William Frank Buckley, Jr. (November 24, 1925 – February 27, 2008), was, for his entire adult life, the de facto leader of the American Conservative movement. He wrote more than 50 books on various topics, and even found time to write a series of novels featuring a mythical CIA agent, Blackford Oakes.
In 1955, he founded the Conservative journal, National Review, and remained its editor-in-chief until 1990. The magazine became, and has remained, the standard-bearer of American Conservatism.
In 1965, he ran for Mayor of New York, and when asked what he would do should he win, replied: "I would demand a recount." His most famous quote, though, was coined at the introduction of his beloved National Review, by way of its mission statement, issued on November 19, 1955.
Here's the quote:
It stands athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.Why are Buckley's words so relevant today? Fifty-eight years later, the voters of New York City elected a man, who by all appearances is the most Left-wing radical politician (and that is by far the kindest appellation that could be used in describing him) that could be found in the city, to serve as their mayor. God help them.
