“White Terror” usually refers to Taiwan's period of authoritarian rule under the Kuomintang. In this episode, we use White Terrors deliberately — to examine how historical repression, political memory, and nationalist narratives continue to shape East Asia today, while echoing in Western politics as well.

Chris shares observations from recent travel in China and Japan, focusing on culture, public behavior, and how social order actually functions on the ground. The conversation turns to Taiwan's political reality: the legacy of Chiang Kai-shek, the DPP's identity project, the KMT's evolving position, and why most Taiwanese favor the status quo over dramatic change.

Rather than flattening East Asia into a Western morality play, this episode centers regional history, lived experience, and strategic realism — and asks what happens when outside powers project their anxieties onto places that have their own pasts, priorities, and futures.

This week, we dive into America's favorite medical mysteries — Trump's monthly bruises, Tylenol autism theories, and the reality that the default American lifestyle is basically a preexisting condition. Our pronouns are USA, and our healthcare is unaffordable. Plus: The social media response to Charlie Kirk's tragic death (thoughts and prayers for his family and friends) -- from ordering a Mint Majesty tea with two honeys "for Charlie" from Starbucks, to the confusing Tyler Robinson case, and the MAGA meltdown over who's to blame. From Jimmy Kimmel's cancellation whiplash to protests at Windsor Castle and a Hyundai raid in Seoul, it's a full tour of political absurdity — one part health crisis, one part culture war, and all chaos.

Why couldn't they just be normal and snorkel?

NEW SUBSTACK POST!

In this episode we discuss the Trump -- Epstein situation. We unravel the evolution from "release the list" being a core campaign promise to Trump claiming the Epstein list is a "Democrat hoax". Will this be MAGA's final straw? We also discuss more local politics wirh a focus on NYC's Democrat mayoral candidate -- Zohran Mamdani. We discuss his ideas and their validity -- how does one make a state run grocery store chain in NYC? This episode is an ideological free for all -- enjoy!