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Breaking: William F. Buckley dies at 82; Update: Buckley on the Birchers

posted at 11:23 am on February 27, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Just across at the Times. K-Lo already has an announcement up but much, much, much more is bound to follow at the Corner. RIP.

Update: Obligatory. Buckley vs. Vidal.

Update: An hour with Buckley from the Charlie Rose Show in 2006.

Update: And here’s his most famous piece of writing — the publisher’s statement from the first issue of NR. “NATIONAL REVIEW is out of place, in the sense that the United Nations and the League of Women Voters and the New York Times and Henry Steele Commager are in place.”

Update: They found him at his desk, according to the Times obituary, which must have been on standby for years. Quote: “Two more books, one a political novel, and the other a history of the magazine called ‘Cancel Your Own Goddam Subscription’ are scheduled to be published in 2007.”

Update: What Buckley saw at the rEVOLution:

“How would you define the Birch fallacy?” Jay Hall asked.

“The fallacy,” I said, “is the assumption that you can infer subjective intention from objective consequence: we lost China to the Communists, therefore the President of the United States and the Secretary of State wished China to go to the Communists.”

“I like that,” Goldwater said.

Update: Here’s NRO’s obit.


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Go with God, maestro.

srhoades on February 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Have the liberal blogs started celebrating yet? You know it’s coming.

Gregor on February 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Just got back from YouTube [Buckley vs Chomsky Part I] and the deranged liberals are rejoicing in the comments section. I imagine the same be true across the moonbat blogosphere.

toliver on February 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM

Go to that video for nausea.

toliver on February 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Except a lot of young aspiring conservatives view Ann Coulter and the like as pillars of conservatism.

Well, if I recall, Rush mentioned that he and Ann and WFB went out to dinner together just last year. What do you suppose they talked about? Ann’s bad manners? I doubt it. Buckley probably adored her and for good reason. She knows her roots.

Drum on February 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Drum on February 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Based on the clip posted I’d venture to guess that WFB liked the cut of AC’s jib (a little sailing ling-o there in honor of the maestro).

srhoades on February 27, 2008 at 12:40 PM

RIP

Spirit of 1776 on February 27, 2008 at 12:41 PM

Well, if I recall, Rush mentioned that he and Ann and WFB went out to dinner together just last year. What do you suppose they talked about? Ann’s bad manners? I doubt it. Buckley probably adored her and for good reason. She knows her roots.

I would go ahead and assume Ann Coulter had enough brains to keep her mouth shut and use this chance to learn something.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 12:42 PM

You are missed already, WFB.

TexasDan on February 27, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Well, if I recall, Rush mentioned that he and Ann and WFB went out to dinner together just last year. What do you suppose they talked about? Ann’s bad manners? I doubt it. Buckley probably adored her and for good reason. She knows her roots.

Drum on February 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM

I suspect the private WFB and the public Ann Coulter were more alike than different.

She uses gutter language and he used his ten dollar words to try to convey the same ideas.

EJDolbow on February 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM

Sad news indeed.

Buckley’s defense of Senator Joseph McCarthy has only recently been heeded. God and Man at Yale, should be mandatory reading for all college administrators and citizens. It argued that Universities should have an ideological orientation and cohesive purpose. By extention God and Man at Yale argued that citizens and a nation should have these as well.

Buckley’s work illustrated the connection between words, meaning, politics and life. Most of all he demonstrated this theme through a beautiful and precise revelling in language.

He will be missed.

culturism on February 27, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Uh, Ms. Coulter got her column dropped from National Review after 9/11/01.

Buckley wasn’t a Coulter booster.

funky chicken on February 27, 2008 at 12:46 PM

I’m more important to the conservative movement than William F. Buckley was on the account that I read blogs. booo yaaaaaaaa

noelgallagher2k on February 27, 2008 at 12:47 PM

:(

For those of us conservatives who came of age in the bleak 1970s, it is simply impossible to overstate how much WFB meant to us. My first move toward conservatism was through Ayn Rand, but my conversion was through Buckley and National review. My liberal professors went nuts when I would quote WFB in papers and in class discussions.

One of my biggest regrets in life is that I never got to meet him. Now I never will. God bless William F. Buckley, Jr.

rockmom on February 27, 2008 at 12:48 PM

Buckley, Reagan and Thatcher defined conservatism when I was young. I feel very fortunate to have learned from the masters.

God bless WFB.

