wonderfly
02-27-2008, 12:43 PM
The man who had perhaps the most influence on conservative politics in the 20th century, William F. Buckley, passed away sometime late last night or early this morning in his home. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23370714/?GT1=10856) He was 82 years old.
I post this story not so much to debate politics, but to discuss his historical influence. The early 20th century, (the World War eras) was the province of Progressive Democrats, (Woodrow Wilson, President for 8 years, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was President for over 12 years, and Harry Truman). All of these Presidents were believers in expanding goverment's role in people's lives, (and maybe that's what was needed at the time. I certainly respect the Presidents who lived during that era).
But along came Buckley, and with his magazine "the National Review" and his show "Firing Line" on PBS, he helped shape the modern conservative movement, (which perhaps reached it's peak under Ronald Reagan). He was steadfast in his beliefs, but perhaps not as controversial as today's most well known conservative pundits. It's fascinating how far political belief in this country has come thanks to the oratory of this one man.
I post this story not so much to debate politics, but to discuss his historical influence. The early 20th century, (the World War eras) was the province of Progressive Democrats, (Woodrow Wilson, President for 8 years, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was President for over 12 years, and Harry Truman). All of these Presidents were believers in expanding goverment's role in people's lives, (and maybe that's what was needed at the time. I certainly respect the Presidents who lived during that era).
But along came Buckley, and with his magazine "the National Review" and his show "Firing Line" on PBS, he helped shape the modern conservative movement, (which perhaps reached it's peak under Ronald Reagan). He was steadfast in his beliefs, but perhaps not as controversial as today's most well known conservative pundits. It's fascinating how far political belief in this country has come thanks to the oratory of this one man.