Fact-checking Elon Musk's claims in the Oval Office

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyjz24ne85o

Elon Musk has made a number of exaggerated or unevidenced claims during an Oval Office event alongside President Donald Trump.

The billionaire, who was making his first major media appearance since beginning his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), said his team was seeking to improve transparency in government.

But he provided no evidence when making sweeping statements about corruption in government agencies and also defended false allegations he had spread about US funds being used to send condoms to Gaza.

Trumponomics and Rising Inflation

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-inflation-interest-rates-prices-tariffs-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-af0c4d66?mod=hp_opin_pos_0

Does President Trump understand money? Not money as in cash, but the supply of money, the price of money as measured by interest rates, and their impact on inflation? The answer would appear to be no after Mr. Trump called for lower interest rates on Wednesday—the same day the Labor Department reported an increase in inflation for the third straight month.

NATO allies scramble for direction as Trump team signals concessions to Moscow

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/12/europe/analysis-hegseth-nato-trump-ukraine-russia-war-intl-latam/index.html

Wednesday’s meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels was, on paper, about coordinating military aid for Ukraine and welcoming the new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth into the international fold. In practice, it was a day that saw the Trump administration upend the alliance’s approach to this almost 3-year-old war, lay out a vision that seemed to deliver some of Moscow’s key demands, and leave NATO allies fighting to avoid the appearance of disunity.

A grant to study Hebrew is ‘woke DEI,’ Ted Cruz says

 https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-841931

A  grant to study linguistic differences between Hebrew and English was flagged as an example of “woke DEI grants” in a new database released by Sen. Ted Cruz.

The database is part of ongoing Republican efforts to justify significant cuts to federal research funding and diversity programs under President Donald Trump.

The $226,000 grant, given by the National Science Foundation to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022, was flagged by the Texas Republican senator’s team as having an inappropriate focus on “gender.” 

Trump fires USAID inspector general one day after blistering report

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/11/trump-fires-usaid-inspector-general/

The White House fired the independent inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development on Tuesday evening, a day after his office issued a blistering report assessing the impact of the Trump administration’s efforts to significantly curtail the agency’s mission.

The termination of Martin follows his office’s publication of a widely read report warning that more than $489 million in food assistance was at risk of spoilage or potential diversion after the Trump administration implemented its aid freeze and stop-work order.

Former Defense Department inspector general Rob Storch, who was fired by Trump last month, said he worked with Martin on Ukraine-related issues and called his work “exemplary.”

“It is critically important that IGs be empowered to conduct independent oversight, detecting and deterring waste, fraud, abuse and corruption on behalf of the American people,” Storch said.

Konyndyk hailed Martin’s decision to publish the report as “brave,” given the termination of other inspectors general.

Senate votes to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/12/politics/tulsi-gabbard-confirmation-vote-senate/index.html

The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, a major win for President Donald Trump as Gabbard had been among the most controversial of his Cabinet picks.

The vote was 52-48 mostly along party lines, though Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky joined Democrats in opposing the confirmation.

Gabbard faced concerns from several Republican senators over her lack of support for Ukraine; her shifting position on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s Section 702, a key surveillance and security tool; her 2017 meeting with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; and her past support for Edward Snowden.

McConnell appeared to reference some of Gabbard’s positions in a statement he released after voting against her, saying she has “a history of alarming lapses in judgement.”

“The nation should not have to worry that the intelligence assessments the President receives are tainted by a Director of National Intelligence with a history of alarming lapses in judgment,” McConnell said.

Senate confirms Gabbard to serve as nation’s top intelligence chief

 https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5140620-senate-confirms-tulsi-gabbard-intelligence-chief/

The Senate voted largely along party lines Wednesday to confirm Tulsi Gabbard to serve as the director of national intelligence, the nation’s top intelligence official, despite strong objections from Democrats and initial misgivings from Republicans who questioned her experience and judgment.

Gabbard is seen as a “disruptor” in the mold of other Trump nominees, such as Pete Hegseth, who was confirmed last month to lead the Pentagon. Trump allies say she will shake up the nation’s intelligence community, which they claim has become “weaponized” against Trump.

Democrats argued that Gabbard is not qualified to serve as the nation’s top intelligence boss and has shown tremendous lapses in judgment by disputing a finding by the U.S. intelligence community that Assad, the former Syrian president, had used chemical weapons against his own people and by echoing Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine.

“By any objective measure and by every objective measure as well, she is not qualified. From the moment she was nominated, both Democrats and Republicans were puzzled by the choice,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) said on the floor before her vote.

“Of all people Donald Trump could have picked to oversee national intelligence, he picked someone known for repeating Russian propaganda and getting duped by conspiracy theories,” he said.

Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as Trump's Director of National Intelligence

 https://www.newsweek.com/tulsi-gabbard-confirmed-trumps-director-national-intelligence-2030089

After a 52-48 vote, Gabbard will now oversee and coordinate the work of America's 18 intelligence agencies.

Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote "no" for Gabbard's confirmation. McConnell, who is serving his seventh term and has not yet disclosed plans to run for reelection, also broke with Trump in voting "no" for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's nomination.

Rabbi Dov Lior: 'There is no other solution'

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/403817

Rabbi Dov Lior, a leading Rabbi in religious Zionist communities, commented on Israel's war against hostile nations, stating that "there is no solution—they oppose the very existence of the nation."

He emphasized, "We must eradicate the enemy completely, not give them any land or call them by another name. They are barbarians and haters of Israel, and there's no illusion that we can reach an agreement with them."

Rabbi Lior added that "We must clear the land and not leave them here. If we leave non-Jews in the land, they will be 'thorns in your sides and shall harass you,'" quoting Numbers 33.

In conclusion, he firmly stated: "If divine providence gives us the power to fight them, not doing so is a sin."

Candle lighting Rav Moshe used to ride in car to yeshiva afterwards.

Igros Moshe (OH I #96) Question Is my traveling in a car after Candle lighting before Shabbos to the yeshiva which is two minutes away. Is this possibly a prohibited activity? Answer I got great pleasure that you made the effort to fulfil the mitzva of admonishing others according to your understanding of the situation and G-d forbid! that I am bothered by it. Furthermore as a response to your question I will no longer travel in a car after candle lighting bli Neder even though there is not the slightest violation of Halacha or Maris HaAyin.  You should know that the prohibition of Maris HaAyin only applies to things  that are typically prohibited but now he is doing it in a manner that is technically permitted nevertheless we prohibit it because of Maris HaAyin . For example to do work with a Goy that many people do by hiring them for a day. Or hanging up wet laundry in a sunny place which results in people suspecting that you washed the  laundry on Shabbos. In contrast if you do something which is well known to be permitted there is no need to be concerned with those few who mistakenly think it is prohibited and it is clearly not prohibited.  The present case where it is known that all women begin Shabbos with candle lighting while the men  wait a little later. Since the time of candle lighting is generally fixed at 20 minutes before sunset (shkiah) . Thus it is well known to most people including the  women that men are still allowed to perform work within the 18 minute period before shkiah even l’chatchila as long as they have not accepted that Shabbos has started.  There are at least 11 minutes after I get in the car until shkiah and during this time melacha is clearly permitted l’chatchila  and there is no question that there is sufficient time to travel to yeshiva before shkiah. Even if there are some women who mistakenly think that it is prohibited to do any melacha after candle lighting even for men it is not relevant to prohibit this car ride because of Maris HaAyin nor should it be of concern. Because the truth is that it is permitted for men who have not accepted Shabbos.  Nevertheless since you write that this might cause a problem for some women and men who mistakenly this that I am violating Shabbos, I will bli Neder will not travel in a car after candle lighting. 

Hegseth rules out NATO membership for Ukraine in peace deal with Russia

 https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5140389-hegseth-nato-membership-ukraine-russia/?tbref=hp

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that he does not believe Ukraine joining NATO is “realistic,” as the Trump administration looks to broker an end to Russia’s war in the country. 

Speaking ahead of a meeting of the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, Hegseth also indicated Washington will no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security.

“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” Hegseth said, adding U.S. troops will not be involved in securing a post-war Kyiv. 

Hegseth said Wednesday he wanted to “directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.”

Donald Trump's Pledge to Lower Costs on 'Day One' is Unravelling

 https://www.newsweek.com/us-inflation-rate-january-federal-reserve-trump-2029916

Inflation quickened in January, according to data released on Wednesday morning, putting pressure on the new administration to honor its key campaign pledge to bring down prices "on day one" amid uncertainty over the anticipated impacts of President Trump's economic policies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.5 percent month-over-month in January 2025, up from 0.4 percent in December and well ahead of consensus forecasts of 0.3 percent. The all-items index edged up to 3.0 percent for the 12 months ended January. Analysts had penciled in 2.9 percent in line with December's reading.

"BIDEN INFLATION UP!" President Trump posted to Truth Social minutes after the inflation reading.

Trump’s ultimatum is directed at Hamas, but it’s also a direct rebuke of Netanyahu

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/trumps-ultimatum-is-directed-at-hamas-but-its-also-a-direct-rebuke-of-netanyahu/

Trump has now rejected the phased deal that he and his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff pushed through. This cumbersome approach had been initiated by Netanyahu, who sought to avoid confrontation with Smotrich and former minister Itamar Ben Gvir — both of whom have threatened to bring down Netanyahu’s coalition if the war ends without Hamas being vanquished.

How Long Until We Get the Heavenly Message?

 BS"D

How Long Until We Get the Heavenly Message?

13 Shvat 5785/ Parshas Yisro/ January 11, '25

How many more of these appeals - such as this one, for eighty-six war-widows - need we see before we get the Heavenly message?

https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NYDqY6fjlK0ESz3U6yBMyRKOEs1pN-7dJNeYSW8U_rkiXqY4ql52ym8lnXjUZNgavHCxzFGmaUy8RMJev33jqAydbT7Udi4_HGmZnuoHLGPwFUTNTppOvuMKu1gdqihzOj5AhghmbaTxp0jIsLXvZ-rNo2_iNRAp4g=s0-d-e1-ft#https://d1yei2z3i6k35z.cloudfront.net/2707724/67a893b2ab799_WhatsAppImage2025-02-06at8.47.24AM.jpeg

Do we really care about Israeli boys - and girls - getting killed? Do our actions truly reflect that?

For one example, has the widely-touted manpower shortage in Israel prompted those clamoring for expansion of the military draft to - extremely belatedly - even reconsider the world's most successful Jew-Vs.-Jew Genocide Policy, namely Israel's abortion-on-demand law (two million plus preborn infants killed, with no end in sight, R"L)?  Where are all of the right-wingers when you really need them?

In general, how should a Torah-adherent Jew look at the current plight in Eretz Yisroel, and our role? 

Let's just start with this humble suggestion:

To better defend against the myriad of never-ending physical attacks from Arab surrogates - and their western enablers - we would be advised to gauge the severity of the risking of innocent life from Dovid HaMelech's reaction to the risky efforts to obtain water for him, in Shmuel II 23:16-17 (see Metzudas Dovid*).  

* "הדם האנשים ההולכים בנפשותם..." מצודת דוד: "... הלא דם יחשב!"

Without doubt, many of our brothers (of whatever level of religious observance) are, willing to not only risk - but even sacrifice - their very lives to rescue hostages and protect fellow Jews. However, how seriously are we communally taking their safety?  We all know that immorality - and (how much more so) its' governmental legitimization - repels the Divine Presence, thereby endangers lives (Dvarim 23:15), and leads to expulsion from Eretz Yisroel (VaYikra 18; see Ramban 18:25). Yet, we persist in allowing - often even enabling - institutionalized depravity to march onward in the ostensibly Jewish State.

So, precisely what does it say about the country if these boys and men are being sent into grave danger - without doing everything we can to end the ongoing Heavenly accusations against us over our communal failure to combat the governmental sanctioning and promotion of sexual immorality, and its' associated pandemic of abortion-on-demand?  Pervasive examples of Israeli institutionalization of immorality include:

° LGBTQ legislation, including the post-Oct.7th bill recognizing surviving same-sex "spouses" of Sodomist Israeli soldiers;

° drafting girls and women - especially non-observant ones (held by the Brisker Rov as even worse than drafting Torah-observant girls, both requiring sacrificing one's life to avoid transgression thereof, Yai'horaig ve'al Ya'avor);

° massive abortion-on-demand, including "free" Army abortions;

° co-ed Army units; 

.° Army exposure of Hesder boys/men (single or married) to girls exercising, singing, etc;

° and government funded and facilitated propaganda targeting spiritually vulnerable high school girls (generally associated with  the "national religious" camp), proselytizing enlistment in the Army.

How many more sons, husbands and fathers "need" (sic) to be lost R"L to barbarians before we finally stop the bleeding of our People? And all of this - after 16 months of constant funerals - in a war fought under a government that markets itself as both "religious" and "rightwing"?

Should our communal role here be to indulge ourselves in virtue-signalling - by praising others for endangering their lives to protect ours - while we're being communally derelict in not genuinely, properly protecting theirs?  Instead, should we not, at least, exit our comfort-zone just enough to raise awareness of how WE need to do our part to meet our obligations to those who are being sent into grave danger for us - by vigorously protesting the tolerance and promotion of anti-morality policies - policies that, according to the Torah, come with a 3,300-plus-year guarantee of bringing down Divine Judgment on violators?

Additionally, the recent Mediterranean tsunami alert should logically draw our communal attention towards communal repentance, away from the self-adulatory, hollow, bravado bluster about military "victory" over the Arab surrogates of billionaire western genocidalists. More specifically, our Sages (Talmud Yerushalmi, tractate Brachos 9:2) identify the abomination of sodomy as one of the causative factors behind earthquakes.

Instead of prompting us to proper communal  repentance, Israeli soldiers killed in the war have tragically become fodder for virtue-signalling fundraising emotives like this:

https://thekosherguru.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f96642e9739bc61f926b7d7ef&id=08f2288efc&e=83878f9cbf

Is this the best we can do? Instead of making yourself feel good by paying good money for decoy* causes, like planting trees for deceased soldiers - why not do something genuinely meaningful to protect the lives of the living - like protesting and otherwise combating the Israeli mainstreaming of depravity and abortion-at-whim?

Those who would like to help raise awareness about such issues may contact us (see below).

May we see nechamos and yeshuos in the merit of doing that which the Torah demands.

~~~

* Even if there is a place for such tree- replenishment campaigns, let's not cheapen them by utilizing the deaths of soldiers as a campaigning technique. It distracts the tzibbur from what they should be prioritizing.