Centered From Reality

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. 

A Problematic New Constitution in Chile: A Message to Divided Democracies

Alex starts with an update on Ukraine. Then he discusses how a flawed constitution is being drafted in Chile and the Economist says that “Chile’s old constitution was hardly perfect. Indeed, it has been amended nearly 60 times. But compared with its proposed replacement, it is a paragon of clarity.” In 2019, following the violent protests in Chile over inequality, rising prices, and political corruption, the former center-right government agreed on creating a new constitutional assembly to draft a new constitution. The old constitution was created during the dictatorship of Pinochet and many blame it for the systemic issues in the country. Alex discusses how the new one is problematic because it is idealistic, vague, contradictory, and written by assembly members that are part of social movements and not political parties. There are many ideas with no definitions, new agencies without plans, and costly programs without any economic feasibility. Alex worries that this will cause legal infighting for years over vague terms and legal theories. Ultimately, this is a warning sign to other democracies. It is almost impossible to create a new constitution in a divided and polarized society. Alex uses an article from the University of Chicago to highlight why divisive times are not prime moments for creating a new constitution. 

Upheaval in Sri Lanka & Rogan Should Interview Trump - Saturday Special

In this weekend episode, Alex starts by asking “what happened to Michael Flynn?” by going over a new article that delves into this topic. Flynn seems to have gone from a skilled intelligence officer to a crazy MAGA start. 

Then Alex goes over the political and economic chaos occurring in Sri Lanka and why this could be a harbinger for things to come for other countries. Political and economic mismanagement have made the country a failed state and while the government blames the pandemic, the issue seems more complex. Sri Lanka owes China more than $5bn in debt and according to the BBC, took an additional $1bn loan from Beijing last year to help with its acute financial crisis. In 2022, it will need to repay over $7 billion in domestic and foreign debt. Now there is a massive crunch in fuel, food, and power; people are starving, dying, and angry. As inflation and supply issues have intensified because of the war in Ukraine, Alex worries this scenario could happen in other countries. 

Finally, Alex gives his case for why Donald Trump should appear on the Joe Rogan Experience. Recently, Rogan was asked if he would reconsider having Trump on the JRE and Rogan said that “I’ve said no every time, I don’t want to help him, I’m not interested in helping him.” Alex disagrees with this statement and thinks that the opposite could be true. 

Shinzo Abe is Dead & How a Unified Minority Beats a Fragmented Majority

In this episode, Alex discusses the tragic assassination of Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister. He also goes into the legacy of Abe and why he was controversial but important for unifying an alliance of Western and Asian partners. Abe was early to recognize growing threats in the region and helped unify allies such as the United States. The world was likely safer due to Abe’s divergence from other Japanese leaders. Alex then discusses that Boris Johnson has officially resigned. The fact that Boris Johnson actually resigned, and his own party turned against him, shows me how much trouble the U.S. is in. The inverse of that is happening in the United States. Finally, Alex looks at how the left is the majority in the United States, but lets perfection be the enemy of the good. He thinks this is a problem when you have a unified minority. He worries that this division on the left may enable the illiberalism that is growing on the left. he uses an analogy from the Stranger Things finale to bring this home. 

Bye Bye Boris, 4th of July Chaos & Adam Kinzinger Death Threats

In this episode, Alex discusses the tragedy in Highland Park on the 4th of July and why as Tom Nichols says, “the effect of these mass shootings is the same as terrorism: They rob us of a general sense of safety and turn us into a nation of hostages.”Then he discusses some new revelations from the investigation into the Trump team in Georgia, Lindsey Graham, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani have been called to testify. Then Alex provides a compilation of disturbing threats to Adam Kinzinger, that his team has put together. The threats help explain why Kinzinger could be resigning in November. Finally, Alex discusses how the clock may be running out on Boris Johnson’s time as PM of the United Kingdom. He has been hit by numerous scandals of his own creating and the master of chaos has caused too much of it.