Remembering William F. Buckley
My book's illustrator, Jack Cassady, had the good fortune of meeting William F. Buckley. Buckley died this week and Jack sent out an email recalling that meeting. With Jack's permission, I'm posting it here. By the way, take a minute and visit Jack's web site at www.toonmaker.com. You'll find something to make you smile.
As a young Army Officer, I was intrigued by William Buckley's prowess of debate. I watched his "Firing Line" program whenever I had the chance. During times in our country when a public conservative voice was difficult to find, Mr. Buckley stood toe to toe with the best the liberal establishment could field. Most of the time I felt Buckley won the battle of words. He had a wonderful full vocabulary and the creative ability to use it well. I suspect some hard core and misled liberals may've eventually seen the light because of Buckley and converted to conservative causes. Buckley was highly intelligent, quick witted and passionate. I still remember he and Gore Vidal were debating during an election and they almost came to a fist fight. I always felt that had it progressed to that stage that Buckley would have dropped Vidal like a bad habit. I admired him.
Many years later, while in NYC on business, I visited the offices of the National Review. They had used some of my cartoons from time to time, so I decided to make a courtesy call on the editor. It was Bill Buckley's sister. In my meeting with her, I mentioned how much I admired Bill. She kindly presented me with a picture of him. I was thrilled. Later when I got on the elevator to return to the lobby, Bill Buckley himself was there. I told him about meeting his sister, working the lighter side for the N.R. and the picture. He stopped smiled and asked if I'd like him to sign the photo. He signed it and I was elated. I still have that photograph in my studio. That's a good memory for this old conservative war dog cartoonist. He'll be missed.
Cass
De Oppresso Liber
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