They ‘loathed’ each other. The truth is Vidal loathed Buckley much more and that’s called evenhandedness by the ‘independent’ observers. The left dictates the terms as aggressors and we’re too busy reacting.
As intellectuals they were equals. On an even playing field where everything is equal Vidal’s tactics showed that he’d do anything to get the upper hand. They’ll always hit below the belt first. It’s like big-time wrestling when the referee has his back turned.
Btw- Are the sang the national anthem and got it wrong, a funny moment.