The American Spectator

PANTHER DEFENSE
Re: Quin Hillyer’s Panther Investigation Is Legit:

Thanks for taking my quote out of context. While, of course, I believe that anyone who would say what Adams’s alleges should be fired immediately, I also made it very clear that I do not think Adams at all credible, nor do I believe that a denial by the Justice Department would end what I believe to be a partisan witch-hunt. Aside from Adams’ 9th-inning revelations, there is no independent credible evidence that anything he said is true. The Commission’s so-called “investigation” is a waste of taxpayer money, a distortion of the mission of the Commission, and just another feeble attempt to create race as a wedge issue in the mid-term elections.
— Michael Yaki
Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Exactly what are the discrimination obstacles that black Americans face these days? I would love for the “Mighty” Quin to identify a single one! The truth is, discrimination is no longer an institution in the US in any way, any place. The only problem blacks face these days are those of their own making. Is it discrimination that results in the highest percentage of single parent families in poverty of any demographic in the U.S.? Is it discrimination that results in the highest drop out rate among teens? Is it discrimination that results in the highest rates of incarceration for intra-racial crime in the country? Get real Quin, discrimination is just an excuse for disproportionately bad culture and behavior by a minority as a means of preserving victimhood.
— Dan Shaw

Quin Hillyer replies:
Mr. Yaki’s comment, as I quoted it, is in perfect context. Of course Mr. Yaki doesn’t think the case is strong one. What matters for the narrow point I was making is that he agrees that the subject matter would indeed be legitimately important if it were true (which, by the way, it is). If he does not believe that an open order by a DoJ official to refuse to enforce a law is, if it actually happened, a fireable offense, then let him say so. I dare him.

As for Mr. Shaw, his letter is drivel. To say that government discrimination against blacks or major private institution discrimination against blacks no longer exist — well, that would be one thing. But to say that “discrimination is no longer an institution in the U.S. in any way, any place,” is absolutely nuts. There are still lunch counters that deliberately give black customers third-class service. I’ve seen it happen. There are still small businesses that won’t hire black people, period — or at least not to be anything other than janitors. There are still tens of thousands of people in this country who say the ‘N’ word and mean it. Racism and discrimination may no longer be widespread or even a problem from a sizeable minority of Americans, but of course they still exist and still harm at least some black Americans. To say otherwise is as much as denial of reality as it is to deny that some people are left-handed, or that some are bald… or that some people write letters that are drivel.

COOL COUNTRY
Re: Angelo M. Codevilla’s America’s Ruling Class — And the Perils of Revolution:

May I just say that this is one of the best articles I have read in a long time and only wish and pray that more people would take the time and effort to read it as it so precisely tells us just how we arrived at where we are today. God help the Country Class.
— Camille Nesbitt

This article is very long, well written and quite informative about who we are today and how we got here. Everyone should try to find the time to read this tomb. Seldom do I read an article in a magazine meeting this high standard. It is Bill Buckley without the made up Latin words.
— Gerry Nye
 Cape Cod

Angelo M. Codevilla’s piece on the political class divide that exists today in America was outstanding! Fantastic article, very nice to see a platform that such pieces are allowed to flourish. Keep up the great work!
— Robert Fellner

Just a note to say I’m subscribing to your magazine because the last issue was fantastic. “America’s Ruling Class” really made sense out of what is going on in Washington and in the Country. Thanks so much,
— Joanne Blakemore

I rarely read a magazine article more than once, but America’s Ruling Class, by Angelo Codevilla, is worth reading several times and preserving for reference. It brings together some “sneaking suspicions” I’ve had for years.

If members of our ruling class were interested, they would read it also, and take the information to heart.
— Stephen DeGray MD.
Bluefield, Virginia
longterm subscriber

I just finished reading the phenomenal article by Dr. Codevilla. I can’t remember the last time that an article (scholarly or otherwise) has so stirred me. What a thorough and well-written indictment not only of our political class, but indeed of all of us for allowing such a radical transformation to occur. I finished reading the article over an hour ago and I can’t stop thinking about whether it’s too late to save ourselves and our country from the “enlightened” class currently in charge — Democrats and Republicans. Thank you for publishing. Please follow up with more — I can’t wait to begin receiving my (new) subscription.
— Mike Franklin
Maplewood, Minnesota

As an avowed member of the “Country Party,” of the libertarian persuasion, I could not pass up the opportunity of pointing to what is perhaps the principal reason for the impasse Professor Codevilla so eloquently discusses in his article — failure to extend one’s awareness beyond a two-party system. It is not that the “Country Party” lacks a political vehicle, it is that its political vehicles are not in the sphere of awareness of most educators, writers, or voters. The message of self governance, local control of institutions, family prerogative of managing children’s education, success arising from personal effort, is basic to Libertarian candidates, and basic to libertarian (small “l”) candidates of whatever party. As long as these candidates are ignored in favor of an intellectually-safe two party discussion, the “Ruling Class” will continue to rule, and the “Country Class” will continue to be viewed as lacking the cohesion to support political vehicles, and thus ignored.
— Marcy D. Berry
Chair
Libertarian Party of San Francisco

This is the most incredibly accurate overview of the present social/political situation in this country that I have ever read. Every aspect of the cultural, economic, and moral, morass the country finds itself in is addressed in the article. One part of the article, the one that addresses the way back to sanity, is interesting to me because for the first time someone really attempts to go into, how do we turn this around?