About this blog

 

Why am I writing this?  I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time, as issues or events arise that I’d like to comment on, and share those comments with friends near and far.   This weeks passing of William F. Buckley prompted me to finally pursue setting up the blog; as I read stories of his prolific life and reflected that by contrast, I’ve been somewhat of a slacker in my retirement, with my most profound thinking these days being about where to go to dinner.  In that regard, the recent postponement of my consulting trip to Asia was partly a disappointment…as much as I enjoy retirement, I was still looking forward to being “in the game” again, and actually engaging my mind in more meaningful thoughts than “Hmmm, I really need to mop that kitchen floor.” 

A second reason has to do with my “electronic postcards” that I send out from time to time.  It has occurred to me that for some they might seem a bit presumptuous…given that sending them is predicated on the assumption that y’all actually care what I’m up to or thinking.  By reading the blog, or not reading it, you have a choice, unlike when I foist an e-mail on you. 

And that choice may also expand to what to read…you might want to read about trips, and ignore the political posts, or my endless bla bla bla about Lincolns.  (Although you Liberals out there really ought to read the political  stuff…because I’m usually right, in more ways than one) 

The “about” page linked on the upper right, gives my mercifully brief CV and purpose of the blog.  Below that, under Blogroll, are links to some of my favorite websites, which will be expanding as time goes by.  (Hint to Liberals: start with News Busters or National Review…you’ll need to work up to Ann Coulter. )

 I’m not going to promise that I’ll never send out another electronic postcard (after the one you received linking to this blog) but I anticipate using this venue in lieu of the postcards in the future. 

So I hope you’ll find something interesting to read here in the days ahead…and that you’ll reciprocate with comments and links of your own.  

Peggy Noonan on WFB

Link to Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal

May we not lose his kind…

“with the loss of Bill Buckley we are, as a nation, losing not only a great man. When Jackie Onassis died, a friend of mine who knew her called me and said, with such woe, “Oh, we are losing her kind.” He meant the elegant, the cultivated, the refined. I thought of this with Bill’s passing, that we are losing his kind–people who were deeply, broadly educated in great universities when they taught deeply and broadly, who held deep views of life and the world and art and all the things that make life more delicious and more meaningful. We have work to do as a culture in bringing up future generations that are so well rounded, so full and so inspiring.

Bill Buckley lived a great American life. His heroism was very American–the individualist at work in the world, the defender of great creeds and great beliefs going forth with spirit, style and joy. May we not lose his kind. For now, “Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels take thee to thy rest.”

My Favorite Buckley Quotes

SOME NEW QUOTES HAVE BEEN ADDED: 

 “Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”

Some of Buckley’s best lines were uttered in court during a lengthy libel trial in the ’80s against National Review brought by the Liberty Lobby, which was then countersued by National Review. (The Liberty Lobby lost and NR won.)   During the trial, Buckley was frequently irritated by attorney Mark Lane’s questions, prompting him to respond in court in answer to one of them: “I decline to answer that question; it’s too stupid.”

About the current state of affairs in higher education, he once remarked  that he’d: “rather be governed by the first 2000 names in the Boston phone book than by the 2000 member faculty of Harvard University.”

On being asked if he’d called Jesse Jackson an ignoramus:  “If I didn’t, I should have.”

When Buckley ran, as a third party candidate, for Mayor of New York City, and was asked what he’d do if he won: “Demand a recount.”

The end of his 1970 Playboy interview, coming after a long, intense grilling about Vietnam, civil rights, Communism, etc.:

PLAYBOY: Don’t most dogmas, theological as well as ideological, crumble sooner or later?

BUCKLEY: Most, but not all.

PLAYBOY: How can you be so sure?

BUCKLEY: I know that my Redeemer liveth.

 

George Will on William F. Buckley Jr.

Link to George Will on WFB 

They are not long, the days of wine and roses….

“Pat, Bill’s beloved wife of 56 years, died last April. During the memorial service for her at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, a friend read lines from “Vitae Summa Brevis” by a poet she admired, Ernest Dowson:

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:

Out of a misty dream

Our path emerges for a while, then closes

Within a dream.

Bill’s final dream was to see her again, a consummation of which his faith assured him. He had an aptitude for love — of his son, his church, his harpsichord, language, wine, skiing, sailing. “

Dining at Bellini’s

I tried a new restaurant the other evening, within walking distance of my home.  Here is their website. It is a Tapas restaurant, which I understand is a Spanish word describing appetizers or finger foods, accompanying, you guessed it, cocktails. 

The place is visually stunning.  You sit under a roof outside, with a choice of stools or leather sofas for larger parties, overlooking a courtyard with a waterfall cascading over stone,  tropical foilage, and black lamposts with an open gas flame for lighting.  I started with a basket of slices of baguette with a garlic and mayonnaise dip, and my first plate, rare beef tenderloin with a light red sauce and a couple of peppers in the sauce for spice.  There was a selection of slightly pricey wines by the glass, I had a decent Merlot at $9 per glass.   The tenderloin was delicious, the bread a nice complement to it. 

