William F. Buckley Jr. - In His Own Words Part I

[bdinger74]

anybody know who the impersonator at the beginning is?

[xXxcharmaine]

does anyone know who the impersonator was at the begining of the video?

[closer71]

@MrTruth:

Actually, I do have the right...and frankly, you're quite difficult to take seriously after such a glaring display of grammatical ineptitude.

[kossmikham]

What is the harpsichord piece in the background?

[searcherboy]

Buckley: a snide trust-fund brat who worked all his life to preserve the advantages, privileges and prejudices of people just like himself.

Take away his weird prep-school syntax, his supercilious, gentlemanly condescension, his blinkered religious faith, the harpsichord soundtrack, and what to you have?

A knee-jerk America-first windbag.

Buckley did one thing right - he kept the crazies out of the conservative movement. Now they run the show and sneer at elitists like Buckley.



[Lyle1196]

@searcherboy

Are you saying that there is something wrong with being a proud American?

Do you live here?

[MrTruthAddict]

@searcherboy Excellent post, and well said. He is all of those things.

[closer71]

All you half-wits demanding to know "what created God" miss the point entirely (as usual). GOD--by definition, you mindless knaves--simply IS. He exists outside, or separate from space and time, matter and energy, science, whatever. THAT is the point; the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. Here is wisdom: Your tiny dew drop of intellect cannot possibly comprehend the nature of God and you'd do well to acknowledge this fact before your death. This one is not the real life...

[MrTruthAddict]

@closer71 Nice story but you dont get to just make shit up and pretend that its true. If you try to pretend that some imaginary being created everything, you have to explain that entities existence. You cant get away from that.

[jhop9898]

Also, if God created everything (since the laws of physics are apparently inadequate?), then what created God. Since the universe isn't capable of randomly generating complex life, then what created him?

[jhop9898]

William Buckley was a really entertaining sophist and debater but he had no background on science. His statement that there must be a God b/c some guy wrote Hamlet is total nonsense. It's highly probable that in the 15 billion years since the Big Bang (as far as we know) a planet could develop with a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere where self-aware primates could experience social situations and then write fiction about it.

[Lyle1196]

@jhop9898

Are you kidding? I am sure you must be a hit at parties for your ability to recite nonsense in a so convincing tone.

[jhop9898]

@Lyle1196 So then explain how is it that if the universe cannot randomly create complex life, how did it create a God capable of creating complex life? You haven't taken issue with anything I've said. You just tried to insult me.

[Lyle1196]

@jhop9898

No, I was only trying to state the obvious. You should inverse your question. God created life. The universe did not create God. You have to have the basic faith described in the Bible and Christianity to understand my point.

If you think that matter created God, the there is no need to discuss this further. That was the whole point of WFB's assertion. To argue otherwise misses the point. Thus the difference between science and real life.

[jhop9898]

@Lyle1196 You're not getting it. If God created life (because the universe cannot do it randomly) then what created God? Answer that.

That's the basic problem with his argument. He believes A must have created B. So what created A? How did God form? What laws of physics produce the...pattern of energy...that is God?

The difference between science and real life? Don't you get that the aim of science is to describe the principles behind reality?

[jhop9898]

@Lyle1196 If you don't believe in science then you don't believe in reality, which is just absurd.

The obscure writings in a contradictory book don't change the nature of reality or logic.

There are at least 10 reasons why its overwhelmingly likely that God doesn't exist.

[Lyle1196]

@jhop9898 Nothing like hedging your bets. You either believe there is a God or not. Therefore, it is not likely. It is either a fact or not. Listen to the video. What is the cause of inspiration? Synapses in the brain? Have you never benefited from divine intervention. What scientific method was used to give you the job you have. Have you no Faith?

[closer71]

@jhop9898

10 reasons, huh? Just give us five, please.

