Centered From Reality

Politics is Corrupting Language, Monkeypox Failures & Trump in Final Form

In this episode, Alex rants about a midterm strategy that could backfire on the Democrats.  Then he discusses how a man traveling to Indonesia was fined almost $2000 for “smuggling” a McMuffin in his luggage and did not declare. Alex then discusses Trump’s return to D.C. in which he has reached his final form of hate, fear, and grievance. He also had some wild ideas about how to deal with the drug crisis and homelessness. Also, the next big fire in California has its own weather and is a harbinger of things to come. For the remainder of the episode, Alex discusses how the Monkeypox virus has created a crisis in the United States and the public health system seems to be worse off than it was before COVID-19. Alex also discusses how while the WHO has declared this a health emergency, many in the United States are struggling with how to communicate its risks to the public. The Atlantic discusses how “As monkeypox cases rise in the U.S., public officials are scrambling to balance concerns about stigmatization with the fact that the disease is largely affecting gay and bisexual men.” Alex argues that it is more important to actually call the issue what it is and focus resources and messaging on the actual people that are getting impacted by the virus. He turns this into a bigger issue of how public officials are more concerned with terminology than action. He relates this back to Politics and the English Language by George Orwell. Orwell notes that language can be used by politicians or opportunists to mean whatever you want it to. He discusses how if thought can corrupt language, language can also corrupt thought. 

Russia Plunders Sudan, Orban Goes Full Fascist But is Welcome at CPAC & LIV Golf

In this (late) end of the week episode, Alex discusses the controversial LIV golf tournament that is funded by Saudi Arabia. Of course it is being hosted at a Trump golf course. It is also being protested by the families of 9/11 victims and the media as well.

Alex also discusses how Joe Manchin has flip-flopped again on the Build Back Better deal and is likely to support it now. If this can pass, it will be a huge victory for Joe Biden. However, will Kirsten Synema still support it?

Then Alex discusses a troubling Russian scheme that led to a coup and the pundering of gold in Sudan. Basically, the Kremlin and Wagner Group helped orechestrate the coup in Sudan to put in a military dictatorship so that Russia could give them weapons in exchange for plundering the country’s resources (mainly gold).

Last, Alex looks at how quickly Viktor Orbán of Hungary has become a fascist. He discusses how Viktor Orbán’s recent speech in Romania was racist, xenophobic, and dangerous. Even the Jewish community in Hungary has called it a straight “Nazi-text.” He has shown me that it seems like you can’t play with this illiberalism without eventually going completely fascist. His authoritarian nationalism and erosion of checks and balances, along with his racial and xenophobic rhetoric cannot be put back once they are released. This is all problematic because Orbán is coming to CPAC in Texas; the GOP should learn some lessons from this and stomp this out. Orbán’s evolution is telling and foreshadowing. 

The Hawlin’ Hawley 5K, Schedule F: Trump’s Nefarious Plan & ECA Reform

In this episode, Alex talks about the push to reform the Electoral Count Act of 1887. A bipartisan effort is looking to reform it to clarify that the Vice President cannot deceritfy any election votes. This was a vague area in the original act that John Eastman and Trump allies tried to exploit. The window is small before the midterms, but it is still possible. Alex then reflects on Josh Hawley and how he wants to rin in the Haulin’ Hawley 5k in Missouri. Then he discusses what could happen in a second Trump term. In 2020, Trump passed an executive order that involved “Schedule F” in which the president could fire civil servants who are involved in confidential material or policymaking. Basically Trump would be able to replace over 50,000 civil servants with whomever he wanted. Alex worries this would politisize the civil service and cause irreversible damage. Finally, he discusses worries of a recession. 

The Electoral Count Act of 1887 Led to 1/6! (Classic Episode)

Alex will be back tomorrow with a new episode, but for the moment here is a classic episode from back in January of 2022. It looks like Congress may reform the Electoral Count Act of 1887. This is good news because John Eastman and others tried to overturn Biden’s victory by using ideas from this act. 

