Posted by
Augsal on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:45:11 AM
I am sure that there are many people remembering William F. Buckley today and I am also sure that many will be relating a story similar to mine. It is true, before Ronald Reagan and the Republican Revolution, there was William F. Buckley. As is usually the case when I was a senior in high school I thought I had the answers to all the world's problems- I was a diehard communist and athiest. Thank God for my Dad and William F. Buckley. I grew up in a very Italian and very Catholic home and my Dad was smart enough to see that my rebellion towards God and America was just teenage angst. My dad knew eventually I would come around but he also knew that he couldn't stand listening to my left-wing liberal crap for too long. My Dad invited me to watch Firing Line one Sunday night and it was the only thing he had to do to get me on the Right (pun intended) path once again. The very first Firing Line I watched was when William F. Buckley hosted Malcolm Muggeridge as guest. In one fell swoop- I was converted (pun intended again) both to Conservativism and to my Catholic Faith once more. My Dad knew what he was doing. Mr. Muggeridge (eventual Catholic convert) was a well known Communist and founder of "Punch" one of the most Left-wing magazines in England and here he was speaking with William F. Buckley about God, Faith and Conservatism. Like St.Paul struck from his horse I was changed!! I started reading National Review and couldn't wait to vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980. My Catholic Faith was renewed and it has sustained me and my family through some really tough times.
My Dad introduced me to William F. Buckley and G.K. Chesterton's book "The Everlasting Man" and I have not looked back. I know that right now my Dad and William F. Buckley are together watching me right this and I just want to say with all my heart-
William F. Buckley, Thank you and Rest in Peace!!