I said in March 2020 that the right thing to do on coronavirus was take every reasonable precaution without shutting down our lives, and learning to live through the pandemic until it was behind us. The Democrats and the media, partly because of genuine fear but largely for political reasons, refused that common-sense approach. The pandemic was a unique opportunity to remove Trump through destroying the economy -- which had, until then, defied the left's "hopeful" predictions of recession -- and the social fabric. Some even insisted Trump step down or yield power to a panel of so-called experts.
A year into Biden, and the pandemic is worse than ever (in terms of cases, not deaths), and the Democrats and the media are suddenly telling us we can't go too far with restrictions; we have to learn to live with the disease; we can't destroy the economy. What changed? Well, for one thing, people are used to the danger and it's no longer quite as terrifying; but the real motivation, if I want to be cynical about it, is to protect Biden, who promised to end the pandemic. Now Democrats want us to put a brave face on it all, and move on.
It's the right approach, but it's two years, and trillions of dollars, and an unfair election, too late. We should have done this right from the very start.
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
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.”
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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