[WhenLilacsLast]

Mr.Buckley ought to have found his calling in corporate law or some other such profession that demands twisting facts with cunning craft. Listening to Mr.Buckley will enlarge your vocabulary but at the cost of losing your conscience. Any myth of Buckley's intellect is soon dispelled when one finds out that he was a proponent of creationism,southern segregation,Vietnam war,anti-semitism, to name a few obnoxious concepts...

[atthebluebus]

@WhenLilacsLast So anyone advocating any of the policies you just mentioned doesnt have an intellect? For decades (sometimes 100's of years) people advocated those ideas/policies. Youre saying ALL those people had no intellect? ........typical liberal elitist who thinks any conservative position by definition isn't grounded in reason....

[Lyle1196]

@WhenLilacsLast

You clearly have no knowledge of what Mr. Buckley stood for. Maybe if you read more of his opinions, freely available at Hillsdale College and from the New York Times Archives you would have a better sense of the subject and could at some point in the future comment more intelligently.

[Lyle1196]

You do get the inspiration that Mr. Buckley was trying to inspire. How many male mountain rams have produced such fine work as Hamlet or St. Matthews passion?

That was the whole point of him saying it. That there is a God and He has given man an important benefit over animals and one of them was inspiration.

[CoryKnightgown]

it seems perfectly reasonable to suggest the cause of Hamlet or St Matthew's Passion is the same cause that inspires male mountain rams to charge at each other and crash their heads together.

it's just that the former happens to be things that to our crude, limited human sensibilities seem elevated and sophisticated and the later base instinctive animal behavior.

both have their origins in animal instincts. not so much the play as the plays inspiration.

[CoryKnightgown]

the thumbs up thumbs down feature is ridiculous in itself, but not nearly as ridiculous as using it as the sole expression of your opinion.

"i don't like what that person said! booooo! let's bury it!"

it just encourages weak minds to pseudo-think in black and white and jump on what ever bandwagon, or "thumb" in this case, seems to have greater numbers at the moment.

have the substance of character to agree or disagree in a series of words. what are you, Caesar for christ sake?!

[NathanPBridle]

Why has the point where Buckley called Gore Vidal a 'queer' been edited out?

I find Buckley to have been a terrible debater, he badgerd. He kept cutting off Chomsky and just lacked in comparison to Gore Vidal.

[Lyle1196]

WFB a terrible debater? How could he have a show like FIring Line for as long as he did by being a terrible debater. I think you need to take into account that many of his guests were truly unprepared to defend their positons and WFB was a master at showing that.

[NathanPBridle]

Just because something is long running does not make it any good.

[fakk2hm]

A biased tribute does not do justice to anyone, least of which the person it's dedicated to.

[boombarass]

Are you joking or actually that dumb? A tribute is by nature biased. Look up the word in the dictionary.

[Lyle1196]

How can someone speaking in their own words be biased. This is not a tribute per se, but an enlightened historical record of the greatest conservative mind of our time and a positive reflection of what we, togehter as Americans, have gone through during the past 40 years.

[Lyle1196]

The most fitting tribute to WFB is the National Review. What a life and what a man. The truth was never better spoken.

[brian8793]

5:32 Defenitely gets a huge YAYA!!!

from me:)

[brian8793]

William F. Buckley is my homeboy:)

[urmomma158]

lol

[eugdog106]

whats the meldoy?

[MRinformer7777]

the overarching problem with "intellectuals" is that they speak in such terms that mr public cannot understand them or appreciate what they are saying, because they are lost in the vastness of their own pontifications, and their own intelligence. Many of these ivory towered people should work in a soup kitchen and speak in inner city schools and such, to give them a greater understandingof humanity. bUCKLEY WAS A great man with great ideas but how many americans

[cosmicbullfight]

I'm going to go ahead and ignore this debate that's going nowhere, and say that while I fall on the liberal side of the political spectrum (though by no means radically), I think Buckley was one of the greats. He was a gentleman, and I think that regardless of whether one is in agreement with him or not, he added much to the quality of the debate.

[Lyle1196]

I couldn't agree more. Thanks.

