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Light 'Em Up

Phillip Rizzo

"Light 'Em Up" takes a deep dive on the criminal justice system, crime scene investigation and leadership. We take you under and behind the crime scene investigation tape to get at the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God! Justice comes to those that fight ... not those that cry!

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  • 20 episodes
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  • Avg 1 hr
  • English

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Episodes 20

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  • S7 · E13
    Saturday · 54 min

    Seashells, a Wannabe Strongman & the Pettiest Prosecution in American History. Was Ex-FBI Director James Comey's "86 47" Instagram Post a Crime, or Proof the 1st Amendment is Breaking Under the Strain of the Trump Administration's Rogue DOJ?

    Tonight, on this fact-finding, explosive episode of Light ‘Em Up: We’ll examine the weaponization of the Department of Justice under President Trump and on how this impacts you, directly. This case is but one example of Donald Trump’s vindictive, petty and small nature. A man uniquely unqualified to be the President of The United States. This case is centered on the two-count federal indictment of the former FBI Director James Comey, who was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2026 for a social media post showing seashells on a North Carolina beach arranged to spell "86 47". Prosecutors claim the numbers implied a threat to kill President Donald Trump. The government purports that "86" means to get rid of or kill, and "47" represents Trump, the 47th president, according to the DOJ and its legal briefs. James Comey, through his legal team, maintains that he did not arrange the shells and that he encountered them while on vacation. Comey shared the display on an Instagram photo in May 2025. Comey's attorneys filed motions in a North Carolina federal court asking the judge to dismiss the indictment with prejudice. His defense team’s core arguments are that the Instagram photo of seashells spelling "86 47" is protected political speech under the First Amendment and does not constitute a "true threat". We’ll examine what a “true threat” is and isn’t. And we’ll spend time with the 1st Amendment (reviewing the text to see what it exactly says). There is no doubt, the First Amendment is under extreme and intense attack from the Trump administration. — We’ll delve into what “selective prosecution” is — and as we investigate, we ask you, our dedicated listeners, if you think “selective prosecution” seems applicable in this specific case. — And we’ll ask if the grand jury process needs a “full-body-off restoration” for returning a true bill and indicting James Comey in this case. Do you think this is old news … or water under the bridge? I can assure you that it isn’t! This is the kind of thing that can change your life in an instant. Everything you’ve ever thought about or hoped for a democracy can fly right out of the window when a dictator rules under a tyrannical regime and good people do nothing to stop it. When you lose rights that are supposed to be inalienable, rarely and I mean rarely are they ever restored. Under the law, a threat is a communicated intent to inflict physical harm, property damage, or other illegal injury upon another person. It causes the victim to feel a reasonable fear for their safety, separating a punishable crime from protected speech or general anger. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech." The First Amendment is a cornerstone of American democracy. It allows us to express our views, challenge authority, and engage in public debate. In recent years, however, these freedoms have come under intense scrutiny; from debates over protests on college campuses to concerns about government retaliation against journalists and activists. Understanding what the First Amendment protects is more important than ever. Today, Americans face new challenges to free expression: increasing restrictions on the right to protest, to government censorship, and limits on free speech in schools and on campuses. Immigrants, students, and public employees have all faced threats to their rights, highlighting the need to stay informed about what the Constitution guarantees. The actions of the Trump administration have a profound chilling effect. In constitutional law the “chilling effect” describes how individuals self-censor protected speech or conduct out of fear of government prosecution, penalties, or retaliation. The criminal case against James Comey is likely to deepen concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of investigations and now prosecutions of public figures the president regards as his political enemies. It was filed as the White House has taken steps to exert influence in unprecedented ways on the department, blurring the line between law and politics at an agency where independence in prosecutorial decision-making is a foundational principle. When a government uses its power to target private citizens for revenge, it damages the core rules of a free society. This behavior: — breaks public trust, — weakens the rule of law, and … — shifts a nation away from democracy and toward authoritarian rule. At the end of the day, a democracy doesn’t die in total darkness — it dies in broad daylight, piece by piece, when the law is twisted into a weapon for personal score-settling. The stakes couldn’t be higher for James Comey and for each of us, by extension. We speak the truth, protect the vulnerable and always pursue justice. Don’t move a muscle! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E12
    August 29 · 55 min

    Get the Flock Out of Here! Flock Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are Everywhere, Tracking You, Every License Plate, Every Movement, Every Moment. Citizens Aren’t Staying Quiet. Some are Ripping the Cameras Down with Their Bare Hands.

    Get the “Flock” out of here! With the recent spree of vandalism locally and nationwide that has affected FLOCK surveillance cameras, we delve inside the growing vigilante movement to knock out these Automated License Plate Readers. Tonight, on this explosive, investigative, informative brand-new episode of Light ‘Em Up — like an intense laser beam, we’re focusing on Flock Automated License Plate Reading Cameras and this AI-driven technology. The industry, for short refers to them as ALPRs. It seems like Flock Automatic License Plate Reader Cams are everywhere, on every street and corner. Big brother is certainly watching you and there doesn’t seem to be a damned thing you can do about it! Flock Safety’s automated license plate-reading cameras, used by thousands of law enforcement agencies in the U.S., have drawn intense criticism from concerned citizens and civil liberties groups, among others. Are they an unlawful, unconstitutional invasion of your privacy? Can you have and expect any expectation of privacy while you are in public? The argument rages on. Flock Safety is a private company based in Atlanta, GA valued at $8bn that supplies the lion’s share of the license plate-reading cameras used by law enforcement departments across the nation. Law enforcement agencies have embraced them, but police departments are not the only customers. College campuses and homeowner’s associations have also put up the cameras. More municipalities, both large and small, are budgeting for them. More than 7,000 organizations in the United States have contracts with Flock Safety, according to the company. The proliferation of Flock cameras has divided the public and rattled civil liberties watchdogs. The ACLU argues that the extensive network: — constitutes mass surveillance, — raises privacy concerns regarding tracking daily habits, — and can be used to track people attending protests or religious institutions. How do you feel about your every move being watched and surveilled by the government? Does this fact stress you out or perhaps make you feel anxious? Or do these cameras provide you with a heightened sense of physical safety and security? — Do you think these cameras offer any significant crime reduction? — Do you feel unease from a loss of privacy? We want to know … you can email us at prizzo7778@gmail.com Tell us exactly how you feel about the Automatic License Plate Reader Cameras taking your picture EVERY time you drive down the street: — Do you even notice? — Do you care? Some say the cameras are a valuable tool to help catch criminals and senior citizens when they wander away from their homes, while critics argue that the information they collect can be misused by the government or rogue law enforcement officers. Several law enforcement officers have been disciplined for misusing data from Flock’s cameras, including an officer in Milwaukee who was criminally charged after using camera data to track someone he was dating and the person’s ex. We’ll examine what the Supreme Court has said about this. — Does the government throw a too large and too wide of a dragnet … considering EVERY person to be a suspect? That isn’t how the U.S. Constitution works, and it doesn’t permit that, either. All people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and an officer must possess a reasonable, articulable suspicion of a specific crime that has been committed to briefly stop or detain a person. That kind of stop is referred to as a Terry Stop. We’ll examine exactly what Flock cameras are: We’ll share with you why they’ve come under such public fire as they produce a treasure-trove of highly sophisticated surveillance records instantly. Sure, proponents say this helps prevent crime, opponents say the information can be dangerous in the wrong hands and are the tools of tyranny and control. That criticism has intensified as the Trump administration has carried out immigration crackdowns across the nation, fueling concerns about clients sharing license plate information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies. In Washington State, at least seven police departments and one sheriff’s office had granted access to the U.S. Border Patrol to their license plate reader networks in 2025, according to an analysis by the University of Washington. An audit by the city of Columbus, Ohio, found that its Flock data had been searched more than 15,000 times for potential immigration-related purposes since 2024. Since the company’s inception in 2017, many municipalities have added the popular technology, however as of late more communities have either deactivated the cameras or canceled their contracts with ALPR suppliers because of complaints about mass surveillance and what critics have called a lack of guardrails over who can access the information. This technology is testing the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, in ways the constitutional framers could never have anticipated. You can register for Flock Safety’s SafeList here: How Flock's SafeList Removes Your Car From Camera Searches Frequently Asked Questions | Flock Safety Listen to our first episode on this topic, here. We speak the truth, protect the vulnerable and always pursue justice. Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E11
    August 8 · 53 min

    ICE Kills Again & Again with Impunity & Immunity: The Cold-blooded Killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. How the Trump Administration Has Given the “Green Light” for Rogue, Trigger-happy, Federal Agents to Shoot First and Lie About it Later.

    ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seems to have a mandate to kill. They’ve struck again! Welcome to this explosive, fact-finding episode of Light ‘Em Up. On Tuesday July 7th in the early morning hours, 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo took his coffee and food his wife had prepared for him, said goodbye to his wife and their dog, and left the house he built. He drove his white van, picked up three co-workers, and headed towards a construction site to work on some houses. But Salgado never made it to work. During a “targeted enforcement operation”, ICE officers shot and killed Salgado and arrested the three other men. ICE says Lorenzo Salgado Araujo tried to ram agents with a van before one shot him dead. Almost immediately, questions emerged over how the encounter had escalated. In initial statements, homeland security officials said that Mr. Salgado Araujo had tried to use his vehicle as a weapon. History and the evidence have shown that ICE has a long track record of lying. They lied about Renee Good and they lied about Alex Pretti as well. Pam Bondi immediately held a national press conference to spin farcical stories to help cover the Trump administration’s asses. Claiming that agents shot Renee Good because she “refused commands to exit her vehicle” and “attempted to run over an officer with her car” — weaponizing her vehicle. Through their legal representation, the three witnesses who were in the vehicle with Mr. Araujo (all Mexican nationals) dispute the account by ICE of the fatal shooting. A lawyer for these men (a Mr. Hugo Balderas-Ibarra) said that account of ICE was untrue. Salgado’s death marks the 10th of 11 fatal shootings by federal immigration officials nationwide since the second Trump administration took office, a review of public reports by Light ‘Em Up shows — as the Trump administration continues with its anti-immigrant crackdown. For 35 years, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was undocumented and chasing the American Dream. He hoped to obtain legal status, his family said. Those dreams ended when he was gunned down in the streets — something you wouldn’t even do to a rabid dog — gunned down last week by an immigration agent who was looking for a different man. This comes on the heels of learning that there will be no charges for the federal officers who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. In this incendiary episode we’ll investigate in-depth: — Can you sue an ICE agent who has gone rogue? — Will there be any accountability in this case? — Will the government try to protect their story and deport the witnesses before they have an opportunity to tell their full stories in a court of law? — With the Trump administration, does ICE have a mandate to kill? The deadly confrontation has set off protests in Houston, prompted investigations by local and federal officials, and renewed national focus on President Trump’s mass deportation campaign. An independent inquiry has been called for in this specific case. Will one be granted? If yes, what might be the outcome? Only time will tell. Trust isn’t something that this administration has built up regarding any topic — especially as it relates to ICE enforcement and matters of immigration. — Can the federal government ever be trusted under this administration to tell the truth? We speak the truth, protect the vulnerable and always pursue justice. Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E10
    July 18 · 1 hr 4 min

    TAKEN! The Kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by Donald Trump. International Law Be Damned! Is the U.S. stealing Venezuelan Oil? The Negative Cascading Consequences for the World. Trump’s Recent Diversion from the Epstein Files.

    Tonight, in this incendiary investigative edition of Light ‘Em Up! We’re burying our nose into the international intrigue, kidnapping and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The arrest of Maduro is not the first time the US has captured a sitting head of government in Latin America. In December 1989, the George H.W. Bush administration launched Operation Just Cause, deploying over 24,000 U.S. troops to depose Panama’s Manuel Noriega and bring him to the United States to face federal drug-trafficking charges. For the longest time, President Trump has had a “hard on” for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro is accused by U.S. authorities of being one of the world's largest narco-traffickers, actively working with cartels to smuggle fentanyl-laced cocaine into the U.S. and engaging in narco-terrorism. In March 2020, Maduro was charged in a Southern District of New York federal indictment for: — narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, — possession of machine guns and destructive devices, — and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 960a and 963, and 18 U.S.C. § 924. — The U.S. Government initially offered a reward offer of up to $15 million for any information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro Moros in 2020. The Biden Administration’s Department of State on January 8, 2025, announced raising the reward offer to up to $25 million and ultimately $50 million under Trump 2.0. President Trump's opposition to Maduro was driven by Maduro’s alleged authoritarian governance, political corruption, and alleged involvement in large-scale drug trafficking. Trump also frequently criticized Maduro for undermining democratic elections (as he himself has done) and allying with U.S. geopolitical rivals like China, Russia, and Iran. In this episode, we’ll shine the antiseptic light of the truth and examine: The allegations that Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro stand accused of — and have been indicted on. As you know from previous episodes of Light ‘Em Up: Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty at trial or by plea. — Straight from the indictment we’ll investigate the Trump administration’s case and legal arguments … — We’ll examine the legal nuances of the DOJ indictment detailing narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges, — As well as the international impacts and law that cover head of state sovereignty, state sovereignty and the “legality” of such a sweeping international action. — All with an intense focus on the response from the EU, Latin America, China, Russia. Trump says, “The Venezuelan people are “Happy”. We’ve learned differently. The fallout from this raid continues to shape international relations, with global leaders split between condemning the breach of sovereignty and supporting the removal of an autocratic regime. Arresting and extraditing your political enemies can serve as a convenient way to get rid of political rivals — but it doesn’t make the process clean, easy or lawful. Was this massive use of military force in Caracas a violation of international law, and more specifically Article 2 §4 of The UN Charter? Is Mr. Maduro entitled to immunity as the head of state of a sovereign country? The U.S. government maintains that he obtained the status through a fraudulent election. General Noriega made a similar claim and lost. Nicolás Maduro declared himself a prisoner of war, a status that the last Latin American leader seized by U.S. forces, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, also claimed. What will be the geopolitical impact for Venezuela and what does its future look like in conjunction with President Trump’s declaration that the U.S. would “oversee” Venezuela’s transition, and the subsequent installation of Maduro’s Number 2 … interim president Delcy Rodríguez. These actions will certainly have broader geopolitical and energy implications for the region. The search for the truth and justice begins RIGHT HERE … and RIGHT NOW! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E9
    June 27 · 59 min

    Donald Trump’s Relentless Attacks on Journalists — Echoing the Oldest Tactics in the Authoritarian Playbook. The Despotic Decline of Dictators who Fear the Free Press. The 1st Amendment: The Backbone & Foundation of a Free People or 45 meaningless words?

