Before the debate on Tuesday, I was asked by Rebel News in Canada what I would tell each side to do.
I started with Democrat Tim Walz. I said I would tell him to cut out the weird mannerisms that are off-putting to voters, and to be more like the deadpan congressional candidate who debated in 2006 (look it up on C-SPAN).
As for Republican JD Vance, I said he had to empathize. Democrats and the media had spun him as cruel or arrogant, based on his "childless cat ladies" remark (from before he held public office).
These recommendations reflect my theory, which I've explored here before, that it doesn't matter who "wins" a debate, since we live in separate media universes that tell their respective audiences what they want to hear. Rather, debates are just opportunities to get a message out to your voters and potential voters.
Vance did that. He expressed empathy for women who have abortions. He was civil to Walz. And in one notable moment, he expressed sympathy to Walz over the revelation that his son had been near a shooting in a community center.
Walz kept some of the gesticulations under control, but he frowned a lot. He also looked nervous and unstable. That is why Democrats are upset and why Republicans are happy.
It may not matter much but it boosts confidence in the Trump camp.
This week's portion broadly covers the basic framework of a judicial system, necessary for the functioning of the society that the Israelites were to establish upon entering the Holy Land of Israel -- including "cities of refuge."
These cities were place where those guilty of involuntary manslaughter could flee to escape the righteous vengeance of their victims' families. They would be allowed to return to their homes upon the death of the High Priest.
It is curious that Biblical law is not particularly focused on incarceration, but does include this form of exile and quasi-imprisonment: you are free to leave the city of refuge, but then the "avenger" is entitled to kill you if he finds you.
In that way, the guilty party becomes his or her own jailer -- in a sense, imposing his or her own program of punishment and correction, taking charge of the repentance that is necessary to correct a deep personal flaw.
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This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
