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Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson: James Buckley
James Buckley discusses his life and upbringing as well as the genesis of Firing Line and the success of his brother Bill. James describes Bill as a fresh spirit who wanted to meet all types of people and listen to different viewpoints. Bill loved a good debate.
James notes that his parents were literate and that education and speaking well were important. They trained their children to work hard, be genteel, and listen to the other side.
James notes that we make progress in society, such as during the Reagan years, if someone can demonstrate the causes and effects of socialist-type policies so that people are more apt to understand, embrace, and thrive in the free market.
James ends by saying that although we may become pessimistic about the American experiment, hope is always around the corner because virtue and good sense reside in the people.
Published in General
I didn’t know he was still around. Glad he is!
The only official Conservative to ever sit in the Senate! I enjoyed his book Freedom At Risk.
If you are interested in reading about Buckley’s campaign where he won his Senate seat, as well as an outright history of the third party that fought for him then, I recommend George Marlin’s Fighting the Good Fight: A History of The New York Conservative Party.
Thanks Peter. I have James’s book If Men Were Angels. Great mind.
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview. For anyone interested, it’s possible to watch many of the archives of Firing Line through Amazon Prime.
I so agree with James, I was a conservative even though my parents did not indoctrinate me either because I well informed about American history and its leaders ( my 3 siblings are also although by brother is more of a conservative progressive now). I think if parent just teach their kids American history and read about famous American politicians while includ the Christian aspects. It is cool to hear how the whole clan of some of the most influence conservatives came about their convection the same way. Parents please please please take the words of Saint Buckley to heart. It is your job to raise up your kids and you are the primary person responsible for their education not the state or their teachers. The Buckley’s were successful because of their parents educating them not teaching politics to them.