Joel Pollak
Lifestyle • News • Politics • 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.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
I'm bored by the fights over Pride month

I'm bored by the fights over Pride month. I feel that the community (not going to use the absurd, never-ending acronym for the moment) has achieved a level of acceptance that is approaching complete equality, even if it's not entirely there yet. I'm not sure compelling public displays of pride move the ball.

The main sticking point today is a new issue: not just transgenderism, but youth transgenderism. It seems absurd to me that we are being told that underage children, who are not to be sexualized for any other purpose, must be urged to identify with alternative sexual or genders, with drugs and surgery if prescribed.

I think reasonable people harbor doubts about this issue, and about teaching children that the new dogmas of the left are somehow immutable truths. It is wrong and divisive to describe opposition to this indoctrination, or to trans women (biological men) competing with women in sports, as being "hateful."

Americans are not, in general, hateful people. Even institutionalized racism, when and where it existed in law and custom, was kept in place more by inertia and mistaken beliefs than by active hatred. It's just not who we are. So I'd like the White House in particular to stop making that incendiary accusation.

Other than that: I really don't care much about which brands are identifying with which gay or trans people; I don't care about public displays of bondage in West Hollywood Pride parades (you know what you're getting if you go there, though the city should't advertise the events as somehow "family-friendly" ).

I'm just too busy with my own life to care much about who is doing what with whom. Have fun -- it's what the "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration is all about, in my view. I just don't like the relentless indoctrination of children by joyless people who don't know how to savor the freedoms they have won.

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Posts
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Day 24 of THE AGENDA: Conclusion -- What Trump should work on with Congress

This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!

00:03:43
Day 23 of THE AGENDA: Protecting the Constitution, and our elections
00:03:22
Weekly Torah reading: Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1 - 24:18)

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.

...

A brief update on progress

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.

Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (February 16, 2025)

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

See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals