National Review Online is noting the passing of National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr.:
William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008) [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died overnight in his study in Stamford, Connecticut.
After year of illness, he died while at work; if he had been given a choice on how to depart this world, I suspect that would have been exactly it. At home, still devoted to the war of ideas.
As you might expect, we’ll have much more to say here and in NR in the coming days and weeks and months. For now: Thank you, Bill. God bless you, now with your dear Pat. Our deepest condolences to Christopher and the rest of the Buckley family. And our fervent prayer that we continue to do WFB’s life’s work justice.
Please keep the Buckley family in your prayers.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
My condolences. He was an
February 27, 2008 - 12:47 ET by Hero SquadMy condolences. He was an interesting person and such a thoughtful writer. I had a chance to meet and briefly interview him in 1991, shortly before the presidential election kicked into full swing (and when it seemed that Bush 41 would be a lock to win re-election. He wasn't buying that it was a lock.) I thought it'd be intimidating to talk to someone of his stature; but you know what? He was very accessible. Even let me take a photo... a classic Buckley pose that ran with the article.
RIP WFB
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Condolences to the Bozell family as well
February 27, 2008 - 13:48 ET by Matthew BalanCondolences should be sent as well to NB's publisher and MRC president Brent Bozell and his family, for William F. Buckley was his uncle.
My mom saw him in an
February 27, 2008 - 12:50 ET by balboaMy mom saw him in an airport once, and said to him, "I love watching you on TV! I think you're great." Buckley smiled, shook my mom's hand, said thank you, then my mom added "I don't agree with any of it, but I think you're just great!"
RIP William F.
February 27, 2008 - 12:51 ET by sarcasmoYour legacy includes some great work on Firing Line, some of which will (I hope) be re-aired tonight. Part of the reason the work was great, and despite the PBS-source, was a refreshing lack of the usual hate I've seen in the media these days for libertarians.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
An intellectual giant of the
February 27, 2008 - 12:53 ET by Warner Todd HustonAn intellectual giant of the conservative movement. His intelligence, craft, wit and civility will be missed.
Right! Especially
February 27, 2008 - 12:56 ET by sarcasmoThe civility part.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
My condolences to the
February 27, 2008 - 12:55 ET by ConservativeRexMy condolences to the Buckley family.
In the spirit of William
February 27, 2008 - 13:07 ET by TheFreeIraqisIn the spirit of William F.Buckley saying he'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people of the Boston phone book than the faculty of Harvard-I'd rather have the Republican nominee be chosen by the rank and file,than the so-called conservative intelligensia-GOT THAT LIMBAUGH AND COULTER ????? VIVA! MCCAIN !!!!!!
Not the
February 27, 2008 - 13:32 ET by FastEdtime or the place, imho.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
TFI... Please take it to
February 27, 2008 - 15:37 ET by Clear thinkerTFI...
Please take it to the OT part of this forum.
Huffpo is scared of its own
February 27, 2008 - 13:10 ET by connorinHuffpo is scared of its own posters!
They list an article on the death of Mr Buckley and then underneath it :
"Comments are closed for this entry."
You KNOW the ugliness and vitriol would flow as I am sure it will at DU and Kos...they are scared people will see how truly tolerant and caring liberal dems can be...
That is a sad but apt
February 27, 2008 - 13:11 ET by Warner Todd HustonThat is a sad but apt commentary on the state of the far left in this country.
God Bless
February 27, 2008 - 13:20 ET by iveseenitallGod Bless William F. Buckley. The likes of him may not be seen again in this nation. In so many ways, how sad this day is.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Amen.
February 27, 2008 - 13:34 ET by bigtimerAmen.
Sad, true, but I'm
February 27, 2008 - 16:46 ET by Hero SquadSad, true, but I'm grateful they showed at least a little class to take that pre-emptive action.
And how telling that they recognize the significant vitriolic aspect of their readership so well.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
:-( A sad day indeed.
