Buckley founded The National Review magazine, a journal of sound conservative thinking. He hosted Firing Line where he debated many of the nation's finest thinkers, both liberal and conservative. These debates were always carried on without rancor, bile, and demagoguery; a lesson both sides could learn from today.
He was a man of faith, of love, of wisdom and a gentleman always. With his passing, the bell tolls once again.
God rest, Mr. Buckley.
1 comment:
John,
What I remember of William Buckley was the glowing words and high praise he gave one of the greatest presidents in history, Ronald Reagan! And the times, as the patriarch of the GOP, he would step to the forefront and speak out in favor of principles,honor and values. An area both parties could learn from today. Where is the GOP's young upcoming Obama's?
The two party system is broken and in this era its hard to detect a Republican from a Democrat. We have too many career politicians; not as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson envisioned; as they would go to their political conferences, caucus with the political leaders of the day and go back to their farms for the lions share of the year.
I believe that is the attraction of Barack Obama, he appears to be a throwback to the statesman leadership of yesteryear; a blend of JFK, Martin Luther King and Ronald Reagan. This powerhouse of intelligence, charisma, compassion & intensity is the Tiger Woods of politics. Watch out GOP!!!!
I am a liberal Republican myself and thus admire and respect John McCain. He too, is a breed apart as he is hated by the extreme right wing conservatives like Limbaugh, Dr.James Dobson, Hannity, Ann Coulter,Michael Savage, et al. Ironically, he has a conservative track record in his voting as a US Senator, is pro life, is a strong believer in national security by peace through strength.
But because he is not Ronald Reagan reincarnated he isn't the annointed one by the extreme right wing. Any man or woman who has the guts to tell the party to stick it and do what is right for the American people like John McCain is okay with me.
That reminds me of an actor, union guild president,former Democrat who left a party for similiar reasons and went on to provide the historic leadership to defeat and destroy the former Soviet Union, President Ronald Reagan.
Perhaps that is what John McCain is poised to do in the defeat of worldwide extreme fundamental Moslem zealots in their role in terrorism? William Buckley would be proud of a statesman with such a vision.
Keep On Bloggin',
Tom Eardley
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