ABC, CBS and NBC on Wednesday night delivered laudatory tributes to the late William F. Buckley, Jr., but while ABC's Charles Gibson, as well as Katie Couric and Richard Schlesinger on CBS, stuck to the positive and his many achievements as an editor, author and TV show host, NBC anchor Brian Williams couldn't resist including a political slap from the left on the day Buckley passed away at age 82:
Buckley paid dearly for some of his words: His defense of Senator Joe McCarthy, his early views on race and remarks he made about AIDS, saying those with AIDS should be tattooed to prevent its spread.
ABC anchor Charles Gibson hailed how “Buckley loved debate. Loved to provoke. And love him or hate him, agree or disagree with him, no one could deny he was one of the country's finest minds....His message was, in essence, an intellectual war on big government. And a passion for the free market. Delivered with dazzling language and a bone-dry wit.”
On the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric used a word -- “sesquipedalian” -- it's doubtful she's ever uttered before, as evidenced by how she tripped up pronouncing it: “It wasn't just what Buckley said but how he said it -- slouched in a chair, ears twitching, eyes popping, tongue wagging and that swess, sesquipedalian vocabulary. He loved long words.”
CBS reporter Richard Schlesinger described Buckley as “an intellectual Godfather of the right wing” and “a renaissance man.” The closest CBS got to anything negative was this soundbite from Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor of the left-wing The Nation magazine, but it was in the context of admiration: “We both had a respect for ideas as part of our politics. I think some of his ideas, many were koo-koo.”
Williams had plenty of praise for Buckley as he introduced his February 27 NBC Nightly News look at Buckley's life:
William F. Buckley died today and it's safe to say this about him: If you ever saw him on television you'd remember it. When he spoke his face and his brain were pretty much equally active. He was equal parts passion and smarts. And he's being remembered tonight as the father of the modern day conservative political movement in the United States.
Later in the taped piece, however, Williams felt compelled to recall some of Buckley's views through a critical prism:
WILLIAMS: He hosted his TV show Firing Line longer than Johnny Carson hosted the Tonight Show. He founded National Review and was an early backer of Ronald Reagan.
RONALD REAGAN: National Review is my favorite magazine.
WILLIAMS: Buckley paid dearly for some of his words: His defense of Senator Joe McCarthy, his early views on race and remarks he made about AIDS, saying those with AIDS should be tattooed to prevent its spread. His was a recipient of the presidential Medal of Freedom...
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Brian Williams The Liberal Hack
February 27, 2008 - 22:14 ET by SupermanBrian Williams doesn't fool me one bit. He's just another liberal hack.
For those of you that never
February 27, 2008 - 23:35 ET by jdhawkFor those of you that never had the pleasure of viewing a Firing Line episode and hear Buckley speak, the Hoover Institute has clips of many of the epsiodes. They are in Real Player format and can be found here: http://hoohila.stanford.edu/firingline/.
Read what conservatives on the web site that he founded, http://www.nationalreview.com are saying about WFB, may he RIP:
AN NRO SYMPOSIUM: Bill Bennett, Ed Capano, Ward Connerly, Newt Gingrich, Charles Kesler, Roger Kimball, Mark Levin, Kate O'Beirne, Ralph Reed & more on WFB’s life and influence. WFB: A Celebration 02/27 4:10 PM
JOHN O'SULLIVAN: He founded the American conservative movement that, among many other achievements, won the Cold War. A Great Man -- and a Fun One 02/27 6:36 PM
THE EDITORS: He inspired and incited three generations of conservatives, and counting. William F. Buckley, Jr., R.I.P. 02/27 1:00 PM
MARC A. THIESSEN: He was the nicest man in the world. The Day I Met WFB 02/27 4:10 PM
JOSEPH LIEBERMAN: His conservatism was a matter of ideals and ideas and philosophy. A Remarkable Man 02/27 6:00 PM
CHARLES MURRAY:Utterly unpretentious, absorbed in whatever you had to say, he had the kind of manners that are so good that they cease being manners and become a warming aura. The Day I Met WFB 02/27 4:29 PM
JOHN DERBYSHIRE: Even his offhand asides had power enough to linger in your memory for decades. Goodnight, Brother Jonathan 02/27 1:15 PM
JOHN McCAIN: Bill was a great American who helped change the course of history. A Great American 02/27 3:52 PM
RAMESH PONNURU: A treatise could probably be written about the role those eyes played in the making of modern America. Losing Bill 02/27 12:31 PM
ANDY McCARTHY: Now my dad will get to meet him. Bill Buckley 02/27 1:11 PM
LARRY KUDLOW: He was a great man. I Am Blessed to Have Known Him 02/27 12:52 PM
MARK STEYN: “This is still Bill Buckley’s National Review, and it will always be Bill Buckley’s National Review.” Re: Saying Goodbye 02/27 12:28 PM
PETE WEHNER: He was, perhaps above all, a good and faithful servant of the Lord. Farewell WFB 02/27 12:13 PM
JONAH GOLDBERG: William F. Buckley’s life was marked by enormous joy. Saying Goodbye 02/27 12:52 PM
KATHRYN JEAN LOPEZ: It is our fervent prayer that we continue to do WFB’s life’s work justice. William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008) 02/27 11:13 A.M.
