Wednesday, February 27, 2008

William F. Buckley, 1925-2008

















By John W. Lillpop


For years, William F. Buckley (WFB) was the most intelligent, witty, irreverent, funny, and entertaining political celebrity in America. His staunch conservatism, imposing vocabulary, and compelling presence earned him wide recognition as the "Father of the Modern Conservative Movement."

Seen by liberals as an evil enemy, WFB took particular delight in repeatedly outwitting, outtalking, and out debating liberals on the national stage, including on his much acclaimed television show, "Firing Line."

It is sad to report that WFB was silenced by the only force he could not outsmart, that being the grim reaper. Bill Buckley died at his home in Stamford, Connecticut, on Wednesday, at age 82.

The cause of death has not yet been announced, but given the decline of America and the limited choices that Americans will have when voting for president in November, it may be that WFB's passing is a precursor to the death of conservatism itself.

Who, after watching Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama battle for the honor of being the most socialist and anti-American candidate, would blame WFB for being repulsed by the leftward backsliding of modern politicians?

His repulsion was no doubt magnified exponentially when confronted by the sobering fact that the only "Republican Alternative" is a so-called conservative named McCain, who worships at the alter of global warming, bristles at the mere mention of rule of law, hates tax cuts, admits to being a nincompoop when it comes to matters of the economy, and thinks that the United States should support, rather than deport, every damn illegal alien who has successfully invaded our sovereign nation.

If conservatives and conservatism are indeed due for a decline in the near term, the good news is that the pendulum will most surely swing back to the right in the not too distant future.

After all, conservative principles as articulated by WFB offer the best hope for a strong and prosperous America.

When the time for the rebirth of conservatism arrives, the legacies of people like Ronald Reagan and William F. Buckley will serve as beacon lights for "righting" the state of ship known as America.

God Bless William F. Buckley, a genuine American hero and icon in the conservative movement.