NEW YORK — William F. Buckley Jr., the erudite Ivy Leaguer and conservative herald who showered huge and scornful words on liberalism as he observed, abetted and cheered on the right's post-World War II rise from the fringes to the White House, died Wednesday. He was 82.A conservative icon has passed.
I picked up my first issue of National Review while in college, and subsequently became an avid reader and fan of William Buckley. Reading the magazine in public was an act of defiance. Embracing the ideas within was an act of heresy.
I also enjoyed his Firing Line appearances (thanks to Mom and Dad). This vaulted him into the mainstream cultural stratosphere, but the enduring power of his written words made him an intellectual supernova. Check out God and Man at Yale or any of the Blackford Oakes spy novels.
Mr. Buckley built the Right’s communications infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the New Media. He was an engaged and engaging Renaissance man who joined conservatism and libertarianism, fought statism, and served the Lord–with trademark good humor and joie de vivre.
William F. Buckley Jr. left, talks with former California Gov. Ronald Reagan at the South Carolina Governor's Mansion in
And, I admired his wit:
"Mr. Buckley," one non-fan wrote in 1967, "you are the mouthpiece of that evil rabble that depends on fraud, perjury, dirty tricks, anything at all that suits their purposes. I would trust a snake before I would trust you or anybody you support."
Responded Buckley: "What would you do if I supported the snake?"
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8 comments:
When he ran for mayor in NYC in the late 1960s a reporter asked what was the first thing he would do if he was elected. Buckley's answer: "Demand a recount."
Great quote! He had a great sense of humor and wit not found in too many folks these days:
“I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.”
“It had all the earmarks of a CIA operation; the bomb killed everybody in the room except the intended target!”
“The academic community has in it the biggest concentration of alarmists, cranks and extremists this side of the giggle house.”
I'm afraid conservatism has seemed to pass...
There sure aren't any running for president...heck we don't have one now.
You're right I can't tell the difference between the DEMS or the REPS.
Heck, it would be difficult for the Dems to outspend Bush!
But they will tax more, of that you can be sure.
Yep, Bush is an out of control spender. For example, his Africa Aids spending has totaled $15 billion over the last five years, and he's pushing for more.
$15 Billion for Aids is better than $8 Trillion for prescription drugs! Good grief.
He is spending our money like a drunken' sailor on shore leave for whatever cause he believes will grant him a 'legacy.'
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