14 replies to this topic

[FrankT]

It was very sad for me to hear that he died. Back in the 80's, I just loved to see him on TV and I use to make a note to look up some of the words he used. When he reared his head back and wagged that tongue as he reflected on his response, he had no equal. What a great man.

[OEXCHAOS]

I might also say that he was good friends with more than one political rival. I'd like to see more of that class these days. If you didn't read the article, I would. It's quite nice. Mark

[milbank]

When he reared his head back and wagged that tongue as he reflected on his response, he had no equal.

That aspect of Buckley I can't argue with.

[SemiBizz]

Time to close the thread Mark...

[OEXCHAOS]

Sure Mark, I am quite willing to drop it, but remember it was you who started this using this forum to mourn the passing of a noted conservative. I felt your action was inappropriate forum wise, in regards to your stated policy of no political (in this case
"conservative" threads. Buckley's philosphy, as is all of conservatism, was and is so repugnant to me personally that, well, I just had to respond. In the future if you keep your support of conservatism thoughts to yourself, so will I not note the passing of any progessives, as I have honored and respected the rules regarding this. I think you owe the entire board here an apolgy for breaking your own rules, and thereby encouraging response from someone like me, who has spent a lifetime disagreeing with people like you, politically speaking.

Norton, I often break the rules if I think it serves us well. I think this did. I will point out that I made no mention of politics, save to set Bills aside. You have little idea of what politics I support and that's the way I like it.

Regardless, we are more than our politics, or at least we should be. Reflect upon that.

I, for instance do not identify as a conservative nor liberal, but I can show honor to a great person who is great in their own right, as a human being, a personality, an essayist, and novelist.

The point is civility. We can look past politics and we do all the time. I want to encourage that. I DO encourage that on our site. We are traders, technicians, and students of the market here, and that's is irrelevant to any political stuff. With some luck many of us are friends despite some profound philosophical, political, or religious differences. One of the reasons I mentioned Bill's passing is that he was quintessentially civil. He was good friends with Hubert Humphrey, for goodness sake.

I know we're all (or almost all) one big raw nerve, or we will be soon enough when it comes to political stuff. I want to ruthlessly avoid any discussions of politics. It's so tempting, too at times. I know many of us would LOVE to get into it with one or another of our fellow posters. It can be fun, but it can also be hurtful and hugely distracting. My intent with this thread was to point out and reflect upon the passing of a great PERSON, one of who's finest traits was to look beyond the politics of his political adversaries and forge personal friendships.

I apologize if I muffed a "teaching moment".

I sure as heck don't want to rub anyone's nose in politics that they find repugnant.

The rest of the staff and volunteers agree, I'm sure.


Mark