Centered From Reality

Schadenfreude Over McCarthy’s Failures, The Talented Mr. (Santos) Ripley & NFL Darkness

In this episode, Alex starts by going over why he finds Truth Social to be so alluring and fascinating. Then he discusses the new nickname that Democrats have been calling Robert Santos — the Talented Mr. Ripley. Alex then goes into Santos’ new scandal regarding stolen checks in Brazil. Brazilian officials are now investigating him. Next, Alex goes into the tragic events that happened during the Bills-Bengals game in which Damar Hamlin had a cardiac arrested and collapsed on the field. After needing to be revived twice, he is not in critical condition in the hospital. Since the accident, Alex discusses how there have been numerous vaccine conspiracies that sound ridiculous. Also, he admits that many NFL viewers are hesitant to admit that the NFL will always be unsafe and it is a sport that will likely never be able to fully change. Finally, Alex goes over all the chaos surrounding Kevin McCarthy’s inability to get enough votes to become the speaker of the house. As of Wednesday night, he has lost six rounds of votes to be the speaker. The Democrats are currently unified, while the GOP is in disarray. 

Progressives Attack Buttigieg, Andrew Tate Arrested & Forward Party Failures

In this first episode of 2023, Alex dives into the recent detainment of Andrew Tate in Romania. He goes into why Tate has become a dangerous, if not popular, and reactionary figure on the “anti-#METOO” right. Next, Alex goes over an article by Joseph Swartz called “Why I Joined, Then Left, the Forward Party.” Alex goes over the article and then explains why he has issues with the Forward Party. Finally, Alex discusses how some progressives like Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna have started to criticize the Department of Transportation, and Pete Buttigieg, over the recent Southwest chaos. 

Staring Into the Abyss in 2023: Keeping the Lights on, Balancing Risks & The Global Order (A Conversation with a Friend)

In this conversation, Alex and a good friend have a broad conversation about what is going on around the world and what can be expected in 2023. The conversation focuses on how Europe and the world will deal with rising costs and energy issues. It also goes into Russian nationalism, the War in Ukraine, Chinese politics, how revolutions happen, American politics, and the state of policing in the United States. This episode diverges from more common episodes and just freely flows into numerous topics that will impact everyone in 2023. 

A Sausage Tycoon Dies, Santos Drops it Low, Low Low & Victories on the Italian Right

In this episode, Alex discusses why he decided to change back his voter affiliation from a Republican to a Libertarian. Next, Alex looks into new revelations about George Santos, the congressman-elect who has been “embellishing” his record to a point in which he has created himself. Alex truly wonders how low this guy can actually go and it seems like each day he hits a new low. Regarding all these new revelations, the segment dives into how a moderate, center-left district, ended up falling for these lies. Alex goes over revelations from a former congressman from the same district. Later, the episode looks into new revelations about COVID coming from China and how the Italian right, under Giorgia Meloni, has tried to balance extremism with pragmatism. Finally, Alex discusses the phenomenon that involves numerous Russian oligarchs falling out of buildings after not showing enough support for the Kremlin.

Predictions from a Madman, Turkey and Syria Have an Historic Meeting & China Enters its Zero Cares Moment

In this episode, Alex starts with some bad news regarding Jamie Raskin. Congressman Raskin has said that he has a “serious but curable form of cancer” and will begin outpatient treatment soon. Next, Alex discusses how Dmitri Medvedev, a Putin ally, once moderate Kremlin official, and former Russian president, has gone on a radical and delusional rant on Twitter. He discusses the fall of the global order, the creation of a Fourth Reich, a Civil War in the United States, and Elon Musk winning a US election as president. These rantings from Medvedev offer a troubling and deranged look into Russian information and delusions. After this segment, Alex notes that Syrian and Turkish officials met on Wednesday in Moscow. This was the first meeting between the two countries since they were on different sides of the Syrian Civil War. Alex argues that it seems like Russia, Syria, and Turkey may have reasons to work together. Finally, it seems like China has entered its “zero f**ks” mode for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. As cases are surging, China has opened the floodgates and other countries are now instituting restrictions. Alex wonders what the socio-political ramifications of this event could be. 