REMEMBERING WFB: Our readers pay tribute. Remembering WFB: Readers Forum 02/27 11:13 A.M
jdhawk, thanks for the memories
February 28, 2008 - 06:49 ET by Rudykerjdhawk, you present a most superb compilation of tributes to the Titan of communications. His writings brings to mind George Bernard Shaw - intelect, thorough knowledge of subject, confidence, wit and wry sense of humor.
Reading the tributes you compiled remind me of when I first saw and heard him. It was in the Los Angeles area in 1954 - mesmerized me. I was 25, just out of the Marine Corps - waiting to enter college.
I heard him again at an event at Beverly Hills High School, CA, in the summer of 1955 - where he inroduced a former film actor, Ronald Reagan, to the audience. [Any one else recall this event?]
RIP, Bill, and, thank you for your enlightment. I can still hear your melodious voice as you now sail through the Pearly Gates at full mast.
-Rudyker
MSM cowardous
February 27, 2008 - 23:55 ET by pocomocoNow that Buckley is dead, the liberals feel that they can safely berate him without fear of engendering one of his famous retorts that would turn them to Jello.
It’s yet further proof of how cowardly the MSM are.
Perhaps we could tattoo
February 28, 2008 - 00:01 ET by FranksamPerhaps we could tattoo Brian and people like him to prevent the spread of their effluvia.
What a joke
February 28, 2008 - 00:20 ET by sherlock1The Alphabets trying to sagely comment on Buckley... what a joke. I mean, you'd think they would first have to comprehend what he was saying, wouldn't they?
Brian Williams asserts:
February 28, 2008 - 00:36 ET by TEBrian Williams asserts: "Buckley paid dearly for some of his words: His defense of Senator Joe McCarthy, his early views on race and remarks he made about AIDS, saying those with AIDS should be tattooed to prevent its spread."
"Buckley paid dearly for some of his words"? Williams provides no evidence of the cost that "Buckley paid", but I suspect that Buckley didn't much care for the love and adoration of leftists like Brian Williams.
Hey, Williams, you
February 28, 2008 - 01:25 ET by jdhawkHey, Williams, you ass, here are some more poignant quips that you might include in your next "show" for that single viewer that actually watches it.
In a famous exchange with Gore Vidal in 1968, Vidal said to Buckley: "As far as I am concerned, the only crypto Nazi I can think of is yourself."
Buckley replied: "Now listen, you queer. Stop calling me a crypto Nazi, or I'll sock you in your goddamn face and you'll stay plastered."
Years later, in 1985, Buckley said of the incident: "We both acted irresponsibly. I'm not a Nazi, but he is, I suppose, a fag."
When asked if he had "referred to Jesse Jackson as an ignoramus," Buckley said, "If I didn't, I should have."
My bet is that he should have said the same of you, Williams.
