There has been a major change in Biden's policy on Israel, and that of Democrats more generally. Biden has reverted to the Trump policy of backing Israel 100%, rather than the old Obama policy of "distance."
Trump told Israel's enemies that he was going to give Israel free rein. Hence there were no wars against Israel for four years. Trump also moved the embassy, etc., and the result was the Abraham Accords.
Obama wanted "distance," and the Iran deal. So Israel had to face war after war. And in those wars, he told Israel to back down and even denied Israel weapons. Biden largely restored that approach.
But the Hamas terror attack on Israel last weekend -- with its ISIS-like, graphic brutality -- changed all of that. Now Biden is saying Israel has a "duty" to get rid of Hamas. Now Obama says we must support Israel as it "dismantles" Hamas. Now Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor, says the U.S. will back Israel's war "as long as they need to feel safe." Now Karine Jean-Pierre, the formerly anti-Israel press secretary, says that equivocating between Israel and Hamas is "disgraceful" and that there is only one side -- Israel's side.
This means the war is over, bar the fighting, and Israel will have won.
Perhaps it is difficult to trust Biden, Obama, and the others. And there is a very good argument that their policies led to this disaster.
It's too late to undo that. But this is a big change. I hope it sticks.
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
