michigan Woes"

01:04:02 Thanksgiving Reflection and Gratitude

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

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.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

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