There are many to which we owe a debt of gratitude for what they have contributed to our development. In my case, I owe a very large one to none other than the late William F. Buckley, Jr., but not in the way others apparently do.

When much younger, I also was impressed with his use of big words and the ease with which they poured forth, many which I did not understand. That led me to believe, erroneously as it turns out, that his ideas were also valid.
As my own vocabulary grew, and I began to understand what he was saying and advocating, and to what purpose he was using those words, not only was I no longer impressed, but I was actually horrified as to what he was promoting and advocating.

Mr. Buckley, like so many who do not take the time or expend the effort to question otherwise, are nothing but a reflection of their environment. Such it was with the gentleman.

Having been brought up in a world of privilege and entitlement, that was “his” world and what he considered “normality.” His writings, if one ceases to be impressed with the big words, consisted of little but defense of that perceived normality. There was little evidence that he was ever able to move beyond it, or even made any effort to do so. Such is a tragedy.

Mr. Buckley knew many words. That is true. However, like anything else, it is the use to which one places tools that represent the value of one’s contribution.

It is truly sad that Mr. Buckley restricted his knowledge of words, not in the quest for further knowledge and understanding, but solely to the defense of his world. In a political sense, Mr. Buckley cannot be considered to have been a conservative, but the true embodiment of a reactionary.

Yes, I will be thankful to Mr. Buckley, but not for contributions to our society or country, as I believe those to have been destructive. The debt of gratitude is a personal one. His use of words led me to expand my vocabulary so that I could understand what he was really saying, and understand the ideas which he was expounding. For that, and that alone, am I grateful.

ROBERT I. LAITRES
Delta

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