Centered From Reality

Tipping Points Everywhere: The Amazon, Russian Bombings & The Azov Battalion

In this episode, Alex talks about a new study that says the Amazon may be at a tipping point where it could be a savanna in several decades. He then discusses the recent bombings at a Ukrainian base near the Polish border, and how the threat of conflict between Russia and Nato may be approaching. Finally, he goes into the Azov Battalion, a neo-nazi group that is fighting against the Russians in Ukraine. In this episode:

• Alex discusses a study by the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. The study says that “the Amazon rainforest is reaching a tipping point where it is shifting from rainforest to more of a savanna.” This is obviously problematic because a savanna means that the trees are spread out and would not be able to trap the amount of carbon dioxide that is necessary to help from exasperating climate change. Alex also goes into how the atrocious policies of Jair Bolsanaro are making this situation worse. 

 

• Alex gives an update on the Ukrainian invasion. After the bombing of the Yavoriv near the Polish border on Sunday, the Guardian reported that “Britain said the incident marked a significant escalation of the conflict and the proximity of the attack to Poland’s border, less than 10 miles away, prompted the US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, to warn that any fire, even accidental, on a neighboring Nato country would trigger a full-force Nato response.” 

 

• Alex gives background and analysis of the Azov Battalion. This is a neo-nazi group that has been somewhat absorbed into the Ukrainian National Guard and is helping to fight against the Russians. Alex mentions that this group’s existence and support from some Ukrainians may have helped justify Putin’s denazification of Ukraine. 

A Cryptocurrency Made in the USA, Why Putin is Scary & What Are Tactical Nukes?

In this episode, Alex starts with cryptocurrency. According to the Associated Press, “Biden signed an executive order on government oversight of cryptocurrency that urges the Federal Reserve to explore whether the central bank should jump in and create its own digital currency.” Economic advisors and national security advisors in the Biden Administration specultated that it was to ensure that the U.S. plays an role in the innovation of digital currency and protects American assets abroad and at home. Alex feels that there may be a coincidence around the timing. There are fears that China is watching and learning from what has happened in Russia and may try to find ways to evade sanctions and help the Russian economy as well. China has a digital Yuan already, but there is speculation that Russia and China are looking into developing their own cryptocurrency. Later in the episode, Alex goes over his list of why Putin “is an idiot” but also why these same reasons terrify him as this invasion progresses. He ends with discussing how tactical nuclear weapons may be a workaround against deterrence. 

We Have to Talk About the OTHER Refugee Crises & Z for Vendetta?

In this episode, Alex discusses how while it is heartwarming to see Europe rally and welcome in Ukrainian refugees, there are other conflicts in which refugees are not seeing the same welcome. He talks about the refugee crisis back in the fall on the Belarusian-Polish border where Middle Eastern migrants were mistreated. Then he goes over other conflicts such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Myanmar. Alex agrees that Ukraine is a serious issue right now, but the world cannot turn its back on some of these crises that have occurred for a decade or more. Later, Alex goes over the letter Z that has been showing up over the last few weeks on Russian tanks during the Ukraine invasion. Over the week, it has become a propaganda symbol for supporting the invasion. Even the Russian gymnast, Ivan Kuliak, was criticized after wearing the ‘Z’ symbol next to a Ukrainian athlete on a podium last week. Alex discusses how the ‘Z’ symbol may have started as a symbol to recognize Russian tanks during the confusion of the invasion, but now has been used by the Kremlin as a propaganda tool for war. He finds it ironic that the Russian government is using a Latin alphabet symbol while complaining about how Ukraine is being taken by the west. 

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.