February 27, 2008 - 13:19 ET by RickTaLife:-( A sad day indeed. Buckley was irreplaceable. One of my top-10 favorite people on the planet.
Rest in Peace WFB!
Bill... thanks!
February 27, 2008 - 13:21 ET by rimskyBill... thanks!
Most appropriate
February 27, 2008 - 13:25 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltThank you, Mr. Buckley.
Rest in peace.
Wow, how many more kicks in
February 27, 2008 - 13:38 ET by USA4freedomWow, how many more kicks in the teeth can we conservatives take.
As sad, as if someone in the family had died.
Rest In Peace, I am sure there are some real fans in Heaven.
Thank you for cutting the trail that we all try to follow.
You have been a guiding light to me from high school on.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
AS sad as the news is
February 27, 2008 - 13:35 ET by FastEdit should be interesting how the msm(Lsm) "reports" his passing - how "fair and accurate" will it be?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
"Reptilian Languor"
February 27, 2008 - 13:56 ET by m36b1Well - here is one description by AP:
"on the platform he was all handsome, reptilian languor, flexing his imposing vocabulary ever so slowly, accenting each point with an arched brow or rolling tongue and savoring an opponent's discomfort with wide-eyed glee."
Ahhh, so apparently wants to portray him as some carnivorous reptile with the mannerisms of some sadistic villain. Anyway, that's my impression of their description.
http://apnews.myway....
R.I.P Bill. You left a
February 27, 2008 - 13:39 ET by rbosqueR.I.P Bill. You left a lasting impression on us all and we are indebted to you!
You've made the journey through this troubled world and left behind a great legacy.
Watching Mr. Buckley on
February 27, 2008 - 14:01 ET by Chris NormanWatching Mr. Buckley on Firing Line was my first exposure to the conservative movement. His sly wit and intelligence were a joy to watch. In college, before the internet, I used to look forward to receiving my National Review every other week with his column in the back. He sure will be missed. My condolences to his family.
:'( We love you
February 27, 2008 - 14:36 ET by wiwf:'( We love you Bill!
R.I.P.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
I think back on my first
February 27, 2008 - 14:38 ET by USA4freedomI think back on my first taste of his writings. I had a Senior World History class and my teacher was a screaming liberial but.. wanted us to read every thing, that is when I stumbled on National Review. Its funny, that, as well as being raised by great parents and going to church, has made me what and who I am.
It is a very very sad day.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
RIP, Mr. Buckley
February 27, 2008 - 14:47 ET by greenfairieHe was the only person besides Big Bird and Rick Steves I could tolerate watching on PBS ;).
RIP. Conservatism would
February 27, 2008 - 15:01 ET by nofateRIP. Conservatism would not be as strong as it is were it not for him.
"The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves."
michaelyon-online.com
Thoughts and prayers with
February 27, 2008 - 15:28 ET by Carl KolchakThoughts and prayers with Brent and the Buckley family.
In Christ
Here's a link about his book "The Fall of the Berlin Wall" which I haven't read, but think I'll checkout.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tumbling+down-a0130931888
I remember watching WFB
February 27, 2008 - 15:41 ET by Clear thinkerI remember watching WFB with my Father and at first I had a hard time with the manner in how he talked, but once my immaturity got out of the way, I was able to understand what he was actually saying.
He was, and always will be one of my ideological heroes. Too bad so few Conservatives understand what he was trying to tell us. As Rush has said, "Conservatism does not need to be redefined".
God Bless WFB Jr.
I watched him on PBS when I was a teenager
February 27, 2008 - 16:02 ET by deedledeeand I loved his shows on faith. God bless him and his family.
Rest in peace Mr.Buckley.
February 27, 2008 - 16:08 ET by Atomic CrusaderRest in peace Mr.Buckley. Civilized, intelligent, amiable, kind, a wonderful legacy. Early in this century we are at a low tide...
RIP
February 27, 2008 - 16:52 ET by dboIt was WFB along with Milton Friedman that taught me how to respect individual freedom and the dangers of an ever expanding government. Sadly, we have lost both in the last 15 months. Large shoes that will never be replaced.
