A Life Athwart History(George Will eulogizes Bill Buckley)

realclearpolitics.com ^ | February 29, 2008 | George Will

[kellynla]

WASHINGTON -- Those who think Jack Nicholson's neon smile is the last word in smiles never saw William F. Buckley's. It could light up an auditorium; it did light up half a century of elegant advocacy that made him an engaging public intellectual and the 20th century's most consequential journalist.

Before there could be Ronald Reagan's presidency, there had to be Barry Goldwater's candidacy. It made conservatism confident and placed the Republican Party in the hands of its adherents.

Before there could be Goldwater's insurgency, there had to be National Review magazine. From the creative clutter of its Manhattan offices flowed the ideological electricity that powered the transformation of American conservatism from a mere sensibility into a fighting faith and a blueprint for governance.

Before there was National Review, there was Buckley, spoiling for a philosophic fight, to be followed, of course, by a flute of champagne with his adversaries. He was 29 when, in 1955, he launched National Review with the vow that it "stands athwart history, yelling Stop." Actually, it helped Bill take history by the lapels, shake it to get its attention, and then propel it in a new direction. Bill died Wednesday in his home, in his study, at his desk, diligent at his life-long task of putting words together well and to good use.

[midway]

A TRULY GREAT, BRILLIANT AND CONSEQUENTIAL MAN

A LIFE LIVED TO THE FULLEST

HE WAS THE SINGLE GREATEST CONSERVATIVE INFLUENCE ON MY THINKING

R.I.P.

[Sun]

Like many of us, I feel as if I lost a friend.