I have the up most respect for William F. Buckley who died this morning in his study. He was the intellectual anchor and founder of American conservatism and served his country and values with intellectual honesty and fortitude for longer than most of our parents have been alive.

Though I disagree with many of his ideas, it is the passion of men like him that keep our debate and subsequently, our democracy healthy.

If many of you are not familiar with Mr. Buckley, I will post a few links to give you an idea of who and what he was. He was one of my favorite people, and I am saddened to learn of his passing.

Charlie rose interview

Wikipedia profile

I was in the middle of writing a new board for this. Well done FML, you beat me to it.

We all mourn the passing of the great father of conservatism. The man who was never President, but could stand with Presidents and look totally at home.

I personally owe my views and opinions to WFB. He is the one who mad it OK to "come from the right" again. He was instrumental in making conservatism something that America would embrace and hold on to for years.

Thank you WFB. My prayers are with his family. Yours should be too.