[Lyle1196]

@cosmicbullfight

Ignoring the debate is not what WFB would desire. The writer acknowleges that WFB was one of the greats and he added much to the quality of the deate.  WIth the current state of affairs in America let the debate continue.

[HalRogers2000]

Liberals -- read the1959 book by Buckley "Up from Liberalism" -- his observations about liberalism in the 1950s are totally relevant and proven to be true in the 21st century.

This assumes Liberals are as open minded as they claim to be, which is doubtful.

[lipsbach]

Many years later he changed his mind about certain (wrong) positions he held, which is more than I can say for some of the neanderthals posting here on Youtube.

[Lyle1196]

So now anyone that disagrees with you is a neanderthal? Have you lived in this country very long? As WFB demonstrated there is more to life then hating people you disagree with.

[lipsbach]

Does that description offend you? Do you have any problem with Buckley calling Gore Vidal a queer on national television? Keep crying into your American flag as you bow down before the image of Ronald Reagan.

[Lyle1196]

The description bothers me no more than Vidal referring to WFB as a crypto nazi. At least the WFB comment was true. I proudly fly the American flag every day and you should remember that veteran's have made it possible for you to enjoy the freedom you have. You should thank one for your freedom.

[Romes944]

If Gore Vidal is queer then he is queer.... if by queer you mean gay, then he is gay.... or is he simply queer? Isn't being gay rather queer anyway? So, why be offended?

[Thrillcekr]

You say that but then call people idiots and totally contradict your own argument? Are you saying that everyone that disagrees with you is an idiot? I mean that is what you called me. Sounds an awful lot like somebody that can't take their own medicine. Did you know sodomy is still illegal in many places here? Don't get caught giving it to your wife in the ass pal. Same place that, less than a half century ago, blacks couldn't even use the same bathroom as you. Wow! Freedom!!

[Thrillcekr]

Yup. There's also killing them. He fully supported that. At least in his earlier years.

[lipsbach]

Can any of you Buckley fans make a list of positions that he held during all his years of blathering, which are demonstratively correct historically? Glad he's gone. Too bad he didn't go to Vietnam himself and "do it right".

[atsf3768]

Too bad you don't live in Cuba.

[HalRogers2000]

Read his 1959 book "Up From Liberalism" -- his views then, his views throughout his life, and the facts today have not changed. Obviously you know nothing about Buckley, except what he and others predict about the left -- hate drives the left, and logical thinking escapes the left. Also, history proves that the left takes away freedoms, and damages economies wherever it is applied to to governing.

[Thrillcekr]

Ask a homosexual or anyone wishing to travel to Cuba who is taking away their freedom and I think you would be surprised to find that they have a very different opinion of who is suppressing their freedom. As would have been that of so called "witches" (people that didn't fall in line with the local churches). I believe they were burned at the stake by conservatives for trying to excercise "freedom". Early Americans would have scoffed at the notion too since conservatives supported the crown

[HalRogers2000]

Frankly, I could care less what homosexuals care about, they have the freedom to do their thing, conservatives and liberals both view homosexuals as a deviation from normal behavior, and both liberals and conservatives tolerate it, but you're obvious attempt at a witch hunt here is proof positive that homosexuals will use any argument to promote their lifestyle.

And you know nothing about Buckley, it's painfully obvious that you're as ignorant as you are opinionated.

[Thrillcekr]

Actually, they don't. They don't have the freedom to be legally partnered, which is a right that they want, and a right everyone else has. They don't have it because of hypocrits like yourself. The same ones who claim they live and die by the constitution yet demonstrate that they don't when they promote running this country like a theocracy rather than keeping the church seperate from the state. Pointing out the double standards in your ideology. I'm a straight Christian.

[Lyle1196]

You, sadly, miss the the point. First, the separation of church and state was to prevent the new colonies and later the United States from establishing a State religion, hardly the issue at hand. Everyone doesnt have the right to marry. I cannot marry my sister or my coursin or my daughter or the family dog, so please check your facts. Unless you think that marriages of this nature shoud be codified by law.

