There's a big fuss over Trump's recent comments about suspending the Constitution, which he walked back somewhat. But here are my thoughts.
1. Is Joe Biden upholding the Constitution? No.
2. Could President Trump override the Constitution? No.
3. You can understand the sentiment behind his statement: in most areas of life, if a process is unfair, the aggrieved party can ask for a do-over, or for the results to be set aside. Trump's reaction is ... sort of normal.
4. The Constitution does not prevent fraud.
The latter point is the most important. Our Constitution was designed to accept fraudulent election results! The much-maligned Electoral College is a way for leaders to deliberate about disputed results and come up with a plan to move forward. On three occasions -- Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, Richard Nixon -- a candidate has been cheated out of the presidency. The remedy? They run again, and win, the next time they have the chance.
Trump decided not to wait until 2024 and to use mass protest in January 2021 -- the way it had been used against him in May 2020 -- to make his stand. That was the wrong choice, and so he -- and we -- live with the consequences.
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
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