The waitresses were a tad disorganized, but friendly, and this worked in my favor….another party, unhappy with the pace at which things were proceeding, walked out prior to the arrival of the crab cakes they’d ordered.  The girls hit upon a solution…offer them to me, fresh and hot from the kitchen, for free.  Good things come to those who wait.

I was forced to sample an after dinner drink.  I’ve given up dessert for Lent, but regard an after dinner drink as a loophole.  The menu had a martini alleged to taste just like a chocolate covered cherry; it is my duty to investigate claims of this nature, so I ordered it.  They weren’t lying.

Waterfalls, tiki torches,  rare tenderloin, and cocktails, all outdoors on a warm Florida evening.  What’s not to like?  I’ll be back.

William F. Buckley Jr. RIP

One of my best friends I never met.  He wrote 50+ books, founded the most influential conservative magazine in the world, sailed his own boat across both the Atlantic and Pacific, played the harpsichord, was a friend to Presidents; and was rumored once to have even found time to phone Dad at the old house on Riverside Drive many years ago, to inquire about a lapsed subscription to National Review. (mine)  Mr. Buckley was a gentleman for whom the phrase “renaissance man” truly fits, and a model of civility and elegance we lesser beings may only aspire to.  Only one man could write an obituary worthy of him, and alas, he is that one man.  A faithful servant of the Lord to the end of his days, he was without doubt one of the Creator’s finest works. 

Lincoln Town Cars

  After months of being unavailable, it appears that some Canadian built 2008 Lincoln Town Cars are at last trickling into showrooms in the US, ending the several months of the only Lincoln passenger sedan available being the small Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, or whatever it is they’re calling it this week.  (Ford had closed the Lincoln plant in Michigan and stopped building Town Cars last Spring) It’s almost with reluctance that Ford continues to offer the Town Car; yet only a few short years ago the Town Car was Ford’s biggest profit center next to the F150 pickup.  What is Ford thinking allowing this venerable American institution to wither on the vine?!

Full disclosure time: I drive 2 Town Cars as my “regular” cars.  In fact, I presently own 11 Lincolns in total.  I have been driving big rear drive Lincoln sedans my entire adult life….more than 30 years.  My father’s last car was a Town Car, which is basking in the sunshine right now outside my window as I write.  My mother drives a Lincoln.  My sister drives a Lincoln.  

These Lincolns are the last hurrah of the traditional American car…full size, rear drive, V-8s, with roomy interiors, big trunks, comfortable seats, a smooth, quiet ride, and as reliable as anvils.  They have the kind of name recognition that money can’t buy.  Everyone knows what a Town Car is…I’ll bet there are even people at Ford who don’t know the difference between a Lincoln MKX and a Lincoln MKZ…and who cares?

Furthermore, the cars have a favorable reputation with the public.  Livery companies love them.  They are the “official staff car” of retired folk (like me).  Young people, though, drive them too, dressed up with fancy wheels and other custom touches, because a used Lincoln Town Car is one of the great automotive transportation bargains of our time. 

And even without being updated in what… 7 years?…the cars still sell.  And they’d sell well if Ford would update the styling (the 1998 redesign was unpopular, so hey, let’s keep it 10 years) , boost the horsepower of the V-8 (higher output versions are already all over the parts bins at Ford), or even offer it in some better color schemes, which were again readily available a few short years ago.

Instead, Ford seems intent on cost cutting itself right out of business.  Dropping products and closing plants until there’s no one left to turn out the lights.  The 2008 Town Car is testament to the “let’s go out of business” mentality…most of the options are gone, the only two model choices remaining being the Signature Limited or the livery model, the Signature L.  Even a moonroof is no longer offered, despite that the Grand Marquis, which is built in the same plant, still offers that option. 

Of course, Ford’s excuse is they’re replacing the Town Car with the new Lincoln MKwho cares what letter…which will be a smaller 6 cylinder car,  and looks something like a 4 year old Nissan Maxima.  I’ve seen so many “sneak previews” of this thing I’m already tired of it and it isn’t even out yet. 

Part of the culprit in all this, as far as I’m concerned, is the automotive press.  Granted, auto magazines have little influence with the public at large, but alas, they’re read in Detroit.  As a result, we have far too many cars today that have been “Europeanized” because that’s what the buff book writers want…cars with hard seats, stiff suspensions, heavy steering, and that are too small.  Remember when Detroit built American cars, not imitation European cars?  Funny thing is, when American cars were unashamedly American, they sold.  And until very recently, with the increase in the price of oil,  what American vehicles were still selling? Trucks.  Yep, big, roomy, full-sized, V-8, rear drive…gee…sound familiar? Just like American cars used to be.