[Thrillcekr]

Sadly, you're the one that is missing the point. That state has already been established when you allow religious beliefs to form those laws which is where they came from. It's called a theocracy my friend and you live in one just like those "islamofascists" you probably despise. It's really the same game. Your sister is related which causes brain damaged kids, and dogs aren't even of the same species.

[Thrillcekr]

Telling two grown men or women that are doing what they do consensually that they can't be legally bound has nothing to do with that. They aren't harming anyone so the lame excuses for denying them rights really don't fly. That's the same kind of rhetoric that denied women equality for centuries including here in the "most tolerant" country in the world as you claim. This clearly is an issue of denial due to religion and trying to make a case by using a dog that doesn't have a choice is lame.

[Lyle1196]

Oh my. After your profanity laced tirade I hope Thrillcekr feels better now. Are you back on your meds? I guess if you can't argue the facts you attack the person. Being a veteran or having travelled is irrelevant. I too am a veteran and has travelled extensively. What difference does that make?

The gay marriage argument is that two people love each other so who are we to judge. Well what happens when they are father and son or brothers/ sisters. Your moral superiorty is appalling.

[Thrillcekr]

Upset when somebody talks to you in the same manner that you speak to people? Sounds like you need to take your meds then pussy.

It makes a difference because all of this propaganda that's been beaten into your brain about how things are in other countries is quite different from reality. That's extremely obvious when you talk about tolerance. What's really appalling is your phony intellect and lame comparisons of apples and oranges to justify unacceptable denial of equality and freedom.

[Lyle1196]

You make me laugh. So you are trying to tell the world that if you visit Cuba or Russia you can freely admit to being gay and continue to be safe? I thought you said you had travelled? You still don't answer the question and true to form resort to personal attacks. A classic liberal bafoon on You Tube!!

[Thrillcekr]

The brother and sister argument is so lame it's laughable. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can figure out why there's a difference. Obviously the retarded children they'll spawn are the reason for that. There's a third person involved there. Obviously a son that is just a boy isn't fully developed and can't make good decisions for himself in the same way a ten year old isn't allowed to drive a car. Any intelligent adult can differentiate between that and two grown men.

[Lyle1196]

You miss the point completely!!! If it isn't prohibited in the law how can anyone say in a decade prevent a two consenting grown men or women who are related from marrying?  You are kidding yourself if you think that threre aren't people out in the world that would try to use the same agrument to marry an animal. If it's only about love what do you propose to do to stop them? Or are you saying that love is all you need? For the sake of this country I hope not.

[HalRogers2000]

Thrillcekr must have a bad case of "William F. Buckley, Jr. Derangement Syndrome" -- Suggestion to Thrillcekr -- get a life, or spend more time with your friends, if you have any.

[Romes944]

"keeping the church seperate from the state"?? I thought it was Separation OF Church and State not FROM the State.......... work on your grammar and reading comprehension.

[Lyle1196]

Grammar and reading comprehension? I don't understand what you mean. I thought we were discussing a pressing issue? The use of the word "of" instead of "from" is not important to this discussion. The basic fact remains the same. The founder's of this great country decided long ago that the leaders of government could not establish a State religion and that the people had the choice. What am I missing?

[Thrillcekr]

The problem with your kind is that you like to run around spouting off at the mouth about freedom but what you really mean is freedom as long as you approve of everything they're doing. When someone points that out you run to that same ol' bullshit spin doctorism and defamation because you can't counter with an intellgent argument.

The person that doesn't know a thing about Buckley is you. You should read his son's new book. His father was disgusted by so called conservatives like you.

[Romes944]

Are you implying that his son speaks for him now? If the only meaning that Freedom has to you is for Fags to marry then it is YOU that has missed the point and cannot carry an intelligent debate on the subject. Now, look to the lower left of your computer screen. Do you see the start button? Click on it and then click where it says, "Turn off computer"..... now, go get a clue moron!