Blacksheep on February 27, 2008 at 12:49 PM

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Alright, since polite requests don’t work – someone else needs to be socked in the goddam face, clearly. The point is not “Ann Coulter ain’t got nuthin’ on Buckley, pshaw!” The point is Buckley was amazing.

And, as far as I know (and I think she only called it NRO), she was dropped from National Review online. I wasn’t familiar with Coulter, really, prior to 9/11, so I don’t know if her column was there, but I always assumed her column was carried only by the website.

Now, honor the passing of a great man or don’t click “submit.”

emailnuevo on February 27, 2008 at 12:50 PM

Have the liberal blogs started celebrating yet? You know it’s coming.

Gregor on February 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Well, here are the DU threads:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2929775&mesg_id=2929775
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2930010
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2930103
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2929836

But that last one contains an item worth reflecting on:

“Aren’t you embarrassed by the absence of these weapons?” Buckley snaps at Podhoretz. He has just explained that he supported the war reluctantly, because Dick Cheney convinced him Saddam Hussein had WMD primed to be fired. “No,” Podhoretz replies. “As I say, they were shipped to Syria. During Gulf War I, the entire Iraqi air force was hidden in the deserts in Iran.” He says he is “heartbroken” by this ” rise of defeatism on the right.” He adds, apropos of nothing, “There was nobody better than Don Rumsfeld. This defeatist talk only contributes to the impression we are losing, when I think we’re winning.” The audience cheers Podhoretz. The nuanced doubts of Bill Buckley leave them confused. Doesn’t he sound like the liberal media? Later, over dinner, a tablemate from Denver calls Buckley “a coward”. His wife nods and says, ” Buckley’s an old man,” tapping her head with her finger to suggest dementia.

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 12:51 PM

A titan has passed away.

God bless WFB and all that he did for our nation.

Bill C on February 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM

Have the liberal blogs started celebrating yet? You know it’s coming.

Gregor on February 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Well, here are the DU threads:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2929775&mesg_id=2929775

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2930010

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×2930103

But that last one contains an item worth reflecting on:

“Aren’t you embarrassed by the absence of these weapons?” Buckley snaps at Podhoretz. He has just explained that he supported the war reluctantly, because Dick Cheney convinced him Saddam Hussein had WMD primed to be fired. “No,” Podhoretz replies. “As I say, they were shipped to Syria. During Gulf War I, the entire Iraqi air force was hidden in the deserts in Iran.” He says he is “heartbroken” by this ” rise of defeatism on the right.” He adds, apropos of nothing, “There was nobody better than Don Rumsfeld. This defeatist talk only contributes to the impression we are losing, when I think we’re winning.” The audience cheers Podhoretz. The nuanced doubts of Bill Buckley leave them confused. Doesn’t he sound like the liberal media? Later, over dinner, a tablemate from Denver calls Buckley “a coward”. His wife nods and says, ” Buckley’s an old man,” tapping her head with her finger to suggest dementia.

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM

I guess I spoke too soon. it’s already starting

I cannot say what I am thinking. I don’t want to lose my ability to comment here.

%$#$%!

WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on February 27, 2008 at 12:53 PM

Though I was no fan of Buckley, I certainly respected him. I found it sad to see how his commentary of late went almost without comment in the NR, since it sometimes was at odds with the magazine’s partisan line on Bush and Iraq. Comparing his discourse with the political discourse of today is very sad and proof that the passage of time doesn’t always bring progress. RIP.

okonkolo on February 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Uh, Ms. Coulter got her column dropped from National Review after 9/11/01.

Buckley wasn’t a Coulter booster.

funky chicken on February 27, 2008 at 12:46 PM

Good for him. Making bigoted comments about folks because of their race or religion isn’t part of our movement.

That said, I do wish Mr. Buckley well in the next life and that the leftards act respectfully for once.

HotAirJosef on February 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM

WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on February 27, 2008 at 12:53 PM

Which are you? The “thugs are thugs” guy or the “lick the dribble from Cheny’s taint” guy?

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:00 PM

God Bless William F Buckley Jr.

May he rest in peace…

eanax on February 27, 2008 at 1:06 PM

Quite a contrast, isn’t it? The liberal “giants” vs this conservative one?

