Posted by Larry Harnisch on February 27, 2008 | Permalink
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Thank you so very much for the look back at Mr. Buckley's work. He was, for many, a light in the wilderness of the wild and wooly-thinking '60s, and never deviated from his commitment to his principles, writing pieces that - agree with his point or not - would stimulate thought at all points on the political spectrum.
RIP indeed, Mr. Buckley, gone to that desk in the Great Beyond.
Two people had the most influence on my political outlook: Ronald Reagan and William F. Buckley Jr. Now both are gone. Much to the chagrin of some, the conservative movement will live on.
Doubtless several political leaders who view Buckley as their paterfamilias have used his politely mannered expressions of support for Sen. Joe McCarthy and disdain for the civil rights movement to pernicious effect. He was an entertaining man who unfortunately, more than once, used his towering intellect to defend the indefensible. He so often litigated the small points to the detriment of the bigger picture, to win points for his side. He represented civility in debate, but to what end? (And did anyone follow his example? The ironic thing, when it comes to promoting civility in politics, is that Barack Obama may be a descendent of Buckley more so than anyone else on the political scene today.)
Before we proclaim Barack the decedent of Buckley on civility lets see how he and his close advisers handle the campaign against a Republican instead of another dyed-in-the-wool Democrat.
And while Buckley may have been on the wrong side of important issues over a lifetime, name a man or woman who expressed themselves daily in the media and print for 50 years that was always right. Neither political party has always been right and WFB is no different.
Larry Harnisch. The leading Black Dahlia expert and a collaborator in the 1947project, Harnisch has been a copy editor at The Times since 1988. He has appeared on many TV shows discussing the Dahlia case, notably "James Ellroy's Feast of Death."
Join him for a spin through old Los Angeles in the Mirror's radio car. Keep your eyes open for Mickey Cohen and Tempest Storm. It's quite a ride.
The reporter's badge belonged to Sid Hughes (1908-1958), legendary reporter who worked at nearly every newspaper in Los Angeles.
Keith Thursby. Keith has been an editor at The Times in news, sports and design since 1986. The Rams moved to St. Louis on his first day as assistant sports editor of the paper's Orange County edition. He grew up in Norwalk and lives in Irvine.
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Thank you so very much for the look back at Mr. Buckley's work. He was, for many, a light in the wilderness of the wild and wooly-thinking '60s, and never deviated from his commitment to his principles, writing pieces that - agree with his point or not - would stimulate thought at all points on the political spectrum.
RIP indeed, Mr. Buckley, gone to that desk in the Great Beyond.
Posted by: Carol Gwenn | February 27, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Two people had the most influence on my political outlook: Ronald Reagan and William F. Buckley Jr. Now both are gone. Much to the chagrin of some, the conservative movement will live on.
Posted by: Armand Vaquer | February 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Never cared much for Bill Buckley's beliefs -- but I always admired the way he expressed them. Rest in peace, sir.
Posted by: Vincent | February 27, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Doubtless several political leaders who view Buckley as their paterfamilias have used his politely mannered expressions of support for Sen. Joe McCarthy and disdain for the civil rights movement to pernicious effect. He was an entertaining man who unfortunately, more than once, used his towering intellect to defend the indefensible. He so often litigated the small points to the detriment of the bigger picture, to win points for his side. He represented civility in debate, but to what end? (And did anyone follow his example? The ironic thing, when it comes to promoting civility in politics, is that Barack Obama may be a descendent of Buckley more so than anyone else on the political scene today.)
Posted by: Los Angeles Thinker | February 28, 2008 at 01:08 AM
You forgot to mention Buckley's statement that "General Franco is an authentic national hero."
Posted by: nitpicker | February 28, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Before we proclaim Barack the decedent of Buckley on civility lets see how he and his close advisers handle the campaign against a Republican instead of another dyed-in-the-wool Democrat.
And while Buckley may have been on the wrong side of important issues over a lifetime, name a man or woman who expressed themselves daily in the media and print for 50 years that was always right. Neither political party has always been right and WFB is no different.
Posted by: Grover Dill | February 28, 2008 at 03:45 PM