Centered From Reality

Should the U.S. Ban Russian Oil Imports? Is it a Pyrrhic Victory? Will it Work?

In this episode, Alex goes into the announcement that the United States would ban energy imports from Russia (oil, coal, and natural gas). Alex adds some context by discussing how Russia only makes up for about 3-4% of the US petroleum imports, yet this seems to be a move to hurt Russia’s ability to thrive off of high energy prices. He also thinks that the goal is to bring other countries in on this import ban. Russia has the hopes of sustaining its export revenue and this will likely delay that. Alex also goes into how American companies (and politicians) are pushing for growth in the US fossil fuel economy. This could be a Pyrrhic victory for the renewable, environmental cause because it could damage long-term progress. Alex knows that Biden will be blamed for the rise in oil prices, but he also looks at who is pushing for growing the US fossil fuel industry. Are they trying to help the American consumer or be sure that the future is run by fossil fuels? Alex concludes by going over how this may be an opportune moment for the electric vehicle economy to take off in the U.S. The Biden administration should work to create a sector that can decrease the U.S. need for fossil fuels. 

How the Russian Oligarchs Seized Power and Why it Matters

In this episode, Alex starts by looking at the current situation in Ukraine and giving some thoughts. Then goes into why the world has been unified in sanctioning the Russian elite, mainly the Oligarchs. Alex dives into why the failing economy of the USSR (in the late 1980s and early 1990s) led to pushes for privatization and the selling of state industries to the highest bidder. This led to opportunistic Russians who exploited this change and bought some of these industries for “pennies on the dollar.” Alex looks at literature that discusses how the post-Soviet leaders, such as Boris Yeltsin, looked to “…create maximum freedom first and rules later.” It is important to understand why this is important and why the world has been sanctioning people that have flourished off of this strange transition between the USSR and a privatized society. Alex argues that this can lead to destructive nationalism, inequality, and the exact situation the world is experiencing. 

Alex Reflects On His Own Political Views w/GOP 11 Point Plan

In this short, Alex goes piece by piece through Republican Senator Rick Scott’s “11 POINT PLAN TO RESCUE AMERICA.” It is what some have called “the MAGA agenda.” It has seen backlash from some establishment-type Republicans, however, it is a look into what the Trump base may want. Alex goes through each point and gives his insight into why he agrees or disagrees with each part. Some points he agrees with, but the majority seem to reflect that the Republican Party has been swallowed up by the culture war. While Alex admits they finally have a plan, most points seem to virtue signal to the base. Inadvertently, this episode gives listeners a look into Alex’s political views. 

State of the Union, the Texas Primary & the GOP’s ”11 Point Plan”

In this episode, Alex starts with an analysis and reflection on Biden’s State of the Union Address. He finds that Biden rose to the occasion but it felt less like a state of the union and more like a wish list of everything he wished they had accomplished in the last year. Alex gives the speech a B-. Later, he discusses the special election that occurred on Tuesday, March 1st in Texas. The election saw primaries for the gubernatorial race, the attorney general, and more. Republicans saw a massive turnout that should worry Democrats. Finally, Alex goes piece by piece through Republican Senator Rick Scott’s “11 POINT PLAN TO RESCUE AMERICA.” Some points he agrees with, but the majority seem to reflect that the Republican Party has been swallowed up by the culture war. 

China’s Perspective on Ukraine & Lessons from Chechnya and Aleppo

Last night, Russia warned residents and civilians in Kyiv to leave. Alex worries this is their last attempt to clear out civilians before they enter a new stage in the invasion. Alex discusses his worries about what may be next. He mentions that Russia has the capability for mass damage and destruction, examples can be seen in what happened in 1999 in the Chechnyan capital of Grozny or the Syrian-Russian bombardment of Aleppo in 2016. Later, he discusses how Chinese state media is balancing a fine line between staying neutral but also supporting Putin as the hero and the U.S. as the aggressor. Finally, Alex goes over how these implications may impact Taiwan. 

Russia’s Wagner Group: Neo-Fascists? Mercenaries? Russian Paramilitary?

In this episode, Alex starts with an update on Ukraine and how shocking it is that Russian forces seem unprepared. Then he goes into the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary group that many call “an arm of the Russian army.” This group has neo-nazi ties, links to civilian torture and violence in Syria and Libya, and is now helping the Russian army in Ukraine. There are recent reports that the Wagner group is helping Russian-backed groups to find and assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky. Finally in the episode, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and other far-right congress members, were spotted at a white nationalist rally in Florida. It is called the America First Political Action Conference and it was formed in 2020 by Nick Fuentes. Fuentes has called Putin “his leader” and has defended Adolf Hitler. Alex defends the right for these people to hold rallies, but calls on the Republicans to condemn Congresswoman Greene. She has raised more money than almost any other congress member and this is telling about where the base is. 

