Kathryn Jean Lopez
Late last year, I was the middle man (so to speak) of my dreams.
Not everyone gets to hear their eulogies before they go, but in a burst of love, Bill Buckley heard one this fall. Rush went on his show one afternoon and just gushed about Bill Buckley. There was no news hook. There was no set reason. He just had Bill on his mind. He was thinking about conservatism — it’s past, present, and future — and you really can’t do that right without having Bill on the mind.
And so, knowing Bill might not be the talk-radio addict I am (hhhmm, maybe that’s how he was so prolific!), once the transcript for the day was ready (based on my notes from the show, I should go back to typing school), I sent it along to Bill with a note.
If you didn’t have the chance to meet or know WFB personally, you’ll be delighted to know that he was every bit as gracious as you’ve heard and would want him to be. And humble. Why would Rush go all out and say such generous things? Bill asked. Because we owe you and we thank you, Mr. Buckley. Thank you.
Because I’m one lucky gal, the conversation went on a little bit more. It was clear he was grateful and touched by Rush’s kind words — and in no small part, because they were coming from Rush. I won’t pretend to know WFB’s mind or put words into his mouth, but there was no doubt that he appreciated the pivotal role Rush Limbaugh has had and will continue to have in American public life and public policy. And I suspect it gave him some confidence knowing Rush’s roots in good solid things like NR and Ronald Reagan (the latter of whom, of course, was rooted in NR). It went further than that, too — WFB had great affection for El Rushbo. Rush has described him as a second father and I suspect WFB may be honored to know that for eternity.
What’s so special about Rush? Besides his remarkable talent and the fact that Rush not only shared political principles with WFB, but Rush also has his graciousness and humility? He may have “talent on loan from God” but he doesn’t forget to give God thanks and praise (as his listeners know full well) for the opportunities he has and for the country he gets to have them in. He’s lived these last 20 years with America in a very public way. He has graciously inspired as he’s made it; he’s faced tremendous obstacles and struggles, and always came out better in the end. (We do, too.)
Rush Limbaugh has spent 20 years reminding us what a wonderful country we live in, including during impeachment and the most devastating attack I hope we ever live through and the deaths of some world-changing friends. I’m grateful for this week to give him a little thanks. I look forward to fighting alongside him for years to come.
— Kathryn Jean Lopez is the editor of National Review Online.
Late last year, I was the middle man (so to speak) of my dreams.
Not everyone gets to hear their eulogies before they go, but in a burst of love, Bill Buckley heard one this fall. Rush went on his show one afternoon and just gushed about Bill Buckley. There was no news hook. There was no set reason. He just had Bill on his mind. He was thinking about conservatism — it’s past, present, and future — and you really can’t do that right without having Bill on the mind.
And so, knowing Bill might not be the talk-radio addict I am (hhhmm, maybe that’s how he was so prolific!), once the transcript for the day was ready (based on my notes from the show, I should go back to typing school), I sent it along to Bill with a note.
If you didn’t have the chance to meet or know WFB personally, you’ll be delighted to know that he was every bit as gracious as you’ve heard and would want him to be. And humble. Why would Rush go all out and say such generous things? Bill asked. Because we owe you and we thank you, Mr. Buckley. Thank you.
Because I’m one lucky gal, the conversation went on a little bit more. It was clear he was grateful and touched by Rush’s kind words — and in no small part, because they were coming from Rush. I won’t pretend to know WFB’s mind or put words into his mouth, but there was no doubt that he appreciated the pivotal role Rush Limbaugh has had and will continue to have in American public life and public policy. And I suspect it gave him some confidence knowing Rush’s roots in good solid things like NR and Ronald Reagan (the latter of whom, of course, was rooted in NR). It went further than that, too — WFB had great affection for El Rushbo. Rush has described him as a second father and I suspect WFB may be honored to know that for eternity.
What’s so special about Rush? Besides his remarkable talent and the fact that Rush not only shared political principles with WFB, but Rush also has his graciousness and humility? He may have “talent on loan from God” but he doesn’t forget to give God thanks and praise (as his listeners know full well) for the opportunities he has and for the country he gets to have them in. He’s lived these last 20 years with America in a very public way. He has graciously inspired as he’s made it; he’s faced tremendous obstacles and struggles, and always came out better in the end. (We do, too.)
Rush Limbaugh has spent 20 years reminding us what a wonderful country we live in, including during impeachment and the most devastating attack I hope we ever live through and the deaths of some world-changing friends. I’m grateful for this week to give him a little thanks. I look forward to fighting alongside him for years to come.
— Kathryn Jean Lopez is the editor of National Review Online.
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