Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee is an incredible, once-in-a-millennium occasion. It's an incredible achievement to do anything for 70 years, let alone serve as head of state for a major world power. I wanted to travel to the UK to be part of the celebrations, actually, but my schedule would not permit it.
Elizabeth has reigned at an odd time. She inherited an empire in decline, and some of the most memorable moments of her early years on the throne had to do with her reckoning with the newly-independent post-colonial world. She famously danced with Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah -- unusual for a monarch, and unusually avant-garde for the racial politics of the time.
She has also ruled as Britain became a welfare state at home, and where the royal family was often regarded by critics as an expensive burden on the public. Her family life has often been difficult, marked by tragic death and scandal.
And yet she has maintained a wondrous sense of dignity throughout. The rabbis of the Pale of Settlement in the early 19th century were said to have preferred the Czar to Napoleon, because while Napoleon offered freedom, the monarchy was a manifestation of God's reign on earth, and pointed to the messianic age.
Queen Elizabeth has embodied some of that divinity in an age of disbelief and discord. She has united pop culture and politics: who else could be the chosen symbol of one of the greatest rock bands in history, while also leading the state church? Long may Her Majesty continue to reign, if I do say so from here.
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
