Centered From Reality

Fascism is Freedom: Accepting the Contradictions, Weaponizing Victimhood & Intellectualizing the Madness

In this Saturday special, Alex goes into another issue that keeps him up at night. Alex firmly believes that Donald Trump has a decent chance of becoming president once again. However, there is now an intellectual side of the MAGA movement that includes think-tanks, media organizations, and actual policies to go along with America First politics. It seems like the right is focused on making Trump’s second term more effective and less chaotic. Alex argues that this is horrible. He goes into Schedule F and how its legal theory could purge the civil service in a second Trump administration. Then he goes into the strange dynamics that occur in authoritarianism and fascism. There seems to be a contradiction between freedom and control; however, many fascists claim to be using authoritarian powers to bring freedom to their base. It does seem like the right is moving in that direction and Alex worries that a second Trump term could be really horrendous. 

From Cyprus with Love: The Ballad of Gal Luft (a B-Movie Bond Villian), Bribes for Votes, DeSantis Chokes & the Looming UPS Strike

In this episode, the so-called “whistleblower” or informant that some GOP members have said went missing has turned up. It is a guy named Gal Luft and he is quite unique and has a life that sounds like he would fit well into a James Bond movie. Luft claims to have informed the government about Hunter Biden and potentially Joe Biden having ties with the Chinese government. Luft is now somewhere. He was arrested in Cyprus and is now running from the law after working with the Chinese government and dealing weapons to Libya. He also helped Iran evade US sanctions. Alex breaks down all of the conspiracies around the Biden family and thinks most are contradictory. Later, Alex talks about how we are in the bad vibes economy and there are looming strikes at UPS. Also, Hollywood actors are now also on strike along with the writers. Finally, Alex talks about the GOP 2024 race and discusses how some candidates are trying to give financial incentives to donors so that they can make it to the debates. Alex wonders if this is legal. 

Dark Times for MyPillow, NATO Keeps Growing, Tuberville Defends White Nationalists, Focusing on Class Instead of Race & Santos Compares Himself to Rosa Parks

In this episode, Alex feels obligated to cover a range of topics. He starts by discussing a recent and difficult conversation he had with someone recently about race, class, and the future. Next, Alex takes his listeners on a tour that stops at every stop of the craziness that is now the GOP. He looks at Senator Tuberville denying white nationalists are racist, George Santos comparing himself to Rosa Parks, and Mike Lindell blaming everyone else but himself for the collapse of MyPillow. Finally, Alex describes the situation between Turkey and NATO. Turkey is not supporting a bid to let Sweden join NATO, why now? 

An Actual Hunter Biden Scandal, How Cluster Munitions Could Divide the Western Alliance & Are Cluster Munitions an Escalation?

In this episode, Alex talks about an actual Hunter Biden scandal that could hurt the Biden Administration. Then he goes into reports that the United States will supply cluster munition to Ukraine. Cluster munitions are banned in many countries and are controversial due to their ability to threaten civilians. Unexploded cluster munitions, or duds, can be a serious threat to the safety of civillians. Alex is concerned about this decision and worries that it could divide the United States and its allies, it also may cause some form of an escalation. 

White House Finds Cocaine, Splintering Factions in Spain & DeSantis Accelerates His Insane Crusade

In this episode, Alex starts by going over why he thinks the US needs to redefine what it means to be patriotic because it seems like it is another term that has become politisized. Next, he talks about a new ad from Ron DeSantis that embrases an anti-LGBTQ+ crusade and attacks Trump for being “pro-LGBTQ+.” Alex discusses how absurd the ad is and also notes how divisive and extreme it is. Later in the podcast, the White House was evacuated after a white powder was found. The powder turned out to be cocaine and now there are more questions than answers about why it was found in a part of the West Wing open to guests. Finally, Alex breaks down the coalition system in Spain and notes that the left is tearing itself apart as former coalitions are falling apart and the right is trying to take advantage of this schism. It is possible that for the first time in almost three decades, the Partido Popular (the center-right party), and Partido Socialista Obrero Español (the center-left party), could lose influence. 