 

Original episode summary — 

In this episode, Alex takes a deep dive into understanding the Electoral Count Act of 1887. The act was passed by congress in reaction to the Compromise of 1877, and some argue that its existence actually paved the way for the 2020 election chaos and the storming of the capitol on January 6th. 

After President Grant ( a Republican) decided not to run for a third term, the 1876 election cycle was composed of Governor Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio (Republican) and Governor Samuel J. Tilden of New York (Democrat). The results of this presidential election between Tilden and Hayes became one of the most contested in US history. Tilden was winning the electoral college count with 184 electoral votes to Hayes's 165, yet there were four states that remained unresolved. These four states were Oregon, Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Each of these states responded differently to this situation, each party reported that their own candidate had won, and Oregon even replaced their electors. Eventually, a compromise was made in which Hayes became president and Tilden conceded. The Compromise of 1877 said that all of the remaining 20 electoral votes were given to Hayes. In return, “the Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South. This is credited with ending Reconstruction.” Ten years later, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 was passed. Unfortunately, it created an environment where if there was a contested election, no matter what the states electors determined, congress could make the final decision. Now there was a designated period that allowed contesting electors to make their case and if there was an issue, the Vice President and Congress would make the final decision. 

Alex argues that this act was poorly created and has existed in limbo ever since this period. Unfortunately, the 2020 election was also close and opportunistic lawyers and state officials used it to their advantage. Alex believes that this act needs to be overturned or reformed (at the least) so that there is a clear understanding of who will determine the legitimacy of an election, even if it is contested. 

The Curious Case of Clarence Thomas, Bolsanaro’s Big Lie & COVID Forever?

In this episode, Alex talks about how gas prices in the U.S. are lower than a month ago, but still much higher than a year ago. He also mentions that the U.S. is still in much better shape than most of Europe as a fuel crisis looms. Alex then discusses the new subvariant of COVID and why he worries we are entering a forever pandemic. The vaccines are always trying to catch up to the new variant, immune responses are quickly dwindling, and political and public apathy are constant. Later, Alex discusses how Jair Bolsanaro is losing by double digits to Lula for the election in October. Now he is claiming that voter fraud could be possible. Much like Donald Trump, Bolsanaro is creating uncertainity and challenging democracy. Finally, Alex takes a deep dive into the complex and radical life of Clarence Thomas. He poses the questions on how a radical black activist in the 1970s became the most conservative judge on the Supreme Court. Justice Thomas is a flawed and problematic man, but he is fascinating. 

The Russian-Iranian Alliance, A Bill Protecting Marriage Equality & Trump 2024?

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about how things are looking bad for Rudy Guliani and Netflix. Then he discusses the meeting in Tehran between Vladmir Putin and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran and Russia expressed mutual animosity towards NATO and the west, they also highlighted a new alliance between the two countries that is a based on grievance. Alex discusses that this was not always meant to happen and that the West has pushed Iran further towards Russia due to sanctions and backing out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Next, Alex discusses that the House passed a bill on Tuesday to protect marriage equality. It was somewhat bipartisan, it passed in a 267-157 vote. However, it will need to pass in the Senate which is split 50-50; in order to avoid the filibuster, the Democrats will need 10 Republican Senators to join. Finally, Alex looks at what may happen on the GOP side in 2024. Current polling shows that about 50% of Republicans want someone new in 2024 and a little under 50% will support. Unfortunately, there is no alternative with a strong share of the vote. For example, Ron DeSantis has 25% and then other potential candidates are polling in the single digits. Alex worries that Trump just needs a plurality (like in 2016) and since the opposition cannot coalesce behind one candidate, Trump could still win a plurality and the nomination. 