    Tonight, on this penetrating, investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up… With the 250th birthday of the United States rapidly approaching — we take a critical and intensive look at the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and at its foundation and the importance of a free press in a democracy. The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans — embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes. These 45 words are as alive and important today as they were more than 249 years ago. These liberties are neither liberal nor conservative, Democratic nor Republican — they are the basis for our representative democratic form of government. 45 words that grant us the inalienable right that: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Thomas Jefferson in 1787 famously articulated that a “well-informed public holds ultimate power; without truth and oversight, even the best-intentioned government can devolve into tyranny”. Jefferson's preference for “newspapers without government” over “government without newspapers” was essential to the fledgling U.S. democracy and, as the truly wise man that he was, these maxims hold true to this day as the press is being tested like it never has been before. President Trump had his most recent “meltdown” in an on-air interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. The world bore witness to “Exhibit A” … of Donald Trump’s face becoming as red as a beet … as he shouted at and insulted another female, minority reporter — this time it was Kristen Welker, an NBC journalist who is biracial. Welker’s mother is black and her father is white. It is crystal clear Trump is triggered by reporters that aren’t ass-smooching sycophants as the members of his entire presidential cabinet are. Intelligent women in general and minority women especially trigger Trump the most. We’ll shine the antiseptic light of the truth on the importance of having an independent free press and how it has proven to be an essential ingredient in the making of and maintaining a democracy. Also, we’ll investigate the damage the free press has suffered at the hands of Donald Trump and his constantly dishonest style of “scorched-earth politics” — where he rails against all media, unless of course, it’s his coveted Fox News. And we’ve researched and plan to share with you if there are any fair and accurate comparisons to Mussolini’s Fascist Italy and Hitler’s Nazi Germany and their treatment of the press in the lead-up to their power-grabs as they sought to change the balance of power for the free world. Every time Donald Trump attacks a reporter — the free press dies a little bit each time. The second Trump administration's core campaign pledge to protect open discourse has sharply clashed with its executive actions, resulting in a systemic contraction of First Amendment protections. Critics and civil liberties watchdogs argue that while the administration aggressively targets what it deems "left-wing bias" and "federal collusion" with tech platforms, it simultaneously deploys state infrastructure to: — penalize critical media, — restrict assembly, and … — mandate strict government-approved speech orthodoxy. The fact of the matter is: Donald Trump rails against EVERYONE who doesn’t blow smoke up his ass — as a lot of people do. He’s always done this. He will continue to do so. He’s a thin-skinned, weak-charactered, congenital narcissist — THIS is what they do. They can’t take any criticism … a narcissist to this degree can’t even entertain anything that isn’t praise. We’ll examine all this … pero mucho más aquí y solamente aquí — on this edition of Light ‘Em Up! The search for the truth and justice begins RIGHT HERE … and RIGHT NOW! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! Support the show! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E8
    June 6 · 52 min

    From Peeing on the Sidewalk to Being Ordered out of Your Vehicle at Gunpoint: Officer-Induced-Jeopardy. 10+ Officers with Assault Rifles Ready to Fire. The Akron Police Department: Manufacturing Danger Where None Existed & How They Tried to Keep it Quiet.

    Tonight, on this explosive episode of Light ‘Em Up. If you are hearing this episode, it is a miracle from God. Believe me! About a week ago with no advanced warning, we suffered the most serious catastrophic equipment failure that we’ve ever experienced — thanks to Windows 11. The Security settings on Windows 11 cancelled our access to our “drivers” which support our show. We scrambled; we researched the problem day and night, tried one of everything and troubleshot the issue until we were asleep on our feet. Long story short, we’re back! Bill Gates can’t keep a good show down! Tonight, we focus our investigative reporting skills with the intensity of a surgical laser on better understanding officer- induced jeopardy, which also can be referred to as officer- created jeopardy. "Officer-induced jeopardy" refers to situations where a police officer’s own unreasonable tactics, actions, or decisions prior to a force encounter unnecessarily create or escalate the danger, increasing the likelihood that force will be needed. The phrases of “officer-induced jeopardy” or “officer-created jeopardy” describe actions taken by police officers that increase the risk of injury to the officer and escalate the probability of use of lethal force by officers, which may have been avoided had the officer not placed himself or herself in a self-created dangerous situation. Be clear in the fact that this action stems from willful actions taken by the officer that put the officer and the person of interest or suspect in danger … such as: — rushing in without backup, — poor de-escalation skills and tactics, — or standing in front of a fleeing vehicle, which may have been avoided. Officers rarely are but can be criminally prosecuted for using force when their actions led to escalation during contact with subjects. However, the facts bear out that fewer than 3% of killings by police result in officers being charged with a crime. Recently, a fan of the show contacted us and informed us of an incident where their family — in their home -- became inadvertent ear and eyewitnesses being directly next door to where the Akron Police Department had terminated a vehicle pursuit — barricading and cornering a driver in his vehicle and ordering him to exit his vehicle while at gun point: More than 10 officers with their weapons drawn and pointed at the person who had previously committed what would amount to minor misdemeanors. The family that contacted us were concerned because they were in the direct line of crossfire if the officers decided to fire. This unnecessary contact with a 66-year-old black man (the suspect) could have easily turned into a “contagious fire” incident, with many of those shots coming from high-powered, military style assault rifles. In this explosive episode, in order to further our understanding about officer- induced jeopardy — as a case study we’ll examine Barnes v. Felix, 605 U.S. ___ (2025), which is a recent Supreme Court decision which assesses whether an officer acted reasonably in using force under the Fourth Amendment, and that a court must consider all the relevant circumstances, including facts and events leading up to the climactic moment. And we’ll touch upon a few brief case summaries and instances that support our topic … As well as: — How the use-of-force management training has changed over the course of the last decade. — How has the use of less-lethal tools and devices changed? And … — What we feel law enforcement agencies in the 21st Century should focus more on when it comes to officer- induced jeopardy and the use-of-force continuum. All this, pero mucho más aquí y solamente aquí — on Light ‘Em Up! The search for the truth and justice begins RIGHT HERE … and RIGHT NOW! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E7
    May 16 · 1 hr 3 min

    The Federal Death Penalty: 3 Bullets, Shot in the Heart. Trump's Firing Squad: Pro-life, Pro-Death Penalty. Politicians' Lethal Hypocrisy that Cheers on Government Sanctioned, Cold-blooded, Pre-Meditated Murder

    On this explosive edition of Light ‘Em Up: We probe and examine the Federal Death Penalty. On Friday, April 17th, 2026, the Trump Administration said it would allow executions by firing squad and restore the use of lethal injections in federal death-penalty cases. The Trump Administration has no problem with: — dropping missiles on little schoolgirls in Iran — supplying the weapons that have killed over 72,000 people including women and children in Gaza (since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack) — and — blowing up boats piloted by unarmed civilians off the coast of Venezuela. We ask: If the federal and state governments have proscriptions against murder, why are they in the business of killing? The fed­er­al death penal­ty applies in all 50 states and U.S. ter­ri­to­ries but is used rel­a­tive­ly rarely. We’ll examine the hypocritical facts whereby: — Most MAGA cult-members are “pro-life”, yet at the same time profess to be “pro-death penalty”. How do those opposites align? Are they just okay with being hypocrites? Does this fact bring them closer to their Orange Jesus? — Pope Leo XIV says those two ideological positions can’t align and they never will. Pope Leo XIV has stated that, according to Catholic teaching, being against abortion but in favor of the death penalty is not "genuinely pro-life". Church teaching opposes capital punishment as "inadmissible" under all circumstances. Tune in specifically to hear Pope Leo’s specific thoughts. We also want to know what YOU think: — Is the death penalty unfair, especially the way it is applied? — Are lethal injections saved for the poor? (As a means of controlling the excess population) that AREN’T in the Epstein Class? — Is there a racial bias that permeates the entire criminal justice system? — Is capital punishment an effective deterrent or just an irreversible means of retribution? A firing squad is exceptionally gruesome. Adoption of such a heinous execution practice, however, should surprise no one. This country, from its inception, has had a perverted affination with violence and brutality. On the state level, in South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union on December 20th, 1860 — the method in the Palmetto state involves three corrections employees firing live rounds from 15 feet away at the condemned inmate, who is in a chair with a target over their heart. As a society, do we really need this? As a case study we look at the execution of Brad Sigmon, who was sentenced to death for the April 2001 murders of Gladys and William David Larke, the parents of his ex-girlfriend, in Greenville, SC. Explore more details on the process, here: How does the firing squad work in South Carolina? On April 24th, 2026, this administration released its official report entitled: Restoring and Strengthening the Federal Death Penalty. They maintain that “capital punishment is an essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit the most heinous crimes and acts of lethal violence against American citizens.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) strongly opposes the use of firing squads, viewing them as a "barbaric" and "inhumane" method of execution. The organization advocates for the total abolition of the death penalty, arguing that all forms of capital punishment constitute "cruel and unusual punishment" in violation of the Constitution. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E6
    April 25 · 1 hr 3 min

