Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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More evidence that Democrats are more intolerant than Republicans

Democrats have become deeply intolerant of opposing views. Not every Democrat, but many of them. I know many Republicans who feel they have to hide their politicos censor themselves around family, friends, and colleagues -- while Democrats often feel it is their prerogative to force their ideological beliefs onto everyone else, and call them "racist" if they dare to disagree.

A new survey by Axios confirms earlier, similar polls that show conservatives are afraid to share their views, and liberals are not. The new poll, among young Americans, shows that many Democrats don't want to have anything to do with people who have different views, while most Republicans are okay with diversity. 37% of Democrats in the survey would not have a friend with Republican views; only 5% of Republicans said the same about Democrats.

When people talk about the divide in American politics, it is becoming increasingly clear where that divide comes from, and who is driving it. It's not a "divide"; it's a constant, relentless attack by the left on the right, and on the rare occasion when the right pushes back, that's called "divisive" by the media. That's why Joe Biden can't unify the country, as promised: his policies, and his rhetoric, and his party, are fully committed to a divisive agenda.

https://www.axios.com/poll-political-polarization-students-a31e9888-9987-4715-9a2e-b5c448ed3e5a.html

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/07/22/poll-nearly-two-thirds-of-americans-fear-sharing-their-political-views/

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Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (July 13, 2025)

This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.

Topics:

  • The anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
  • The escalating tariff battle with various different trading partners
  • The future of the Middle East peace talks, and ongoing antisemitism
  • The Jeffrey Epstein files and whether they mean anything at all
  • The continued crisis of the Texas floods, and stories of heroism and survival

And more!

Special guests:

  • James Rosen - Newsmax chief Washington correspondent
  • Bob Price - Breitbart News Texas reporter, on the ongoing floods
  • Robert Cahill - Trafalgar Polling, on a new alliance of reliable pollsters
  • Rabbi Yaakov Menken - Coalition for Jewish Values - on Israel & antisemitism

Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874

Weekly Torah reading: Balak (Numbers 22:2 - 25:9)

This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.

I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading_cdo/aid/2495769/p/complete/jewish/Balak-Torah-Reading.htm

Weekly Torah portion: Chukat (Numbers 19:1 - 22:1)

This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.

I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?

The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.

The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!

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