Centered From Reality

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. 

Taxes, Sedition Charges, Protecting Marriage & Looming Crises in Europe

In this episode, Alex discusses how most of the Republicans that are condemning Trump for his Mar-a-Lago dinner with Fuentes and Ye are only condemning Trump because they know it is bad for their brand. They are not doing it because of a moral shift. This makes them likely to shift back towards him if the calculation is correct. Then Alex discusses Trump’s taxes and new reports that House Democrats have obtained over six years of his federal tax information. What will these documents reveal about Trump’s time in office? Later, Alex discusses reports from places like the New York Times that the leader of the Oath Keepers, and one of his fellow members, were convicted of seditious conspiracy after the events of January 6th. Alex discusses why sedition was a better charge than treason. After, Alex discusses how the Respect for Marriage Act just passed the Senate and will move to the House. Finally, Alex expresses his concerns about the energy crisis in Europe, what increased protectionism by the United States will do to Europe, and what a decline in foreign investment will do to the European Union. He worries an economic and geopolitical row is coming.  

Balenciaga Controversies, the Georgia Runoff & Sending Armed Forces to Haiti?

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing the World Cup and the U.S. Team’s victory over Iran. He also discusses how Iran is a fascinating story and there are reports that show Kurdish-populated regions of Iran celebrating the Iranian team’s loss. Next, Alex discusses the blowback from Balenciaga’s troubling and disturbing pre-Thanksgiving ad and why it may have fueled every far-right conspiracy about child exploitation possible. Later, Alex discusses the Georgia runoff that is a week away and early turnout is higher than expected. Finally, Alex discusses the dire situation in Haiti and why some insiders say the carnage is closer to a civil war than solely anarchy. Also, officials in the Biden Administration have reportedly called for sending “armed foreign forces to stabilize Haiti” according to the New York Times. Alex mentions the complications of such an international task force. 

Meeting of the Maniacs at Mar-a-Lago, Chinese Protests & Iran Throws Shade at the U.S. Team

In this episode, Alex starts by ranting about current airline failures during the holidays and why Congress is placing extra scrutiny on the main companies. Then, Alex discusses the new controversy regarding former President Donald Trump having a dinner party with Kanye West and hate-mongering individuals such as Nick Fuentes, a well-known white supremacist, and holocaust denier. New York Magazine notes that “Former President Donald Trump is continuing to face backlash after hosting and dining with notorious white supremacist and avowed antisemite Nick Fuentes at his Mar-a-Lago estate on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.” Of course, Trump has denied knowing Fuentes; however, Alex questions these answers and ponders who is checking the guest list at Mar-a-Lago. The president must set boundaries and lead by example, he cannot amplify the voices of despicable human beings like Fuentes. Later, Alex discusses the recent protests in China over COVID-19 lockdowns and why these may be different. He argues that these are unified in calling out the regime and worries that President Xi may show his cards in this case. Xi has become president for life and will likely grapple with how to control these protests. Finally, Alex discusses the bravery of the Iranian Football Team and wonders what happens when they return home to Iran. He also discusses how according to CNN, “the United States Federation of Soccer had temporarily displayed Iran’s national flag on its official Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook account without the emblem of the Islamic Republic.” Now the Iranian government is calling out the U.S. Team and is demanding that FIFA kicks them out. Of course, the U.S. Men’s Team has denied knowing about this change and has shown cowardness while the Iranian team has done the opposite. 

COP27 Was Useless (Again), Paying the Climate Bill & Climate Arms Race With China?

In this episode on the Eve of Thanksgiving, Alex starts by discussing his new Christmas guilty pleasure movie. Then he discusses how the Far-Right has started blaming the tragic nightclub shooting in Colorado Springs on the victims. He discusses how the lies around “groomers” have caused a complete breakdown in moral courage and compassion. Alex then gets into Trump’s bad day of lawsuits, investigations, and Supreme Court smackdowns. Later, Alex talks about the COP27 Summit that just ended in Egypt. He notes that it seems like the summit was ineffective in accomplishing climate goals, though creating a climate fund to help developing countries was a good start. He discusses how the idea of the fund was crucial but also that there is still no plan. He discusses how developing countries need state and network finances to help encourage private investment into renewable energy infrastructure. Finally, Alex discusses a growing arms race or Cold War between the United States and China over climate change and renewable energy.