    Big Talking Trump Always Chickens Out: Iran’s Civilization Survives Trump’s Empty, Demented Threats of Extinction. What is a War Crime? A Primer on: The International Criminal Court, Geneva Conventions as War Crimes are Being Committed in Real Time.

    Tonight, on this intense, explosive episode of Light ‘Em Up, we re-double our focus on Israel’s top war criminal, Bibi Netanyahu’s illegal war with Iran — that Donald Trump was so easily suckered into. We were tracking and watching the clock — in a full-fledged countdown like on New Year’s Eve in Times Square … to see if Donald Trump would carry out his threat to end Iran’s entire civilization — and with less than 1 hour remaining in the deadline, TACO! Trump Chickened Out — he blinked! As we predicted he would. Trump typically does back down or chicken out. As a bully, he doesn’t have much of a stomach for push back — so much so that he has earned an acronym for himself. “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out)! The events of the War in Iran are fluid and rapidly changing. As of 4/18 the death toll from the war has risen to more than 3,300 people killed in Iran and over 2,100 people have been killed in Lebanon during Trump & Bibi’s war of choice. Coming up … on this exclusive episode: There’s been so much talk on TV about war crimes — We’ll investigate what exactly constitutes a war crime? Where does this authority originate? We’ll educate and empower you regarding the ICC (The International Criminal Court) and The Geneva Conventions. Much of Donald Trump and the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s communications amount to orders to violate the laws of war and have put the U.S. and its servicemen on an unavoidable path with committing war crimes, notably Trump’s explicit threats against civilian infrastructure and statements regarding “collective punishment” and Hegseth’s “no quarter” comments. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the U.S. that attacks on civilian infrastructure are banned under international law. Under the U.N. Charter, nations are only permitted to use force against another nation if it has been authorized by the Security Council or in self-defense. The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, not the other way around. When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, it was widely documented as the deadliest attack in Israel's history and the single worst one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. It is considered one of the worst terrorist attacks in world history, ranking as the third deadliest since data collection began in 1970 — yet Israel attacks Iran, Lebanon and Gaza in the exact same fashion daily. Does it ever end? Will the killing ever stop? We’ll unpack: — A few extra special demented social media posts by Trump that have led us to the current situation. When War Crimes Rhetoric Becomes Battlefield Reality: The Slippery Slope to Total War and War Crimes with Iran. It is important to point out that rhetoric becomes war crimes when it moves beyond political speech to openly incite, authorize, or threaten grave violations of international humanitarian law. You don’t have to believe me, just ask any Tutsi from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The cognitively challenged Republican president often oscillates between heated threats, announced delays, and proclamations that the negotiations were going well, … sometimes in the same statement — as he conducts foreign policy online from his Truth Social profile. If Joe Biden attempted anything close to this the legacy news media would soil themselves and be screaming at the top of their lungs calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment. Why the hypocrisy? Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E5
    April 4 · 1 hr 9 min

    5 Time Draft Dodger, Suckered into Indicted War Criminal Bibi Netanayhu's War of Choice. 13 U.S. Servicemen Dead So Far. Voters Elected Clowns - Now They Have Their Circus. The History of US/Iran Relations as This is Now a Global Crisis.

    As the globe is being strangled economically by Donald Trump & Bibi Netanyahu’s unnecessary war of choice with Iran — we take an-in depth look at the rapidly spiraling out of control act of aggression against the sovereign state of Iran. Prior to going to air with this episode, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, said in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump that he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran and that the Islamic Republic posed no imminent threat to the United”. We submit that the evidence shows that Donald Trump doesn’t have the foggiest idea of what to do next in Iran — surrounded by “yes men” and imbeciles — people who are uniquely unqualified for the roles that they hold in his administration. All military plans change within the first hour of the battle. It’s clear that the Trump administration had no plan. No plan survives contact with the enemy. It is essential to be flexible, to show leadership, and adaptability, as plans often require immediate revision based on real-time feedback and unexpected situations. Before the war began, Trump disregarded the direct advice of his top military adviser, Gen. Dan Caine, who warned him that Iran would likely respond by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and effectively closing it. Trump replied by suggesting that Iran’s government would capitulate before it could close the strait or that the U.S. military could keep the strait open. Neither of those two things have taken place. Trump was wrong on both aspects. One of the wisest and most capable war tacticians ever, Sun Tzu, reminds us of one of his core principles from The Art of War, which was to emphasize the fact that the best way to win a war is to never conduct one in the first place. Tzu felt that the highest form of victory is winning through strategy, diplomacy, or psychological warfare rather than costly physical battle. Trump knows nothing of those concepts — pigeonholing himself because he simply does not read. Many observers consider the unprovoked strikes by the U.S. and Isreal to be a breach of Article 2 section (4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of another state. The government of Isreal does this regularly with no consequence. For the last 20 years Netanyahu has been saying that Iran was 2 weeks away from getting a nuclear bomb. Iran does not have a nuclear bomb. Reports of destroyed homes, schools, and health facilities, as well as significant civilian fatalities — (again, all acts of war that Isreal takes part in regularly) including over 1,300 deaths in initial strikes—have prompted allegations of war crimes. The United States has faced criticism for actions interpreted as having a "no quarter" policy, as stated by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth — such as sinking Iranian naval vessels rather than capturing them, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. — We’ll drill down on the history of US/Iran relations. — Provide details on the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). — And deliver the up-to-the minute facts regarding the war with Iran as well as the impact of the Strait of Hormuz being closed to most traffic and the effects of this. Trump’s “little excursion” (as he termed it) has forced global oil prices and the cost of gasoline at the pump sharply higher; it has imperiled the food supply across the globe as well as causing fertilizer prices to skyrocket with no sight in subsiding any time soon. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E4
    March 14 · 53 min

    FIRED! ICE Barbie (Noem) Out at DHS: The Numbers Don’t Lie Even if the Leadership Does. 32 Lives Lost in DHS Custody Since 2025. Zero Accountability: The Human Cost of DHS’ Failure. Noem’s Pathological Lies & How DHS Under Trump Became a Crisis Factory.

