Texas is running out of power. With wind energy at less than 10% of normal on Monday, consumers are being told to conserve electricity in the afternoon.
At the same time, South African electricity consumers are suffering through load-shedding, thanks to a variety of factors. As they consider alternatives, the one they can't use is abundant coal: they signed the Paris climate accord, and rely on Europe for the money to build new power plants, which means no coal.
Meanwhile, Europe itself is being forced to conserve energy, thanks to over-reliance on Russian gas and reluctance (in many places) to use nuclear power. Their "green" agenda means they had, until now, ditched coal and other fossil fuel sources, leaving them with few alternatives in a time of global conflict.
What happens when people can't turn on the lights? They use diesel generators, or burn wood, or -- as many European countries are doing -- return to coal.
The right way to do green energy is to add it to an existing mix of fossil fuel, nuclear, hydroelectric etc. sources, then innovate to make renewable sources cheaper and more competitive. If government intervenes at all, it should be with R&D money and/or a carbon tax to encourage efficiency across the board.
That's the key word: efficiency. Efficiency means getting more energy for less. It's inherently good for the environment. And it beats regulations every time.
Forcing people to adopt green energy is inefficient; therefore it causes more resources to be used. In that sense, green energy is bad for the planet.
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