[Thrillcekr]

Personally, I've gained the knowledge I have through several years of travelling the world and service in the military defending your right to say stupid shit. Let me guess. You're some dumb fucking hick that's never been out of the county much less have any first hand knowledge of reality. Everything your dumb ass knows has been spoon fed to you via Fox News and the hillbilly barbershop you go to. You've never been smart enough to question anything in your life have you?

[Thrillcekr]

Newsflash bird brain. Buckley is dead. His son is the only one alive who still can speak for him. I'm fairly certain he didn't say what he said simply to disrespect his dead father and make you look bad. You do a fine job of that on your own. It's morons like yourself that make it clear that YouTube should adopt Geico's slogan. "So easy a cave man can do it". Now be on your way ya knuckle draggin' piece of shit.

[Lyle1196]

To Thrillcekr: Do you realize that if you travel to Cuba and admit freely that you are homosexual you will be imprisoned and possibly murdered? I doubt that fate will occur if you simply remain the most free and tolerant country on God's Earth. Of course, I mean the United States of America. That doesn't mean, however, that everyone agrees with you or respects the choices you make, but that's America.

[Thrillcekr]

First of all, as an American you don't have the freedom to even go to Cuba like everyone else on the planet so I'm fairly certain you've never been there to know what does or does not happen there. Secondly, if you say America is the most tolerant country on Earth then it's painfully obvious that you haven't even been around the block. In reference to the example of homosexuality, that hasn't been an issue in most countries for decades and people still get killed here for such all the time.

[Thrillcekr]

BTW, the United States of America was one of the last countries in the world to give up it's Jim Crow type laws. Blacks were good enough to be drafted, and die, for your "freedom" by the thousands but not good enough to sit in the front of the bus, eat beside you, or send their kids to the same schools even though their taxes paid into the system that allowed your kids to do so. You sir, are really a naive little man that merely repeats things you've been told your whole life.

[Lyle1196]

Of course, I can. His devotion to freedom for idiots like you to spout off on the internet is one! You really are beyond respectable people to say that you are glad he's gone. I only hope your family doesn't think the same thing of you.

[Thrillcekr]

Look you fucking nitwit. I never said anything about being glad he was gone so your ability to interpret the English language is pretty subpar if you took that from it. I served this country for 8 years so idiots like you that call yourself experts could spout off ignorant comments about stuff you've never even seen much less know anything about. Do you realize that you live in the last "civilized" nation on Earth to outlaw slavery?

[Lyle1196]

If you would understand the times Buckely didn't bleep out the word the network did. My how times have changed. Buckely was the essence of an indivudual. You may disagree, but you could never win against his obvious insight and sense for the common man. The National Review remains the best magazine ever published. It is the only magazine I subscribe too and now that my children are older it is my pleasure to send them a subscription. God Bless WFB.

[OrsonWellesGenius]

I love how Buckley's calling Vidal a "queer" is blanked out in this video. Not eloquent enough?

[dandiacalbody]

one of the most eloquent men to ever walk the earth.

[lelvish1]

"The individual is supreme". THAT is a comment of Liberal ideology . Buckley totally contradicted all his beliefs.

[AntiAntiAmerica]

Explain yourself.

[Talloweed]

I don't find fault with you for thinking that, since it's a view common to those weaned on contemporary television. I do hope, though, that you'll research the classical liberalism men today call "conservatism," and you'll see that whenever a conservative calls for limited government, he does so out of respect for the individual. If you delve into the histories of all left-leaning governments, you'll discover that they demonize individualism for what they believe to be the public good.

[lelvish1]

The Conservatives practice Conservatism- ie. promoting the interests of the propertied over those who have no property without even giving them opportunity, Liberals GIVE people opportunity without the governmnet interfering in their lives unlike Socialists. I could never support the Conservative party simly because they are stuck in the past. While there are certainly progressives within Conservatism, there are also far too many reactionaries.

