The Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter is suing the City of Santa Monica, which was smashed and looted during Black Lives Matter protests a year ago.
It's tempting to laugh at this sort of blue-on-blue lawsuit, which claims that a "progressive" city is in fact a repressive totalitarian regime bent on suppressing freedom of expression. It must hurt to be sued by the mob that Santa Monica's left-wing politicians have probably spent months praising to the hilt.
However, these cases are often designed to lead to ridiculous settlements in which the city gives the plaintiffs everything they want and the residents and taxpayers are basically powerless to stop either side. And Santa Monica is also a place I love. I was really, really upset about the riots last year. I still am.
Black Lives Matter claims that the police are responsible for the looting, because they focused on arresting peaceful protesters and interfering with their constitutional rights. That's not what happened. The unlawful protest drained police resources and provided cover for the looters and rioters literally one block away. The riots and looting happened because of Black Lives Matter.
This is not the first Black Lives Matter lawsuit, and it won't be the last, against a city they wounded and nearly destroyed. Perhaps a Democratic municipal leader will finally stand up to them. Perhaps dolphins will fly out of the ocean.
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