Jordan Peterson’s Existential Despair, Extreme Heat in Europe & Talking Past Each Other (Hawley, CRT & Politics)

In this episode, Alex discusses Jordan Petterson’s fall and how he has become a merchant of grievance and existential despair. In a recent video, he has gone into Russia/Putin apologia, arguing that the invasion of Ukraine has been tragic but the “Woke West” is degenerating. Then Alex discusses the record-setting heat waves, fires, and chaos that are hitting a large percentage of Europe. The Economist reports that “Over the weekend wildfires ravaged southern France, Portugal, Spain, and North Africa, as well as parts of Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Temperatures soared above 45°C in several places, intensifying fears about climate change. Finally, Alex discusses how it feels like people with different ideological views are talking past one another in the United States. He uses two examples to describe how both sides are acting in bad faith against the other and it is leading to a worsening political divide. He uses the example of the unproductive hearing between Senator Josh Hawley and the UC Berkeley law professor, Khiara Bridge. Depending on political ideology, it seemed like both of them won the debate, but not in a useful or effective way. Alex also discusses the heated debate over Critical Race Theory. To the right, it is an existential threat that requires draconian laws, the banning of books, and whitewashing history. The left, on the contrary, denies that CRT even exists yet is embracing the theory as 100% fact in many political and historical fields. 

Brittney Griner for the God of War? & Bolton Brags About Coups

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how Joe Manchin has once again dampened Biden’s domestic hopes. Then he goes over a shocking interview on CNN between Jake Tapper and John Bolton. In the interview, Bolton said the quiet part out loud, directly bragging that he had been involved in several coups. Alex discusses how this is atrocious for the U.S.’s image abroad and will feed Russian propaganda. “It’s damaging to our efforts to advance and support democracy,” Stanford University-Hoover Institution scholar Larry Diamond said. “We have enough trouble already countering Russian and Chinese propaganda.” Finally, Alex discusses the case of Brittney Griner, the WNBA player who has been detained in Russia for apparently having a marijuana vape pen. She could face a ten-year prison sentence because marijuana is criminalized in Russia. Many think that she is a high-profile hostage and Putin intends to push for a prisoner swap. First, Alex is irritated about how the media and public figures in the United States are covering this issue. Many claim the Biden administration is neglecting her because she is a woman. This is wrong, this is a highly complex situation and Russia should be blamed not Biden. Second, Alex discusses that Viktor Bout, the guy who would likely be part of the prisoner exchange, is an atrocious arms dealer with the blood of thousands of people on his hands. This is a complex scenario with no great solution. 

MAGA Think Tanks Are Invading the Swamp, the New Right & Biden is Under Water

Alex focuses on how the America First/MAGA/National Conservative movement is creating its own policy advocacy and think tank network to start creating policies, personnel, and a farm team for the New Right. Alex discusses how the New Right is focused on state policies to direct the economy, anti-immigration rhetoric, and nonintervention in foreign policy. While he agrees with some of these economic policies, he worries that this movement is also centered on Christian fundamentalism and that the idea of America First may not be good for all groups. It looks like these new think tanks are successfully replacing Reagan-era organizations such as the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation. 

Oath Keepers Saw Trump As a Path to Legitimacy

Day 7 of the Select Committee Hearings on January 6th just concluded and Alex felt it was necessary to provide some analysis of what happened. Alex focuses on the testimonies of two individuals — Stephen Ayres and Jason Van Tatenhove. Ayres was a former Trump supporter who believed the big lie and felt obligated to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally. He described that he never intended to go to the capitol, but Trump riled up the base and the energy during the rally helped stoke this action. Van Tatenhove is the former media director for the Oath Keepers. He basically argued that the Oath Keepers saw Trump’s lie as a way to pave a path to chaos and violence. The Oath Keepers saw January 6th as the spark that could have started a civil conflict. Van Tatenhove also described how January 6th exemplifies the Oath Keeper’s vision for America and that he was surprised that more bloodshed has not occurred. Ultimately, Alex expresses fear over how these organized militias saw Trump’s lies as a path to legitimacy and this should concern everyone, especially when he can rile up average supporters who believe his lies.