William F. Buckley (1925-2008) - RIP
(Hat tip: Vox Nova)
National Review founder, faithful Catholic, and conservative icon William F. Buckley, Jr. has died. The reaction at The Corner can be read here.
Here's what the New York Times had to say:
Mr. Buckley’s greatest achievement was making conservatism — not just electoral Republicanism, but conservatism as a system of ideas — respectable in liberal post-World War II America.Amen to that. I first began reading National Review when I was a Sophomore in high school (that was almost 25 years ago). I also read Buckley's Up From Liberalism about the same time I subscribed to the magazine (I think the book was a special gift offer that came with the subscription).
I had always been politically conservative since at least 1976 (i.e. when Reagan challenged Ford for the GOP nomination and I was only 9 years old). Buckley and National Review provided the intellectual heft and ideas to back up what had been more of a gut instinct on my part.
Prior to his death, William F. Buckley could claim to have done more for the conservative movement than anyone one else currently alive ... including a certain talk radio personality. In my lifetime, he accomplished more on behalf of conservatism than anyone not named Ronald Reagan. He will definitely be missed.
Requiescat in pace
UPDATE
A statement by the editors of National Review.
UPDATE #2
The left-liberal Catholic attack on Buckley has already begun, complete with quotes by the very orthodox Archbishop Chaput to back up the notion that Buckley was a "cafeteria Catholic" who disputed the Church's authority in the political realm. Before believing a word of it, read this. See also this.
Labels: Conservatism, Media
posted by Pro Ecclesia 12:22 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Now I remember why I stopped reading Vox Nova.
May he now be enjoying the Beatific Vision. Buckley helped cleanse American conservativism of cranks and racists. He wrote and spoke with a grace and wit that compels admiration. Some of his best friends were people, for example John Kenneth Galbraith, who vehemently opposed his politics. Buckley leaves behind a legacy of reasoned political debate for over half a century. I will greatly miss him.
"Prior to his death, William F. Buckley could claim to have done more for the conservative movement than anyone one else currently alive ... including a certain talk radio personality."
Rush gave a lengthy tribute today on his show to Buckley. He stood in awe of the man, and considered it one of the high points of his life when Buckley invited him to his apartment. He described in some detail his last meeting with Buckley late last year for lunch.
Post a Comment
<< Home