TERRORISTS WHO NEVER HAVE TO SAY ‘SORRY’

February 27, 2008 — ‘EVERYTHING was absolutely ideal on the day I bombed the Pentagon.”
That excerpt from William Ayers’ memoir appeared in The New York Times on 9/11 – the day al Qaeda terrorists crashed hijacked planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Ayers, once a leader in the Weather Underground – the group that declared “war” on the US government in 1970 – told the Times, “I don’t regret setting bombs,” and, “I feel we didn’t do enough.”

What fascinates me is how light the baggage is when one travels from violent radicalism to liberalism. Chicago activist Sam Ackerman told Politico’s reporter that Ayers “is one of my heroes in life.” Cass Sunstein, a first-rank liberal intellectual, said of Ayers and Dohrn, “I feel very uncomfortable with their past, but neither of them is thought of as horrible types now – so far as most of us know, they are legitimate members of the community.”

Excellent column, published by Jonah Goldberg.

Mr. Buckley did a good job of finding and nurturing classy conservative talent.

funky chicken on February 27, 2008 at 1:08 PM

Have the liberal blogs started celebrating yet? You know it’s coming.

Gregor on February 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Here’s the thread at daily Kooks.

http://openthread.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/27/111540/378/775/465013

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 27, 2008 at 1:09 PM

The best eulogy I can think of is a quote from a source I cannot recall at this sad time: “Before there was Reagan, there was Goldwater, before there was Goldwater, there was National Review, before there was National Review, there was William F Buckley” To say that modern conservatism was begotten from this man is not an exaggeration. Rest in peace Mr Buckley, now you are back with your dear wife.

Think_b4_speaking on February 27, 2008 at 1:13 PM

Which are you? The “thugs are thugs” guy or the “lick the dribble from Cheny’s taint” guy?

Neither. I Believe in respecting the Dead, which is more than I can say for some. (Both Liberal and Conservative)

But not all is lost, at least this guy Here was civil.

Wish there was more like him.

WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on February 27, 2008 at 1:14 PM

Too bad a lot of young “conservatives” these days read more of Ann Coulter than William Buckley.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM

Too bad that many young “conservatives” don’t read more John Locke…

eanax on February 27, 2008 at 1:14 PM

The first time I heard of Buckley was when a very liberal professor at UCLA said to me,”Damn! I wish we [the left] had a Buckley on our side.” Years ago and I think his wish was never answered.

dakotastone on February 27, 2008 at 1:18 PM

He’s already missed down here. But now he’s able to embrace Pat once again. Heaven’s doors are swinging wide open.

And curse those commies revelling in his passing. WFB used intellectual discourse to discredit the left in his day, and with WFB on our standard, we’ll march out and beat them again.

RIP

Pope Linus on February 27, 2008 at 1:19 PM

RIP, WFB, there’ll be none like you in my lifetime…

dmh0667 on February 27, 2008 at 1:19 PM

RIP.

flutejpl on February 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Which are you? The “thugs are thugs” guy or the “lick the dribble from Cheny’s taint” guy?

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:00 PM

Allah, this is way over the line. Get this piece of work out of here, PLEASE!

leanright on February 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM

The Goldberg column is really, really good. Here’s the link, because it’s a “read it all” kind of thing.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02272008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/terrorists_who_never__have_to_say_sorry_99506.htm?page=1

funky chicken on February 27, 2008 at 1:23 PM

WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on February 27, 2008 at 1:14 PM

Right.

Say, remember yesterday when you logged in here and said

No, What we NEED is a SHOOT TO KILL Order at our Borders! A couple of ‘em going back in BODY BAGS and they’d think TWICE about sneaking across that BORDER!

WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on February 26, 2008 at 4:16 PM

We all know what you’re up to. Unfortunately all I can do is “create awareness.”

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:25 PM

Radical conservatives in this country have an interesting time of it, for when they are not being suppressed or mutilated by Liberals, they are being ignored or humiliated by a great many of those of the well-fed Right, whose ignorance and amorality of never been exaggerated for the same reason that one cannot exaggerate infinity.

By William F. Buckley Jr., National Review, on November 19, 1955.

Could have been written in January or February 2008, heh.

RushBaby on February 27, 2008 at 1:25 PM

leanright on February 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Why would he get rid of me when he wont get rid of people spewing ethnic slurs and exhortations to shoot Mexicans?

Maybe I shouldn’t care any more, but i’m not going to let a bunch of nazi, commie and conspiracy nut trolls to crap all over the place unanswered.

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:28 PM

The times just updated the obit for this year.