    Welcome to Light ‘Em Up! At the conclusion of the editing and postproduction process for this episode in preparation for its upload and debut - DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was fired from her role as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Tonight, on this brand-new, intense episode we’ll investigate and examine the more than 32 deaths that have happened at the hands of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). It may come as a surprise, but the killing of Renee Good (a mother of three) and Alex Pretti (an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System Hospital in Minnesota) were not the first and they won’t be the last. We’ll drill down on the Department of Homeland Security — an organization led by individuals who lack both qualifications and integrity. This witch’s brew often forces an organization — whether desired or not -- to eventually face severe consequences, ranging from operational inefficiencies to catastrophic, fatal incidents. Research indicates that when leadership prioritizes self-interest over competence and honesty, it creates a toxic culture that undermines safety and performance. ICE has made our streets unsafe with its tyrannical tactics, terrorizing our own people in the name of Trump. Since returning to office in 2025, President Trump has implemented a "hardline" and "maximalist" immigration policy focused on executing the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history. The administration doesn’t care how the policy is carried out — ONLY that it is — so that Stephen Miller can satisfy his own sick, sadistic wishes. Miller is credited with shaping the racist and draconian immigration policies of President Trump, and Noem oversaw carrying those decisions out, which include: — zero-tolerance policy, also known as family separation, — the Muslim ban and — ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. As we go to air with this episode, a federal judge accuses the White House of ‘terror’ against immigrants in the U.S. The administration has pursued a whole-of-government approach to identify, detain, and remove undocumented immigrants, aiming for a "1 million per year" deportation goal. But, in the process, there've been: — tremendous oversights, — poor procedural safeguards and protocols put in place, — very little to no training for new hires, — negligence and outright lies which have led to more than 32 people’s death across the nation. We’ll introduce you to those who have lost their lives at the hands of the governmental “political theater” that is unfolding right in front of our own eyes, daily. We will report that the (former) DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem is an outright liar — as is her boss. That isn’t opinion — that is fact and we have the receipts to prove it. Be sure to tune in for our reporting regarding a completely fabricated story — that Noem stated in one of her press briefings to the nation — about a man in deportation proceedings “cannibalizing” others, then, himself, like the fictitious character Hannibal Lecter, who Trump thinks is a real person. As we speak truth to power, we never cower — as we expose the fact that Secretary Noem has deported U.S. military veterans AND U.S. citizens and lied and covered up about that as well. As a painter paints and a singer sings, a liar lies. The streets of the U.S. are safer with Noem ousted at the top of DHS, but the man tapped to be her replacement isn’t much of an improvement. Tune in for this episode and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E3
    February 21 · 43 min

    A Frank Conversation with Dr. Sandy Womack Jr. 100 Years of Black History Month: Voting for Your Survival: History is Warning Us. "We Have to Become Students of History" to Protect the Republic from the Chaos & Confusion of The Trump Administration.

    Welcome to this fact-laden, episode of Light ‘Em Up. As we go to air - we're halfway through Black History Month. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, first established as "Negro History Week" by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in February 1926. The 2026 national theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations”, honoring 100 years of recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to U.S. history. Black history is American history! We feel richly blessed and highly favored to sit down and visit, honoring Black History Month, with a dear friend of ours and a show favorite. Dr. Sandy Womack, Jr. Dr. Womack Jr. has devoted his life to being a servant leader, educator and striving to be the best at whatever he attempts. He is an NCAA All-American wrestler with a doctorate in educational leadership, author, former principal, district administrator, equity trainer, motivational speaker, and much more. He is retired from his current role at the close of January (2026) after a generation (33+ years) of dedicating his life to urban education. This year’s Black History Month arrives as our democracy is being tested in unprecedented ways, and the future of the republic hangs in the balance. Dr. Womack expressed grave concerns that we are “in an in between place similar to the times during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War (1865 – 1877) where the Federal Government sent in troops to ensure that the freed Blacks had and maintained the right to vote, to assemble, and the rights to a public education”. Based on reports, executive actions, and policy initiatives from 2025 and early 2026, the second Trump administration has pursued a broad agenda focused on rolling back diversity initiatives, changing civil rights enforcement, and altering educational and economic policies that critics argue disproportionately affect Black Americans. And federal agents are arresting journalists (Don Lemon) and gunning down civilians in the streets. In this exclusive interview, we’ll drill down on: — Assessing the pulse of the country — where are we as a nation and as people with the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis? — The importance of taking an active role in the franchise (voting) how voting “changes policy, policy impacts practices and practices impact politics”. He feels deeply that the future “depends on the youth of today” — to see wide eyed the abuses and oversteps by this administration which will “serve as the catalyst to push the younger generation to the polls to vote in large and impressive ways”. He stressed the importance of “collectively coming together” and working to find some “communality” — at the end of the day, we have “more things that unite us than divide” — we sadly choose to focus and give attention to those aspects that are tribal and exacerbate division. We’ve strayed beyond an inflection point — democracy is actively in peril. “We have to become students of history. We have to read, write, speak and most importantly be able to think critically” to be educated and informed sufficiently to question the current status quo — for those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. He emphatically declares that: “Outcomes won’t change until incomes change.” He urges all who will listen to “don’t let your lying eyes fool you”. “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” ― George Orwell, 1984 Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E2
    January 31 · 1 hr 14 min

    The Killing of Renee Good 37, mother of 3: Minneapolis Under Siege & Federal Occupation, Graham v Connor (an analysis of law enforcement’s use of force), Officer-Induced Jeopardy & the Human Cost of the Trump Administration’s Reckless Political Theater.

    Welcome to this explosive, comprehensive episode of Light ‘Em Up. As we come to air with this episode, another person has been shot and killed in Minneapolis, MN, this time by Border Patrol agents. The tension and the stakes in the streets couldn’t be any higher. Tonight, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth and examine in-depth the killing of Renee Good, 37, mother of 3, by an Immigration & Customs Enforcement Officer during a large immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 7th. As Minnesota state officials demand an end to the Trump administration’s divisive, brutal “immigration crackdown” in Minnesota: Renee Good should still be alive today. This episode confronts the deadly consequences of deploying federal officers into U.S. cities as a political ploy rather than a public‑safety necessity. When federal power is used as a stage prop, communities become collateral damage, and human lives become expendable. In this episode: — We’ll examine what the landmark Supreme Court decision Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) is and what is says, as it will certainly be applied to this case. — We’ll introduce the legal concept of “officer induced jeopardy” which argues that police officers should be held liable—criminally or civilly—when their own, unjustifiable, or reckless tactical choices create a dangerous situation that forces them to use deadly force. It posits that police cannot intentionally escalate a situation to a point of fatal risk and then justify shooting as self-defense. We dig deeper into the Supreme Court-crafted “qualified immunity” concept. As we examine the authority of the police to use force -- as it represents one of the most misunderstood powers granted to representatives of law enforcement by the public at large -- we will ferret out just what is meant in this process by being “objectively reasonable”, again, which very few people outside of legal scholars truly understand. — And we’ll analyze and break down frame by frame the fateful shooting. The Feds have failed to cooperate with Minnesota officials as countless details remain in dispute. President Trump, just moments after the shooting, already put his thumb on the scales of justice by saying that the “agents had acted in self-defense”. This comes from a man who has lied on and vehemently demonized innocent immigrants who were in this country legally and in a legal and protected status in Springfield, Ohio, saying that they were “eating the dogs and the cats” there. Through careful reporting, historical context, and a clear-eyed look at the federal government’s expanding use of force, this episode asks a fundamental question: What happens when political theater is backed by a gun and a badge? There is an epidemic of moral cowardice in this country. No one is safe from ICE. Many people probably believed that even in “Trump’s America”, citizens would still have inviolable liberties to stand up to the jack-booted, masked agents who have swarmed upon the communities where they call home. This is what happens when the Federal government sends troops into our cities. Did anyone learn anything from the tragic events at Kent State University on May 4th, 1970? All of our “rights” have been eroded. How does that sit with you? Is this what you voted for? We’ve got “on the scene audio” as it was happening. We’ve got boots on the ground in Minneapolis. Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S7 · E1
    January 10 · 1 hr 8 min

    Staunch Criminal Justice Advocate, Tenacious Fighter, Trauma Informed Educator: An Update with Sarah Cintron, Mother of Juan Cabrera. "I'm Not Going to Give Up Until My Son is Free". An Error-filled Case of Corruption that has Her Son Wrongly Convicted.

