Centered From Reality

Tucker Carlson: A Never-Trumper in the Sheets and a Propagandist on the Streets, NATO v Turkey & Who Blew Up the Nord Stream Pipeline?

In this episode, Alex talks about new revelations related to Tucker Carlson. This time, texts show that while he privately despised Donald Trump, he continued to tout conspiracies and support for the former president. Next, Alex looks into the reasons why Turkey has been blocking Finland and Sweden’s attempts to join NATO. It seems like for political and strategic reasons, Turkey is continuing to stall these actions. Finally, Alex goes into different theories regarding who blew up the Nord Stream pipelines and why. Some speculate it was the United States, others think it was Ukraine, and some argue it was Russia. Alex notes that this is another example of the fog of war eroding certainty during a conflict. 

Ron DeSantis Has His ‘Flight 93’ Moment, Defining Democratic Distrust & Retconning January 6th (A Conversation with Jon)

In this episode, Alex sits down with Jon for their best conversation yet! Jon is a reoccuring guest and former member of the armed forces who currently works for the government in the West Coast. The two have a wide-ranging conversation that delves into why Ron Desantis may be more dangerous than Trump, why the GOP has moved away from conservative principles and towards reactionary authoritarianism, and why Florida is only a model of hope if you agree with DeSantis. Alex argues this is because of the “Flight 93 Moment” that happened prior to Trump’s electoral victory in 2016. Basically, many Republicans value fighting the left and demonizing the opposition as a way to justify their drift away from conservative values. The two also discuss American distrust in politics, whether January 6th was an actual riot, whether a true coup could occur, and why January 6th could be the beginning and not the end. 

’Utter Hell’ in Bakhmut as the Wagner Group Resorts to Shovels & Could Putin’s Chef Replace Him?

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing the insanity at CPAC and why the conference should really be called TPAC (for Trump). He also notes that the straw polls that gave Trump over 60% of support, should not be taken completely seriously at an event that is pretty much a Trump brownnosing event. Next, Alex discusses the brutal and “hell-like” situation that is unfolding in the city of Bakhmut, Ukraine. Russian forces, aided by the Wagner Group, have surrounded the city in multiple directions and a majority of the city has been decimated. There are reports of a coming Ukrainian withdrawl; however, Russian forces have experienced an arms shortage and have started using the shovels that they dug the trenches with as weapons. In general, the situation has turned into a violent and tragic form of trench warfare. Finally, Alex goes into Yevgeny Prigozhin. He is a shadowy criminal and oligarch that founded the Wagner Group and the Internet Research Agency. As his mercenary forces have fought in Ukraine, he has continued to critisize and blame the Russian Ministry of Defense for some of the failures in Ukraine. Alex discusses some reports that argue how Prigozhin could try and become the next leader of Russia as the Russian elites have constantly critisized Putin due to what they deem as inaction in Ukraine. 

COVID Amnesty, Mass Mask Lies + Matt Gaetz Believes Chinese Propaganda

In this episode, Alex starts by looking into how Matt Gaetz accidentally used Chinese propaganda to defend defunding Ukraine. He is called out by almost everyone, but Alex still discusses why these actions could hurt the pro-Ukrainian cause. Next, Alex looks into a study that has circulated the media.  It is a flawed study that discredits the use of masks during the COVID Pandemic. Alex provides his own perspective into why he thinks masks don’t work, but then agrees that this study is flawed and problematic. Finally, he goes his into thoughts regarding some sort of an amnesty agreement around the pandemic. It seems like a lot of people did stupid shit with good intentions. Whether it regarded masks, schools, vaccines, or lockdowns, it seems like people need a reset of some sort. 

Lightfoot Loses Big, Warnings About Ron DeSantis & Electoral Concerns in Nigeria

In this episode, Alex starts by celebrating some good news. In Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, the incumbent mayor, will not get reelected. In fact, she will not even make the second round in April because she came in third place with only 17.1% of the vote. Alex dives into why she was a bad politician, abrasive leader, and created too much noise while not focusing enough on working with others to stop violent crime. Later, Alex goes into whether Ron DeSantis or Donald Trump are more dangerous. Alex argues that DeSantis is more dangerous and more authoritarian; he has this stance because it seems like DeSantis is a more competent and angry version of Trump. DeSantis also seems to be obsessed with stopping “wokeism”, this could lead to troubling and authoritarian policies. Finally, Alex talks about the recent presidential election in Nigeria. New and transparent voting systems were supposed to make the election fair and free; however, only a quarter of the eligible population voted and many Nigerians distrust the results. 

