Centered From Reality

Adiós to Democracy in Mexico & Dark Elon Has Arrived

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing his thoughts on the White Lotus finale. Then he talks about Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent round of delusions; this time she said that if she was involved with the January 6th riots, her side would have “won.” Next, Alex discusses a huge breakthrough in science. For the first time, scientists were able to conduct a nuclear fusion test that produced more energy than it consumed. This could be huge in the energy production world if the study holds up. Later, Alex goes into new updates on Elon Musk’s chaos involving Twitter. He also argues that Musk has become a nihilistic troll and political activist that is harming our discourse. Finally, Alex discusses more updates on the democratic backslide that is occurring in Mexico. Mexico’s president, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is working with members of Congress to reform an electoral board that he claims stole his previous presidential elections in the early 2000s. If this board is reformed, it would add partisanship and illiberal practices to how presidential elections are determined. 

(Ex) Royal Snowflakes, Violence in Kosovo & Going Goblin Mode

In this episode that starts off lighter than usual, Alex talks about Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix series and why it bothers him. Then he discusses Oxford’s word of the year, which is “Goblin Mode.” He notes that the word property identifies trends that have come out of the COVID era. Finally, Alex discusses troubling reports out of Kosovo’s northern region which is mainly ethnic Serb. The Economist notes that “Vjosa Osmani, Kosovo’s president, announced that upcoming local elections in the north would be delayed amid an outbreak of violence there. Kosovo had scheduled the elections in majority Serb municipalities for December 18th. Days of protests have included explosions and gunfire. The volatile region has been on edge over a spat about car license plates: Kosovo wants to replace ones issued in Serbia with its own.” Also, Serbia’s president, Alexander Vucic has mulled over the idea of sending troops into the territory. Alex discusses the ramifications. 

Grant Wahl’s Death in Qatar: A Sunday Short Episode

In this short, Sunday episode, Alex discusses the tragic death of Grant Wahl on Friday during the Netherlands - Argentina game in Qatar. Wahl was a soccer journalist who was credited with bringing more knowledge and attention to the sport for decades and was one of the sport’s finest reporters. Alex discusses how Wahl had suffered from a bronchial infection prior to his death and also reported feeling upper pressure in his chest. While the death seems to have been accidental, a lot of speculation has started. Eric Wahl, Grant’s brother and a member of the LGBTQ community, put out a video arguing that Grant Wahl’s death was deliberate. Due to the Qatari government’s treatment of minority groups, the online community has been fueled by this story. Alex thinks that many people almost want this death to be on purpose because it would highlight how badly the Qatari government is involving human rights. People should be careful. 

An Attempted Rebellion in Peru, A Coup Plot in Germany, Brittney Griner is Back & Kyrsten Sinema’s Delusions

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing growing concerns about another COVID wave just in time for the holidays. He notes that this one will likely be different but could be concerning for hospitals. Next, Alex discusses the irritating delusions of Kyrsten Sinema, who has recently declared she will work as an independent, detached from the Democratic Party. This is not surprising because Sinema only seems to fight for corporate interests and has been a thorn in the side of Democrats for years now. Alex moves on to a seemingly laughable yet disturbing story out of Germany that involves a far-right network that was planning a coup against the German government. Their goal was to overthrow the “deep state” and to create a new, German Reich. Alex argues that this event exposes the threat of domestic extremism in many large democracies around the world. Finally, Alex reflects on another structured attempt to overthrow a democratic system. Peru’s (now former) president, Pedro Castillo, was removed from office. The Economist notes that Castillo attempted to “close Congress, convene a new one with powers to write a new constitution, and “reorganize” the judiciary and the prosecutor’s office.” Alex gives a brief history of recent Peruvian leaders and discusses why these revelations are not surprising. Simply put, a lot of Peruvian presidents have ended up in jail or been removed from office. A problem for democracy? Probably. 

Lessons from Spain in 1936: Complacing During Crisis, Rejecting Authoritarianism & Supporting Democracies

In this episode, Alex starts by briefly discussing that President Castillo of Peru has been arrested. At this time, another Peruvian president has been lost to nefarious activity in office. Apparently, President Castillo wanted to dissolve Peru’s Congress after an impeachment trial. For the rest of the episode, Alex looks into the lessons that can be learned from the early days of the Spanish Civil War. He relates them to the current issues around the world involving complacency and the need to reject authoritarianism. He notes that the war’s brutality and divisive nature came from centuries of social tensions and inequality that left far behind the rest of Europe. Spain was a testing ground for Fascism prior to World War 2; both Germany and Italy used new ideas and gave new military technologies to aid Franco’s Nationalists in Spain. Alex also focuses on how authors like Adam Hochschild, who wrote Spain in Our Hearts, have pondered whether western pressure in Spain could have prevented Hitler from becoming emboldened. Countries like the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, failed to help Republican Spain. Instead, they were complacent and naive to the threats of fascism. Alex worries that complacency is once again an enemy to protecting free and fair governments around the world. 

