Redstate

By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in Miscellanea | William F. Buckley — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

One knew, of course, that at some point in time, his passing would come. But one did not--and does not--have to like it.

He defined and refined modern conservatism and made it the successful intellectual force it is in American politics and society. He engaged his opponents with wit, flair and an enviable intelligence. He was wrong about certain things but he righted those wrongs and did so comprehensively. And he was right about so many things from the get-go, including, most notably, the need to remove the John Birchers from the modern conservative movement. His contemporaries did not think it possible that he would actually succeed in removing and marginalizing the Birchers. He proved them wrong. And conservatism--and America--is better for it.

Lovely tributes abound. Here's Terry Teachout. NPR remembers; it is ironic that Buckley passed in a week in which NPR's Morning Edition has been spending time talking to conservative leaders about the state of the movement today. This tribute, of course, is timeless. A panoply of remembrances are found here. And readers of varying political stripes remember.

Bill Buckley's Firing Line, a show of grace and passionate conversation, ceased a long time ago--a sign, perhaps, of the deteriorating tone and tenor of our national conversation. With Buckley's own passing, that deterioration, alas, continues apace. No one is in a position to revive Buckley's intelligent and civilized approach to discussing the issues of the day. Indeed, most pundits of power and influence appear resolved to being the anti-Buckleys; ill-mannered brutes whose lack of courtesy is matched by a lack of intellect.

We will miss William F. Buckley, Jr. for all that he was. We will also miss him for all that he was not. We will miss this man who made the times and we will miss the times he made. One need not be especially nostalgic to remember that there was a period, not too long ago in American life, when conversations were pleasant and enlightening affairs. And one must be blind not to see that this period has passed and its exact antithesis has replaced it.

Rest in peace, Mr. Buckley. You were the herald of a better time. For that alone, you shall be warmly remembered.