WFB is an amazing intellectual ! I will never forget all of his interviews with Malcolmn Muggeridge ! They were some of the best interviews of all time !
WFB, thanks for 50 years or so, of rational thought. You helped more than a few of us to make it through the second half of the 20th century. Enjoy your semi-retirement.
I'm actually in the middle of reading WFB Junior's account of the construction of, resistance to, and eventual destruction of the Berlin Wall.
He was definitely a towering influence in my life, especially in my growing appreciation for the conservative perspective on economic, social, political and cultural issues.
One of the best gifts that I've ever received was an annual subscription to "National Review", courtesy of my older sister.
I think that this news calls for a salute of some kind.
Get out your lighters folks!
Saw him in person years ago. I wish him well. He could skewer libs with the best we have until he mellowed (or perhaps tired).
BTTT
I wish him well. He came out as a conservative when there were hardly any others on the scene. "God and Man at Yale" was a great inaugural book.
Now he can sail his yacht beyond the coastal water limits and smoke all the pot he wants.
Happy retirement, Buzz!
That said, it was Rush who became a stalwart for me and brought conservative values alive in a way that WFB could never do. I became a conservative because of WFB and an activist because of Rush. I thank them both.
Very few have mastered the English language as has Mr. Buckley, he'll be missed.
The desinence of an epoch
The war pushed back the tide of rogues who would acquire WMD. This obviously in in our vital interest.
My dedicated Democrat mother never understood why I wanted to watch Buckley on Saturdays instead of cartoons. I don't understand it either, except that he captivated me. I was a gradeschooler in the early 60s. But in the back of my mind while growing up, there was William F. Buckley -- the reasoned side of public discourse.
WFB tried to get Whittaker Chambers to go into a partnership to begin the magazine. Whittaker declined because he thought the controversy surrounding him would doom the magazine. Whittiker did writer for NR for a number of years.
One of the best books I've ever read was Witness by Whittacker Chambers.
Anyone remember Buckley and Gore Vidal doing commentary during the- what- 1960 election?
Buckley is the reason for Reagan, IMHO.
I spent many years watching Bill Buckley's FiringLine and enjoying the political debating skills of a master communicator. Buckley will forever be remembered as one of the founders of the modern conservative movement in America today. Nothing will change with Buckley`s stepping down as head-honcho of NR. He will still write his weekly column and he will remain a voice for conservatism.
I was a very small child when I met WFB for the first time. It was at the home of Henry Regnery; publisher of his first tome, God and Man at Yale. Somehow, I never forgot that meeting. Though the political discussions that evening were lost on my then 7 year old self, I was fascinated by the man. I've remained so ever since. Though I doubt I would have admitted it at the time, he even survived the rancor of my obligatory political rebellion during the 60s. I met him a second time in the early 1990's at a book party in Dallas. May I say that that meeting was not a disappointment. He entered that room exuding charm and yes, charisma - and was a delight to speak with.
I'm very happy to hear that he will continue to write. In periods of political upheaval, I often reach out to see what he has to say. I believe we owe him a great debt of gratitude. Though I may not always agree with what he has to say, I am always cognizant of the fact that "the Buckley revolution" is largely responsible for the underpinnings of how and what I understand today. In my opinion, he is a man of great intellect and courage. I hope he knows that many of us feel that way.
Now I have to find a new way to broaden my vocabulary.