Life In The Center Is A Life Under Fire

Navarrette Nation Substack — A Journo’s Journal 2/5/25

Critical Thinking At A Critical Time

Every Wednesday

899 words; 10 min

I like the view from the middle of the road. My brand is all about being not too far right, and not too far left. I prefer my porridge not too hot, or too cold, thank you very much. For me, a pinch of this and dash of that is just right, Goldilocks.

As the name of my podcast suggests, I’m Ruben In The Center. Kind of. You see, the other impulse I have is that of a lifelong journalist who has spent 35 years in this bizarre industry. We challenge those in power.

So it’s not surprising that, when Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden were in the White House, I leaned to the right. And when Donald Trump is in the White House — as he was four years ago, and is again now — I lean to the left.

The thing is, I really don’t want to lean in either direction. I like being in the center, and I’d really like to stay there — no matter who is in the White House at any given time.

If you want to take the easy road, and float through life using only half your brain, you’ll be perfectly comfortable at the extremes. There’s plenty of anger and resentment over there, but very little critical thinking going on. People at the extremes don’t want to hear different points of view. They’re content to have their views echoed.

By contrast, being in the center is not for the faint of heart. It can be tough to get there, and even harder to stay there.