Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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Rhoda Kadalie, in 10 Questions

Who was Rhoda Kadalie? Anti-apartheid activist, feminist within the anti-apartheid movement, human rights commissioner, social development leader, opinion columnist

What made her unique? Rhoda was one of the few people within the anti-apartheid movement and the ANC who was willing to speak out against the ruling party’s abuses.

What changed her? Rhoda was changed by the experience of being targeted by the ANC abroad, by her experiences within government, and by Thabo Mbeki’s centralized style.

What was the nature of the change? Rhoda went from being a revolutionary who wanted to undo the entire order, to being a conservative who wanted to defend what was fundamental.

What are some specific examples? Rhoda supported, then opposed, affirmative action; she backed abortion, but not late-term abortion; she was a socialist, then a liberal (without labels)

What made her controversial? Rhoda called out her friends; she stood up for the opposition when it was called racist; she defended Israel; she predicted Donald Trump would win in 2016.

What didn’t people understand? That through all of her changes, she remained committed to freedom — and that she had an underlying sense of Christian faith in a moral universe.

What was her impact? She inspired many women to take charge of their lives, she inspired others to speak out, and she also is remembered in a scholarship at Hillsdale College.

What is her core principle? Rhoda believed in democratic pluralism — that citizens must have choice to hold leaders accountable, and they must seek both vigorous debate and tolerance.

How can we emulate her example? Rhoda did not just criticize; she also did. So do something. And cultivate friends who may have a different political outlook, as Rhoda did.

Buy the biography: https://rhodakadalie.com

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Posts
Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Weekly Torah reading: Noah (Genesis 6:9 - 11:32)

The story of Noah is familiar; the details, less so.

Noah is often seen as an ambivalent figure. He was righteous -- but only for his generation. What was his deficiency?

One answer suggests itself: knowing that the world was about to be flooded, he built an Ark for the animals and for his own family -- but did not try to save anyone else or to convince them to repent and change their ways (the prophet Jonah, later, would share that reluctance).

Abraham, later, would set himself apart by arguing with God -- with the Lord Himself! -- against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying that they should be saved if there were enough righteous people to be found (there were not).

Still, Noah was good enough -- and sometimes, that really is sufficient to save the world. We don't need heroes every time -- just ordinary decency.

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading.asp?aid=2473477&p=complete&jewish=Noach-Torah-Reading.htm

Closing all subscriptions

Hi all -- as I noted last month, I'm going to be closing down my Locals page, at least for tips and subscriptions -- I may keep the page up and the posts as well, but I'm no longer going to be accepting any kind of payment.

Look for cancelation in the very near future. Thank you for your support!

Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (October 19, 2025)

An interesting weekend -- one of the last of Daylight Savings Time -- in which there is much to celebrate, much to contemplate, and a bit to worry about.

The Gaza peace deal is shaky, but holding, after the living hostages returned; the shutdown is still going on, with no end in sight; the China trade war is heating up; and the confrontation with Venezuela continues to escalate.

The "No Kings" protest was a dud, despite the media's attempt to inflate it. What I find fascinating is that the Democrats have basically stolen the rhetoric and the imagery of the Tea Party protests, circa 2009. They claim they are defending the Constitution -- just like the Tea Party did.

On the one hand, this is good. How wonderful to have a political system in which both sides, bitterly opposed though they are, articulate differences through the Constitution -- and not, as in so many other countries, outside it.

On the other, this is sheer hypocrisy for the Democrats. Not only did they malign the Tea Party as ...

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