alternative hippopotamus

progressive cyberdadaism from our nation’s capital

February 27, 2008

Here’s Looking at You, WFB

by AltHippo @ 2:07 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of William F. Buckley, Jr. As an adult rapidly cruising towards middle age I can see some of the errors in Mr. Buckley’s beliefs. However, that doesn’t detract one bit from the way he lived his life: as if it mattered. As if the world was his stage. As if there is an element of duty in making one’s life a work of art.

I particularly liked this bit from the NYT obit:

Many of varied political stripes came to see his life as something of an art form — from racing through city streets on a motorcycle to a quixotic campaign for mayor of New York in 1965 to startling opinions like favoring the decriminalization of marijuana. He was often described as liberals’ favorite conservative, particularly after suavely hosting an adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s “Brideshead Revisited” on public television in 1982.

I do hope that the progressive movement learns this from WFB: the right ideas, while essential, aren’t all there is to changing the world. There is a magnetic quality to charm and wit, and these are faculties most necessary in a movement leader, and must be cultivated.

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2 Responses to “Here’s Looking at You, WFB”

  1. Global Chameleon Says:
    February 27th, 2008 at 6:29 pm

    Well-said. I, too, was saddened by the news and a bit surprised
    (which, logically, I guess I shouldn’t have been since he was 82!) I guess his writing
    had become so much of an institution that the thought of it not being around
    is odd. BTW, Brideshead Revisited is being remade - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412536/
    (cue up the classy accents)

  2. AltHippo Says:
    February 27th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    Thanks! I’ll check out the Brideshead Revisited.

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