An earlier version of this article included an outdated reference to books Mr. Buckley published in 2007 and to the total number of books he wrote.

Of course we know that they had this obit ready just waiting for his death and got caught.

- The Cat

MirCat on February 27, 2008 at 1:28 PM

Allah, this is way over the line. Get this piece of work out of here, PLEASE!

leanright on February 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM

I fully agree. Oh, and…

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:25 PM

Actually, that’s original law about invaders who cross the border. Other than the rather brusque tone of it, what exactly is wrong with that proposal?

MadisonConservative on February 27, 2008 at 1:29 PM

Maybe I shouldn’t care any more, but i’m not going to let a bunch of nazi, commie and conspiracy nut trolls to crap all over the place unanswered.

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:28 PM

You don’t run this site, so leave your police mentality at the door.

MadisonConservative on February 27, 2008 at 1:29 PM

What we NEED is a SHOOT TO KILL Order at our Borders! A couple of ‘em going back in BODY BAGS and they’d think TWICE about sneaking across that BORDER!

Other than the rather brusque tone of it, what exactly is wrong with that proposal?

MadisonConservative on February 27, 2008 at 1:29 PM

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:37 PM

Herr Hiney, gehen Zie unter Dyna Brucke.

Johan Klaus on February 27, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Love the man. Was always awed by his arguements and presentations. Gonna miss him.

jimbo2008 on February 27, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Herr Hiney thinks that he is Der Furher.

Johan Klaus on February 27, 2008 at 1:46 PM

God bless, and rest in peace.

joewm315 on February 27, 2008 at 1:49 PM

Johan Klaus on February 27, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Yes we understand the point. McCain supporters are supporters of the Open Borders Lobby, who’s main objective is to meld Canada, the U.S. and Mexico into a single superstate called the North American Union, per the aims of the Council on Foreign Relations, who in turn want to bring the entire world under a single one world government on behalf of a shadowy elite which funded both sides of World War Two and wants to reduce the human population by 80%.

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:55 PM

Herr Hiney thinks that he is Der Furher.

Johan Klaus on February 27, 2008 at 1:46 PM

You realize that it doesn’t mean anything to be called a nazi by someone who’s candidate refused to return campaign contributions from nazis, and who’s big obcession is an anti-immigration movement at who’s rallies neo-nazis wave swastika banners openly?

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:58 PM

I was only a teenager when I first began to watch Mr. Buckley on PBS, one of only 4 VHF stations we got. I especially enjoyed his shows on faith. My road to conservatism was first spurred on by my horror at legalized abortion, but I’m sure his show, the only one I can remember that allowed conservative views, put the seed in my mind to question what Uncle Walter was reading nightly as “that’s the way it is.” Through Mr. Buckley, I knew there was another way to think out there.

I caught Joe Lieberman’s tribute on C-Span that he put together within an hour of the public announcement and it was really beautiful. I had no idea that Mr. Buckley supported him so early in his career. He spoke of things I didn’t know like Mr. Buckley saying “I prefer Ike”, instead of the “I like Ike” slogan. How timely. Godspeed to him.

deedledee on February 27, 2008 at 2:01 PM

Uh, Ms. Coulter got her column dropped from National Review after 9/11/01.

Buckley wasn’t a Coulter booster.

funky chicken on February 27, 2008 at 12:46 PM

Rich Lowrey was the editor of National Review when Ann Coulter’s column was dropped, not William Buckley. There’s no particular reason to assume that Buckley made that decision.

Unless you have some other evidence that Buckley disdained Coulter, I think you’re projecting your own animosity against Ann Coulter onto others.

tom on February 27, 2008 at 2:07 PM

God Bless Him. We need more people like him and the world will be a better place.

mariloubaker on February 27, 2008 at 2:11 PM

Derr Furher, means the leader not Nazi , which of course you would know if as your name implies that you would understand. Ich verstehen.

Johan Klaus on February 27, 2008 at 2:11 PM

Question: Who, if anyone in the conservative movement, could hope to take on the Buckley mantle, now that the master is gone? We have plenty of intellectuals, writers, men and women of wit, on our side. Is there a WFB for the 21st century? Just curious.

And yes, I know there can never be another WFB, so there is no need to post such comments. But does anyone fill that vacuum? George Will? Dinesh D’Souza? Jonah Goldberg? Any thoughts?

Pope Linus on February 27, 2008 at 2:15 PM

Thomas Sowell?

