Today's exchange between President Joe Biden and the increasingly impressive Peter Doocy of Fox News was alarming because Biden appeared not to recall his own nearly disastrous gaffes in Europe -- about the U.S. potentially using chemical weapons in response to Russia's potential use of the same, about U.S. troops going to Ukraine, and about a supposed goal of regime change in Russia. Each of these could launch a World War III-type conflict, and yet Biden said they never happened. Well, that's not all he said: he also said he never walked back the regime change comment (in fact, he did), then he reiterated it, but said it was only a statement of "moral outrage" and not meant as a new policy.
Get that?
Anti-Trump pundits like Bill Kristol were at pains to compare Biden's Warsaw speech, at which the regime change comments were made, to Ronald Reagan's "tear down this wall" speech in Berlin. But Reagan did not ad lib the comments, nor did he walk them back. A better parallel would have been Reagan's 1984 joke, when he was warming up for a radio interview and said: "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."
He had to walk that one back once it leaked, for obvious reasons. But at least Reagan knew he was joking, even if the Russians couldn't or didn't.
So the question is: can we afford to have a president in office who can't recall what he said, and contradicts himself even as he's trying to correct the record, when the consequences of those public words could have major consequences?
Let's play that old game: what if Trump did it? You already know the answer.
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