For more on WFB, see Ann Coulter, at http://www.anncoulter.com/
McCarthy was right, and
February 28, 2008 - 02:01 ET by rbosqueMcCarthy was right, and you're a leftist ass Brian.
Let's not forget
February 28, 2008 - 02:36 ET by Dustin JolleyLet's not forget that earlier today on Countdown, that Keith Olbermann said the things that Buckley believed were quote, "wrong." Olbermann's an idiot. Need I say any more?
McCarthy was
February 28, 2008 - 03:29 ET by JerMcCarthy was right....
I take it you are referring to Eugene.
Jer
Jer
February 28, 2008 - 03:31 ET by Cool ArrowAnd some people complain when we refer specifically to Barack Hussein Obama.
They have some
February 28, 2008 - 03:44 ET by JerThey have some nerve....
Jer
True, Williams made a
February 28, 2008 - 03:07 ET by JerTrue, Williams made a brief reference to a couple of Buckley's more controversial views, but, taken as a whole, the narrative was positive, as was the very moving tribute Williams has posted at the Nightly News website.
I would recommend it and the comments that follow to all who admire William F. Buckley, Jr. and mourn his loss.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/27/710879.aspx
Jer
Since nobody else has mentioned it...
February 28, 2008 - 08:34 ET by sarcasmoHere is a link to a controversial NR editorial from 1957, and here's a few more. Times sure have changed...
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
NBC has turned left and gone down the toilet
February 28, 2008 - 09:57 ET by ballwana13NBC's news ratings should reflect their quality. Very liberal, very biased liberal and sometimes not truthful or forthcoming with the truth. Trust Brian Williams and NBC to try to slam WFB on the day of his death with negatives likely only veiled in truth and older than Williams himself. All because he was a conservative thinker. I'm sure that when Bill Clinton passes, whenever that is, they will be falling all over themselves with praise and BS forgetting many of the scandals and trouble he got himself into.
Show some dignity and be respectful.
That Brian Williams is a
February 28, 2008 - 10:13 ET by KillgraveThat Brian Williams is a real class act. He was 90% effective in restraining his contempt toward a highly-regarded public figure on the day he passed away. Even though Mr. Williams is 100% against what this man stood for, he was mostly successful keeping that in check. He was able to say mostly positive things, and deliver it without making faces or rude gestures. Class. Act.
In Hollywood they give an
February 28, 2008 - 10:59 ET by pocomocoIn Hollywood they give an Oscar for someone’s body of work.
Taken as a hole, yes hole, Williams’ body of work shows him to be more classless than class as he dutifully toes the MSM’s liberal line.
This demonstrates the
February 28, 2008 - 11:34 ET by mattmThis demonstrates the arrogant attitude of MSM types who seem to believe that they are the arbiters of what is just and right.
To them, Liberalism is simply what is. Their definitions of terms and interpretations of events and their points of view are the accepted dogma. That's it.
Anyone who doesn't accept their view as canon law is a heretic. Buckley was a heretic to them, but they can admire him for his intellect and eloquence, but only because they'd look foolish if they tried to deny it.
They can easily mock Limbaugh, because he's "loud" and they have been demonizing him since day one. They can't get away with that with Buckley, so they take a more subtle tack.
Buckley burst the leftists' airy-fairy bubble...
February 28, 2008 - 18:02 ET by PlaceboLiberals are a mean-spirited and a mindless flock of woollen-heads. Whether it is Williams, Olbermann or some other woeful talking-head, they are to be pitied; perhaps sent to asylum and heavily medicated.
Venture onto a liberal site, which I am certain many have done, to sample the, utter, vitriol spat out regarding William F. Buckley’s passing. Then, these tulip-heads have the audacity and mendacity to rant conservatives are the self-righteous and disseminators of intolerance and all else that ails this planet.
Olbermann and Williams are at the bottom of the evolution-chain, though they believe and tout otherwise. These media-ites have no weight or measure, unlike Buckley’s immeasurable intellect and wit.
The smug leftists delusional, as ever, believe they have a monopoly on intellectual prowess. Thankfully, Buckley, a Conservative, burst this airy-fairy bubble; this burns the lefty’s’ onions and more!