Centered From Reality

Secret Service Failures, DEI Dogwhistles & the JD Vance Problem

In this episode, Alex starts by arguing that terms like “DEI hire”, “DEI candidate”, etc., are just ways for certain right-wing politicians to downplay a person’s achievements. By calling Kamala Harris and others a “DEI hire”, certain politicians can send racist dogwhistles to their base. Next, Alex looks into the failures and institutional failures of the Secret Service over the last decade. This is precient as Congress has called for bipartisan investigations into its failures in the lead-up to the failed assassination attempt of Donald Trump. Reports show personnel shortages, misconduct, and rot have led to a serious of failures leading back to the Obama Administration up to today. Finally, Alex looks at how Kamala Harris must prove herself, why this moment could be perfect, and how Republicans may be reconsidering JD Vance. 

Joe Biden OUT, Uncertainty IN

In this episode, Alex sits out in the 102 degree heat to react to the recent news surrounding Joe Biden announcing he will not seek re-election. As Alex reads Biden’s statement, he is both understanding of the decision but also feels deep sympathy for Biden. Biden spent his entire career fighting for the Democratic party and now he feels like it turned on him. Alex reflects on Biden’s legacy and then looks ahead. While Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris, delegates are not required to support her and it could be a messy convention. 

CrowdStruck: EMERGENCY POD (+ a Global Security Breakdown)

In this emergency episode, Alex reacts to an ever-changing and complicated cyber-event that is focused around CrowdStrike. According to the BBC, “A raft of global institutions - including major banks, media outlets and airlines - have reported a mass IT outage, affecting their ability to offer services. Several airlines have grounded flights around the world and many more are reporting delays.”  Alex looks into the cupability of this organization, he also scrutinizes companies like Crowdstrike that pushed an update that caused servers and workstations to blue screen and loop. Basically, this is an organizational failure of the highest level and now the world waits to see what happens next. 

Trump is Silicon Valley's Unregulated Mineral (+ Biden's Inevitable Drop Out)

In this episode, Alex reacts to Trump’s nomination speech and is fascinated by it. It seems like the Trump team placed a unity message at the beginning of the event and then quickly returned to deportations and election denialism. Then Alex takes some time to ponder why a lot of Silicon Valley “tech bros” and venture capitalists are formally endorsing Donald Trump. Alex argues that it is because of Artificial Intelligence and how these people do not want the government regulating its development. 

The RNC’s Spiritual Allegiance to Trump Grows, Biden Tests Positive for COVID & Top Dems Call for Biden to Drop Out

In this episode, Alex reflects on the last three days of the RNC. At first, he thinks that the speeches were somewhat boring compared to the previous nominating conventions, but then he realizes that the movement is no longer externally radical — it is internal and calm. He also argues that there is a new spiritual allegiance to Trump following the assassination attempt and this has brought calls for unity, not unity towards both parties but unity behind Trump. Finally, Alex talks about how Biden had another bad day. He not only tested positive for COVID-19, but also is facing charges from Democrats like Adam Schiff to step down. 

Drunken Star Spangled Banner: Foreshadowing the Next Four Years

In this episode, Alex starts by trying to get through an excruciating Star Spangled Banner performance at the Home Run Derby by Ingrid Andress. Andress has apologized, claimed she was drunk, and is checking into rehab. Alex wonders what will come in the United States (and should we check into rehab?), where he thinks this iteration of the Star Spangled Banner is a perfect analogy for everything going wrong in American politics. He talks about the drunken chaos at the RNC, Matt Gaetz trolling Kevin McCarthy, and Rudy Giuliani falling down. Later, Alex gets into actual news. He talks about the Bob Menendez convictions and why it is good for Democrats, why JD Vance may turn off even more women, and why Joe Biden is getting more isolated and Trumpian after his Lester Holt interview. Finally, Alex looks at some substance from the RNC and worries that while violent retaliation is a growing threat (according to the FBI), the GOP has become an isolationist party with no moral compass. 

JD Vance: From Hillbilly Elegy to MAGA Heir Apparent

In this episode, Alex has a lot to talk about. He covers Governor Josh Shapiro’s responsible statements after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Alex discusses more details around the shooter, why the shooter’s party allegiance doesn’t matter, and why the next few weeks will be telling. Later, the classified documents case out of Mar-a-Lago has been dismissed due to a flimsy legal argument and now Jack Smith will have to appeal it. Finally, Alex reacts to JD Vance becoming Trump’s VP nominee. The man that once called Trump an American Hitler is now a close Trump loyalist and the intellectual champion of the MAGA movement. Alex is bummed and kinda nauseous after all of the week’s events (and it is only Monday). 

Reichstag Moment: A Trump Assassination Attempt & A New Era of Political Violence

In this emergency podcast, Alex reacts to the breaking news surrounding an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Trump is safe, but Alex reacts to the political and sociological issues surrounding this event and why it may reshape politics, lead to an era of violence, and change the dynmamics for the 2024 election. 

The Dam is Breaking: Blue MAGA, Democratic Schisms, Funding Woes & Trumpian Gaslighting

In this episode, Alex focuses on why he thinks the dam may finally be breaking for Biden and his campaign future. Polls show that New York state may be closer than anyone hoped and fundraising for the re-election campaign may be drying up as more Democratic Senators are now coming out against Biden. Also, a piece by Tim Alberta in The Atlantic highlights why Trump’s campaign team consider Biden an electoral gift. Of course, Alex rants about soccer a bit as well. 

France and UK Elections Send Warnings to a Flailing Biden Campaign (+ the US Isn’t Ready for FIFA & Fox Soccer Struggles)

In this episode, Alex starts by worrying about how the United States doesn’t appear ready to host a FIFA World Cup in a few years. As he has been watching both the Euro Cup and the American Cup, Alex has noticed that the Fox Soccer crew has not only had bad (and dumb) takes, but also just seems lackluster in understanding the nuances of the game. He cites an article in the Guardian that explains it all. For the rest of the episode, Alex looks at how recent elections in the UK and France can send useful messages to Democrats/centrist movements in the world (especially the United States). In both the UK and France, the far-right was held back by moderated left-leaning parties and uniquely built coalitions that served as bulwarks against extremism. Alex worries that as Joe Biden and his allies are struggling to have tough conversations around his ability to run for four more years, some of the political dynamics in Europe can serve as both warnings and advice.