Centered From Reality

The Debt Ceiling: A Dangerous Game of 4D Chicken, the 14th Amendment & Is McCarthy Cynical Enough to Crash the Economy?

In this episode, Alex discusses the current debt ceiling crisis from multiple different angles. First, he worries that Joe Biden is engaged in a dangerous game of 4D chicken with Kevin McCarthy. It seems like McCarthy is willing to crash the economy because he knows that if he works with Biden, the crazies in his party will use a no-confidence vote to get rid of him. Game theory can be dangerous if one party has nothing to lose. Next, Alex looks at how some Democrats are looking at a clause in the 14th Amendment that could argue that this debt ceiling fight is unconstitutional. Finally, Alex analyzes Donald Trump’s comments about the debt ceiling. 

A Disasterous Town Hall for Democracy, Chaos Looms at the Southern Border, Assad is Welcomed Back & Do Sanctions Work on Pariah States?

In this episode, Alex starts by breaking down CNN’s Town Hall with Donald Trump which turned out to be a complete disaster. Alex asks his audience — what was the point of this town hall? In the 70 minute event, Trump made jokes about sexual assault victims, said he would pardon J6 members, couldn’t commit to supporting Ukraine, and basically said he would not accept the election results if he lost. Next, Alex looks at how chaos may be looming at the southern border. The COVID-era Title 42 is set to expire at midnight on May 11th and it looks like there may be uncertainity at the border. Finally, Alex worries that Syria’s murderous leader, Bashar al-Assad is being welcomed back into the international community as many countries have recognized that he is going to remain Syria’s president for years to come. Alex discusses how this brings up a moral dilemma — should nation’s continue to sanction and isolate a pariah country, even when it still remains? 

Trump & Santos: the Political Limelight Guides Prosecutors, An Important Election in Turkey & Tulsi Gabbard Attacks Trans Community

In this episode, Alex starts by analyzing a new Fox News interview with Tulsi Gabbard who has truly become a right-wing useful idiot. In this case, she attacks the trans community as having delusions and living fantasies. Next, Alex looks into the curious cases of Donald Trump and George Santos. Both are facing legal issues and federal investigations. Also, both have been fraudsters and conmen, involved in endless chicanery and lies. It looks like both would have gotten away with their actions if they didn’t run for office and get caught in the political limelight. Later, Alex worries that the CNN Town Hall with Donald Trump will be a mess and it will be hard to keep up with Trump’s lies. Finally, Alex talks about the upcoming presidential election in Turkey and why it is important for global liberalism, democracy, and NATO. 

Tucker is Going to Twitter as his Lawyers Attack Fox, Worrying Numbers for Biden, How Trump Could Win & George Santos Charged (Finally)

In this episode, Alex talks about Tucker Carlson announcing that he will do a show on Twitter. At the same time, Carlson’s lawyers appear to be going after Fox News and will challenge his no compete contract that keeps him on contract with the network until 2025. It looks like things are going to get ugly between the two parties. Next, Alex goes into some worrying poll numbers from an ABC News/Washington Post poll. The poll shows that Trump may have a six point lead on Biden, it also shows that Biden’s approval numbers have declined, and that a vast amount of Americans question his ability to continue doing the job. Alex rants for a good amount of time about the “X Factors” going into the presidential election. Finally, Alex touches over new reports regarding George Santos. Apparently he is being charged by federal prosecutors. 

A Chinese Movie Normalizes War With the US, 202 Mass Shootings for 2023, Tucker v. Fox News & Chaos on the Subways

In this episode, Alex starts by speculating about whether Tucker Carlson will challenge Fox News. He also discusses how some new leaks actually may help Carlson and could hurt Fox News. Next, Alex looks at the death (or maybe murder) of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway a week ago. Alex argues that this case is not black and white. Later, Alex dives into the previous weekend of mass shootings in the United States that put the country to over 202 mass shootings in 2023. Finally, Alex rants about a new Chinese movie called Born to Fly. Some worry that the movie could normalize a war between the United States and China. The Economist notes that “ ‘Born to Fly’ is ‘Top Gun’ with added nationalist grievance and no sex. If it is a hit in China’s cinemas, it should alarm the world like a beaten drum.”

