June 21… traditionally the summer solstice and the first day of summer, though I gather that was yesterday for some reason. We finally had a break in the clouds and fog that are typical of the “June gloom,” and the smoke that has hung over LA due to brushfires north of town has cleared somewhat. so I am enjoying the weather.
I’m also working hard. Today I finished recording the audio version of my first novel, Joubert Park, which I wrote during the pandemic. I’m not entirely happy with the book, but it was a story I had wanted to tell for a while, and it was good to make a first effort.
It hit me today, as I was working on it, that the novel is really my attempt to explore the moral choices that Jewish people — who were nominally “white” — faced in apartheid South Africa. Similarly, my play about King David (which is too long and needs to be rewritten) is about exploring the personal choices of powerful people, and their political consequences.
Writing is a pretty good way to explore all of these things. Even if what you do never actually sees a lot of day.
I have one more audiobook to record: my book from about a decade ago about the biblical Book of Kings and its political lessons. Again, I’m not sure I’ve added anything profound to the worlds understanding of theology or statecraft, but I did enjoy exploring these themes in the context of a biblical narrative with powerful meaning and resonance.
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