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 2:19 PM

We all know what you’re up to. Unfortunately all I can do is “create awareness.”

Hey, I speak the truth. My stances are without apology. Don’t like it? Tough.

If you’re implying that I’m some sort of covert Liberal, you’re crazy. I’m no more covert, than anyone else on here.

I’ve said publicly on my Blog where I stand Politically. if that’s not good enough for you. Tough. I don’t suck up to anyone, Never have and never will.

I really believe if the HA staff had a problem with me being here, I’d be gone in a instant.

But thanks for trying!

-WFC

WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on February 27, 2008 at 2:22 PM

One of the greatest Americans of the 20th century. God bless him and all who follow in his footsteps.

fiatboomer on February 27, 2008 at 2:34 PM

Reqeust In Pacem, WFB.

darii on February 27, 2008 at 2:39 PM

The first political writings I ever read was the Esquire redux of his 1968 debates vs. Gore Vidal. Mr Buckley’s unashamed, eloquent, clear and clever method of expounding on conservative principles and contrasting them with his opponent’s opened my eyes to the differences between right and left in America, and the danger that the left posed to our country.

More than anyone, probably, he is the father of my conservatism. His passing is affecting me more than I anticipated.

Go with God WFB, you fought the good fight. Thank you.

29Victor on February 27, 2008 at 2:40 PM

I remember watching WFB on TV when I was a young teen, debating some idiotic liberal who didn’t stand a chance. My brother and I were dazzled by him: his casual, almost bored look combined with his stunning intellect. I had to go get a dictionary. I don’t remember the substance of the debate, but I remember who impressed I was with this man I had never heard of. He will be missed. Conservatism could have used his guidance for a few more years. Now we’ll just have to rely on his written words to guide us forward.

TX Mom on February 27, 2008 at 2:45 PM

I have to quote my (and probably every conservative’s) favorite line from the 1968 televised debates against Al Gore:

Now listen, you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I will sock you in your goddamn face, and you will stay plastered.

Truly a “compassionate conservative.”

29Victor on February 27, 2008 at 2:47 PM

Too bad a lot of young “conservatives” these days read more of Ann Coulter than William Buckley.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM

You really must be just a kid. If you’ve never watched Firing Line then thats what must have prompted you to write something you know nothing about. Bill Buckley was every bit the fighter that Ann Coulter is he just used language you probably didn’t realize meant the same as Ann’s down and dirty style. I really worry about our future with PC punks not knowing how to fight the good fight.

jw62 on February 27, 2008 at 2:48 PM

The smug Gore Vidal got exactly what he deserved.
Too bad Buckley didn’t sock him.

RobCon on February 27, 2008 at 2:48 PM

Ha, ha, ha…

Above….Al Gore = Gore Vidal.

Freudian slip.

29Victor on February 27, 2008 at 2:49 PM

The inspiration for Goldwater, Reagan and countless others. A red letter day for the conservative movement.

carbon_footprint on February 27, 2008 at 2:50 PM

It will be hand bags at dawn for these two.

RobCon on February 27, 2008 at 2:50 PM

WFB had class. That’s one reason why the left might never have their own WFB. Class is too bourgeois for most latte libs.

Laserjock on February 27, 2008 at 2:55 PM

man with black hat: WFB

“This writer’s favorite aspect of Buckley’s legacy was the PBS news-talk program Firing Line, in which scholars and statesmen alike were counted among his guests. A notable feature of his program would be that of the ‘Designated Challenger,’ in which a journalist or pundit, often of distinctly liberal persuasion, would interview Buckley from amidst the audience. It was a mark of intellectual courage and honesty, so rare in the mainstream media today, for a man to permit being grilled with such vigor on his own show.”

manwithblackhat on February 27, 2008 at 2:59 PM

You really must be just a kid.

Who happens to be a scientist at a school in suburbs of Boston, but go ahead continue your thought.

If you’ve never watched Firing Line then thats what must have prompted you to write something you know nothing about.

Or… I might have watched it given the fact that I linked to one… uhm, where would that be?… oh, that’s right, in this very thread.

Would it be too rude to stop reading through your nonsense now? No, I think it wouldn’t.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 3:00 PM

He was kind enough to sign my 50th Anniversary Issue of NR.

Iblis on February 27, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Yes we understand the point. McCain supporters are supporters of the Open Borders Lobby, who’s main objective is to meld Canada, the U.S. and Mexico into a single superstate called the North American Union, per the aims of the Council on Foreign Relations, who in turn want to bring the entire world under a single one world government on behalf of a shadowy elite which funded both sides of World War Two and wants to reduce the human population by 80%.

