I agree that masks are mostly (though not entirely) pointless, especially when children are concerned, and I share the conservative criticism of liberals who cling to masks as a totemic symbol more than as a way to stop COVID-19.
However, there are some conservatives for whom the inverse is true -- i.e. they view wearing a mask as some form of political betrayal, when in fact it is a) a risk mitigation strategy, and/or b) an act to comply with local regulations.
This morning, I posted a photo of my kids watching William Shatner's rocket blasting into space. I didn't notice that they were wearing masks, as we were headed out the door for the walk to school nearby, and the masks are routine.
I was surprised that so many of the responses specifically asked me why the kids were wearing masks at home. No, they don't wear masks at home. No, it's not a political gesture. And no, it's not something you should get mad about.
I agree that much liberal rule-making on the coronavirus is stupid. But anyone can wear a mask -- I do, indoors, in public settings -- and the "side" that loves liberty should not be that interested in what I'm doing in my own home.
This week's show will be slightly different from the norm: we'll focus on clips and topics, rather than guests -- and that, hopefully, will mean more input from the callers (unless you are all watching football on opening weekend).
Topics:
- The state of the economy
- The fight against crime
- The midterm election fight
- The struggle for peace between Russia and Ukraine
- The airstrike on the Venezuelan drug cartel
- The attempt to sink Kennedy
- The war in Gaza
- The case against Harvard
- The Trump presidency
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week's Torah portion includes several laws about conduct in civic and personal life, the common theme of which is boundaries -- setting bounds to what one may do at home, at work, and even in the battlefield.
One noteworthy passage concerns Amalek, the evil nation that attacked the Children of Israel as they made their Exodus from slavery to freedom. Deuteronomy 25:17-19 commands Jews to obliterate Amalek's memory.
The South African government accused Israel of genocide on the basis of a story about Amalek in the Book of Samuel, in which King Saul was commanded to wipe out the entire evil Amalekite nation.
Because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quoted this week's portion -- "Remember what Amalek did to you" (25:17), the South African government claimed he was commanding soldiers to commit genocide.
It was an absurd and malevolent misreading of the Bible and of Jewish tradition. The commandment, as observed by Jews today, is to remember the evil of Amalek and fight ...
