Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: John Hardly
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 02:00 PM

"It would be more encouraging if he had taken some others I could name with him.

yours,

Peter T. "

Indeed, leaving the world to gentlemen not given to such vitreolic rhetoric as he.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 01:43 PM

He was a poisonous monster with a pretty good sense of humor, Peter. And that redeems him to Limbo, at least in my catechism.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Skivee
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 01:20 PM

"It would be more encouraging if he had taken some others I could name with him.

yours,

Peter T. "
Now there's a statement you and I can agree on.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Peter T.
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 11:21 AM

It would be more encouraging if he had taken some others I could name with him.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: John Hardly
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 10:34 AM

"He was a poisonous monster, and spawned poisonous monsters even more poisonally monstrous, and I shed no tears at his passing.

yours,

Peter T."

This is somehow quite encouraging.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 10:28 AM

Well I enjoyed reading and listening to him...
And, he's probably finding Heaven a little warmer than he expected...

No contradiction there.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Greg F.
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 08:59 AM

He was the premier shill & booster for Ronnie Reagan - & considering the damage done to the country by that gang of clowns- that alone should be sufficient to damn him to one of the lower levels of Hell.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Amos
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 08:48 AM

"In what ways would your life have been different if you had been born female?"
-- student journalist
"I'd have seduced John Kenneth Galbraith and spared the world much pain."
-- William F. Buckley Jr.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 10:24 PM

Buckley was also able to admit that he was wrong, such as in his opposition to the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960's. In his ideal world there would be no rationale for such acts but years later he was willing to admit that our world was inperfect and sometimes government intervention was needed to protect individual or group rights.

I was surprised to learn that he did not grow up in a family, with generations of wealth to support him.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Skivee
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 03:42 PM

Clearly, opinions vary about him. I should think he would have been delighted at this.
I am a "lefty" who found him refreshing; a conservative island of reason in a sea of pundit mediocracy.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 03:11 PM

He was a poisonous monster, and spawned poisonous monsters even more poisonally monstrous, and I shed no tears at his passing.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Skivee
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 02:07 PM

I just saw the Charlie Rose show tribute to Buckley.
It reminded me of the man's towering ego, and his towering intellect. There are few people who can pull off this combination and maintain his twinkly charm.
He mentioned his harpsichord playing, and the reason that he had stopped performing in public...he made too many mistakes to accept. Good for him.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:43 PM

........Yeah Leej, I know..........Too much "Family Guy" I think............that and the growing lack of humor around here anymore.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:40 PM

Rest in Peace...

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:37 PM

You are gonna catch hell for that one, spaw

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:59 PM

Yeah Leej and I noted that in my post up above when I said

"Can you imagine a commentator's discussion today such as the one between Buckley and Vidal in 1968?"

The Nazi and the Queer and it damn near came to blows....well a fight anyway.........Sorry, bad joke..........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Janie
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:41 PM

What a relief, LEJ....I was shocked to realize it was that long ago!   *sheepish grin*

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: pdq
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:39 PM

William F. Buckley had some of his best debates with John Kenneth Galbraith, a worthy opponent.

He also exposed Gore Vidal as a total jerk.

Buckley regarded John Dos Passos as the father of modern conservatism and his spiritual leader.

More people should read William F. Buckley, John Dos Passos and Leo Strauss. All brilliant minds.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:35 PM

Or 35 years, Janie ;>}

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Janie
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:31 PM

While in College At Marshall U. in the very early '70's I attended a lecture he gave during "Impact" week, and later attended a small Q&A gathering with him in a room at the campus Coffee House. Barefooted, bell-bottomed, hippiechick, anti-war, sociology major that I was, I went prepared to inwardly sneer at every word that passed his lips. I came away knowing I had just had one of the best educational experiences I was likely to have, as well as an experience so memorable that much of it is still fresh in my memory after more than 45 years.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: mrdux
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:21 PM

here's one of Buckley's numerous pieces in favor of marijuana law reform, this one in the National Review, an example of intellectually honest conservatism, all too rare these days but by no means inherently oxymoronic.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 09:52 PM

Buckley was a school pal of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs at NYU, so his interest in Waits has some grounding in his history.
Anyone remember his near-fisticuffs with Gore Vidal as commentators during the Democratic Convention in 68?

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: robomatic
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 08:57 PM

Buckley was a supreme exponent of his conservative views, but I believe his logic allowed him to stake out his own positions and grounds. He wasn't doctrinaire, rather he helped CREATE the doctrine.

Much of what he said, despite being from another political party, was perfectly agreeable.

He made conservatives AND liberals better by the quality of his debate. He had real class in the finest sense of that word. I don't recall the name of the bit of classical music that announced "Firing Line" but I always smile when I hear it in my mind.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Greg B
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 08:37 PM

And a sailor, let's not forget. His trans-oceanic sagas (usually
he and a bunch of right wing friends) are wonderful.

He could drive a boat with the best of them.

He had zero tolerance for unreasoned opinion, on either side of the
aisle.

Interesting use of a chair, though....