    Happy New Year! Welcome back for the kickoff of Season 7 episode 1 of Light ‘Em Up. In this debut episode: We welcome back to the witness stand a dear friend of the show. Sarah Cintron. Sarah is the mother of Juan Cabrera. We were honored to sit and interview her on March 30th of 2024 as we shined the antiseptic light of the truth on a 2019 murder case out of the State of Michigan. That case was, The People v Cabrera (Juan Cabrera, her first born son). Our first episode that we shared together is entitled: “My Son Was Judged to be Guilty Before He Ever Stepped One Foot in the Courtroom”: Life Lessons, Revelations & Preventative Awareness from the mother of a Son Convicted of 1st Degree Pre-meditated Murder. You can find that episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/823981/episodes/14787590-my-son-was-judged-to-be-guilty-before-he-ever-stepped-one-foot-in-the-courtroom-life-lessons-revelations-preventative-awareness-from-the-mother-of-a-son-convicted-of-1st-degree-pre-meditated-murder.mp3?download=true Juan was convicted of premeditated intentional murder at the age of 18 by a jury that only took 120 minutes to decide on a charge that mandated him by statute to serve Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) — for a murder where the actual “video evidence” in the case did not in any way, shape or form show the face, clothing, nor any single, solitary identifying physical characteristic of the shooter. How does a jury reach a unanimous decision of “beyond a reasonable doubt with “evidence” such as this? This case cries out for a fair and unbiased look at it — something that has not happened to date. Seven years her son has been behind bars for a crime he and his mom maintain he did not commit. Seven long, difficult years. Since day one Sarah has become an advocate for her son. She has worked hard to educate herself regarding the brokenness of the criminal justice system and specifically the egregious errors in her son’s case. The criminal justice system's "brokenness" stems from deep-seated issues like mass incarceration, extreme racial disparities (disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities), forcing innocent people into plea deals, and a cycle of poverty/re-offense for non-violent offenders. Inefficiencies arise from slow processes, lack of data uniformity, and outdated technology, leading to high costs, lost public trust, and poor public safety outcomes. Up to her last breath on this earth, she has vowed to continue to advocate for her son’s innocence and for those who find themselves buried, battered and overwhelmed in, by and among a corrupt system. Using her voice and her social media platforms, she is educating and empowering those who find themselves in a similar situation. She works tirelessly demanding reform to address systemic bias, harsh sentencing, and unequal accountability. Just after midnight on February 16, 2019, a group of teens gathered at a hotel to celebrate the belated birthday of a mutual friend. Two of the party attendees have a verbal altercation in the hallway right outside of the room. A fight ensued. All hell breaks loose, and lives are changed forever. Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E17
    Dec 6, 2025 · 32 min

    Thank you for another FANTASTIC year! We're being downloaded in 147 countries globally & growing! We're not "true crime", we're the truth in the criminal justice system!

    As we close out another fantastic, record-breaking year filled with one accomplishment after another for us — which included new sponsorships, new underwriters and new listeners — we wanted to focus on what is most important to us other than searching out the truth. We wanted to take some special time to recognize you, our listeners for your “TSL” (time spent listening) to us throughout this past year. We thank you for another fantastic year of growth and achievements and express our appreciation for your wonderful engagement and your role in helping us grow to 147 countries globally as we close out Season 6. Most podcasts never make it this far. We never thought this kind of success would be something that we could attain, and we were never concerned about our growth at the inception of this project. Initially we set out to tell the truth about topics of importance in the U.S. criminal justice system — and look what it has become! We have been able to advocate for so many people. The corporate plan is to take the remainder of the year off to rest and recover and enjoy some quality time with our families (returning on either January 3rd or the 10th 2026). We then will begin the process for Season 7 of Light 'Em Up where we strive to achieve new goals and break even more records with the reach of our podcast. We are adding a new Listener Support Program whereby our most loyal and dedicated listeners can now take a financial interest in seeing that this program continues. We have labored tirelessly to dig deep, vast and wide to bring you a special insight that you really won’t find anywhere else regarding the U.S. criminal justice system. We're loyal, consistent and dedicated to you, our listeners. We are truly here for you and because of you! Our commitment to you here on Light 'Em Up is that we’ve endeavored to tackle real topics that touch your daily lives. We’ve worked tirelessly to try to be the "voice of the people". Please consider joining our Criminal Justice Foundation Justice Rolls Down and its page found on Facebook as well as our worldwide presence on YouTube at: Rizzo's Protective Group. Here is our complete catalogue. Here is our last full-length episode of the year regarding the concept and legality of governmental extra-judicial killings — summarily executing people. Extrajudicial killing is the deliberate killing of a person without legal authority from a judicial process. Thank you to Feedspot — online at Feedspot.com as we are featured in their top 50 poll of the 50 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts. Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: 50 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025 (feedspot.com) And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me. Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings. We look forward to you joining us in 2026! Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad & Happy Hanukkah and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to each and every one of our listeners. We want to hear from you! Support the show We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E16
    Nov 15, 2025 · 56 min

    Presumed Guilty, Due Process Over-board! The Extra-judicial, Targeting & Destruction of "Go Fast" Boats & Their Crews on the High Seas by The Trump Administration. 70 Lives Erased Without Explanation.

    Welcome to this incendiary, shocking and investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up! As we rapidly approach the end of the calendar year, we’re so glad that you’ve joined us! Share us with a friend. We’re being actively downloaded in 146 countries, globally. Contact us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Tonight, we examine the concept and legality of governmental extra-judicial killings — summarily executing people. Extrajudicial killing is the deliberate killing of a person without legal authority from a judicial process. It is “extra” “judicial” … or outside the scope of the normal route where a person is arrested, charged and given a trial before a verdict is rendered. In fact, as we go to air with this episode, the Trump administration has embarked on a deadly serious campaign of openly targeting and killing people who have only been clandestinely labeled as “drug smugglers” — within the administration’s small, secretive, circle without offering any hard evidence, nor extending to these people a single solitary ounce of due process of law. At the time of recording, since the 1st of September, when President Trump announced the first strike on a boat he claimed – without providing evidence – killed 11 “Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists” under the control of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, through the end of October, the U.S. had claimed to have killed 64 alleged drug smugglers on 16 boats. This situation is fluid and difficult to track, however, to date, since September 2, Donald Trump has summarily executed 70 civilians suspected of drug trafficking in 17 separate airstrikes in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. The administration admitted in a closed-door briefing to Congress that they don’t even know the identities of the people they’ve killed. How in the hell is this possible? Congress has abdicated its power(s), duties and responsibilities to the public. To support our claims — as evidence, we’ll provide historical examples of other governmental extra-judicial murderous actions. And we ask the question has America under Trump become even more of a pariah on the world’s stage? We’ll expose the risky behavior in how governmental extra-judicial killings trigger a cascade of destabilizing consequences across legal, political, social and psychological domains. These effects can: — erode democracy and democratic institutions — inflict trauma on the populace — and can perpetuate further cycles of deadly violence. Two people who survived boat bombings were released back to their home countries because the Trump administration lacked sufficient evidence to even arrest them. In the words of one member of Congress who attended the briefing, “This is just murder.” We are shining the antiseptic light of the truth further exposing Trump’s illegal killing spree. Some analysts now believe Trump has tasked “his generals” with planning a full-scale regime change war against Venezuela. So much for Trump’s campaign claim of never entering into endless wars. Democracy is dying right in front of us. Justice isn’t about laws … it’s about lives! In a time of crisis — facts matter most! Tune out the world and tune-in to Light ‘Em Up — Right here and right now! Also, please tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E15
    Oct 25, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min

    "Un-Civil Tongues": Hate, Violence & Power. Sticks & Stones Can Break Your Bones & Names Can Get You Murdered. The Intersection of Hate Speech & Violence. Cockroaches, the Enemy Within. Donald Trump & the Radical Rhetoric that promoted Rwandan Genocide.

