The immediate cause is the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. Protests turned to looting -- as with some of the Black Lives Matter protests last year here in the United States. But there is more to the story:
1. Economic decline: South Africa has suffered stagnant and declining growth, leading to increased economic desperation for the poor over several years.
2. Endemic crime: There is a level of theft and violence that has become the norm over the past thirty years, with little trust in the police to stop it.
3. Ethnic tension: Zuma was the country's first Zulu president, against the will of the new Xhosa elite, so there is also an ethnic element to the backlash.
4. Coronavirus lockdowns: South Africa has mismanaged the pandemic, failing to acquire enough vaccines and keeping the country shut down economically.
5. Lack of alternatives: the only responsible opposition is the Democratic Alliance, which is demonized as a party of whites and racial minorities.
Much of what South Africa is suffering today began 15-20 years ago, with the same "woke" ideology now being driven by the Biden administration. This is a preview of where America could go, in a worst-case scenario. Read more here:
https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Be-thole-Country-ebook/dp/B08SCK2S16
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