Scott Adam’s Dangerous Racism, SCOTUS Hears Student Debt Case, Vandalizing Roald Dahl & Paul Ryan and Fox News

In this episode, Alex discusses that the Supreme Court will finally hear the Student Loan Forgiveness case. Many think that the court will not uphold it due to its previous decisions around COVID-related issues and emergency actions. Next, Alex goes into the Roald Dahl controversy where sensitivity readers have rewritten multiple parts of his books. While Alex thinks that Dahl has some problematic views and is an outdated figure, he thinks that many of these edits are aesthetic and not about serious issues of hate. He thinks that sensitivity readers are vandalizing these works and setting a troubling precedent. Later, Alex goes into someone who is spewing hate in 2023 and is rightfully being canceled. This is Scott Adams, the cartoonist responsible for Dilbert. He went on a very troubling rant that basically told his viewers that Black Americans do not like White Americans and that White Americans should avoid them. Alex finds this rant to encourage segregation and distrust of other races. Finally, Alex discusses the troubling relationship between the Murdochs, Fox News, and Paul Ryan. 

Russian Plans to Absorb Belarus, China’s Appeasement Plan & Diplomatic Descent in South Africa

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how Ron DeSantis, the small goverment conservative has finally punished Disney for being “too woke. He discusses how Florida is not only where woke goes to die, but also where government intervention in your life goes to thrive. Next, Alex does a deep dive into the War in Ukraine from a myriad of angles. He starts by going into Putin’s comments about the invasion being existential to the Russian people. Putin also has called out NATO, signalling that he sees this conflict as bigger than just Ukraine. Also, there are reports surfacing that describe how the Kremlin plans to “absorb” Belarus by 2030 into a larger Russian union. Alex thinks this is more of an annexation that simple absorption. Alex also notes that China has finally released its peace plan which is more of an appeasement plan that is lacking in details and seems to ignore Putin’s atrocities. Finally, Alex looks into how South Africa has started to neglect its approach to human rights, is buddying up with Russia and China, and is focused on nationalism over diplomacy. 

The Wuhan Lab LEAKS Back Into the News: Sunday Special

In this Sunday episode, Alex goes into a new report out of the Wall Street Journal that discusses that “The U.S. Energy Department has concluded that the Covid pandemic most likely arose from a laboratory leak, according to a classified intelligence report recently provided to the White House and key members of Congress.” While some may see this as vindication that the virus absolutely originated in a lab, Alex discusses why this news is more complicated. He notes that only the FBI and Department of Energy have sided with the lab over nature. Finally, Alex goes into why the Lab Leak Hypothesis seems to challenge Occam’s Razor. 

A Partisan Proxy War in East Palestine, Fox News Controls the GOP & Mike Lindell Sues Kevin McCarthy

In this episode, Alex starts by ranting about the extreme weather hitting everywhere from the Tahoe area to Southern California. He has to drive into the chaotic traffic of a blizzard tomorrow and hopes things go okay. Next, Alex goes into one of his brief history talks about what happened to Franco’s Spain after he won the Spanish Civil War (hint — people suffered). Later, Alex goes into new revelations around Kevin McCarthy providing Tucker Carlson with exclusive access to over 40,000 hours of surveillance footage from January 6th. He notes that it is clear that McCarthy is afraid of Fox News and that the network is the one running the GOP. Finally, Alex goes into the chaos and tragedy in East Palestine, Ohio, after the train derailment earlier in the month. Studies are showing that over 40,000 aquatic animals have died as citizens are reporting troubling symptoms and the EPA is being challenged on its report. Alex also discusses how the area has become a partisan proxy war between the left and the right; as the people suffer, politicians and news media networks are grifting for their own gain. 

Elections in Mexico Will be Neither Free nor Fair, Creepy Convos with ChatGPT & Why MAGA Doesn’t Support Ukraine

In this episode, Alex ponders what decision Aaron Rodgers will make as he has emerged from his darkness retreat. Then Alex discusses how Mexico has finally defunded/reformed an independent election agency that was crucial in allowing democratic elections take place in Mexico after decades of autocracy. It seems like AMLO, Mexico’s semi-autocratic president, wants to make the 2024 election neither free nor fair. Next, Alex discusses why he thinks the MAGA movement does not support aiding Ukraine. It seems like Trump and his fellow lawmakers do not see Putin as the problem. If Ukraine wins, it is a victory for democracy, right when the MAGA movement is trying to erode democracy and establish something else. Finally, Alex ponders whether we should fear ChatGPT or the companies that have created these chatbots.