The major television networks should set aside time for a Republican rebuttal to the Democratic National Convention later this month due to the unusual circumstance of Democrats' decision to swap Joe Biden out for Kamala Harris.
And if they don't, Trump should buy the airtime.
Typically, the political parties use their conventions to make their case for their own nominees -- and to make the case against their opponents. Much of the Republicans' energy in the first few nights in Milwaukee was focused on Biden's record in office. They largely ignored Harris -- understandably so. Perhaps the attacks on Biden were too effective: he dropped out after the Republican convention. Essentially, Trump won, but must now face an entirely new election.
Later this month, in Chicago, Democrats' will have their own convention. Their target remains the same: Donald Trump, the man they have demonized, and prosecuted, for nearly a decade. But they will also have the opportunity to present Harris to the country in the most positive light -- and Republicans will not have a chance to present the other side of the argument. This gives an unfair advantage to Democrats heading into the fall and the start of early voting.
The networks should allow Republicans at least one night to rebut Democrats' claims about Harris. The truth about Harris is that she has never accomplished anything except being elected or appointed to office, and that she has embraced the most radical policies, and the most destructive elements, in American politics. Americans need to know that, or at least have the opportunity to understand the case against her, before they make their voting decisions.
Three hours of airtime would be fair; one hour would probably be sufficient. And if the networks don't offer that time, the Trump campaign, or a Trump-backing super PAC, should buy it. Otherwise the public will never know the truth.
This is the portion that all journalists should love: the Torah tells the story of the 12 spies, only two of whom tell the truth when the other ten shade it in a negative away (perhaps to suit a political agenda that is opposed to Moses).
It's not that the ten "lying" spies misconstrue the facts about the Land of Israel; rather, they interject their opinions that the land is impossible to conquer, which strikes unnecessary terror into the hearts of the people.
We have many examples of such fake news today -- from the Iranian propaganda outlets spreading false claims that they are winning the war, to California politicians spreading false horror stories about ICE raids in L.A.
The people realize, too late, that they have been fooled, and once they are condemned to die in the desert, they try to rush into Israel -- only to be defeated by the inhabitants, as the spies predicted that they would be.
But as consolation, God gives the people new commandments -- focused on things they must ...
This week's portion discusses the procedure for lighting the menorah, the holy seven-branched lamp, in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). It also describes an episode where the people crave meat, and God punishes them by giving it to them in excess. We also read the story of Miriam, Moses's sister, who is punished with the spiritual skin blemish of tzara'at for speaking about her brother, thus violating the prohibition against lashon hara (evil tongue).
I heard a fantastic sermon this week about the lighting of the menorah: that while only the priests were qualified to clean and purify the menorah, anyone could light it. A reminder that each of us can inspire others along the way.
This week we study the vow of the Nazirite; a reminder that sometimes trying to be too holy is excessive, and the best we can do is to be the best that we are.
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading_cdo/aid/2495720/p/complete/jewish/Naso-Torah-Reading.htm
