The article discusses various contradictions, corruption and lies in society based on common sense. It provides examples of economic and political contradictions like high inflation but calls to stimulate the economy. It also discusses contradictions in areas like defense spending, Ukraine policy, and space exploration. The author argues this leads to a world full of contradictions, corruption and lies. The article relates this to a story from the Torah where Korach lied and rebelled but was punished. It concludes that truth must be found in God and acting from His word rather than media or politicians who mislead.

1. 7/3/22, 1:23 AM Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/contradictions-corruption-and-lies/ 1/6
THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
Contradictions,
Corruption, and Lies
ADVERTISEMENT

2. 7/3/22, 1:23 AM Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/contradictions-corruption-and-lies/ 2/6
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Something is very wrong in our society, when things don’t make sense or follow
common sense any longer, and it reminds me of the adage that the wise Judge
Judy Sheindlin always says:
So, truth has a fairly simple barometer test:
Make sense = true
Nonsense = lie
With all the ridiculous “echo chamber” and “fake news” these days, you tell me
whether these things make good sense or not:
Domestic
If it doesn’t make sense, it’s usually not true.”
“

3. 7/3/22, 1:23 AM Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/contradictions-corruption-and-lies/ 3/6
We are experiencing overheating of the economy and inflation unprecedented
in over 40 years, but the government keeps looking to stimulate the economy.
We can’t feed our newborn children, because there is a shortage of baby
formula, but for U.S. adults, we’re the fattest country in the world.
There is an ongoing shortage of computer chips due to supply chain problems
affecting everything from iPhones to computers and cars, but chip makers are
forecasting weak demand.
We are beset by an unending series of thousands of flight cancellations and
delays, even as progress in everything from automation to big data and
artificial intelligence are improving transportation.
The U.S. has become “energy independent” and is a net-exporter, yet the
average price of gasoline here has risen almost 50% over the last year to
approximately $5 per gallon.
Our National Debt is a “ticking time bomb,” yet there is little or no appetite
to curb spending with projections of the debt spiraling out of control toward
185% of Gross Domestic Product by 2050.
The U.S. has the highest rate of people in prison in the entire world, is last
among 46 countries in terms of media trust, and two-thirds think the political
system is broken, yet we like to think of ourselves as the shining democracy
of the free world.
Defense
The U.S. has fallen behind Russia and China in advanced military
technologies like hypersonics, yet the U.S. spends more on defense than the
next nine countries combined.

4. 7/3/22, 1:23 AM Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/contradictions-corruption-and-lies/ 4/6
Ukraine is America’s War to the tune of tens of billions of dollars of military
and humanitarian aid plus rounds and rounds of economic sanctions to try to
stem Russia’s expansionist goals, but the U.S. continues to hesitate on what it
means or will take to actually “win”.
The U.S. tries to negotiate or punish Axis of Evil countries like North Korea
and Iran to give up their nukes, yet when Ukraine gave up their nuclear
weapons in exchange for security guarantees, we see where that got them.
Over a half century after being the first to land a man on the moon, the U.S.
established Space Force as a separate branch of the military in 2019, yet
NASA is still trying to figure out how to return us to the moon from 1969.
Unfortunately, this list of “nonsensicals” in our society could go on and on (and
I won’t even get started with all the Covid mandates and chaos), and you have to
ask yourself what type of country (and world) we are leaving to future
generations: A world that is full contradictions, corruption, and lies!
In this week’s Torah portion, Korach, we learn how he lied to power, and tried to
unseat Moses and Aaron from leading the Israelites. But Hashem showed
Korach and his assembly the truth that G-d had indeed appointed Moses and
Aaron. Moreover, the punishment for lying and rebellion for Korach and the
mutineers was to be swallowed by the earth, while the assembly of two hundred
and fifty with him were consumed by fire. Unfortunately, these days, we don’t
have the immediate and demonstrative truth so openly revealed to us like the
Israelites who had just been redeemed from Egypt and had received the Torah
on Sinai from G-d Almighty.
Nevertheless, as Jews, our responsibility remains to truth, doing good, and
following Hashem. However, before we can uphold truth in our society, we need
to know where it can be found; before we try to do good, we must know that our
actions are leading to good results and not just political wins or short-term

5. 7/3/22, 1:23 AM Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/contradictions-corruption-and-lies/ 5/6
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
profiteering; and as we attempt to serve Hashem, we must acknowledge that the
world can be a very hostile and impure environment. In the end, we can’t live
with the double-talk and lies that we are being fed or the political
grandstanding and corruption that takes the place of real humanity and
progress. This leaves us to find truth and faith in the good and love that is G-d
and to act from His word and not the phony media or corrupt politicians that
seek to lead us continuously astray.
ADVERTISEMENT
AdChoices Sponsored
Conversation 1 Comment
Log in Sign up
What do you think?
Sort by Best
We have a new, improved
comments system. To
comment, simply register
or sign in.


6. 7/3/22, 1:23 AM Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/contradictions-corruption-and-lies/ 6/6
T
tali.lanton · 2 hours ago
For Bamitzva lessons in Jerusalem, call 058 646 3912
Reply
Powered by Terms | Privacy | Feedback