Dave Hahn

William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

Quote:

Associated Press Story: NEW YORK - William F. Buckley Jr., the erudite Ivy Leaguer and conservative herald who showered huge and scornful words on liberalism as he observed, abetted and cheered on the right's post-World War II rise from the fringes to the White House, died Wednesday. He was 82. His assistant Linda Bridges said Buckley was found dead by his cook at his home in Stamford, Conn. The cause of death was unknown, but he had been ill with emphysema, she said.

The full story can be found HERE

William F. Buckley, Jr. was one of my personal heroes. He taught me about Conservatism, the importance of debate, and the significance of of vocabulary as an art form.

To go further, I'm afraid, would break forum policy; as Mr. Buckley was a very political man. Let me end by saying Mr. Buckley's influence on those who possess a conservative frame of mind was enormous. His discourse will be sourly missed.

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Jean Louise, Jean Louise stand up; Your father's passing.
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Joseph DeMartino

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

Buckley was a delight to watch on Firing Line, even for (most) people who opposed his ideas. He had mastered the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable, which is virtually unheard of these days. It says something that one of his closest friends was liberal economist John Kenneth Gailbraith. (They and their wives took a Swiss ski vacation together every year for something like 30 years.) He was always a gentleman and while his wit could cut, he never turned it against anyone who couldn't take it, and often made himself its target. (During his quixotic campaign for mayor of New York City in 1965 a reporter asked Buckley what he'd do if he woke up the morning after election day to discover he had somehow won. Without skipping a beat Buckley replied, "Demand a recount." )

As Jonah Goldberg, his colleague at National Review, wrote a few hours ago:


Somehow he also found time to produce innumerable columns, non-fiction books and novels, host a long-running television series, learn to play the harpsichord at a nearly professional level and cross the Atlantic and big chunks of the Carribean and Pacific in various sail boats that he helmed himself. Truly a remarkable and gifted man and worthy of respect regardless of one's political views.

Regards,

Joe

P.S.

The tributes to Buckley include statements by Mario Cuomo (via an e-mailed press release) and Joe Lieberman (who joined a number of speakers on the floor of the Senate in praising Buckley.)

Lieberman, who was Buckley's senator, said, in part:



All the more remarkable given that Buckley's first language was Spanish and he spoke no English until he was 4 or 5, if memory serves. (His father was a petroleum engineer, I believe, stationed in Mexico when Bill was born and Spanish was simply the language of the household.)

That reminds me of something a fan of Buckley's e-mailed to the National Review website:

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KurtEP

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

While it's sad to see him go, it appears that his was a life led to the fullest. A truly interesting person, whether you agreed with him or not. He will be missed.

Lay down your law books now, they're no damned good -- The Eagles

Henry Gale

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

Here's a quote from 1986:

"I am, I fully grant, a phenomenon, but not because of any speed in composition, I asked myself the other day, `Who else, on so many issues, has been so right so much of the time?' I couldn't think of anyone."

I wish this thread was in After Hours, Bill was much more than a "TV Star".

Ockeghem

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Hahn The full story can be found HERE William F. Buckley, Jr. was one of my personal heroes. He taught me about Conservatism, the importance of debate, and the significance of of vocabulary as an art form. To go further, I'm afraid, would break forum policy; as Mr. Buckley was a very political man. Let me end by saying Mr. Buckley's influence on those who possess a conservative frame of mind was enormous. His discourse will be sourly missed.

Very well said.

I admired the man. I read God and Man At Yale (1951) years ago, and some of the ideas presented in that book have stayed with me well into my adult life.

Besides his love of J. S. Bach, Mr. Buckley also played the harpsichord. Bach is among my favorite of composers, and the harpsichord is my primary instrument. He will be missed.

Dave Hahn

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

Quote:

Buckley was a delight to watch on Firing Line

I especially remember the "Two Hour Special Debates" that aired from time to time. I enjoyed them enormously. Mr. Buckley would head the team that argued the conservative side of a question, Patricia Schroeder, Congresswoman from CO, led the liberal opposition. Although Buckley and Schroeder were always diametrically opposed to each other, they seemed to enjoy their debate and each other's company. They taught me that at times, it was appropriate to agree to disagree.

Quote:

I wish this thread was in After Hours, Bill was much more than a "TV Star".

I was going to post this in the After Hours Lounge, but because Mr. Buckley is perceived by most as a political figure, I thought the thread might get shut down, so I posted it here.

__________________________________________

Jean Louise, Jean Louise stand up; Your father's passing.
__________________________________________

My DVD Collection

Greg_S_H

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

Rest in peace, Mr. Buckley. You led a fascinating life and were more influential than many realize.

TonyD

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

My "B" button rarely works.
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Michael Reuben

Re: William F. Buckley Jr., Host of "Firing Line" Dies at 82

This is an in memoriam thread. The same standards apply here as in all HTF in memoriam threads. Please respect both the departed and those who wish to pay their respects. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

M.

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