The Daily Beans: "Defamed And Slandered" Featuring Erin Butte Release Date: January 7, 2025
Host: MSW Media (Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg)
Guest: Erin Butte

1. Political Climate and January 6th Aftermath

Timestamps: 00:00 – 14:23

The episode opens with Alison Gill outlining several key news stories, including the certification of the 2024 election results by Congress and the ongoing legal troubles surrounding former President Donald Trump. A significant portion of the discussion centers on the enduring impact of the January 6th Capitol riot.

Dana Goldberg expresses frustration over the lack of consequences for Trump, stating, “...the person that incited it, there seems to be no consequences” (01:16). Both hosts agree on the necessity to uphold democratic values, with Alison emphasizing a proactive stance: “...I am not going to abandon the party. I'm not going to fall into nihilism and cynicism. We need to fix it” (01:34).

The conversation shifts to Ben Wickler's appearance on Democracy Docket, where he candidly addresses electoral shortcomings and proposes solutions, earning Alison’s approval as “...the kind of leadership I think that we need” (02:47). The hosts express anticipation for the upcoming DNC chair election on February 1st.

Alison also previews an upcoming interview with Erin Butte, highlighting the significance of Erin’s story involving defamation and slander orchestrated by political adversaries like Joel Greenberg and Matt Gaetz (02:47).

2. Erin Butte’s Defamation and Slander Case

Timestamps: 23:31 – 42:06

In a pivotal segment, Alison Gill interviews Erin Butte, the wife of Brian Butte, a schoolteacher who was defamed and slandered during his campaign against Joel Greenberg, Seminole County Tax Collector. Erin provides a detailed account of the harassment her family endured after Brian filed to run for office in 2019.

Erin recounts, “...nine days after my Husband filed to run. He was called into the headmaster's office... accused of raping a student...” (26:17). The false accusations were part of a broader smear campaign aimed at discrediting her husband, who was actively working against corruption within the tax collector’s office.

The couple faced severe personal and financial repercussions, including bankruptcy and homelessness. Erin emphasizes the systemic failures that allowed such injustices to occur: “...when you have this kind of smear and this kind of oversight at the local level, what you ultimately end up with is people like us who don't have... to make us whole again afterward” (36:11).

Erin also touches on the ongoing legal battles to identify and prosecute the true perpetrators behind the defamation, highlighting the challenges posed by limited transparency and unresponsive legal systems. She underscores the importance of local political engagement to prevent such abuses of power in the future.

Furthermore, Erin reveals her creative response to the trauma, collaborating on a dark comedy screenplay that portrays her family's ordeal, aiming to shed light on the absurdity and criminality of the events they faced.

3. Justin Trudeau’s Resignation

Timestamp: 03:48 – 07:50

Alison reports that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to resign as both Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister. He stated, “I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process” (03:48). Trudeau will remain in office until March 24, allowing a smooth transition to new leadership.

This move marks a significant shift in Canadian politics, suggesting internal party dynamics and possible responses to public sentiment may have influenced Trudeau’s decision.

4. First Bird Flu Death in the United States

Timestamp: 04:43 – 07:50

Dana Goldberg brings attention to the first reported human death from bird flu in Louisiana. She shares a cautionary observation based on her personal experience in Los Angeles, noting increased mask-wearing due to concurrent outbreaks of COVID, RSV, and the flu: “...please, especially if you're immunocompromised, wear a mask” (04:43).

Alison adds that the CDC is actively working on an H5N1 vaccine and reinforces the importance of masking to protect both individuals and the community: “It's not just for you. It's for everybody around you” (04:43).

5. Oath Keepers Leader Revelation

Timestamp: 14:23 – 16:30

Breaking news reveals that the leader of the Oath Keepers, a Utah-based right-wing militia group, is a former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department homicide detective named Robert Bobby Kinch. Jason Wilson at The Guardian details Kinch’s background and his advocacy for a race war, indicating a troubling trend of law enforcement officials joining extremist groups.

Dana Goldberg reacts vehemently, stating, “What Donald Trump did last night is a disgrace to the country and Constitution” (14:16), highlighting the dangerous convergence of former law enforcement personnel with extremist movements.

6. Biden’s Offshore Drilling Ban

Timestamp: 16:30 – 19:27

President Joe Biden announced an executive action permanently banning offshore oil and gas development across 625 million acres of U.S. ocean waters, covering the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and parts of the Gulf of Mexico and Bering Sea. Biden justified the move by stating, “...drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear” (16:30).

Dana Goldberg reports backlash from the oil industry, with Ron Neal of the Independent Petroleum Association of America calling the ban “...significant and catastrophic” (18:32). Additionally, Biden’s press secretary, Caroline Leavitt, criticized the ban as political retaliation: “...this is a disgraceful decision designed to exact act political revenge” (18:40).

Alison speculates on the political maneuvering behind the ban, suggesting Biden might embed it within a larger budget reconciliation bill to secure its permanence, despite incoming Trump administration’s intentions to overturn it.

Conclusion

The episode of The Daily Beans provides a comprehensive overview of significant political and social developments, interweaving hard-hitting news with personal stories of resilience and advocacy. The prominent inclusion of Erin Butte’s experiences underscores the podcast’s commitment to highlighting the human impact of political corruption and abuse. Through engaging discussions and poignant quotes, Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg deliver an informative and thought-provoking episode that encourages listeners to remain vigilant and active in local and national politics.

Notable Quotes:

• Dana Goldberg: “What Donald Trump did last night is a disgrace to the country and Constitution.” (14:16)
• Alison Gill: “I'm not going to abandon the party. I'm not going to fall into nihilism and cynicism. We need to fix it.” (01:34)
• Erin Butte: “When you have this kind of smear and this kind of oversight at the local level, what you ultimately end up with is people like us who don't have... to make us whole again afterward.” (36:11)
• Joe Biden: “...drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear.” (16:30)
• Caroline Leavitt: “This is a disgraceful decision designed to exact act political revenge on the American people.” (18:40)

Note: This summary excludes non-content segments such as advertisements and the "good news" segment to focus on the substantive discussions of the episode.