Hiney Von Pewps on February 27, 2008 at 1:55 PM

What? You mean that’s not the obvious truth? You left out the giant owl worshippers over at Bohemian Grove.

When in 1951 I was inducted into the CIA as a deep cover agent, the procedures for disguising my affiliation and my work were unsmilingly comprehensive. It was three months before I was formally permitted to inform my wife what the real reason was for going to Mexico City to live. If, a year later, I had been apprehended, dosed with sodium pentothal, and forced to give out the names of everyone I knew in the CIA, I could have come up with exactly one name, that of my immediate boss (E. Howard Hunt, as it happened). In the passage of time one can indulge in idle talk on spook life. In 1980 I found myself seated next to the former president of Mexico at a ski-area restaurant. What, he asked amiably, had I done when I lived in Mexico? “I tried to undermine your regime, Mr. President.” He thought this amusing, and that is all that it was, under the aspect of the heavens.

Good stuff.

I caught Joe Lieberman’s tribute on C-Span that he put together within an hour of the public announcement and it was really beautiful. I had no idea that Mr. Buckley supported him so early in his career. He spoke of things I didn’t know like Mr. Buckley saying “I prefer Ike”, instead of the “I like Ike” slogan. How timely. Godspeed to him.

deedledee on February 27, 2008 at 2:01 PM

A Lieberman tribute???????

Hot Air, would you please find and post this? If this vid is on the net, please somebody post it!

toliver on February 27, 2008 at 3:11 PM

Joe Lieberman tribute to Buckley.

Slublog on February 27, 2008 at 3:14 PM

Buckley wasn’t afraid to admit when Republican causes had failed.

Buckley on the war in Iraq:

Yes, but within their own counsels, different plans have to be made. And the kernel here is the acknowledgment of defeat.

Buckley on drug prohibition:

The only benefit to America in maintaining prohibition is the psychic comfort we derive from having a permanent scapegoat. But why did we have to pick an enemy the warring against which is so self-destructive? We would be better off blaming our ills on celestial invaders flying about in saucers.

I don’t know that there is anyone worthy of his mantle today. Certainly not Goldberg. Ha.

Mark Jaquith on February 27, 2008 at 3:15 PM

A light has gone out of the world. (Eagles)

Looking forward to chatting with you on the other side.

mustang1 on February 27, 2008 at 3:16 PM

I read through the Times obit that your post links, and did not find the phrase “scheduled to be published in 2007″.

Either I’m blind, or the Times has once again indulged in post-publication editing of which readers are kept unaware.

Dave in Texas

daveperk on February 27, 2008 at 3:17 PM

You really must be just a kid.

Who happens to be a scientist at a school in suburbs of Boston, but go ahead continue your thought.

If you’ve never watched Firing Line then thats what must have prompted you to write something you know nothing about.

Or… I might have watched it given the fact that I linked to one… uhm, where would that be?… oh, that’s right, in this very thread.

Would it be too rude to stop reading through your nonsense now? No, I think it wouldn’t.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Oh, I’m sorry you’re a scientist so everything you say must correct. Anyone could link to anything. Did you ever actually watch the show? If you did then you’d what I’m alluding to, it wasn’t called “Firing Line” for nothing.He may have used more eloquent speech than Ann,but he essentially said the same thing. The bottom line is he wasn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers and he definitely wasn’t a PC punk. You can understand that?Of course you can you’re a “SCIENTIST”

jw62 on February 27, 2008 at 3:20 PM

Have the liberal blogs started celebrating yet? You know it’s coming.

Gregor on February 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM

About the same as the goof balls dancing in the streets in Palestine after 9/11

conservnut on February 27, 2008 at 3:30 PM

Listening to WFB’s ‘Firing Line’ as a teenager was a hugh influence for me. He will be missed.

brtex on February 27, 2008 at 3:33 PM

Does anyone know why the format of this site has looked like shit for a while now?

Masscon on February 27, 2008 at 3:38 PM

Does anyone know why the format of this site has looked like shit for a while now?

Masscon on February 27, 2008 at 3:38 PM

Because you touch yourself at night. Now run along.

