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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Texas vs. California

I have spent 3 days in rural Texas. It's completely different from California -- flat as far as the eye can see, as the Great Plains roll from horizon to horizon. And there's a kind of freedom here -- the ability to do basically what you want, however you want.

That includes the freedom to do some things that ought not be done. We drove by a new suburban housing development that was... super ugly. Identical homes, bunched close together, no character at all, barely any space between the homes -- with so much space around!

I'd call that the downside of Texas. (That, and the heat and humidity in the summer, plus the cold in the winter.) I was reminded of the downside of California, too, when we were working with a tractor and had to remove a device that was required by California regulations.

This device is theoretically supposed to stop gasoline from spilling, in accordance with California law. But it doesn't work, so tractor owners remove it, meaning there is more spillage than there would have been otherwise. I guess you could call that "California stupid."

The orderly life envisioned by California's utopian politicians and is falling apart, because it's not really something made for human beings. (It's also expensive.) Texas is thriving economically -- but it's not the easiest place to live. You have to have some patience.

I wonder if this whole Texas vs. California distinction is even worth observing anymore, given that we are all seeing so more and more of our economy to be dictated by China. Will we raise up our own ways of life, or start building our lives around a new, distant metropole?

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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
Breitbart News Sunday; show rundown (October 5, 2025)

Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.

Please listen, and #bringthemhome.

SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)

Weekly Torah reading: Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52)

This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.

One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.

"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading.asp?aid=2495834&jewish=Haazinu-Torah-Reading.htm&p=complete

Breitbart News Sunday: September 28, 2028

So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.

Special guests:

  • Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
  • John Carney - Breitbart News financial editor, on the upcoming jobs report
  • Jerome Hudson - Breitbart News entertainment editor, on the Kimmel fallout
  • Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on the UN and Gaza talks
  • Matisyahu - award-winning reggae artist, on his new album, "Ancient Child"

Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874

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