[Talloweed]

You've highlighted the main difference between Conservatism and Liberalism. Liberals believe that opportunity can only be fairly allotted by the State. Conservatives have a distrust of all man-made institutions, and as such believe that opportunity is created by individuals. In that respect, the difference between Liberals and Conservatives isn't so much philosophical as it is theological; where Conservatives see latent tyranny in the State, Liberals see incorruptibility and absolution.

[bebeinpa]

A great man-God Bless Him.

[DermochelysCoriacea]

Yes.

[bereket85]

Can anyone tell me the name of the piece played in the background?

[lambos1985]

don't know, but it's Bach.

[gabes80]

A man who loved the sound of his own voice like no other.

[elar4563]

Sad thing is with the lefts grip on public "education" they will never understand what he is saying anyways through their rittalin haze.

[elar4563]

Great thinker. The non-thinking communist neo-libs hated him. The liberal extreme left which is the party of slavery and biggotry and perverts and baby killers hated him with a passion.

[ludachris475]

God, he is so thoroughly disingenuous.

A true Sophist through and through.

[ludachris475]

Neoconservatism in its true form essentially Fascism.

[antinociception]

Didn't have the guts to kill more people in Vietnam.

[siriuslyheidi]

Wow.  That is really charming.

[Kubrickfan1]

Amen!! What a bastard.

[anodyneryan]

"One can't doubt that the American objective in Iraq has failed....different plans have to be made. And the kernel here is the acknowledgement of defeat." -William F. Buckley Jr.

[ukboomerfl]

I may not agree with Buckley's opinions, but he was a great orator. I particularly remember his conversations with Malcum Muggeridge.

[matchbox555]

i saw that debate and chomsky kicked buckleys pompous ass

[AntonBatey]

Buckley got pwned by Chomsky.

[drgroovebliss]

Buckley

A man who wanted to tatoo the buttocks of people with aids

A man who thought African American's should not be allowed to vote

Still... He was more intelligent more thoughtful and more informative than the asshole conservatives out on the political field these days.

RIP Mr. Buckley

[Webins]

I disagree. I find Pat Buchanen to be perhaps more rational and honest than him.

Buchanen seemed to me more likely to speak his own mind and break ranks with the conservative elites. He certainly did so on Iraq.

But both men were certainly more tolerable the the authoritarian conservatives of today.

[drgroovebliss]

I don't know a ton about Buchanen, but he is a paleo-conservative, a dying breed that needs to be revived, still I don't think he touches Buckley as far as brains go...

[pfg999]

Webins

"Buchanen seemed to me more likely to speak his own mind and break ranks with the conservative elites. He certainly did so on Iraq."

I would say that WFB Jr always spoke his mind too, but I definitely admire Buchanan for not acting like a neocon automaton, especially on Iraq. I may not agree with Buchanan (or Buckley) on many issues, but at least I can respect them. Can't say that for the neocons who basically label all dissenters as unpatriotic etc.

[Lupine0012]

You need to spell Buchanan right!!!!

[bk1bennett]

It's not true that Buckley thought African American's should not be allowed to vote.

[thucy2]

Sorry, ben, but it IS true. Buckley wrote an editorial in the August 24, 1957 issue of National Review that said southern whites were "entitled to take such measures as are necessary" to win elections and hang onto political power, even in areas where blacks far outnumbered whites. He justified keeping African Americans from voting by saying that whites were "the advanced race." He later recanted, but not until many years later.

[bk1bennett]

Not true.

[pfg999]

drgroovebliss

"Still... He was more intelligent more thoughtful and more informative than the asshole conservatives out on the political field these days."

It is out of respect for WFB Jr that I have always used the term NEOCON when I am responding to some of the a### conservatives that you mentioned. I distinguish between people like Buckly Jr., whom I admired (even if I disagreed with him) and the garbage that passes as conservatism today - neocon trash like Limbaugh, Coulter etc.