Updates From Kyiv & Florida’s ”Don’t Say Gay Bill” is Dangerous

In this episode, Alex is excited that Biden chose Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court. She is qualified but also will add a needed perspective on the court considering she was a defender and understands the flaws of our criminal justice system. Then, Alex discusses how it looks like an invasion of Kyiv is looming and the Ukrainian government is the first target. Alex looks into what is next, as NATO has activated its Defensive Response Force for the first time. Later, Alex goes into the Flordia bill, HB 1557. It has been called “the Don’t Say Gay Bill” and could really isolate and alienate the LGBTQ+ community. As a civil libertarian, Alex finds this not only problematic but detrimental to a healthy democracy. 

Biden Addresses the Nation, Lithuania Declares an Emergency & Trump Praises Putin!

In this short episode, Alex goes over how he stayed up watching the disturbing coverage of Russian airstrikes over key locations in Ukraine. At the same time, there were reports of Belarusian and Russian forces striking the border patrol. Since last night, Alex goes over Biden’s address to the nation that just finished. Later, he discusses how Lithuania has declared a state of emergency, and Ukraine has gone into martial law. Biden has promised to defend all NATO allies and Alex worries that this conflict may not stay in Ukraine. Finally, Alex discusses the disturbing and problematic rhetoric that is coming from the populist right (and some on the progressive left). Some media figures and politicians are so busy condemning Biden and their own country, that they are defending the biggest imperial threat to the world right now. Stability in Europe was one of the biggest achievements of the 20th century, Putin is putting that at risk. 

The Pretext for War: Redefining the Meaning of Sovereignty

In this episode, Alex focuses the entire episode on the recent updates on the Ukraine-Russia crisis where Putin has clearly set his sights on taking Ukraine and has officially invaded. Alex tries to get through all of the partisan media coverage to clarify the threat of what Putin is trying to accomplish. Putin has created a situation where Russia can define the meaning of a sovereign nation. Whoever disagrees, is conspiring against Russia.  Under Putin’s definition of statehood, it leaves room for redefining nationality for nefarious reasons.

 

 In this episode: 

• Alex starts by discussing Putin’s speech to Russian television in which he goes unhinged and crosses the rubicon. In his speech, Putin recognizes the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. Alex discusses how this is an effective means for creating a pretext for protecting Russians outside of Russian territory. 

 

• Alex tries to respond to the extremes on both sides of America’s media that claim that this is an issue the U.S. should not be involved in. He discusses polling out of Ukraine that shows that the nation is more unified around a national identity than ever before. Putin is trying to foil this. 

 

• Alex goes over why diplomacy has failed and why that works in Russia’s favor. Sanctions also may work in the short term, but the true dependent variable in this situation is China. 

A Rare Victory in San Francisco, Putin is Firehosing the West & the EU in Africa!

In this episode, Alex discusses a recent and surprising victory against unreasonable progressivism in San Fransisco. Then he goes over a tactic called the “firehose of falsehood” and why he thinks Putin is using it to cow confusion that could lead the world to a conflict in Ukraine. Finally, the EU is investing in Africa to combat China’s problematic Belt and Road Initiative. 

 

• First, according to Politico, “San Francisco voters have recalled three school board members who spurred a parental backlash for pursuing the renaming of schools and other progressive policy changes as classrooms remained empty during the coronavirus pandemic.” Alex discusses how while San Fransisco kids were doing remote learning longer than most other areas, school board members were making ridiculous arguments to change the names of schools, get rid of merit programs, and they even attacked anyone who disagreed with them. These types of policies are fueling the right and probably led to Glenn Younkin’s victory in Virginia.

 

• Second, Alex reviews the tactic known as the “firehose of falsehood.” It is a propaganda tactic, mainly used in Russia, in which a large number of messages are “broadcast rapidly, repetitively, and continuously over multiple channels.” Basically, a country’s social media and news are fled with so much disinformation and half-truths, that the populace doesn’t know what to believe and they become complacent. Putin has become infamous for using this strategy to sow discord and Alex worries he is doing the same about the Ukraine crisis. He worries this could lead to conflict because even NATO allies are unsure about what to believe is happening and Putin is just waiting for someone to act.

 

• Finally, according to reports from the Economist, “The EU announced a €150bn fund to invest in African infrastructure. The money is intended to offer an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).” Alex goes over his paper/own views on the BRI and why it is a disingenuous attempt for the Chinese government to get its foot in the door into the African continent. The BRI is basically a “Chinese Marshall Plan” that has given loans to build infrastructure in many African countries. However, the promise to stimulate the economy hasn’t happened because the program has used Chinese labor and has may put many countries into a debt trap cycle. The EU is providing an alternative.