    Welcome to this explosive, investigative, fact-finding edition of Light ‘Em Up! We are incredibly pleased you decided to join us for one of our most comprehensive episodes to date! Tonight, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth at the intersection of hate speech and the violence that stems from it. While a great many people on the right strongly disagree with the truth, and struggle to accept it, the fact that the radical right is far more violent than the left is unwavering. Far-right attacks continue to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism. As a kid do you remember expressing the children’s rhyme that says, “Sticks and stones can break your bones, but names can never hurt you?” While this is a nice thought — it isn‘t true. Words matter; words can hurt — words can lead to murder. In the Holy Bible, the Book of Ephesians (4:29) advises: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, which may benefit those who listen.” We need only look to the country of Rwanda in 1994 and the genocide that took place there. Collectively and pejoratively, the Tutsis were referred to as “cockroaches”. Who acts neighborly or welcomes a cockroach into their home? Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days. (The Tutsi and Hutu are ethnic groups established primarily in Rwanda and Burundi.) Evidence shows that the use of radio impacted and effected mobilization for violence in the Rwandan genocide. For more than a decade we’ve been exposed to the hate filled vitriol of Donald Trump. The words he willingly and intentionally chooses are often filled with hate. It is evident from his outward behavior; Donald Trump is not happy. Barack Obama haunts him in thought, word, and past deed. Trump regularly refers to anyone who isn’t in his “in-group” as “the enemy of the people” … “animals” and “scum”, you name it. His targets have been the press as a whole and individual journalists, immigrants, Blacks, LGBTQ+ people, Democrats, and whomever he chooses in the moment. His third-grade vocabulary has no filter. His political party does nothing to hold him to account for his vile, hate-filled rhetoric, even opting to echo and use it often. Rarely does he open his mouth without denigrating, dehumanizing, blaming, or accusing another person of doing something with no evidence. In this explosive episode we will highlight: — As a case study we’ll examine how hate speech can and does facilitate violence. From the genocide that took place in 1994 in Rwanda we offer a special feature in hearing from Henriette Mutegwaraba, survivor of the genocide and founder of the Million Lives Genocide relief fund. — Multiple examples of the vile, hateful, and demagogic language that Donald Trump spews with regularity and comparing and contrasting his words with that of the Rwandan genocide. And much, much more! “The enemy of the people” are words Adolph Hitler used to describe the Jews before his “final solution” was put into effect which killed some 6 million people. This is the language of insecure, fascist, racist, dictatorial demagogues, and it is extremely dangerous. In his book entitled Behemoth, first published in 1942, Franz Neumann wrote that violence served to establish totalitarian control over German society. Violence throughout the Third Reich was used as a rational instrument of political power. Donald Trump’s administration does the same. Democracy is dying right in front of us. Tune out the world and tune-in to Light ‘Em Up — Right here and right now! Tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E14
    Oct 4, 2025 · 1 hr

    Securing the Stage: Lessons from the Charlie Kirk Shooting. How to Prepare for and Put on a Large Scale Outdoor Special Event. An In-depth analysis of Special Event Contingency Planning in the Wake of Charlie Kirk's Shooting.

    Welcome to this explosive, fact-finding edition of Light ‘Em Up! We’re very pleased you decided to join us! With the nation abuzz with the shooting of Charlie Kirk — his shooting recalls a disturbing pattern: Even the champions of “pro-gun” politics are not immune to America’s epidemic of gun violence. We’ve been flooded with requests from our clients to address in-depth Special Event Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies — and that’s exactly what we are going to do. In an era where public discourse is increasingly polarized and high-profile events carry heightened risk; the shooting of Charlie Kirk raises urgent questions about how we protect both speakers and attendees. This episode explores the intersection of Special Event Contingency Planning and political symbolism, unpacking how public safety agencies can—and must—design protocols that anticipate threats without compromising civil liberties. We examine the anatomy of a well-executed safety plan, the psychological dynamics of radicalized environments, and the strategic blind spots that can turn a rally into a crisis. Whether you're a public safety professional, a communications strategist, or simply someone concerned with the fragile balance between free speech and public harm—this conversation is for you. This episode will provide essential guidance for event planners, speakers and ticket holders/(spectators). This episode is an in-depth, thorough examination of how to keep events like Charlie Kirk’s safe, for all involved. Physical Security is the focus of Rizzo’s Protective Group, Ltd. As education is always a key pillar of Light ‘Em Up, by the end of this episode if we achieve our learning objectives in full, you will: Understand clearly and be able to: Define what qualifies an event as being “special” and — Identify for your own edification and knowledge what a special event contingency planning team consists of and looks like. — You’ll be guided in conducting a hazard analysis for a special event. — You’ll hear how the incident command system (ICS) can be used in response to an incident at a special event. — We’ll give examples of special events (providing clear direction on how you must prepare for them as a provider and spectator). Mark my words, clearly, security measures are going to change and change drastically following this incident. Special Event Contingency planning involves creating a formal document with detailed procedures, responsibilities, and actions to address potential emergencies or hazards during a public gathering, such as at a festival, concert, or sporting event. A few of the main aspects, goals and strategies when conducting a thorough hazard analysis are to: — identify risks, — develop a response strategy, — establish a command structure with assigned roles, — and define communication protocols for both internal and external stakeholders, including attendees and emergency services. — The primary goal is to prevent injury, suffering, or death by ensuring the event is safe and successful despite unforeseen circumstances. Don’t move a muscle! Tune out the world and tune-in to Light ‘Em Up. Right here and right now! You can listen to us: on-the-go, at work, home or when resting. Remember that we are here for you and because of you! In a time of uncertainty, facts provide clarity … even if they upset you! This episode is rated “E” for EVERYONE! Tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E13
    Sep 13, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    Is The MAGA Movement a Cult? How to Become a Tyrant. Radical Nationalistic Devotion: The “Charismatic Leadership” of Trump & the Cult Following He’s Created with MAGA. Can the Country Ever Recover from the Faith & Fury of the Red MAGA Hat?

