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?

I meet on Tuesdays with a group of men, all of whom have served in the military in one or more of the various inconclusive wars we have fought over the last fifty years. The reluctant consensus of opinion in this discussion group is that it is probably too late for this to be settled other than through a national calamity which would implode the present corrupt social order and bring about such a chaotic situation that the country would have no choice but to return to probity and common sense.
— Bill Kelleher

Yesterday I read the Ruling Class article by Angelo Codevilla. It was one of the best articles I have read regarding the current landscape of our nation at present.

I am a headmaster of a private Christian school in Texas. I couldn’t help but think as I read the article that my boys (early teens) should read this article. Unfortunately, I fear it would be over their head at times. I wonder, if Dr. Codevilla would consider revising this article for a younger audience…if it is even possible.

I fear that our young people today are not receiving this level of analysis and are ill-equipped to enter university or even combat the ideological viewpoints of their high school teachers. Dr. Codevilla’s article is of a kind that should be read by young and old alike.

Forgive me if this seems like a ridiculous request. Perhaps, my email serves as a larger request in remembering the younger audience in your publication.
— Derek

What we are talking about here is “The Tyranny of Liberalism ” — see James Kalb’s book in order to understand and overcome administered freedom, inquisitorial tolerance and equality by command.
— Norman D. Clemo

Mr. Codevilla’s excellent article offers insight and background as to where we have come and where are today. I am a young conservative business professional. I believe more of those in our “Country Class” need to read this article so they can better understand the Ruling Class agenda and formulate a plan to win America back. I have forwarded this article on to others who are also college educated business men and women and we believe if this article could be simplified in a way that the general public could read and comprehend.

Thank you for time and all you do.
— Tim Nyce
Morgantown, Pennsylvania

Thank-you for your effort in writing this piece. This is what I have been trying to tell people about the ruling class but did not have the ability to word it like you have. This should be required reading for anyone who wants to be or is involved in our country’s future. This piece will give them a basis on which to let people know what they are dealing with.

Thanks again,
— Louis Tufillaro
Raleigh, North Carolina

This is an excellent essay. Congratulations.

Apart from the obstacles mentioned, I believe that since a great proportion of Americans (more than 50%?) receive more benefits from government that what they contribute, this fact makes even harder for the country class to promote and pass into law their values.

However, and as Schumpeter wrote, the social doctors will deepen their agenda until the two forward horses (human action and technology) continue to overcome the dragging horse of government stupidity. How long it will take? That is the issue.
— Guillermo Barba Lluch

I found this the best written and most informative article I have read in a long, long time. It confirms what I had thought out on my own, that most Republicans do not really believe (or act) in accordance with the tenets of their party’s proclamations of limited government.
— Patte L. Winn
Morton, Illinois

RESPECTFULLY YOURS
Re: Christopher Orlet’s Bring Back the Duel:
Periodically, I meditate on the thought that respect is earned, not demanded or taken. That thought has been lost in the populace during my lifetime. I lay blame at the feet of MTV…though, currently, I think it more of a catalyst. I remember those well-attended dust-ups to which Mr. Orlet refers. Oddly, they usually resulted in some measure of respect.
— Reid Bogie
Waterbury, Connecticut

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Re: Jay D. Homnick’s Those ‘70 Show:

I’m still laughing at “Those 70s Show.” In 1969 I was a VISTA volunteer in a rural setting. We VISTAs were required to transport our “poor people” who fell under the penumbra of the local CAP (Community Action Program) office up to the closest city to sit in an auditorium (probably a high school theater in summer) to be harangued by a black radical from a local university. He was an out-and-out communist in a suit that changed color as the viewing angle changed. He screamed about bringing down the system and power to the people and the whole Marxist rant spiced with racial resentments. There it was! The government was paying a radical to organize rural poor into cadres to tear down the government and smash the bourgeoisie! Our tax dollars at work. On the way back to the rural CAP office with my car full of rural “poor people” (they were only poor in a relative sense — their community was much higher functioning than the city culture that was attempting to entice them aboard the great revolution) one of them, a rather dear woman who doted on me, said, “I didn’t understand a word he said. What was he so worked up about?” It was about that time I read Catch 22 and began to realize I wasn’t a statist.
— Joe Hanna

UNJUST DESERTS
Re: G. Tracy Mehan, III’s Hating Congress, Hating Ourselves:

With all due respect to Mr. Mehan, I have never been able to “get” the government that I want, no matter what I do, no matter what I don’t do, and no matter how I vote. That has been the situation for years, and I suspect that many of your readers feel the same way. We feel disenfranchised, because, in fact, we are. This fall I plan to vote straight Republican, which I probably would do anyway, but especially so this fall, given the atrocious, overbearing, imperious behavior of the Democrats in office. However, I am not especially sanguine that things will improve even if the GOP gets control of BOTH houses, and I know for a fact that, even if things improve a bit, nothing will change much, and the Federal government will NOT be reduced in size. It may grow more slowly for awhile, but get smaller? Not on your life.

So please, PLEASE, stop with the glib “folks get the government they want” or “deserve,” or whatever. The problem is now that we, the people, don’t get the government we want, and there seems to be no viable mechanism by which we can.
— D. Reich
Auburn, New York

TRICKLE-DOWN LIBERALISM
Re: Andrew Cline’s Money for Sculptures, But Not Firefighters:

The $850,000 spent on the sculpture had to cover the overhead costs for the arts program, which meant that while the artist got part of it, that money went through many hands first, including the administrators of the program, their staff and the sales rep who made the deal. I’d be pleasantly surprised if the artist got half. When conservatives propose that the wealthiest sectors of the economy drive economic growth through their investments, it’s derided as “trickle down” economics by our elite opinion-regurgitators, but when liberals claim that government spending, which takes money from the productive private sectors, and trickles it down through layer after layer of bureaucracy, creates jobs, it’s called “stimulus.”

Just another example of government largesse “trickling down” on our heads and while the media tells us that it’s raining.
— Mike Harris, MAJ, US Army

IN MEMORIAM
Re: Ben Stein’s Losing Amber:

Ben Stein’s short article about the loss of Amber was so well written and heartfelt. Thank him for his efforts and extend our condolences; it is so painful to lose youth and beauty. We all shed tears for Amber and Darby.

Thank you for publishing this memorial.
— Gerald Flatz
Boise, Idaho