Entertainment Tax, Truancy Crisis, and the Power of Forgiveness

In this episode of Common Sense Ohio, Norm and I (Brett) gather around the mics to reflect on a whirlwind September and some heavy national headlines, while also keeping a close eye on stories from right here in Ohio. We move through a range of topics, grappling with big issues of justice, free speech, global politics, and how local policies impact our daily lives. Here’s what you can expect from this wide-ranging discussion.

We begin the episode with an emotional and thoughtful reflection on the recent murder of Charlie Kirk. We give Norm space to share his perspective, especially since he wasn’t here for some of the prior conversations. While we didn’t always agree with everything Charlie Kirk had to say, we both acknowledged the impact he had as an outspoken figure for free speech, and Norm was candid about his stylistic disagreements with Kirk’s more combative rhetoric. Drawing historical parallels, we discuss how the power of speech and ideas outlasts tragic acts of violence, looking at figures like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, and Abraham Lincoln. There’s a recognition that, even amidst loss, these ideas live on, and in Kirk’s case, his organization saw a huge surge in requests to start Turning Point chapters across the country.

The conversation shifts to justice and due process. In the wake of such a high-profile crime, we stress the importance of letting the investigation unfold properly, without rushing to conclusions or broad-brush accusations. Norm revisits the principle that even the most apparently “open and shut” cases deserve a vigorous defense, as a bedrock of our constitutional system. No matter how heinous the crime appears, we stand committed to due process and a fair trial.

From there, we jump into the fraught arena of international relations, focusing on Russia’s recent provocations with NATO countries. Both of us express real concern about Russia’s reckless drone and jet incursions into NATO airspace—especially with the historical trauma nations like Poland still experience from previous conflicts. We’re clear-eyed about just how dangerous these “tests” of NATO’s resolve are, and the catastrophic potential if such incidents spiral out of control. We also examine the ongoing tragedy of the Ukraine war, the immense and senseless toll it’s taken on both sides, and speculate about the possibilities of change coming from within Russia itself.

Shifting gears, we explore the role of speech and censorship in American society, using recent controversies about late-night comedians and regulatory overreach for context. We examine Jimmy Kimmel’s return after a suspension, raising questions around political comedy and network business models. Norm draws a sharp line between the right of private companies to make their own decisions and the danger of government agencies (like the FCC) wading into editorial content. That leads us into a broader discussion about censorship, free speech, and the unintended consequences of trying to suppress "unacceptable" ideas or language. Norm is especially passionate about how pushing hateful or fringe ideas underground can actually make them more appealing to certain groups—a point he underlines with historical examples.

Our attention then turns local, as we unpack a new entertainment tax being implemented in Columbus’s Short North district. We discuss the intent behind the tax—to fund extra security and improvements for a busy urban area—and the likely negative effects on residents and small businesses. From personal experience, we’re skeptical about piling new taxes on top of existing burdens, especially when resources could perhaps be better managed or allocated. We share some thoughts on how perceptions of crime can damage business and community life, using past failures of malls in the area as cautionary tales.

In our rapid-fire local news section, we touch on the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s study of an ambitious railway project across the state, questioning its economic feasibility and actual demand. We note Ohio’s historical relationship with rail, car culture, and the persistent question of whether these massive projects ever get off the ground.

We also spotlight two stories that hit close to home: the shocking statistic that one in four Ohio schoolchildren are chronically absent, and the sad case of a child accidentally lost to gun violence due to unsafe firearm storage. These bring the national conversation about responsibility and community right back to our own doorsteps.

Before wrapping up, we discuss the closing of Hot Chicken Takeover—a local restaurant chain that employed recently released ex-cons. It’s a real loss to the community, exemplifying how difficult it can be for private initiatives to survive in a tough economic climate, even when they do real good.

We end the episode on a note of forgiveness and hope, referencing the powerful speech given by Charlie Kirk's widow at his memorial. Her call for compassion in the face of tragedy sets a moral high-water mark that challenges us all to be better, and we reflect on what real forgiveness looks like in action.

Thanks for joining us for another episode filled with hard questions, honest conversation, and (we hope) some common sense.