Southwest Sucks, Kosovo and Serbia on the Brink, Taiwan Troubles, Gorsuch Dissents & Texas Grid Failures

In this episode, Alex starts by saying he was wrong about Avatar: The Way of Water; the movie was better than he expected. Next, he gives an update on George Santos, the congressman-elect who has fabricated almost every part of his resume. Apparently, Santos is not stepping down and has admitted to enhancing his resume. Alex then discusses Title 42. CNN reported that “the Supreme Court said Tuesday that the controversial Trump-era border restriction known as Title 42 will remain in effect while legal challenges play out.” Interestingly, Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented against Title 42. Alex notes that Gorsuch is a good justice that has a decent understanding of principles over politics. While the other conservatives voted to maintain 42 for political reasons, Gorsuch understood the precedent it could set. Later, Alex goes into new Texas news regarding the energy grid and concerns over new failures. While Governor Abbott has been busy busing migrants to Democratic states, Texas has seen constant struggles. Alex discusses the importance of collaborative network building and voices his disdain for Abbott. For the remainder of the episode, foreign policy is the center of the conversation. Alex voices concerns about recent talks of escalations between Kosovo and Serbia. He worries that Vucic, Serbia’s president, may employ tactics similar to those of Putin in Crimea in 2014. Finally, it looks like the Chinese have escalated incursions into Taiwan. This has the Taiwanese on high alert, the US voicing concerns, and China pointing fingers. Alex argues that it is time for the US to make agreements with Taiwan and break away from its policy of Strategic Ambiguity. 

Migrants Dropped at VP’s House, Putin Wants to Negotiate & The Importance of Choice

In this episode, Alex discusses his thoughts on why Fascism needs the choices of individuals to succeed. He reflects on some misconceptions about the March on Rome and how choices made by leaders, elites, and intellectuals opened the floodgates to Fascism. Next, Alex discusses how a group of over a hundred migrants arrived from Texas on Christmas Eve and were dropped at Kamala Harris’ house in freezing temperatures. This was yet another performative piece of the culture wars that will not fix immigration policies or solve any issues. Finally, Alex discusses an interview out of Russia in which Putin says he is willing to negotiate peace with all parties involved. At the same time, Ukrainian officials have voiced plans for a peace summit in February of 2023. Alex is not optimistic. 

Christmas Special - Alex’s White Lotus Character, A New Low for Tucker Carlson & the War on Christmas

In this short, Christmas episode, Alex starts by discussing the characters he got in a quiz centered around White Lotus characters. Then he discusses why Tucker Carlson is one of the few people he does not wish Merry Christmas to, and why the “War on Christmas” is less of a war and more of a change in demographics and preferences. Alex also admits to liking Emily in Paris… 

Stanford Goes Too Far, Fears of a New Variant in China, IRS Failures & Did the January 6th Committee Succeed?

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing the recent storm and why it may make life very expensive, a new set of lies from George Santos, and why the days are starting to get longer. Then Alex discusses a model produced by the Economist that shows how the new wave of COVID-19 in China could lead to over 1.5 million deaths. The Indian government, as well as others, have expressed concerns that this wave could lead to the creation of a new variant. Next, Alex rants about a new Stanford University initiative that completely polices language. The Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative basically wants every word from “addict” to “uncool” to “immigrant” to be changed. Alex discusses how forced changes towards definitions are antithetical to the university system and seem to lack an understanding of what makes ideas flourish. Finally, Alex focuses on the January 6th Committee and its successes and failures. He thinks the committee focused too much on Trump and not enough on his enablers. Alex then discusses new revelations from Trump’s taxes. 

The Bomb Cyclone, Zelensky Comes to Washington & Belarus Inches Towards An Invasion

In this episode, Alex starts by going over some of the temperatures and details associated with the extreme cold weather front that is moving across the middle of the United States. Some places are breaking records, states have declared emergencies, and thousands of flights have already been canceled. Next, Alex discusses President Zelensky’s recent trip to Washington D.C. to meet with President Biden and to speak in front of Congress. Alex is happy this event occurred but is curious if anything was accomplished for either side. He also discusses how important continued aid to Ukraine will be going forward and why the “America First” movement has missed the plot. Finally, Alex discusses reports out of Ukraine that show Belarusian forces making movements toward the Ukrainian border. Some are concerned that an invasion is imminent.