One of my heroes has died. I never had the privilege of knowing Bill Buckley in person. I don't move in such august circles. I did have the pleasure of knowing him through his quick paced television program, Firing Line, and through The National Review and many of his books. Mr. Buckley helped frame my opinions and appreciation of modern American society.
There's a Country song that states, "She had me from 'Hello'." Of course, Buckley never trifled with such a simple greeting, but he captured me nevertheless. Buckley had style, verve, wit nonpareil, and panache. William F. Buckley, Jr. set the bar high. He was an unapologetic patrician and the modern political version of Socrates' gadfly. One could only aspire to a view over the bar, few cleared it.
In one of his books, Buckley wrote about the first time he saw the house that was to be his future home. The realtor brought him and his wife to a lovely home, but Buckley felt a certain unease. Finally he realized what was wrong. There were no books in the house. He soon remedied that. Throughout his life Buckley wrote more than 50 of his own to fill shelves abundant with the finest thoughts of the finest minds. Perhaps he could also be considered a modern day Montaigne too.
William F. Buckley Jr.'s most successful venture was his magazine, The National Review. I'm not sure everyone understood its raison d'etre. Naturally it was a forum for the best in conservative thought. It gained that excellence through the magazine's willingness to present divergent views on such topics as deficit spending and star wars technology. Those who think Mr. Buckley's media instrument closed minds are wrong, although I cannot say as much for the current publication. He thoroughly enjoyed the parry and thrust of intellectual exchange. His wit and good will mitigated a well-placed touche. As he tightened the web about an opponent, his eyes betrayed an amused "got ya!" Even Mr. Buckley's "enemies" spoke well of the man.
My condolence to his son, siblings, and grandchildren. If Aristotle's Happy Life can only be achieved at the end of the examined good life, then Bill Buckley is indeed very happy today.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Return of the Growlerie
It's been some time since I "vented" via the Growlerie. In case you don't recall the literary reference, the Growlerie comes from Charles Dicken's Bleak House. It was the place where the generous John Jarndyce went to rail against life's injustice and vent his anger with irritations major and minor. Herein find the first edition of 2008's irritations, major and minor.
Top of the list must be the winter weather in the Midwest/Great Lakes region. We've had snow, snow, ice, sub-zero temperatures, snow, snow, fog...ENOUGH ALREADY! Unfortunately a new "major snow event" is on it way. I do not live on the "wrong side of the lake" where the hardy thrive and the entrepreneural clean up with snow and ice fishing lovers. Yipes!
Silence is golden, but almost impossible to find anymore. In the grocery stores the shopper is bombarded with acid rock, hip-hop, and other annoying "music." It seems that the days of bland and canned tunes has given way to the teen age stock boy's top twenty radio stations. It makes one eager to get out of the store as soon as possible.
If you manage to ignore the terrible tunes, you must try to avoid the ubiquitious television screens placed in produce, meats, check out lines. I have not given them a glance--and will not-- but you can't avoid the noise. Ditto for hospital sitting areas, ER waiting rooms, and doctor's offices. The "one eyed god" is inescapable. It is hard to read or carry on a quiet conversation because everyone must attend this idol.
Close to the top is the word "change," the overused and misunderstood mantra of every political candidate running for office. Change who, what, where, when, why and how? Change one; change for the better; change for the worst; change for change sake; exchange...please.
The fourth estate is a necessary and integral part of a democratic society, except when the news media crosses the line and begins to create and/or shape news events. It has begun to shape public opinion, not report it. Several good presidential candidates suffered from the media's slant on the most newsworthy candidates. They did not get the exposure they were entitled to and thence were unable to present their suitability. Coverage and money rules--but that's for another Growlerie.
General news is too selective, with emphasis placed on the sensational. "If it bleeds, it leads" has proven itself a money making paradigm for news stations. Even the weather has succumbed, no longer showing temperature, but rather emphasizing "wind chill." It's so much more compelling to have a map full of sub zero temperatures than real ones.
Finally, school administrators bewail the lack of science and math teachers. College students seem to favor business, tech, and other better paying professions. It seems that, for the majority of students, math and science are too hard. [Oh my!] There are easier ways to make the grade. But, if the student does do well in math and the sciences, the dearth of qualified scientists and mathematicians guarantees a well paying job in business and research. Teaching is not lucrative, however rewarding. It's hard to get that science or math degree. Teaching is challenging and, frequently, discouraging work. It doesn't pay well. But the current lack of teachers in the sciences and math will become a self-fulfilling prophesy for failure in the future. There is way too much emphasis on making money and making a name for oneself. Perhaps our priorites need a bit of readjustment.
Now, that feels better. I think I'll get my shovel out and start to work on the driveway.
Top of the list must be the winter weather in the Midwest/Great Lakes region. We've had snow, snow, ice, sub-zero temperatures, snow, snow, fog...ENOUGH ALREADY! Unfortunately a new "major snow event" is on it way. I do not live on the "wrong side of the lake" where the hardy thrive and the entrepreneural clean up with snow and ice fishing lovers. Yipes!
Silence is golden, but almost impossible to find anymore. In the grocery stores the shopper is bombarded with acid rock, hip-hop, and other annoying "music." It seems that the days of bland and canned tunes has given way to the teen age stock boy's top twenty radio stations. It makes one eager to get out of the store as soon as possible.
If you manage to ignore the terrible tunes, you must try to avoid the ubiquitious television screens placed in produce, meats, check out lines. I have not given them a glance--and will not-- but you can't avoid the noise. Ditto for hospital sitting areas, ER waiting rooms, and doctor's offices. The "one eyed god" is inescapable. It is hard to read or carry on a quiet conversation because everyone must attend this idol.
Close to the top is the word "change," the overused and misunderstood mantra of every political candidate running for office. Change who, what, where, when, why and how? Change one; change for the better; change for the worst; change for change sake; exchange...please.
The fourth estate is a necessary and integral part of a democratic society, except when the news media crosses the line and begins to create and/or shape news events. It has begun to shape public opinion, not report it. Several good presidential candidates suffered from the media's slant on the most newsworthy candidates. They did not get the exposure they were entitled to and thence were unable to present their suitability. Coverage and money rules--but that's for another Growlerie.
General news is too selective, with emphasis placed on the sensational. "If it bleeds, it leads" has proven itself a money making paradigm for news stations. Even the weather has succumbed, no longer showing temperature, but rather emphasizing "wind chill." It's so much more compelling to have a map full of sub zero temperatures than real ones.
Finally, school administrators bewail the lack of science and math teachers. College students seem to favor business, tech, and other better paying professions. It seems that, for the majority of students, math and science are too hard. [Oh my!] There are easier ways to make the grade. But, if the student does do well in math and the sciences, the dearth of qualified scientists and mathematicians guarantees a well paying job in business and research. Teaching is not lucrative, however rewarding. It's hard to get that science or math degree. Teaching is challenging and, frequently, discouraging work. It doesn't pay well. But the current lack of teachers in the sciences and math will become a self-fulfilling prophesy for failure in the future. There is way too much emphasis on making money and making a name for oneself. Perhaps our priorites need a bit of readjustment.
Now, that feels better. I think I'll get my shovel out and start to work on the driveway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