MadisonConservative on February 27, 2008 at 3:44 PM

A great man is gone, yet no word from our candidate

ConservativePartyNow on February 27, 2008 at 3:48 PM

Oh, I’m sorry you’re a scientist so everything you say must correct. Anyone could link to anything.

Uhm, the two verifiable statements that were made were factually false. Getting the second one wrong was plainly ridiculous. That’s all.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 3:48 PM

Hiney, I do not have a dog in this hunt.

Johan Klaus on February 27, 2008 at 3:53 PM

Madison, FU! It was a legitimate question. The site hasn’t been loading normal for a long time now. Does anyone have a real answer not based in childish rhetoric like Madisons?

Masscon on February 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM

Joe Lieberman tribute to Buckley.

Slublog on February 27, 2008 at 3:14 PM

Thank you so much. It’s a wonderful speech. I’m 1/3 through now and am now going back.

Listening to WFB’s ‘Firing Line’ as a teenager was a hugh influence for me. He will be missed.

brtex on February 27, 2008 at 3:33 PM

Same here, exept I was younger when I first became aware WFB. What a geeky kid I was.

toliver on February 27, 2008 at 4:04 PM

Uhm, the two verifiable statements that were made were factually false. Getting the second one wrong was plainly ridiculous. That’s all.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 3:48 PM

Your superior intellect is so terribly frightening. But I guess the truth of the matter is I hit a nerve,so I guess…. Oh well I’ll leave that too your highly developed cranium too figure out

jw62 on February 27, 2008 at 4:13 PM

Bill, Ron and God must be having a laugh up there. Rest in Peace Teacher.

HotAirExpert on February 27, 2008 at 4:17 PM

Madison, FU! It was a legitimate question. The site hasn’t been loading normal for a long time now. Does anyone have a real answer not based in childish rhetoric like Madisons?

Masscon on February 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM

Let’s see…you come on with foul language, and make a blanket statement that I, among others, can counter with our own observations(the site has been loading the same for months of multiple-daily visits). You react to the same with explosively demeaning words.

Childish? Try a mirror.

MadisonConservative on February 27, 2008 at 4:27 PM

W Ketchup sent out a press release:

W Ketchup gives thanks for the life of William F. Buckley, Jr. Buckley combined wit, rhetoric, and vision to affect the course of history. He created the conservative moment that returned wealth and liberty to America, providing an example for other nations that has lifted countless millions from tyranny and poverty.

Most of those uplifted by Buckley’s ideas will never know their intellectual source. But those that knew him can celebrate his life, and take inspiration from all that he achieved.

The true measure of Buckley, however, lay not in his intellect but in his wide range of friends to whom his devotion was unwavering.

W Ketchup was launched with a full page ad in National Review, and Bill Buckley himself tasted the very first bottle. His reaction still adorns the comments section of our website.

In the first edition of National Review, Buckley said the magazine’s job was “to stand athwart history yelling Stop.” Buckley now joins history as one of its fixed points and brightest lights.

For a smile, here’s Mr. Buckley’s comment.

RushBaby on February 27, 2008 at 4:36 PM

Your superior intellect is so terribly frightening. But I guess the truth of the matter is I hit a nerve,so I guess….

The truth of the matter is that you made two statements which were demonstrably false. How you can hit a nerve by saying ridiculous things is beyond me.

freevillage on February 27, 2008 at 4:40 PM

Madison, What is your problem? I come on with Foul Language! Oh my GOD! I said shit! What are you a freakin 13 year old school girl? I think not, Your rhetoric: “Chucky, you suck. You are now on my official list of enemies. I hope you fall into an open sewer drain.”

As far as telling me to run along, I have been coming here since Michelle started this thing 2 years ago, and for some reason the site is not loading correctly on my system for months now. What I see looks like old DOS. You could have answered like a normal person and said the site is loading fine for me, maybe it’s your system. But NO!!! What was your answer, something a child would say.

So anyway, thanks for answering my question in the most round about, ass backwards, holier than thou, BS way. Pinhead.

Masscon on February 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM

You could have answered like a normal person…

Masscon on February 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM

You could have asked like a normal person. You didn’t. Suck it up, and show both some restraint and manners.

MadisonConservative on February 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM

We could use more William F. Buckleys eroding the liberal positions with cool reason than pundits battering them without much more than enthusiasm. When will we see another?

Tantor on February 27, 2008 at 5:08 PM

RIP. Hope it wasn’t from a broken heart, as that would be unfair.

DMeNTe on February 27, 2008 at 5:08 PM

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