These are my choices for the California Primary election on the west side of L.A. These aren't endorsements, and in some cases I'm voting for Democrats or independents, either because they are objectively the best candidates; because they have the best chance of ousting bad incumbents; or because they are running unopposed. I've done minimal research on some of the races, i.e. judge.
Voting cheat sheet
Senator 1: Mark Meuser
Senator 2: Mark Meuser
Mayor: Rick Caruso
City Attorney: Richard Kim
City Controller: Kenneth Mejia
City Council (11): Traci Park
LAUSD: Tracey Schroeder
State Senator (24): Ben Allen
State Assembly (42) Lori Mills
House (32): Aarika Rhodes
Ballot Measure BB: No
Suprevisor (3): Bob Hertzberg
Sheriff: Alex Villanueva
Assessor: Sandy Sun
Judge (3): Sherilyn Garnett
Judge (60): Abby Baron
Judge (67) Ryan Dibble
Judge (70): Renee Chang
Judge (90): Leslie Gutierrez
Judge (116): David Gelfound
Judge (118): Keith Koyano
Judge (151) Karen Brako
Judge (156): Carol Elswick
Governor: Michael Shellenberger
Lt. Governor: Angela Jacobs
Secretary of State: Rob Bernosky
State Controller: Lanhee Chen
Treasurer: Jack Guerrero
Attorney General: Nathan Hochman
Insurance Commissioner: Greg Conlon
Board of Equalization: Y. Manvel
Superintendent: Jim Gibson
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