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Wesley S
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 05:38 PM

"He wrote more than 50 books over his lifetime, managed to visit every continent and played harpsichord concertos,"

I never knew he was a harpsichord player.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 05:15 PM

My mother will no doubt be celebrating Buckley's departure. She hated him with a vitriolic hatred...that's her standard reaction toward anyone she doesn't like on the political scene.

At the moment that would include Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and John McCain...

She loves Obama, however, and also likes Huckabee (his personality, that is, if not his specific policies).

Strange, isn't it, Doug?

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: John Hardly
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 05:03 PM

I'd trade 28 of the top 30 political commentator on today's conservative side for just one more WFB.

And I'd trade all the liberals...

...except it'd be much more fun to have WFB back with the liberals still around.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: DougR
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:55 PM

Well said, Spaw.

DougR

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:54 PM

Well said by all. I agree wholeheartedly. For him to be classed with Hannity, Limbaugh, Coulter, or any of these conservative yahoo's running around today is a blasphemy. He was honorable, full of himself, incredibly well read, and thought things through. I rarely agreed with him, but like Spaw, was always challenged by his ideas. He was one of those folks I just wished I could sit and jaw with.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:40 PM

And he recently came out with a book of comments by him and people corresponding with him---"Cancel YOur Own Damned Subscription". Ironic.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: robomatic
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:39 PM

A Gentleman and A Scholar
RIP, WFB

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: dwditty
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:31 PM

Perhaps my most memorable TV-watching moment came when I happened on the Dinah Shore SHow with Buckley as the co-host for the week.   What made it extroadinary was the interview they both conducted with Tom Waits after his extra long rendition of Tom Traubert's Blues. Buckley was enthralled with Wait's mind, and watching the two of them at play was utterly fantastic.


dw

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Wesley S
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:26 PM

'reasoned conservatism' a contradiction in terms.

I disagree but that's a topic for another time. I'll just say that sometimes those conservative ideas are expressed and articulated well. And usually Buckley was the one doing it.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 04:05 PM

i Skivee - PM
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 01:58 PM

Sleep well, oh patrician progenitor of reasoned conservatism.


   'reasoned conservatism' a contradiction in terms.

   Ivor

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 03:55 PM

He was the classic conservative and more appalled at the neocons and the religious right than any of todays "liberals." His opinions may have been disagreeable to some but they were well reasoned and voiced clearly. As Bill said, a worthy opponent........and one with much to admire. He may have loved the sound of his own voice but he never failed to impress me with the quality of his thoughts especially when I didn't share his opinion. He made me think.

How often can you say that in this world today? Name me a politico or a commentator or analyst who makes you think. Is there anyone on the political scene in any capacity today who challenges your mind, your ideas, your beliefs? I used to read him faithfully because I was challenged in my beliefs by him.

His health had failed the past few years but his mind was still sharp if not as productive as before. William F. Buckley Jr. .........His type is gone from the American landscape and while some will say good riddance I will miss him. Its almost like watching the extinction of a species.......LOL.......Can you imagine a commentators discussion today such as the one between Buckley and Vidal in 1968?

For what you did for this radical lefty, Rest in Peace Sir, though I somehow doubt you will.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: john f weldon
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 03:15 PM

An odd thought...

...when I used to watch him, I would often get the feeling that he didn't really believe much of what he said. He loved the process of rhetoric, I felt that he simply found it more challenging to defend untenable positions than tenable ones.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: john f weldon
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 03:11 PM

I hated his ideas, his ideologies, and often his snotty mannerisms. I didn't even like his spy stories that much, so loaded with American RealPolitick. But I kept on reading his damn books, and sometimes watching him on TV.

It's much more fun dealing with a devil with a bit of wit and cleverness than the hopeless gang of right-wing clods that frequent today's airwaves.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 02:07 PM

Wow. Another I thought had already left... I am *so* out of touch!

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley (27 Feb 2008)
From: Skivee
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 01:58 PM

I always enjoyed hating listening to him.
There is currently a demonstrable paucity of erudition in public political discourse, whatever the spectral positioning of the participants. It seems certain that this event will do nothing to improve the current state of affairs.

Sleep well, oh patrician progenitor of reasoned conservatism.

Subject: RE: Obit - William F Buckley
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 01:00 PM

He wrote some pretty funny mysteries as well. Great speaker and interviewer; even though I didn't agree with him that often, I understood where he stood!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Obit - William F Buckley
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:37 PM

He was an honest, worthy opponent....

Subject: RE: BS: Obit - William F Buckley
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:35 PM

Yeah... and leaning his head back and fiddling with his pencil while he let out that long drawl.... noooooowwwwww, letussay thaaaaat...

He sure made a lot of people think... and squirm.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit - William F Buckley
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:16 PM

I didn't agree with what he said, but he made MUCH more sense than those we have now.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit - William F Buckley
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:14 PM

boy...THAT's the end of an era!

*images of him licking his lips as he spoke still in my head*

Subject: BS: Obit - William F Buckley
From: Wesley S
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 12:11 PM

Just reported:

William F Buckley Obit