William F. Buckley RIP
"Mr. Buckley", says the New York Times, in a generous tribute, "marshaled polysyllabic exuberance and a refined, perspicacious mind to elevate conservatism to the center of American political discourse." Exactly.
We first heard his voice almost a quarter of a century ago in New York City. From that moment on, the left lost its attraction. It was dull and dogmatic compared to what Bill Buckley represented. Conservatism sounded interesting, glamorous, combative, funny and elegant. And it had a great vocabulary. Here's a clip from a famous bout in 1969 where Buckley went up against the hyper-intelligent, but aridly insane communist sympathiser Noam Chomsky. This was the intellectual equivalent of an Ali-Frazier fight. How sad that we don't have the likes today.
Loving tributes at the National Review, which he founded. He was a giant. May he rest in peace.
Comments
Dear Sir ,
Thank you for your piece on WFB ! My favorite memory of him is when Jesse Jackson attempted to lecture him on the needs of Hispanics in the US and Buckley answered him in fluent Spanish . Jackson , of course was checkmated .
cordially ,
David Corbett
Posted by: David Corbett | February 28, 2008 2:56 PM