[drgroovebliss]

I agree, but the term neocon seems a little eh, assholes works better.

One of the problems with the term neoconservative is that they aren't conservatives in any traditional definition, they have completely severed intellectual ties with their past. Conservatism was never about empire, and certainly not about foreign interventionist policy, but whatchya gonna do...

[pfg999]

drgroovebliss

"One of the problems with the term neoconservative is that they aren't conservatives in any traditional definition"

EXACTLY! I am glad to meet someone who understands this! Absolutely correct with the rest of your comments too. I was being too colloquial in using the term neocon; I believe your term is more accurate and technicallly correct. :)

[drgroovebliss]

hey pfg999

Have I seen you comment on some of hitchens videos?

[pfg999]

"Have I seen you comment on some of hitchens videos?"

Nope - I dont recall seeing any of those actually.

[drgroovebliss]

I am assuming you have some isolationist tendancies (correct me if i'm wrong), and was wondering if you still think this a viable worldview considering free trade, technology, yadayadayada

[pfg999]

drgroovebliss

"I am assuming you have some isolationist tendancies (correct me if i'm wrong)"

No, I would not consider myself an isolationist. Where I have big issues is with the notion of nation building by force (i.e. Iraq) and the constant use of threatening words by this administration against anyone they disagree with (rather than exploring parallel diplomatic channels). Also, we need to focus on keeping our economy strong, because that's what makes everything else possible.

[IMSully34]

No one ever mopped the floor with Buckley.

Go back to ironing you Che Guevara t-shirt Airhead; and have your water tested.

[Commando207]

Right. If by mopping the floor, you mean that Chomsky has no problem standing by while Communists slaughter millions of people,then yes, by all means, conclude that Chomsky 'mops the floor' with Buckley.

[clbaz]

Not really Air420.... the millions who were killed by the PolPot, the hundreds of thousands who drowned in the South East Asian sea, and the hundreds of millions freed from Soviet Communisim would side with Buckley ...although any fan of Chomsky wouldn't be influenced by facts or history

[mjth37]

Hey now! Chomsky is a great FICTION writer. The problem is some nutjobs think he's telling the truth. Like Hubbard and that Scientology crap ...

[Air420]

If you watch the Chomsky v. Buckley, Chomsky mops the floor with Buckley.

[Reggie1971]

LOL - You wish!

[Webins]

You're right. Chomsky dominated Buckley. Ignore the Thumbs Down votes.

Buckley is more suited for someone like Vodal. Both are great orators. Very stylistic. But Chomsky isn't, he just speaks with facts and pure logic.

As a result, while Buckely is pleasant to hear, Chomsky emerges more correct in his views.

[dogfight73]

I have a hard time understanding how you could say Chomsky emerged correct; how many free elections have their been in North Korea and North Vietnam in the last 20 years? Chomsky was arguing that communism is a viable option, if chosen, by a people. Buckley was arguing that the choice for communism was an allusion. You would think that a government endorsed starvation in North Korea in the late 90's clearly vindicates Buckley. After all, have you ever voted to starve?

[Webins]

I don't think Chomsky ever endorsed Communism.

Rather, what his point has always been was that the U.S. does not have the right to be judge and executioner of the world.

Further, would you not agree that Communism in, say, Cuba, is far less harsh than that of N. Korea?

WOuld you not also agree that both Vietnam and China have "softened" their form of Communism, unlike N. Korea?

Therefore it follows that one blanket statement of policy towards Communist nations cannot apply.

[dogfight73]

If you are the one hanging from a tree, then communism of any kind is not going to be very soft.

[Horsemanray]

you lost the argument.

[drgroovebliss]

Hey Webins,

Chomsky defines himself as a Anarcho-Libertarian. Im pretty sure anyways...But he is anti-corporation, anti-capatalistic, thats for sure

[Webins]

Yes, but he wasn't pro-communism either.

I believe there is a video on Youtube of him talking about his economic views and preferences.