Garage Logic Podcast: February 3, 2026

Episode 1708 – "Memphis City Council Member Thinks Snow is Fake Because She Couldn't Melt It with a Lighter"

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode of Garage Logic centers around the viral news from Memphis, Tennessee, where two city council members publicly claimed that recent snowfall was "fake" and could not be melted with a lighter. The hosts dissect the absurdity of these claims, discuss broader themes of common sense vs. ignorance, and connect the story to ongoing national issues around misinformation, social media, and political leadership. In the second half, the conversation pivots to immigration policy, offering candid opinions and riffing on a proposed “blue card” system for long-term residents and Dreamers, attributed to both Hugh Hewitt (conservative commentator) and host Joe Soucheray.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Memphis Fake Snow Controversy

• Incident Summary: Two Memphis City Councilmembers, Pearl Walker and Yolanda Cooper Sutton, claimed on social media and in local news interviews that recent Memphis snow was "man-made" and failed to melt under a lighter (02:16–04:00).

  • Their posts, videos, and public statements garnered mockery and concern over the level of misinformation among elected officials.
  • Notable Quote (Councilwoman Walker, via ABC24):

    "I’m not going to deny my reality because of someone else’s comfort zone or lack thereof." (04:57)

  • Hosts’ Reaction: The Garage Logic crew expresses disbelief and humor at the lack of basic scientific understanding, repeatedly poking fun at the lingo and defense used by the council members.

• Local Meteorologist’s Input (06:07–07:03):

  • Chief meteorologist Trevor Burchett explains that the snow felt different because it was mixed with sleet, which melts less readily than typical, powdery snow, not because it was "fake."
  • Quote (Burchett):

    "Sleet takes forever to melt and that's why we're seeing it stick around for so many days." (06:44)

• Broader Satire & Riffing:

  • The podcast crew draws comparisons to other instances of elected officials displaying scientific ignorance, noting, “This is right up there with [Congressman] Hank Johnson thinking islands tip over” (08:16).
  • They also laugh at the explanation that the councilwoman was posting in a "personal capacity, not as District 3 councilwoman" (11:36), quipping about the “off-duty light” for politicians.

• Social Media Misinformation:

  • The hosts lament the role of Facebook and viral videos in turbo-charging baseless claims to wider audiences, emphasizing the dangers when public figures join in (11:28–12:31).

• Recurring Quotes & Comedy:

  • “‘I’m in my feelings.’ That’s what she said. That’s a new level for politicians!” (11:13)
  • “What makes you look out your front window and think, ‘Here we go. Where’s my lighter?’” (16:41)

2. Broader Commentary on Conspiracy Theories and Elected Officials

• The crew references similar bizarre claims by other politicians (09:01–09:09), such as blaming the Rothschild family for climate control.
• Satirizes the conflation between skepticism and conspiracy theories:

  “She’s actually angry that other people’s intelligence don’t match hers to determine that this wasn’t real.” (08:16)

3. National Immigration Policy Discussion

• Segway to National Issues (25:51+): After the Memphis discussion, the episode transitions to U.S. immigration policy amid a government shutdown over DHS funding.

• Hugh Hewitt "Blue Card" Idea (28:17–32:35):

  • The hosts discuss a proposal—to grant long-term undocumented immigrants and Dreamers a special "blue card" status, renewable every 5 years, provided the individual has no criminal record and pays taxes.
  • The plan is praised for its common-sense approach, distinguishing law-abiding residents from criminals, and giving political cover to both parties.
  • Host Quote:

    “Trump could be a hero… He could also be the one to finally settle the issue of the Dreamers and long-settled immigrants…” (38:00)

• Debate on Political Realities:

  • There is heavy skepticism that such a plan would ever be adopted, citing deep polarization and the tribal nature of political discourse.
  • The hosts argue that many detractors “wouldn’t accept [the plan] because it comes from Trump,” no matter the merits (41:06–41:58).
  • Memorable Back-and-Forth:

    "If Trump cured cancer, he'd be ripped for depriving doctors of an income." (42:24)

  • They cite a local example of ICE raids and the loss of personal connections, reflecting on the human side of immigration anxieties (72:05–73:10).

4. Local and State Government: Fraud and Administrative Dysfunction

• The hosts discuss revelations that the Minnesota Department of Human Services is only reviewing a fraction (about 20%) of Medicaid claims for fraud, despite high-profile contracts intended to combat abuse (54:21–60:11), lamenting systemic mismanagement and waste.
  • “Industrial strength fraud. It’s rampant. It’s in every agency.” (59:41)

5. Satirical Tangents & Podcast Traditions

• Armenian “Ministry of Sex” (77:06–80:58): The crew reads a story about Armenia considering a government department to address women’s sexual dissatisfaction, riffing on outdated medical ideas and joking about ministerial job opportunities and band names.
• Sports & Nostalgia (83:03+): Wrap-up includes “On this day in Minnesota history,” local sports disappointments, and their usual signoffs.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Memphis Snow Conspiracies:

  • "What is falling from the sky hitting the ground? Oh my God. We can't make this up." – Chris summarizing local coverage (03:00)
  • "I’m not going to deny my reality because of someone else’s comfort zone or lack thereof." – Councilwoman Walker, via news clip (11:10)

• On Social Media's Role:

  • “What have I been saying about social media for so long?” (11:28)
  • “We just need to have fun with this nonsense, because we’re going to drive ourselves crazy.” (13:31)

• On National Politics:

  • "You could be a hero. You could be a hero—if you could, just for one day." – Paraphrasing David Bowie on the possibility of Trump transcending partisanship (75:09)
  • "If Trump played this right…how are you going to find fault with that?" (63:50)

• Reflecting on the Limits of Reason:

  • "You can't compete with stupidity." (62:54)
  • "They're not going to refute. They won't take yes for an answer." (71:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Topic/Quote | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 02:16-04:00 | Memphis councilmembers' snow conspiracy explained | | 04:53-06:02 | Councilwoman Walker's viral quote & local news | | 06:07-07:03 | Meteorologist debunks "fake snow" theory | | 08:16-09:09 | Elected official ignorance satire | | 11:10-11:38 | More quotes from Walker, hosts’ parody | | 13:31 | “Have fun with this nonsense…” (host’s advice) | | 25:51+ | Transition to immigration debate | | 28:17-38:00 | Explanation & support for Hewitt "blue card" plan | | 41:06-41:58 | Political obstacles for any Trump proposal | | 54:21-60:11 | Medicaid fraud, state mismanagement discussion | | 77:06-80:58 | Armenian “Ministry of Sex” story, comedy segment |

Tone and Style

The conversation is briskly irreverent, sarcastic, and grounded in the show’s typical “common sense” angle. The hosts blend news summaries, character-driven humor, and exasperated asides about the state of politics, media, and bureaucracy. Quotes and satirical riffs are delivered in character, frequently exaggerating for comic effect.

For Listeners New to the Episode

• You’ll hear: A granular breakdown—and sustained mockery—of how and why two Memphis officials decided their snow was "man-made," and what that says about the modern information environment.
• You’ll get: The hosts’ run at a meaningful immigration proposal in plain language, followed by a philosophical musing on the futility of trying to change tribal political minds.
• You’ll laugh at: Persistent callbacks to viral internet moments, a skewering of city council logic, and the imaginative expansion of the Armenian sex ministry.

"I can't excuse the idiocy in the country. All you can hope is that a little more common sense begins to return." – Joe Soucheray (64:20)