Malicious Activity in North Carolina, Trump Organization Issues & Warnock Wins

In this episode, Alex starts by celebrating how the Liver King was finally exposed as a fraud for using anabolic steroids. Then he discusses the irony of these people who celebrate “ancestral” or primordial diets. Then he discusses intentional attacks on two substations in North Carolina that have led to thousands without power, heat, and food refrigeration. Many schools and businesses have been closed since Sunday. Alex notes that these attacks are being investigated, but there are worries that they could be occurring in multiple states due to some online, social media organizations. Next, Alex discusses how the Trump Organization was found guilty on Tuesday of tax crimes committed by two of its longtime executives. The Manhattan District Attorney noted that “This was a case about lying and cheating, false documents to the end of evading taxes for the benefit of individuals and the [Trump Organization].” Alex worries that while this is good news, the crimes committed have not been directly linked to Donald Trump. Finally, Alex is excited that Raphael Warnock won the Georgia Senate runoff. Republicans must really be shaking their heads after losing the senate and barely keeping the house. 

Most Expensive Cities in the World, ”Free” Speech on the MAGA Right & Metastasized Nihilism

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing a new World Health Organization report that notes that somewhere close to 90% of the world’s population has some form of exposure to the COVID-19 virus and may have some immunity. Next, Alex looks at a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit that looks at the cities in 2022 with the highest and lowest costs of living. He notices that inflation and rising fuel prices have changed some of these cities. Also, he discusses how the information is useful because it can paint an important picture of global dynamics and how different countries have fared with the pandemic, inflation, rising oil prices, and more. Finally, Alex discusses recent “Truths” from Donald Trump that discuss how the Constitution should be overthrown due to recent revelations about the 2020 election and the Hunter Biden laptop. Alex goes into new revelations from Twitter, the chaos it has created between the left and the right, and why it has created a very confused view of free speech on the right. 

Fading GOP Hopes in Georgia, Russians Fighting Against Russia, Price Cap on Oil & Iran Abolishes its Morality Police

In this episode, Alex starts by ranting about how Donald Trump has finally said the quiet part out loud about suspending the constitution due to the grievances he has with the 2020 election. In the Atlantic, David Graham said it best, “Trump’s incoherent constitutional philosophy summed up: The Constitution provides a first option, but if for some reason he doesn’t like it, he’s happy to discard it.” A call for the suspension of the Constitution is simply the natural and most explicit articulation of Trump’s demonstrated view that the Constitution is more a set of guidelines than a binding rule book.” Next, Alex discusses new issues with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar; apparently, carbon emissions have already been much worse than expected. Then Alex looks into why Herschel Walker is a tough person to vote for. A day before the Georgia runoff results, he gives his case for why Walker may lose. Next, Alex looks into new revelations in Ukraine, he talks about a G7 price cap on Russian oil and revelations about how Russians are fighting with Ukrainians to help the cause. Finally, Alex discusses what is happening in Iran.

Economic Confusion, the Floodgates Have Opened on Twitter & A Far-Right Coaltion in Israel

In this episode, Alex discusses the contradictions that are present in this current economy. A recent report shows that more jobs were added in November than expected and wages rose by close that 5.1%. However, this is not the full story because other issues such as inflation and rising employment costs have made some worry that a recession is coming. Next, Alex talks about how Elon Musk has eroded Twitter’s legitimacy and has opened the floodgates to extremism. He discusses how keeping Nick Fuentes and Kanye West off the platform is good; however, more mainstream nutjobs like Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene remain popular. Alex argues that the GOP has an extremism problem of its own making and Musk only made it worse by buying Twitter and bringing racism and hate back to the platform. Finally, Alex discusses fears in Israel over a new coalition that the Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has formed with far-right groups. These groups are homophobic, and nationalist, and do not align with the majority of Israelis’ views. This coalition also has individuals that consider expanding settlements in the West Bank a necessity and will prevent investigations into Netanyahu’s illegal activities. The mayor of Tel Aviv has expressed concerns that the country could fall into a far-right theocracy. 

Bombs in Spain, Kanye is Awful, Viktor Orbán is Watching, Kari Lake Broke Arizona & Nicolás Maduro is Emboldened

In this episode, Alex covers a myriad of topics. He starts by ranting about a pointless and stupid documentary coming out soon about Meghan and Harry. Then he goes on to discuss Kanye West’s disturbing new comments on Alex Jones’s InfoWars. West says that he likes Hitler and expresses support for the Nazi Party. Next, Alex discusses a series of letter bomb threats that have hit Madrid and other Spanish cities, the bombs have been sent to Spain’s PM, the US Embassy, the Ukrainian Embassy, other officials, and several companies. There are serious questions about who is sending these bombs and whether they are driven by Spain’s support for Ukraine. Later, Alex looks into the re-emergence of Nicolás Maduro on the world stage and the lifting of US sanctions on Venezuela. Also, the Biden administration has greenlit a deal between Chevron and a Venezuelan oil company. Alex worries that the War in Ukraine has led to the United States looking to create some closer ties with Venezuela, which has a lot of oil. Alex then discusses how Hungary’s Viktor Orban has violated EU and Hungarian laws by using private data to push for electoral propaganda and voting data. Finally, Alex discusses the madness in Arizona that has persisted after the gubernatorial election which Kari Lake lost. Still, one county has not certified the election results and Alex worries this is another test of how to steal an election for 2024. 2020 was a large-scale attempt, it seems like some nuts are attempting smaller-scale ways to prevent an election.