I used to live in South Africa, where the apartheid government used roads and other infrastructure to separate people of different racial groups. In fact, when planning neighborhoods for black people, authorities often ensured there were only one or two entrances and exits, so that police could easily restrict locals.
There are probably more examples of this in the U.S. than many of us are aware of, but as a general phenomenon, it's not a thing. The case that Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg -- fresh from parental leave, you baby-haters -- made on Monday was that there's a kind of systemic racism in insfrastructure.
All of Pete's examples referred to Robert Moses, the guy who planned much of New York City in the 20th century. He was a liberal Republican, meaning that he opposed the Democrat machine but not its big-government philosophy. He allegedly divided communities with roads and underpasses too low for buses.
I tweeted about Buttigieg's likely source -- Robert Caro's 1974 biography of Moses -- which includes Moses's denial of racism and portrays him as a general jerk and megalomaniac rather than a racist. I highly doubt Moses, a Jew in a liberal city, thought his mission was to reinforce white supremacy. But maybe.
Anyway, these examples are pretty weak, and ignore the dynamic possibility that neighborhoods become segregated because of bad planning with good intentions. The government builds a road; the road is bad; the rich people leave; the poor remain. And here comes the government again to "fix" the problem.
Buttigieg is a smart guy. But he was not a great mayor; he himself was accused of racism, and his streets were full of potholes. He took his precious family leave, unannounced, in the middle of a crisis. His plans will fail because they try, like him, all things to all people. That's not how you build a bridge, racist or not.
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call in: 866-957-2874