    Welcome to this brand-new episode of Light ‘Em Up! We’ve had our cake and ate it too (and it was delicious) celebrating achieving our 100th episode! Now it is time to get back to work. Thank you to all of our previous guests, listeners and fans who contacted us, sharing warm, caring and nice thoughts about the show. We are truly here for you and because of you! On this fact-finding, incendiary and investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up, we’ll interrogate the question: — Why does someone join a cult? Is it because of their: — desire for belonging, — search for purpose or — emotional vulnerability … Some of these, none of these or ALL of these and more? Is the MAGA movement a cult? What does MAGA mean to America? And we examine charismatic leadership. — What makes a person charismatic to where countless people revere, worship, follow them, perhaps ultimately giving their lives for what THEY believed in? We’ll explore all of this through the intersection of violent extremism and the radicalization process with a little Greek history lesson sprinkled into the mix — as we continue our quest to use data to improve democracy! Cults, like gangs, fall in the realm of deviance, and both types of groups encourage members to become situationally dependent on the "group identity." Both gangs and cults recruit members based on the human need to be accepted and a part of a group that will affirm personal significance. The fact pattern shows it clearly: Militant, nationalistic, white supremacist-violent-extremism has increased in the United States. According to the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology, a cult is “a religious or quasi-religious group characterized by unusual or atypical beliefs, seclusion from the outside world, and an authoritarian structure. Cults tend to be highly cohesive, well organized, secretive, and hostile to nonmembers.” Hardened through years of social upheaval, conspiracy rhetoric, and loyalty tests, the voting bloc known as the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, has evolved into a subculture marked by deep emotional identification with Donald Trump, and his: — rejection of institutional legitimacy, and — a worldview shaped less by shared policy preferences than by a shared sense of grievance and defiance. At the heart of the MAGA movement lies a narrative of persecution and betrayal. For many Trump supporters, their embrace of the 34-times-convicted felon, despite his endless stream of observable falsehoods and incendiary rhetoric, is not rooted in traditional (Ronald) Reagan-like conservatism but in a belief that he alone articulates their alienation. They seem to need a Superhero. He is their “revenge”. He has said as much, as well. MAGA members feel violated and offended by everyone that isn’t them. This sentiment is frequently reflected in the language of victimhood: Are MAGA members perpetually victims? In 2024, Trump was not merely a candidate, but a martyr under siege by “corrupt elites” … according to him and his “Klan” of followers and supporters. We’re calling on you to employ your critical thinking skills throughout this entire episode as we examine in depth behavior that explains the step-by-step process in becoming a tyrant and behaviors that would normally repulse traditional voters, which is celebrated by MAGA supporters as authenticity. Tune in and follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E12
    Aug 23, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Pro-Life & Pro-Death Penalty: Hypocrisy & Hypoxia. How Does One Reconcile These Polar Opposites? An In-depth Examination of the Pelican State of Louisiana.

    Welcome! We’re thrilled and excited that you joined us as we celebrate an enormous milestone — our 100th episode of Light ‘Em Up. This achievement has been 5 years in the making and something we honestly never envisioned accomplishing when we started this project in January of 2020. Email us here, prizzo7778@rpgconsutingltd.com and let us know how you first heard of us and when you began tuning in to our podcast! Are you a regular listener? Thank you! Tonight, our focus takes us to the Pelican State of Louisiana (a state where several of our dearest friends reside) as we continue our pursuit of speaking truth to power. Louisiana is Pro-life. Louisiana is pro-death penalty. We call hypocrisy on this! Louisiana has enacted some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, effectively banning the procedure in nearly all circumstances with only very limited exceptions and no provisions for rape or incest — creating significant obstacles for those seeking abortion care. The same lawmakers that have gone this far to stress their “pro-life” credentials then turn around and sound almost bloodthirsty in their support for capital punishment, which is, after all, the ending of a human life. How does one reconcile these hypocritical, polar opposites? We’ve got our hip-waders on and we’re going’ deep to examine this contradiction. Are we picking a fight? No! We’re turning the spotlight on how the good people of Louisiana have adopted a rather puzzling set of policies. In other words, how does a state so hostile to a woman’s right to choose to have a medical procedure performed on her body, which proudly boasts of its hostility to abortion and calls itself “pro-life” because of it, at the same time not only permits capital punishment, but boasts of it, and goes so far as to adopt an experimental method of choking the life out of a condemned prisoner as to pump pure nitrogen into his body? Louisiana currently has 55 people on death row. The state just recently resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus. We’ll confront as best we can with the time we have issues asking: — Does the death penalty deter crime? — We’ll examine the 8th Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail or fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. — Is the death penalty applied in a grotesquely unfair, arbitrary and capricious manner that disproportionately impacts individuals of color? Does your: — race, — socio-economic status, — who you kill and — where you kill them (geographically) play MORE of a role in getting the death penalty than anything else? Ultimately, examining and asking: — Should the death penalty be abolished? All this and many, many more germane and critical questions … on topic as we challenge your critical thinking skills and abilities. It’s a matter of life or death and we’ll unpack all of it right here and right now on this historic and memorable 100th episode of Light ‘Em Up! How can you be pro-life and pro-death penalty? Louisiana: Pro-life, pro-death penalty, hypoxia and hypocrisy. Tune in for all the powerful facts and figures. Follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot. Drop us a note to say hello and suggest a future podcast episode. Let us know what we are doing well and what we need to fix or address. We want to hear from you! Support the show

  • S6 · E11
    Aug 2, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

    Unmasking America: Birthright Citizenship, Mass Deportation & the Cost of Exclusion. The 14th Amendment on Trial, Citizenship Under Siege. The Use of the Executive Order to Bypass the Constitution & Redefine the Meaning of U.S. Citizenship

    We welcome you to this in-depth, investigative, fact-finding episode of Light ‘Em Up. Thank you for joining us — as we march one step closer to achieving an enormous milestone, our 100th episode! In this episode we are diving into complex and impactful topics. We’ll drill down on the concept of Birthright Citizenship — enshrined by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The 14th Amendment does not equivocate. It states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States.” A president cannot change those facts with a stroke of his pen. We will introduce to you in detail the concepts of jus soli and jus sanguinis. Jus soli: The principle of law also known as birthright citizenship is the principle that a person’s citizenship is determined by the place of their birth, regardless of the parents’ nationality. It contrasts with jus sanguinis, which determines citizenship based on parentage. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order trying to end birthright citizenship. Specifically, the order states that after February 19, 2025, citizenship will only be granted to babies born in the United States if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Birthright citizenship stems from the principle of jus soli, that all children born in the United States are U.S. citizens. Birthright citizenship has remained a bedrock of our country and was enshrined in our constitution in 1868 when the states ratified the Fourteenth Amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified to repudiate the infamous Dred Scott decision that denied Black people the protections of U.S. citizenship. In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents were entitled to U.S. citizenship in the case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Over 250 years ago our founding fathers, in the constitution, established 3 separate branches of government: the Executive, Judicial and Legislative. The Supreme Court (and the MAGA 6 on the court) have ceded a great deal of the other 2 branches’ power to the Executive Branch — doing tremendous harm to the country. Chief Justice John Marshall famously said, “It has always been the duty and responsibility of the Federal Judiciary to say what the law is, both as to constitutional and statutory law” The Federal Judiciary is not a political role, at all. Donald Trump has sought to “weaponize” the law and the judiciary to appease his whims. Rich people can afford their whims. We examine in depth how Trump’s large-scale deportations will have devastating impact on employment across our nation. The nativist Trump administration is waging a war against the rule of law. When all the migrant workers who pick and process the oranges in sunny Florida are arrested, detained and deported and when a glass of orange juice at your golf course county club will cost $35 — you’ll clearly understand the true costs and the real human effects of Trump’s campaign of xenophobic arrests, detentions and deportations will have on the economy and workforce of the U.S. Barely 2 months into his administration he has issued over 100 executive orders. More shenanigans will ensue. Trump has declared war on the Federal Judiciary and the rule of law. America is in a crisis, and many aren’t even aware of it. The Constitution is being tested like never before. Will it break? Will the Supreme Court continue to help make Donald Trump a dictator? The courts gave power to Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Tune in for all the powerful facts and figures. Follow our sponsors Newsly and Feedspot. We want to hear from you! Support the show

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