Riots are wrong. I opposed the hundreds of "Black Lives Matter" riots across the country in 2020, including at the White House, which were an effort to force political change. And I opposed the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot (and rally).
Democrats only opposed the latter; they encouraged the former, despite a few perfunctory statements against violence. Then they impeached Trump for the Capitol riot. When that failed, they launched the January 6 Committee.
The committee has arguably done more damage to democracy, and to our constitutional system, than the riot. The riot could never have reasonably hoped to seize or hold power. But the committee's effects could be long-lasting.
The committee was one-sided, composed only of Trump opponents. It abused the civil rights of its witnesses and targets. And several members of the committee were themselves guilty of denying previous election results.
The public didn't need to be told that January 6 was bad. People knew. But the media played along with the committee, allowing it to violate due process and the separation of powers. It is a Star Chamber, a constitutional abomination.
I have argued that the Republicans should keep the committee and call Nancy Pelosi as a witness to find out why the Capitol was undefended. But the GOP is more inclined to dump the whole thing. Good riddance to a terrible scourge.
I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.
Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!
We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.
This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.
A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.
We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.
I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...
President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).
On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.
And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.
Special guests:
Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...
