Wish I could remember a certain poster who said it -- he awakened me to the reality that the "Greatest generation" was somewhat relative, and despite our nostalgia and genuine fondness for them, they had all of the same social problems, cultural issues, and loathsome individuals we face today.
If our systems collapse by their own malfunction and corrupt attitudes, then there is little we can do but keep flowery hope for that "time capsule" you described in Chambers' letter. But the human cost will be terrible, and it may be only a dream that we could ever repair ourselves to the levels you and I may envision.
Buckley is losing this argument!