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The Weekly Standard, R.I.P.
Today, Philip Anschutz shut down The Weekly Standard. I, for one, wish that he had refrained from doing so. I do not mean to say that I agree with the stance Bill Kristol has taken with regard to Trump. I have known Bill for decades, and I have a great deal of respect for him. But I think him in error. Trump’s flaws are obvious, but the available alternatives are worse — and the man has not only done a number of good things. He has also forced a rethinking of post-Cold war policies with regard to the economy and our posture in the larger world that have pretty obviously failed.
But whether or not I think Bill right or in error on this point does not matter much. He founded and for quite a number of years edited a magazine that was nearly always thoughtful and a pleasure to read. Steve Hayes, who took it over when Trump became President, has done a terrific job, and there is nothing out there that will replace it.
If you doubt my testimony, dig up the 17 December issue (which reached my mailbox today), and read the cover story on Cory Booker. It is both entertaining and enlightening. Read the reviews as well. They have been more often than not been fascinating. The death of a little intellectual magazine of quality is a great misfortune. There are very few places left to which one can turn.
Published in General
Jennifer Rubin had an excellent column in the Washington Post today praising The Weekly Standard in her weekly column, Distinguished Persons of the Week. In pertinent part, she writes:
“On Friday, the best written, most independent and liveliest conservative U.S. news magazine was closed by its owner, Clarity Media Group. The ending was abrupt, ungracious and unnecessary. Writers were told to leave by 5 p.m. that day. The employees will receive severance only upon signing a non-disparagement agreement. Though editor in chief Stephen Hayes had been searching for a buyer, Clarity chose to shut it down instead — keeping its valuable subscriber list for another holding, the far more Trump-compliant Washington Examiner.
…
“The Weekly Standard’s editors and writers refused to prostitute themselves to the Trumpists. In doing so, they stood as a continuing rebuke to those who jettisoned integrity for access and traded ideals for fame. Conservatives in the Trump era had a choice between sycophancy and honor; too few chose, as the Standard did, the honorable path.
“I hope that some benefactor scoops up the writers and editors from the Weekly Standard, gives a new publication an apt name (The New Standard?), and continues to publish the same lively material it has provided since the Clinton administration. More than ever, those on the right (and left) need to hear from principled conservatives who refuse to adopt positions simply because President Trump holds them (however fleetingly), and who decline to throw overboard the essential elements of modern conservatism (free markets, federalism, humility in governance, gradualism in legislation, support for civil society, personal decency and U.S. values-based leadership in the world).
“It remains to be seen whether conservatism as we have known it survives or whether, as founding editor Bill Kristol wrote in February, “the founders of American conservatism” dedicate themselves to “build other pillars that will uphold the temple of American liberty in the 21st century.” What is certain, however, is that men and women of ideas, discernment and decency remain engaged in the country’s ongoing political debate.
“To the Weekly Standard’s writers and editors, past and present, I can say: Well done. I look forward to reading all of your work, wherever and whenever it may appear.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2018/12/16/distinguished-persons-week-goodbye-weekly-standard/?utm_term=.ea6793daf26a
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Kasparov is not willing to forgive us. I, on the other hand, would tend to forgive Kasparov after the ruling class oppressors are kicked out and we get our government back.
Thanks for the link! You are right, the title is exaggerated, and I think the article itself is pushing their stance a little too much for the level of tweets Kasparov sent. It definitely sounds like he doesn’t like Trump, but I have heard much worse from Max Boot and George Will. Part of the trouble with Kasparov’s rhetoric is that he is rarely specific about things he writes about. He writes in broad generalities that are kind of difficult to define. I have his book “How Life Imitates Chess,” a non-chess book that talks about success. I only got partway through it because his writing was so pedantic without giving concrete or practical examples. He is a much better writer when it comes to chess games.
Over at PowerLine, Steven Hayward says goodbye to The Weekly Standard and raises some points I haven’t seen elsewhere. Scott Johnson also adds his thoughts about its demise. And John Hinderacker also adds his opinion.
If you subscribed to the Weekly Standard, it is easy to get a refund. I just did. First, I called 1-800-274-7293. There was a prompt (#1) for subscribers of the Weekly Standard. The first person did not help me but put me on hold and transferred me to the main number. I was persistent and again entered the prompt (#1) for subscribers of the Weekly Standard. The second person tried to talk me into transferring my subscription to the Weekly Examiner. I declined, as the Weekly Examiner refused to allow the Weekly Standard to be bought by a third party but are seeking to harvest its subscriber base.
Just hold firm and demand your refund. You should have a copy of your Weekly Standard with you to be able to give them your customer number on your mailing label. Here is the confirming email that I just received.
“Dear Gary,
“This email message is confirmation that your subscription to Washington Examiner has been canceled.
“A refund check in the amount of $36.75 is in the process of being generated and mailed to you.
“Your credit card will be refunded for $119.00.
“Sincerely,
“The Weekly Standard
“E-mail: CustomerService@WeeklyStandard.net
“Phone: 800-274-7293”
Those are great columns. Thank you so much!