Centered From Reality

Senator Bob Menendez: National Security Threat, Compromised Egyptian Asset & First-Rate A*****e

In this episode, Alex focuses on New Jersey’s Democratic Senator, Bob Menendez. While some of the indictments against him sound like a 1980s B movie (hiding gold bricks, wads of cash in his clothing, truck smuggling), Alex argues that the bigger issues. The bigger issues can be put into two categories — the ongoing threat Menendez poses to American national security, and how he is becoming Trumpian in doubling down on his actions. Alex discusses why Menendez should resign immediately due to the potential that he’s a compromised Egyptian asset. Also, it is odd that Republicans are now defending Menendez in their crusade to claim all federal law enforcement activity is political. 

Trump’s Fake Pro-Workers Rally, Edging Towards a Shut Down & Senator Feinstein Dies

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how the US could be headed to a government shut down on October 1. The Republican-led house tried to pass one more bill yet radical house Republicans voted against it once again. Alex wonders why McCarthy doesn’t call the bluffs of people like Matt Gaetz because even though they have a motion to vacate the chair, there isn’t an alternative to McCarthy. Next, Alex is in awe after watching Trump’s rally in Michigan at a non-union factory. The media and Trump-supporters said he would maybe go to a UAW factory in supporter of unions and unfortunately some people still think he did. Alex argues that Trump just gave a normal union busting speech at this event and it highlights his faux-populism. Finally, Dianne Feinstein, California’s senior senator, died at 90. Alex discusses her legacy and notes that she is an excellent study into one happens when someone holds onto power for too long. 

FULL Debate Analysis: The Siren Song of Some Sycophants (and Doug Burgum)

In this special debate recap episode, Alex breaks down the second round of the 2024 Republican Presidential debate that was hosted on Fox Business. Alex argues that this debate was better run and more telling than the first. He also goes into the entirety of the debate and breaks down the pros and cons of each candidate. The episode ends with a ranking of each candidate and how far each one could (potentially) go. 

MTG Drafts Declaration of War Against Mexican Cartels as Mexico Becomes the Top US Trading Partner

In this episode, Alex laughs and cries over the Democratic Senator, Bob Menendez, who has been indicted on three charges — committing bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion. Menendez has used some unique arguments to defend himself as he searched online how much a gold kilo was worth and hid stacks of cash in his clothing. It is time for Menendez to resign and it sounds like many Democrats agree. For the rest of the episode, Alex expresses his concerns around the news. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has said she is drafting a declaration of war against Mexican Cartels. Alex argues that this rhetoric is widespread on the right and will only lead to more polarization and violence in Mexico. He also argues that a war on the cartels could create a power vaccuum that could make the issue worse and only divide relations between the United States and Mexico. Alex also notes that Mexico is now the top trading partner with the United States after passing China and the relationship should be repaired, not destroyed. 

Intellectualizing MAGA Attacks on the Civil Service, Canada F**ks up Zelensky’s Visit & Thoughts of Sehnsucht in Fall

In this episode, Alex covers a myriad of topics! He starts by reflecting on his complex nostalgia since his time working in Spain. Then he gets into a recent blunder in Canada where a parliament member inadvertently had the crowd celebrate a 98 year old Ukrainian veteran that turned out to be a fighter for a Nazi regime. Later, Alex celebrates the potential, tentative deal that could end the Writer’s Strike in Hollywood. Finally, Alex takes a deep dive into why the civil service is important why MAGA allies are looking to intellectualize Trump-era lies that can help them gut the civil service to retain power. 

Ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh: Ethnic Cleansing, Re-Integration or a Fresh Start?

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about why he thinks both President Biden and Donald Trump should participate in debates and why he thinks it is crucial for democracy. Then Alex takes a deep dive into some fairly interesting events happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to reports, Armenia has pulled out its forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh region which houses over 100,000 ethnic Armenians inside of Azerbaijan. After decades of violence and vile rhetoric, this is somewhat surprising. Alex argues that there is nothing to celebrate and a campaign of “re-integration” inside of Azerbaijan could be beginning. 

Poland is Becoming a Thorn in Ukraine’s Side

In this episode, Alex talks about how Anne Applebaum turned out to be correct about Poland potentially becoming a thorn in Ukraine’s side. As of yesterday, the Polish government has announced that it will continue to honor its current weapons agreements with Ukraine, but it will not send more weapons than agreed. All of this is because of the Black Sea blockade that President Putin has created. Since Ukraine can’t ship its grain from the ports on the Black Sea, it has transported the grain through countries like Poland. Unfortunately, Ukrainian grain is lower priced and has ended up getting stuck in Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia; this has led to a drop in prices and protests from local farmers. Alex discusses how this may create ripples throughout the Polish-Ukranian alliance. 

A Killing in Vancouver Highlights Deteriorating Relations Between Canada and India

In this episode, Alex discusses how the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada has led to a freeze in diplomatic and economic relations between India and Canada. Credible intelligence released by the Canadian Government links the killing to forces associated with the Indian Government. Now, the United States and the United Kingdom must walk a tight rope in foreign policy as Canada wants to hold India accountable for its democratic crackdowns at home and abroad. 

Trump’s Ominous Warning to the Jewish Community

In this episode, Alex starts by going over some other clips from Donald Trump’s chaotic interview on Meet the Press. Later, Alex expresses his concerns around Trump’s Truth Social post that sends an ominous warning to Jewish Americans that voted for Democrats — “Let’s hope you learned from you mistake and make better choices moving forward! Happy New Year!” It seems like Trump has constantled attacked Jewish Americans that vote Democrat and has peddled conspiracies about them having dual loyalities. Alex dives into this history of this rhetoric and why it can fuel troubling results. Alex also rants about Italian Fascism for a bit. 

The Double-Edged Reality of American Exceptionalism & Trump ”Beats the Press” in a New Interview!

In this episode, Alex reflects on the ideals of American Exceptionalism and why he thinks it has made some of us immune to our own internal weaknesses. Later, Alex goes into Donald Trump’s recent interview on Meet the Press. Alex ponders why mainstream outlets still run these interviews and how some journalists struggle to maintain credibility as they fight Trump’s firehose of flasehoods.