Centered From Reality

A Pivotal Election for Mexico & A Troubling Hostage Rescue in Gaza

In this episode, Alex starts by reacting to some clips from Colin Cowherd’s well articulated and funny criticism of Trump’s view of America. Next, Alex analyzes Mexico’s presidential election that happened last week. It was historic because Mexico elected its first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum. She is the hand-picked successor of the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and is part of his Morena Party. Many international democratic watchdogs worry that Sheinbaum will continue AMLO’s illiberal policies and erode democarcy at a time in which Mexico is highly polarized. Finally, Alex discusses a breaking story regarding the IDF rescuing 4 hostages in Gaza but killing close to 210 Palestinians. 

The Narva Scenario: NATO's Worst Nightmare (+ Praise for Colin Cowherd)

In this episode, Alex starts by congratulating Real Madrid on another Champion’s League Victory and then praises Colin Cowherd for providing sports listeners with a coherent criticism of Donald Trump following his guilty verdict. For the rest of the episode, Alex dives into the troubling situation in a little-known place, Narva, Estonia. It is mainly made up of ethnic Russians and is only a bridge away from the Russian border. Military experts and NATO officials worry that Putin may annex Narva to try to test the legitimacy of Article V of NATO’s Washington Treaty which guarantees a mutual military response when a NATO member is threatened. Estonia is a member of the organization and Alex worries this is a catch-22 and a worrying hypothetical, especially if Donald Trump is reelected — will NATO respond militarily to Russia over a small Estonian city with Russian ties, or will it kowtow to Russia and delegitimize the entire treaty in minutes? Alex argues that this all rests on the 2024 election and whether Donald Trump is reelected. In the United States, foreign policy is downstream from domestic politics… 

Justice: 34, Trump: 0 (But Will it Matter?)

In this quick episode, Alex reacts to the recent events that unfolded inside of the Manhattan court room where Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts. He was found guilty for falsifying business records, which is a class E felony and could lead to fines, probation, or up to four years in prison. Alex doesn’t think Trump will end up in prison but thinks only time will tell. He talks about how the voting base will react, whether this will hurt Trump, and how his election team is already in reaction mode. Justice won, but Alex argues the country will witness in real time whether Trump can become a convicted felon and still become president of the United States. 

Spain Recognizes Palestine, Extremism Infects the Ultra Running Community & Orange Juice Is on the Brink (of Extinction)

In this episode, Alex laments the fact that extremism and poltics have impacted the distance running community via gaslighting and posts. Then Alex dives into the tragedies and horrid situations unfolding in Rafah as Spain, Norway, and Ireland have recognized Palestine as a state in the international community. He argues that only the United States can help to convince Israel that Palestine must be a state and bolstered to rebuild while ridding it of Hamas. Finally, Alex is further worried about the state of orange juice. Climate change and rising costs are impacting orange exportation in Brazil and Florida to the point in which OJ may no longer exist and alternatives may be needed. 

Alito, Trump & Abbott Greenlight Political Extremism: How Partisan Justice Muddles Democracy

In this episode, Alex discusses how the Republican party is slowly starting to greenlight political extremism and by doing so, is eroding law and order and faith in institutions. He starts by talking about a new Trump conspiracy that argues that the FBI was trying to assassinate Donald Trump when it raided Mar-a-Lago to retrieve classified documents. While this conspiracy falls flat when one looks at any evidence or facts, the narrative is dangerous and tells loyal Trump supporters that the government is out to get them and that the justice department is a political entity. Next, Alex looks at what Governor Abbott has done in Texas. He pardoned a man named Daniel Perry who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering another man, Garrett Foster, during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. Even though the Texas judicial system found Perry guilty of murder, Abbott sent a message to vigilantes around the country — as long as political violence is committed against our perceived enemies, we will use the law to protect you. Finally, Alex dives into the Samuel Alito controversy regarding revolutionary flags displayed outside of two of his houses following January 6th. Both flags had historical origins but had been hijaked by people involved in the “stop the steal movement” and QAnon. Justice Alito may here a SCOTUS case that involves J6 and presidential immunity… 

Nikki Haley Sells Out to an Alternative Political Reality

In this short reaction episode, Alex is furious at himself for thinking that Nikki Haley would do the right thing. Instead, Nikki Haley has said that she will vote for Donald Trump because Joe Biden has been a terrible and “catastrophic” president. Alex doesn’t know how Haley can square the circle making this argument, she spent the remaining weeks of her presidential campaign attacking Trump and saying he was unfit to be president. Alex argues that Haley falls into the superficial category of Trump critics — those that will do it as long as it helps their media attention and doesn’t hurt their future aspirations. 

Bird Flu Spreads to Cows, Iran's President is Dead & the ICC Calls to Arrest Israeli and Hamas Leaders

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president, died in a helicoper crash in bad weather on Sunday. This event will likely cause political infighting and electoral chaos as Iran’s aging Ali Khamenei was likely looking to groom Raisi into his position down the road. Iran’s constitution requires an election within 50 days and it is likely to be neither free nor fair. Next, an International Criminal Court prosecutor has recommended arrest warrants for Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, and Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s leader. Alex thinks this is a fairly good move but discusses opposition and outcomes. Finally, Alex dives into the recent revelations about Bird Flu (N5H1) spreading to dairy cattle in the United States. He goes over the state, local, and federal issues that have occurred in tracking and testing this outbreak and what the larger ramifications could be. 

Biden, Trump & The End of Free Trade: Bipartisanship in all the Wrong Places

In this episode, Alex explains why he has enjoyed recording the podcasts outdoors, though this is only solidifying his phobia of birds. Then Alex spends the majority of the episode lamenting the fact that both political parties in the United States have moved away from supporting unfettered free trade and are moving towards protectionism. Last Tuesday, President Biden announced the US would put tariffs on many Chinese sectors, including 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Alex notes that Biden is only building off of what President Trump did during his presidency and argues that tariffs and protectionism may be good for short term political wins, but will hurt the economy and the American consumer. Later, Alex gives his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker, who made headlines after some controversial and unpopular comments about gay rights, women, and more. 

Zelensky's Election Dilemma & Aaron Rodgers: Putin's Next Top Useful Idiot

In this episode, Alex focuses on Ukraine and Zelensky’s new dilemma — his 5 year term is over on May 20 but due to the war, he can’t hold elections. Alex understands why elections can’t be held while martial law is in place, but he also worries that this will help Russian propagandists spew disinformation that challenges Ukraine’s image as a democratic country. Later, Alex briefly touches on Aaron Rodgers’ recent appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show. Aaron Rodgers has reached his finally form as he not only questioned the election results on the show, but also called Putin an interesting and thoughtful figure. Sadly, it seems like Aaron Rodgers is another useful idiot for Putin’s propaganda campaign against Democracy. 

Biden/Trump Agree on Debate, Lindsay Graham Goes Scorched Earth in Rafah & Biden's 99 Problems (& Gaza is One)

In this episode, Alex sits in his old room in Madrid and reflects on how anti-establishment talking points on Biden and others have become international. He talks about how the same talking points are being used from the US to Spain to Italy and beyond. Later, Alex takes a deep dive into Biden’s issues going into the election. Apparently Trump and Biden will debate twice, once in June and once in September. Alex also talks about Biden’s dilemma involving providing lethal weapons to Israel and whether the Israeli destruction in Gaza will hurt Biden in the election. Alex ends by talking about Jerry Seinfeld’s speech at a commencement ceremony at Duke University.