Wednesday, February 27, 2008

William F. Buckley dies at 82 years old

From CNSNews.com:

From the National Review Online's Kathryn Jean Lopez late this morning: "I'm devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died overnight in his study in Stamford, Conn. After years 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." Buckley founded National Review magazine in 1955, hosted the television show "Firing Line "from 1966 until 1999, and was a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and author. Though the cause of death is unknown, his assistant, Linda Bridges, said he suffered from emphysema. "America has lost a giant. William F. Buckley was, in large measure, the architect of the modern conservative movement. His intellect, wit, and dedication have inspired generations," said House Republican Leader John Boehner. "In the 1950s, as many in America were moving toward a socialist future of ever-expanding government and ever-decreasing freedom, it took an act of courage and vision to stand athwart history and yell, 'stop' as Buckley wrote in the first issue of National Review. As long as America honors the ideals of our Founding Fathers - free speech, freedom of religion, and limited, Constitutional government - his legacy will be cherished," Boehner added.

3 comments:

  1. God bless William F. Buckley.

    Over 20 years ago I was channel surfing at a time in my life when I was kind of lost and in need of some guidance. As I recall it was late evening before cable, most certainly a Sunday, past the time of sports, probably in an off season.

    Dying faith, no guiding philosophy, and no direction, the channel stopped on PBS, while these two older men discussed God. I was fixated. I don't recall if it was a 30 minute or 60 minute program, but I had never heard such richness of conversation in my life. Depth, conviction, intellect, and all directed toward understanding faith and God. Every sentence was clear and meaningful. It was Buckley interviewing Muggeridge.

    I did not really know what a conservative was I had no faith, nor did I understand how savage politics could be, all I knew at that point is I wanted to be like them. I ordered up the transcript, and kept it till this day. That Firing Line changed my life. It would take another decade before I realized myself to be a conservative, and to finally revert back to Roman Catholicism. Thank you Mr. Buckley, you made a difference in my life. Rest In Peace, and please pray for us.

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  2. Didn't Buckley go to Lourdes and get healed or something?

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