A Minimum Standard for President, Mass Shootings in Serbia & A New Biden Conspiracy

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about the Writer’s Guild strike that is impacting Hollywood and has caused numerous shows to go dark. Next, Alex asks the audience — should there be more requirements to be President of the United States? There have been constitutional amendments for term limits, could there be some added requirements if an individual wants to hold the highest elected office in the United States? Alex notes that the election of Trump would have confounded the founding fathers whom believed the system would only allow the most virtuous to hold elected office. Later, Alex talks about a new GOP-led investigation into President Biden. The accusations come from a whistblower that claims Biden was involved in a bribery scheme with a foreign power. Of course, there are no details and even some Republicans admit the details are vague. Finally, Alex reports on two mass shootings that have occurred in Serbia on consecutive days. The government is quickly responding; however, Serbia has a large amount ofmilitary-grade weapons left over from the wars in the 1990s.

Steven Crowder & No-Fault Divorce, Bank Failure Fears as ’Something is Breaking’, America’s Looming Sovereign Default & A False Flag Attack in Russia?

In this episode, Alex starts by going over a recent rant from the right-wing podcaster Steven Crowder. Crowder seems to imply that he does not support no-fault divorce laws and Alex worries that no-fault laws may be the next target in the right’s culture war. Next, Alex looks into a recent drone attack that occurred outside the Kremlin. Russia has blamed the United States and Ukraine, it also is now looking to escalate the conflict and wants to eliminate the Kyiv government. Alex argues that this was likely a false flag event and gives reasons why Russia would do this. Finally, Alex looks into a recent trend of regional bank failures and discusses whether this is a worrying trend or just a phenomenon happening to a few outliers. Also, as the debt ceiling crisis looms, Alex worries that the Democrats and Republicans are playing with fire. 

The CNN Trump Show Returns With Echoes of 2016, McCarthy Condemns Russia & Gov. Abbott Injects Vile Politics Into Everything

In this episode, Alex is happy that Kevin McCarthy defended Ukraine during a press conference in Ukraine. This tells Alex that there is some hope. Next, Alex looks at how CNN will be holding a town hall with Donald Trump next week. It seems like the media did not learn from past failures and is willing to give Trump airtime. Alex worries that it is looking like 2016 all over again. Normalizing Trump is dangerous and it will help him. Finally, Alex rants about Governor Greg Abbott’s vile comments after a tragedy in which a family of five was shot outside their home in Texas. Abbott focused on the immigration status of the victims in a vile attempt to inject politics into the tragedy. 

Xivilisation: Rallying the World Against Liberal Values, Anti-Pluralism in Montana, TrumpGPT & J6 Convict Calls for Pence Execution

In this episode, Alex starts by playing the RNC attack ad on President Biden that was completely generated with artificial intelligence. He quotes sources that worry that by the 2024 election, artificial intelligence will heavily impact the results and how people vote. Next, Alex looks into Nikki Haley’s recent shots at Ron DeSantis that revolve around Disney. Haley says that Disney should just move to South Carolina because it would be more than welcome there. Later, Alex talks about Mike Pence testifying before the grand jury for the 2020 election chaos. The special counsel, led by Jack Smith, appears to be coming to an end. Finally, Alex looks into recent Chinese initiatives that look to bring harmony, regional diplomacy, and economic cooperation to different parts of the world. Alex worries that China hopes to challenge the west and is looking to push its “civilizational society” on liberal parts of the world. 

Word Salads, Tucker’s Martyr Ballad, Ex-Rapper Guilty in an International Conspiracy & ’No Labels’ Party Could Be a Spoiler for Democracy in 2024

In this episode, Alex talks about word salads, Tucker Carlson’s martyrdom, why a third party could spoil democracy, and how an ex-Fugees rapper was involved in a multi-national conspiracy. 

• Alex starts by covering two recent word salads produced by key political figures. One salad was made by Kamala Harris who again tried to give a philisophical speech about the moment we are living in, and instead confused everyone. The second salad was made by Tucker Carlson who finally spoke out after his ousting at Fox News. After a few days of reflection, Alex discusses why he thinks the firing of Fox News was a bad idea both politically and financially for Fox News. 
• Next, Alex analyzes Biden’s announcement to run for reelection in 2024 and why he thinks Biden could beat Trump. However, Alex worries that “No Labels” a third party option could prove to be a spoiler for Democrats and democracy, because the group has made unfair comparisons to Trump and Biden. Because there are more moderates remaining in the Democratic Party, Alex argues that “No Labels” would just take votes from Biden. 
• Finally, the former-rapper, Pras Michel, was found guilty in an international influence case. The case sounds like a political thriller involving Malyasia, China, and the United States. The scheme tried to influnce two presidential administrations (Trump and Obama) and it involved testimonies from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Sessions.