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David and Sarah preview tomorrow’s primaries with a special focus on Michigan, thoughts on coronavirus, ...

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David and Sarah preview tomorrow’s primaries with a special focus on Michigan, thoughts on coronavirus, the Trump campaign’s lawsuits against the Times, the Post, and CNN, the execution of Nathaniel Woods, and an “in-depth” discussion on the XFL.

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  1. Avatar photo
    Sad Trombone

    I am opposed to the death penalty in most instances, but not when we are dealing with the premeditated assassination of police officers. Your pity party for this man's petitions being filed without a zip code leave me totally unmoved.

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    JDW

    Always loved your podcast but now the bumper music is good as well. Great improvement.

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  3. Simon Michau

    For anybody interested, the case mentioned by Sarah regarding wrongful death penalty convictions is Connick v Johnson (that's Harry Connick Sr, the singer's father). Good article on the case here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/04/obituaries/john-thompson-cleared-after-14-years-on-death-row-dies-at-55.html

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  4. Brad N

    David, you mentioned aggressive discovery as a counter to defamation suits. This worked effectively against disgraced evangelical pastor James McDonald when he sued critical bloggers. Why wouldn’t the same strategy work here? Every White House aid hiding from a congressional subpoenas could be subpoenaed in this civil action and have to testify under oath direct to the mainstream media or their counsel.

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      David French vertical-nib Author

      Most lawyers will advise their clients to dismiss lawsuits as quickly as possible -- in part because discovery goes both ways, and even if a media organization hasn't violated the law, there might be embarrassing information in its internal correspondence. Plus discovery is costly. The campaign's lawsuits are vulnerable to motions to dismiss, so I'm guessing that's how the defendants will respond.

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    Andrew Ketler

    David, I would like to understand your support for the death penalty in limited circumstances. I read and listen to all of your stuff, so I know you're an evangelican Presbyterian. I'm also a Presby (PCUSA) and as my faith and understanding of the Gospels has strengthened as I approach my 40's, I've not only found myself rejecting the death penalty, but more and more resolute in my opposition to it.

    So I'm curious - since you and I come from similar faith traditions, how are we landing on different sides of an issue as fundamental as the sanctity of life? Asking with an open mind and genuinely interested in your position.

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      JDW

      I'm an evangelical baptist who believes in multiple elders the way presbyterians do. My argument for the death penalty is that God ordained it in the Mosaic law. Jesus also mentions it in the new testament. So I could make a case against the death penalty, but I don't feel on firm ground to oppose God. I do accept Sarah's arguments that we the process may be flawed. I think we need judges to have the authority to override a death penalty verdict when the evidence is just not sufficient to be super duper sure.

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        Andrew Ketler

        I appreciate that reply. Thank you!

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    Pastorfbt

    As a recovering lawyer who did his time in private "Bar Advocate" cases in MA, I resonate with the observations about the quality of lawyering "on the ground". And I include the well paid private counsel! And don't get me started on some of the judges!

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    Jerome Bohl

    This podcast is moving up my queue at a rapid clip. Smart and heartfelt discussion of capital punishment. (A multi-part series on that issue might be considered?) XFL stuff was pure fun. I am even older than David and remember well the original. Thanks.

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      David French vertical-nib Author

      Thanks much!

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