William F. Buckley RIP; William F. Buckley Lives in Us

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Forgive me if you will for the title paraphrase of “The King is Dead; Long Live the King”, but it is truly fitting for the passing of the father and king of modern conservatism. William F. Buckley passed from this mortal sphere at the age of 82 today, but his influence will last centuries to come.

There will never be another William F. Buckley, but centuries from now students will still be reading Willliam’s works.

William F. Buckley is tuly immortal, and not just in the Christian sense, but also in the secular sense. Mr. Buckley is not dead for he lives on in all of us. We are conservatives and we carry his thoughts, his bright spirit, and his lasting wisdom forever with us.

So don’t waste this day in selfish mourning — rather think on the spirit, the will, and the wisdom from William that you will carry forward.

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Update: Select Quotes from Wall Street Journal:

Despair is inappropriate for a culture as buoyant as our own.

— Address at the Yale Political Union, 2006