I'm writing on battery power, with the electricity having been cut off at 7:00 a.m. I suppose the authorities figure that with sunrise, people should no longer have to depend on heating, and if you happen to have forgotten to boil your water early on a Sunday morning, that's tough for you. Not a good way to live.
This country has so much potential, but is being destroyed by: 1) anarchy; 2) corruption; 3) radical trade unions and political parties; 4) left-wing elites. The solution is to return to enforce laws and return to the practical, common-sense solutions that people -- regardless of race, gender, or political affiliation -- end up embracing when times are tough, and often too late to prevent real damage.
I still think South Africa has a very important role to play in the world. Not just as an example of what not to do, though I have written about that; not just as an example of how things can be turned around, which I have also written about; but also as an example of exactly what needs to change if western civilization is going to save itself from its enemies and from self-destruction.
I think one of the things that made Rhoda Kadalie so special is that she followed a revolutionary path until she saw revolution, then realized that what needed to be preserved was more important than the radical changes she hoped to make. She saw through race, gender, ideology -- all of that. She saw that western civilization, for all its flaws, was worth saving and that the task was urgent.
I think the turning point in South Africa is where revolution and redistribution are set aside in favor of the embrace of rules -- laws to be enforced, boundaries to be followed in private life. I think that leaves plenty of room for change and dynamism and fun. But it's because of the boundaries that we can have all of the good things, all of the progress and joy of life. The boundaries do matter.
It is important that the group previously dispossessed and victimized comes to that understanding, however grudgingly. It is also important that the group that previously benefited from an unjust system accept responsibility -- but without endless guilt. When they, too, defend the rules and principles without a sense of shame, there is hope for turning South Africa -- and America -- around.
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