The Right Against Birthright, Army Fact Sheet 64’s Warning from 1945 & Blindspots in Afghanistan

In this episode, Alex starts by going over a new government report that highlights the logistical failures of both the Trump Administration and Biden Administration in pulling out of Afghanistan. Next, Alex talks about why the right is fixated on birthright citizenship. Specifically, many 2024 candidates are talking about repealing birthright citizenship. Alex argues this could be dangerous and is in contrast to the American experience. Finally, Alex breaks down an interseting US Army fact sheet from 1945 that highlights the threat of Fascism. The fact sheet eerily serves as a time capsule into the current democratic crises going on in the world. 

Bolsonaro Barred From Running, SCOTUS Axes Loan Forgiveness, the Complexities of Affirmative Action & A Hinge Moment in Time

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about how a realignment in our politics may have been sped up by what some call “a hinge moment.” Basically, some people have the tools to prosper in a changing economy while others feel the wind is blowing in their face. Next, Brazil’s electoral court has actually barred Jair Bolsonaro from running for office until 2030. This is a big deal considering the United States was unable to hold Trump accountable after January 6th and his election disinformation. Finally, Alex looks into the Supreme Court’s recent decisions. SCOTUS axed Biden’s Student Loand Forgiveness program and it also axed affirmative action. Alex shares his complex views on both. 

Wagner in the Central African Republic, Russia Bombs a Restaurant, Rick Scott’s Stupid Travel Warning & Trump Tops Biden

In this episode, Alex starts with a clip of Senator Rick Scott’s stupid travel advisory where he tells people traveling to Florida that the “free state of Florida” will not allow communists and socialists to travel there. Alex laughs at the absurdity of this video. He also starts with a worrying clip where 2024 presidential nominee Francis Suarez says in an interview that he does not know who the Uyghurs are. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about the Wagner Groups growing influence in Africa and how it may change after the clashes between the mercenary group and the Russian government. He also talks about how a recent restaurant bombing in Ukraine by Russian forces highlights the tragedies of living in Ukraine during this war. Finally, Alex also goes over some new polling that shows Donald Trump beating Joe Biden in a hypothetical 2024 general election. 

Bring Some Cokes in Please: Gaslighting the Base, the Rise of the Conspiracist Kennedy, Expunging Trump & Fox News Gives Up!

In this episode, Alex is exhausted with how disengenous most political figures have become. He starts by going over the released recording of Donald Trump discussing the classified documents involving Iran. It does not look good for Trump as he openly contradicts the legal arguments he has been using. Next, Alex is angry but not surprised about how Marjorie Tayloer Green and Elise Stefanik want to expunge Donald Trump’s impeachments. Now, Kevin McCarthy has said he agrees with expunging these impeachments. Alex does not think this will do anything but it can gaslight the average American voter. Later, Alex notes that Jesse Waters is going to take Tucker Carlson’s slot and it looks like the company has given up on trying to be bold. Finally, an Atlantic article argues that RFK Jr. is the first MAGA Democrat; Alex reacts and agrees. He also breaks down why he thinks RFK Jr. is complex and fascinating (though he would never support this current version). 

Putin Makes Martyrs Out of Cronies, Prigozhin is Exiled, Trump Wants to Ban Communism & SCOTUS Sides with Biden

In this episode, Alex starts by telling his listeners that he is worried about the growing woke backlash and why he thinks Trump could win some confused voters by default. He plays some new speeches where Trump promises to ban birthright citizenship and another speech where Trump wants to use the federal government to limit communists and leftists from entering the country. Next, Alex looks into the recent revelations out of Russia. The Wagner Group turned around and in a deal brokered with Belarus, its leader, Yevegeny Prigozhin, will be exiled and his soldiers absorbed into the Russia military. Alex argues that Putin is scared and his regime is cracking. Once again, he has made martrys out of his rivals and this time, Prigozhin has a populist force behind him — it is no longer about the man. Finally, Alex goes back to the United States to discuss how SCOTUS has been favorable to Biden recently. One decision has affirmed that immigration is the domain of the federal government, the other will investigate the gerrymandered districts in Louisiana.