BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Republican Party William F. Buckley, Jr. dead at 82

The great conservative thinker and founder of the National Review William F. Buckley died Wednesday morning at his home. He was found by his cook in his study--working to the end.

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I always enjoyed reading what Buckley had to say. (I rarely agreed with him, but I liked hearing things from his perspective.) What a smart, fascinating man.

Here's his biography at Wikipedia.

Hi, Nancy--

Here are some Buckleyisms with which you may or may not agree, but you might enjoy experiencing them:

"I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said."

When asked why Bobby Kennedy rejected invitations for years to debate WFB, he replied: "Does baloney fear the grinder?"

"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."

"Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich."

"Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could."

"It had all the earmarks of a CIA operation; the bomb killed everybody in the room except the intended target."

"You cultivate the essential virtues: high purpose, intelligence, decency, humility, fear of the Lord, and the passion for freedom."

"I get satisfaction of three kinds. One is creating something, one is being paid for it and one is the feeling that I haven't just been sitting on my [censored] all afternoon."

"Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive."

"There is an inverse relationship between reliance on the state and self-reliance."

"I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word "fair" in connection with income tax policies."

"I profoundly believe it takes a lot of practice to become a moral slob."

"Liberals, it has been said, are generous with other peoples' money, except when it comes to questions of national survival when they prefer to be generous with other people's freedom and security."

"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."

"I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors; never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday at the voting booth."

"I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University."

"The academic community has in it the biggest concentration of alarmists, cranks and extremists this side of the giggle house."

"One must bear in mind that the expansion of federal activity is a form of eating for politicians."

"Truth is a demure lady, much too ladylike to knock you on your head and drag you to her cave. She is there, but people must want her, and seek her out."

"I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence."

"Life can't be all bad when for ten dollars you can buy all the Beethoven sonatas and listen to them for ten years."

"A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling �Stop!�"

*****

Thanks for posting.

Those are great - thank you. The ones about liberals are especially good. (And I say this as a liberal. )

Dear Nancy,

Glad you enjoyed the Buckleyisms. I remember enjoying his writing even back when I thought I was a liberal.

Thanks for posting.