A very sad day. My dad
February 27, 2008 - 17:10 ET by JerA very sad day. My dad and I would watch Firing Line every Sunday afternoon and have our own "debates" over the issues raised in that week's show.
His political essays were brilliant, witty and insightful and always contained a word or two provoking a rush to the dictionary to learn their definition.
A true renaissance man whose intellectual force will reverberate for generations. Our loss is Heaven's gain.
Jer
WFB
February 27, 2008 - 17:31 ET by BarkerHeaven just got more conservative.
You fought the good fight, Sir. Job well done.
I'd like to be a fly on that cloud
February 27, 2008 - 19:13 ET by FastEdBuckley and Regan - what a conversation!! Then later with Jefferson, et al, and then the video converence to straighten out the desposts who are further south!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Rest in peace,
February 27, 2008 - 19:30 ET by SchnikeysRest in peace, friend. Very interesting man, he was.
God bless.
--------------------------------
Grizzly Bear '08
RIP Mr. Buckley
February 27, 2008 - 19:43 ET by R68AndrewGod bless you Mr. Buckley. Your contributions to American society are forever valueable.
DAMN!
February 27, 2008 - 20:47 ET by scamoramaA personal hero is gone.
It's said that one learns to write well by reading good writers. I'll add that one learns to speak well by listening to good speakers. WFB was among the best in both regards.
While I've never consciously tried to imitate him, I've been told many times that my speech sounds like his.
I wish I could write half as well.
Perhaps the greatest intellectual mind of our day
February 28, 2008 - 03:53 ET by BritcomAnd a very funny man.
I recall his mannerisms were very entertaining. He always sat along a chair rather than in it and when asked a question he would pause to ensure that he had a full grasp of his response and while gazing wildly skyward he would purse his lips to form the first syllable of his answer and pause just long enough that you were convinced he had seen some ghostly apparition just off camera, then he would deliver such an eloquent and thoughtful opinion that in comparison, the MSM commentators on Sunday morning took on the appearance of a finger puppet show.
We shall miss him.
---
Huckabee/Hunter '08
1925-2008
February 27, 2008 - 22:39 ET by UnsaneI never saw "Firing Line", but I read his columns back in the days when I still read newspapers. The man had a way with words, and I noted that immediately.
His television appearances ("Meet the Depressed", etc) elsewhere I caught also. Limbaugh had it right when he said that "(Buckley) suffers fools so well." That is something I don't do very well for often I lack the patience.
I am thoroughly bummed to hear of his passing.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
William F. Buckley Jr.
February 27, 2008 - 23:27 ET by R D HelmThere have been two major influences in my life in the area of political thought. William F. Buckley Jr., was the one who got me interested first, as I was still navigating my way through the mine field that was my middle teen years. I ran across his PBS show by pure accident, but I was interested from the very beginning. I didn't always understand what he was saying, but I loved the way he said it.
As soon as I could afford it, I purchased a subscription to National Review magazine. It was the first magazine I ever subscribed to. My friends at the time couldn't understand my choice. I maintained that subscription for over fifteen years. In the years since, my political orientaion has shifted more to the libertarian side, but much of what I learned from that great man has stayed with me.
This country has lost perhaps one of its greatest minds ever. I doubt very much that we shall ever see his equal again.
May God bless this unigue and special man, and be with his family during this unfortunate time.
RIP, William F Buckley
February 28, 2008 - 01:43 ET by third eyeI am uniquely unqualified to write this, but yet I am compelled to. While I cant say I grew up watching William F on PBS and the National Review is something I naively believed to have been around since at least the late Cretaceous, I am well aware when my eyes fall on the words of an adept. And it isnt often. William F was, without any doubt in my mind, a Master of the Craft with a tremendous gift for syntactical expression. And I have to say that of all my favorite authors and journalists, hes one of the few I consider an ideological ally in the fight for Individuality.