I'm heading to Israel tomorrow with Rebel TV to visit and take a look at the dynamic political situation there. Next week, I'll visit the UAE for the first time. It's going to be a dramatic, high-energy week.
My primary interest is in assessing the debate over judicial reform. I'm planning on attending a pro-government demonstration on Thursday night, and an anti-government protest on Saturday night.
Both sides are setting up the fight as a test of democracy. In fact, it's a test of LIBERAL democracy versus POPULIST democracy. Too much populism can lead to despotism; but liberal elitism is also tyranny.
There is much that we can learn from this debate, which is playing out in the U.S. and in much of the Western world. The liberal creed risks surrendering the core values that make our civilization work.
The populist path risks snuffing out the dynamic and creative spirit that fuels innovation, trade, and growth. These forces must coexist in a creative tension, but instead we have division, conflict, and misery.
I've also had a long-standing interest in Israeli-Arab peace, so the visit to the UAE is going to be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. I'll head to the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, as well as Dubai.
Finally, as it is the month of Elul, a time of renewal, I'm planning a personal mission to visit each of Israel's four bodies of water: the Mediterranean, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, and the Red Sea.
Stay tuned for my adventures... this will be the best place to see most of what I post, though obviously I will be posting articles at Breitbart.com. I'm on Twitter @joelpollak and Instagram @pollakjoel.
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
