Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • 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?
Project 2025 vs. 'The Agenda'

The Heritage Foundation, the premier conservative think tank in America for several decades, has come up with a grand agenda for the next Republican administration. It's called Project 2025, and it is causing panic on the left.

The heart of the Project is a 900-page-plus policy manual, the "Mandate for Leadership." It's a comprehensive manifesto of what conservatives would like to achieve in reforming government, expanding freedom, and defending values.

https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

Project 2025 goes even further, and aims to staff the future administration. It even asks people to submit resumes for White House positions they may be interested in. It also has plans to manage the transition within federal agencies.

Something like this effort is absolutely necessary and long overdue. Few people can master 922 pages of policy recommendations, but the manual will serve as a useful way to make sure people are at least singing from the same song sheet.

It's not a particularly Trump-oriented manual, and I believe it reflects more of a traditional establishment conservative consensus. Trump has already come out with his own concise policy manifesto, which is the official Republican platform.

My own effort in "The Agenda" is different from all of the above. It is a simple description of executive orders and actions that the president can do on Day One of his administration without help from Congress or either political party.

I did not consult Project 2025 or the Trump campaign, though there are broad areas of agreement. In "The Agenda," I keep it simple, and provide a way for a lame-duck White House beset by enemies to make the biggest possible impact.

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/164821116X

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Posts
Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (October 12, 2025)

President Donald Trump is on his way to the Middle East for a triumphant reception in Israel after concluding a hostage deal many thought impossible. We'll discuss the deal and some of the potential pitfalls still ahead.

And, of course, the government shutdown grinds on. Who would have thought? (I did -- I predicted, and still believe, that it won't end until the first week of November, after the off-year elections, because that's what this is about.)

We'll also talk about cultural issues, and America's sudden apparent turn to religion. It's a good thing, right? Yes, with a few caveats. Charles Murray, never one to shy away from controversy, will join us to share his thoughts on faith.

Special guests:

Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
Jacki Alexander - CEO of HonestReporting, on Israel and war coverage
Charles Murray - author of "Taking Religion Seriously," on Americans' faith.

Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call ...

Weekly Torah reading: Sukkot Shabbat Chol HaMo'ed (Exodus 33:12-34:26)

This week's Torah reading is a special one for the Sabbath that occurs in the middle of the holiday of Sukkot. The intermediate days of the holiday are not as holy as the first and last, but the Sabbath has its own special splendor.

This week's reading is about the reconciliation of God and the Jewish people after the sin of the Golden Calf. Moses intercedes on the Israelites' behalf, and God rewards him with a new set of tablets -- and a renewed connection.

In the same way, the ceasefire deal that went into effect Friday, October 10 -- ending the war and heralding the return of the remaining Israeli hostages -- marks a renewal of the relationship between the Jewish people and God.

The October 7, 2023, terror attack took place on the last day of Sukkot -- which was also a Sabbath that year, and which is celebrated in Israel as Simchat Torah, typically one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar.

The terror attack turned happiness to shock and despair. But the subsequent victory, won by...

Breitbart News Sunday; show rundown (October 5, 2025)

Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.

Please listen, and #bringthemhome.

SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)

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