Posted on 04/08/2024 6:02:24 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Imagine making a documentary about one of the 20th century’s leading opponents of the Ku Klux Klan — without ever talking about the evil of the KKK itself.
If that sounds like malpractice, consider PBS’s new documentary on the life of William F. Buckley Jr. “The Incomparable Mr. Buckley,” the latest installment in the “American Masters” series, has much to say about anti-Communism but never reckons with the murderous reality of Communism itself.
In failing to do so, producer and director Barak Goodman unintentionally reminds his viewers why Buckley was needed in the first place — and why he still is. Never mind that Buckley died in 2008, and next year marks the centenary of his birth.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
PBS built a bowel movement.
Buckley was revered in conservative circles, until hindsight showed us how we was quick to crucify any conservative for charges thrown at that person by the left. In his reflexive urge to appease the left, Buckley ruthlessly policed the right fringe of the Republican party, continuously weeding out those deemed too far by the left, thereby giving in to them over and over again. In doing this, he weakened the conservative movement in the long run.
Tell me you do not understand Normal Americans without telling me you have never talked to a Normal American.
I’m guessing they had to mention it, but since theyre all commies, they didn’t want to talk about what commies are.
The doc did represent Buckley as a good husband, father, friend and gentleman. No character assassination even when presenting the Vidal incident. No mention of Neocons, just various conservatives united against communism and those labeled too far right like the Birchers.
In 1965, Buckley ran for New York City mayor as the candidate for the new Conservative Party.
He ran to restore momentum to the conservative cause in the wake of Goldwater’s defeat.
He tried to take votes away from the relatively liberal Republican candidate and fellow Yale alumnus John Lindsay, who later became a Democrat.
He used an unusual campaign style. During one televised debate with Lindsay, Buckley declined to use his allotted rebuttal time and instead replied, “I am satisfied to sit back and contemplate my own former eloquence.”
When asked what he would do if he won the race, Buckley responded, “Demand a recount.”
Found a box of old National Review mags from the 60s. Leafing through them, I shook my head as to how times have changed.
“...quick to crucify any conservative for charges thrown at that person by the left. In his reflexive urge to appease the left, Buckley ruthlessly policed the right fringe of the Republican party, ...”
Yup !
Ironically he kissed up to the left and got thrown in with Sobran, Francis and even Buchanan - who he did everything to cancel.
Buckley. In the end he was just containment and gatekeeping for the Regime Right.
And for NR to do a whole issue against Trump in 2016, and try to create a spoiler candidate (David French !) was entirely on brand.
The John Birch Society was right about a lot.
The John Birch Society was right about a lot.
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What did they say about Buckley?
I wasn’t alive during that era and have only read about it.
When I was in college, I’d often take a break from studying by pulling bound volumes of NR off the periodical shelves. In a way, it was a valuable part of my education.
One of the weakness of the documentary on the ‘65 mayoral races is that they fail to mention that the lesson the Buckleys learned in that race (i.e., the appeal of the conservative message to working class and middle class Catholics) laid the groundwork for Jim Buckley’s senatorial win in 1970.
Speaking of Jim Buckley, his brief appearance in doc in the context of Watergate was a reminder of the paradox of brothers, born only a couple years apart and raised together, having such wildly divergent accents (i.e., Bill 10/10 on New England preppy voice scale, with Jim maybe 2/10.)
probably all of it.
Unfortunately we know more about what Buckley said about the Birchers than we know what the Birchers said about Buckley.
Sounds about right.
I’ve always liked the JBS commitment to opposing communism.
Although they were before my time and I’ve never been a member, I appreciate their effort in battling socialism.
They were most concerned about Communist infiltration here.
They were most concerned about Communist infiltration here.
I disagree with them about Civil Rights, although thier was commie infiltration as well. I’m looking at you, mlk jr.
They were most concerned about Communist infiltration here.
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They were right to be concerned, look around.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without all those communists of the past, being “busy little bees.”
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