Remember Khizr Khan? He was the scourge of Donald Trump in 2016, the bereaved Muslim father of a fallen U.S. soldier who died in Iraq. He excoriated Trump at the Democratic National Convention over the issue of Trump's views on Islam, and he became a national hero.
Remember Trump's supposed comments about dead troops being "suckers" and "losers"? That story in the Atlantic that no one seemed to be able to confirm, and which anyone in a position to know -- even disloyal officials -- denied, yet became a cable news staple?
That's how Democrats and the media use veterans, and fallen heroes -- to attack Republican candidates. And it usually works, because shellshocked Republicans like veterans so much that they fear pushing back, even when the attacks are based on total distortions.
Then there are the Gold Star families of the Afghanistan 13 -- those men and women who were killed by a terrorist bombing in the chaotic U.S. evacuation from Kabul. (Many were wounded as well.) They have been treated like dirt by President Biden for two years.
As Logan Dobson pointed out on Twitter, the cable news networks -- other than Fox -- ignored the Gold Star families' memorial ceremony yesterday. Yet they couldn't get enough of the "suckers" story. Maybe next time, we should recognize their' abuse of veterans for what it is.
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
Call in: 866-957-2874
