The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Drumbeats and Dragnets

12.16.02 @ 12:01AM

WORLD CLASS WEBB
Re: Judd Magilnick's The Icon in Winter:

This is an absolute gem of an article. Beautifully written and profoundly insightful. It should be required reading in any Lit. 101 class and, more importantly, perhaps freshman political science. This is a smacking rebuke of the silliness that is political correctness. Again, beautifully written and a sincere tribute to Jack Webb. I am positive that any remaining friend or family member must be most proud of this very poignant article.
-- Tom Fitzpatrick

Your piece on Jack Webb moved me to tears. I grew up watching Dragnet and when I joined the Army in 1965 I had a drill sergeant in basic training who was uncannily like Jack Webb's "D.I." Between two tours in Vietnam, college in the 70's, and just living to my present age of 56, I have learned one big truth: Jack was right: the world really is made up of black and white or good and evil. There are good guys and there are bad guys and everything else is unimportant.

Thanks!
-- T.L. Jeffrey

Thank you for your exceptional column regarding Jack Webb. It is wonderfully written and evokes many memories of that era.

I was only a teenager in the 50's but had the opportunity to see and meet Jack Webb on occasion at my father's restaurant (the original Love's Barbecue, in Encino) -- in the San Fernando Valley, when the Valley truly was a valley -- full of ranches, hidden homes, rolling hills, horses, and fruit and nut orchards. Indeed Ventura Boulevard and the business district stopped for all practical purposes in Encino! (Needless to say, that's not the picture now, sadly.)

Jack Webb was at the height of Dragnet fame and, as a teenager, it was a thrill to see him. He was much as you described him at your luncheon meeting, only perhaps not as acerbic since he was riding the phenomenal wave of success at that time and perhaps not as grieved over his career and the state of matters. But there was an intensity to the man and, as you say, though smaller than expected, commanded a presence. But he was also pleasant to my father and staff, and very nice to a star-struck teen, and we were pleased to have him and his friends stop by to enjoy our patio dining under the trees during those warm, balmy evenings in the Valley. A long time ago...

Thank you for reminding me of this brilliant man and his exceptional career and contributions -- and, also, for reminding me why once again I am drinking martinis!

Best wishes,
-- Sue Hill
Seattle area

GOING TWICE
Re: The Washington Prowler's The Black Caucus Is Back!:

Re: The Trent Lott Problem and all your sundry articles (also click here, here, here, and here) regarding same.

As prosecutor, judge, and jury, I accuse, indict, and convict Senator Lott of Supreme Arrogance and Terminal Stupidity. He is hereby sentenced to relinquish his leadership post forthwith and to assume the position of "Backbencher" for an undetermined period not less than two years from Jan. 1, 2003.

For the good of the Republican party, for the good of Conservatism in all its forms, fashions, ideas, and agendas, for the good of our country, TRENT LOTT HAS TO GO NOW.

From a life long (45+ years as a voter) Conservative Republican who has not missed a primary or general election since Nixon's first run in 1960 who was born and raised to my adulthood and beyond inside the Beltway in Maryland within a half dozen blocks of the D.C. line.
-- Ken Shreve
New Hampshire

As a proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy and avid reader of the fifth column's reporting I have an unanswered question that continues to nag at me.

Letter to the Editor

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