Centered From Reality

Glide Bombs Devastate Ukraine, Russia Wants to Erase Kharkiv, OJ's Post-Truth Legacy & A Costco Rant!

In this episode, Alex starts with a rant about his experience earlier today in a Costco parking lot. He argues that his experience highlights the collective issues the United States faces as a society. Later, Alex talks about the death of OJ Simpson and how his defense during his murder trial was a harbinger for things to come in the post-truth, Trump era. Finally, Alex worries that Russia wants to turn the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv into a “grey zone” or uninhabitable city. Russia has been using glide bombs that can avoid Ukrainian air defenses and right now, Ukraine has no answer to them. As a Russian offensive is thought to be taking place over the summer, Alex worries about the future of Ukraine as the West is divided. 

Anger Inc: Arizona Returns to 1864, the Totalitarian Allure Towards Violence & Economic Woes for Biden

In this episode, Alex gives some updates on life and then gets into how the Arizona Supreme Court is making Arizona 1864 again. The court upheld a 1864 law that would practically ban all abortions in the state. Next, Alex looks into new economic data that could be problematic for Biden's campaign - inflation is not going down and the Federal Reserve may decide not to cut interest rates. Finally, Alex looks into the new and troubling revelations around a Trump campaign ally who threatened violence and rape. As information around this incident is becoming public, Alex argues that violence and anger towards women are both major features of fascism. 

An Historic Case in Chicago: Undocumented Immigrants and Guns, WCK Aid Workers Killed in Gaza & Trump Could Run in 2028

In this episode, Alex starts with the troubling and tragic news out of Gaza. It has been reported that an Israeli drone killed World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers that were trying to get aid to the starving Palestinian population inside of Gaza. The WCK is now pausing operations in Gaza (as the situation is only worsening) and many western leaders, including Joe Biden, are furious. Later, Alex looks into an interesting case out of Chicago. An undocumented immigrant defended himself using a firearm during the looting in June of 2020, and now a federal judge has dismissed his charges. The judge is arguing that in some cases, an undocumented immigrant, does have the right to bare arms. This case will be challenged, but could set a very interesting precedent. It is also jumbling the brains of many conservatives that support the right to bare arms, but also are anti-immigration and are hawkish about the border. Finally, Alex isn’t surprised to find out that some allies of Donald Trump think that he has a right to a third term (in 2028) even if he wins in 2024. Some MAGA legal writers are arguing that the 22nd Amendment wouldn’t apply to Trump. 

Societal Breakdown in Haiti as its Security Dilemma Intensifies & Trump-Angelism Erodes Secularism

In this episode, Alex starts by reacting to Trump’s new grift that involves selling a $60 bible that is called the “God Bless the USA Bible,” it is inspired by the country singer Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA.” The bible also includes the bill of rights, national anthem, and more, and completely melds politics with religion. Later, Alex breaks down the current security dilemma that is unfolding in Haiti as anarchy is currently unfolding even in historically stable parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In 2021, Haiti’s president was assasinated, and since this event, gangs have used this power vaccum to seize power, delegitimize the unelected leader in power, polarize the population, wreck havoc on civil society, and hold a mirror up to the corrupt politics of the country. As foreign governments try to find solutions to the issue, policing has been replaced with mob violence and vigilantism. Alex goes through the last thirty years of Haitian politics and struggle to try to understand how the situation can be alleviated. 

An Easter Extravaganza with Jon: Orwell vs. Huxley, the Moscow Shooting, a Waning US Role in the World, Meaning vs. Partisanship, Trump vs. Biden & Much More!

In this episode, Alex sits down with his returning guest, Jon, to talk about a plethora of topics. In this long episode, they chat about TikTok bans, Ukraine, a waning US role in the world, the shooting in Moscow, security dilemmas, meaning vs. political partisanship, and why the Biden-Trump election is a disaster no matter what happens. 

The Saudi-Albania Business Council: Jared Kushner, Richard Grenell & Massive Influence Peddling

In this episode, Alex starts with some thoughts on decisionmaking and randomness. Next, he goes over a bombshell New York Times article that talks about how Jared Kushner and Richard Grenell (Trump’s former Ambassador to Germany) have been working with the Albanian and Serbian government to build luxury hotels and residential units on government land using the influence they built during their time in the Trump Administration. Finally, Alex talks about Kanye West and what his recent number one song tells him about trying to decouple the artist from the art. 

TikTok Bans, Trump Rants & Threats of Bloodbaths

After a bit of a hiatus, Alex returns ready to talk about the growing darkness at Trump rallies and why the media has failed to cover his rallies over the years as they have increasingly become more extreme and illiberal. He worries that the left and mainstream media have ignored some of Trump’s growing threats and danger even as his base has become more accepting of them. Next, Alex talks about the Ohio Rally where Trump salutes the J6 “hostages” and then says there will be a bloodbath if he loses to Biden. Later, Alex talks about the House of Representatives passing a bill that would force the sale of TikTok (or ban the app if a sale can’t happen). The bill is now in the Senate, but Donald Trump is calling Republican Senators and urging them to vote against it as President Biden has said he will sign the bill into law. Alex goes over both sides of this argument and feels that TikTok is a problematic app but he does not like the precedent of banning/forcing the sale of one app while not setting specified criteria for other companies as well. 

A State of Two Unions: Analyzing the SOTU

In this episode, Alex provides his analysis of President Joe Biden’’s State of the Union speech, as well as GOP Representative, Katie Britt’s, insane response. Alex gives Biden a B+ and thinks Britt is far from an Oscar for her performance. He argues that the SOTU is officially dead and instead, both parties have their own State of their Own Party that directly opposes the other. Alex analyzes both and tries to provide remedies for the partisan rot. 

A Unanimous SCOTUS Decision & A Woke Google Chatbot (?)

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about the unanimous, 9-0 decision that the Supreme Court just released regarding the Anderson v Griswold case in Colorado that barred Donald Trump from being on the ballot in the state’s ballot for the national election. Though the court agreed that Colorado could not barr Trump from the ballot for a national election, Alex argues that it seems like this is a 5-4 decision masquerading as a 9-0 decision. All four of the women on the court (including a Trump appointee) disagreed with how far the other five wanted to go in the decision. It seems like the courts are now setting a precedent regarding section three of the fourtneeth amendment that will limit future cases regarding insurrectionist behavaior under this amendment. Finally, Alex looks at how Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, appears to be generating skewed responses and images that are incorrect and show bias. Some on the right are calling Gemini woke. 

Epic & Ikon: What Price Discrimination in the Ski Industry Tells Us About the US Economy

In this episode, Alex starts by debunking the idea that Donald Trump is an isolationist in foreign policy. He argues that Trump is actually quite involved in foreign policy, he just doesn’t agree with the current alliance-based system. Next, Alex dives into the economic changes happening in the United States’ skiing industries. After boom or bust seasons based on snowpack, large corporations like Vail Resorts ended up learning that they could charge different prices to different customers and make record profits. This led to overselling the Epic Pass (at a decent price), while also rising the average cost of day tickets. In a good season, this can lead to chaos and overcrowding (but profits), and in bad seasons, the passholders still feel obligated to ski. Basically, the ski industry has been able to increase output and demand (which is difficult in economics). Alex argues that this is why skiing feels less accessible than ever before but also more accessible at the same time. At the same time, price discrimination seems to be a new trend in the US economy and shows how the ski industry, the airline industry, and restaurants can make profits. Finally, Alex talks about how the Supreme Court has decided to hear Trump’s immunity case. It seems like SCOTUS is trying to stall a trial and it will help Trump in the election.